Living in Gainesville

Gainesville is home of Florida's largest and oldest university, the Univeristy of Florida. Gainesville is one of the state's centers of education, medicine, cultural events and athletics. The University of Florida and Shands Hospital at UF are the leading employers in Gainesville and provide jobs for many residents of surrounding counties. Known for its preservation of historic buildings and the beauty of its natural surroundings, Gainesville's numerous parks, museums and lakes provide entertainment to thousands of visitors.

In September of 1995 the City was ranked by Money Magazine as the best place to live in America. For five consecutive years, it has been tapped as Florida's most livable city and has ranked among the leaders in the nation. The downtown area boasts numerous restaurants, year-round outdoor cafes, and the Hippodrome State Theater.

Gainesville continues to rank as one of the best places to live in the United States. Because of its beautiful landscape and urban forest, Gainesville is one of the most attractive cities in Florida.

The City of Gainesville is the largest city and county seat of Alachua County. It serves as the cultural, educational and commercial center for the North Central Florida Region.

Gainesville and the surrounding North Central Florida Region are known for their scenic beauty. Numerous lakes and state parks dot the region, offering amazing year-round outdoor activities. The area has a commitment to the outdoors and local governments have made this area one of the most bicycle-friendly regions in the country.

Shands Hospital at UF is located on the southeast corner of the beautiful University of Florida campus. It is near Lake Alice, a campus landmark, where alligators can be seen swimming peacefully.

The campus is known for its picturesque oak trees and classic architecture.

No discussion of Gainesville or the University of Florida would be complete without mentioning athletics. The Gators are a perennial SEC and national sports powerhouse in numerous sports. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is one of the most imposing football stadiums in the country and one of many great athletic venues on campus. Check out gatorzone.com or gatorsports.com for more athletics information.

Current radiology residents enjoy a wide variety of activities. The university setting provides numerous cultural and social opportunities. Residents with children enjoy a safe family environment. Residents enjoy socializing outside of work and currently have an intramural flag football team. Many residents play basketball after work on Wednesdays. Short drives from Gainesville offer beach experiences and the rest that Florida has to offer.

Gainesville Facts

Area: 45.52 Square Miles
Population: 117,182 (221,221 Countywide) as of 2003
Climate: Mild winters, warm summers, 255-day growing season
Industry: Variable from agricultural to manufacturing, academic research, health care, corporate infrastructure, many small/minority business enterprises
Taxes: 6% retail sales tax (food and medicine exempt)
Homestead Exemption - $25,000
No state personal income tax
No state inheritance tax
Cities Within a Two Hour Drive: Jacksonville, Ocala, Lake City, Orlando, Tallahassee, Tampa, St. Augustine, Cedar Key
Median Age: 27
Households: 87,509
Median Household Income: $31,426
Famous Residents (past & present): Bo Didley, Tom Petty, Don Felder, Bernie Leadon, River Phoenix, Malcolm Gets, Harry Crews, Marty Liquori, Gabriel Schwartzman, Peter Taylor, Mary McCauley, countless athletes
Notable Firsts:
- Number 1 city to live in America (Money Magazine September, 1995)
- First sports drink - Gatorade®
Typical Cuisine: Pizza, BBQ, seafood, chicken wings, vegetarian dishes, and many ethnic choices

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