Gator Country

**LightMan** · 01-20-2013, 10:07 AM

So in the near future my wife and I will be looking to relocate. I'm currently active duty Navy and as of right now I don't see myself reenlisting, I would like to teach. My wife will be an RN by the time we move. We also have a three year old little man. I am from Okeechobee but don't really want to go back to that small of a town. Never been to Gainesville. How is it as far as raising a family? I like the fact that it is close to Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville. Any information would be appreciated.

**gator1986** · 01-20-2013, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LightMan

So in the near future my wife and I will be looking to relocate. I'm currently active duty Navy and as of right now I don't see myself reenlisting, I would like to teach. My wife will be an RN by the time we move. We also have a three year old little man. I am from Okeechobee but don't really want to go back to that small of a town. Never been to Gainesville. How is it as far as raising a family? I like the fact that it is close to Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville. Any information would be appreciated.

Gainesville is amazing. I don't live there but it's beautiful. It's close to all the other cities, which is a plus. I am going into the Army National Guard, and I will be wanting to move there also when
I am done. Unfortunately Gainesville doesn't have an armory, I will be driving to Jacksonville for 1 weekend a month, for fire school. Then hopefully take my talents to Gainesville, and be able to work the field for the games! Good luck my good sir!

**gatorjjh** · 01-20-2013, 10:34 AM

Been in Gville pretty much since I matriculated in '67 the economy is based on the University and Health care- my guess is an RN would have options with Shands, the VA & North Florida Regional and lots of spin off clinics and specialty Docs in the area.
The University means it has a cultural side greater than most cities the same or similar size- lots of diverse art, music and festivals in the area pretty much year round. The hotels thrive on Home football weekend and do OK the rest of the year.
If I were moving there I would be reading the Gville Sun on line to get the flavor of the area and for some info on schools, churches etc. The dining is somewhat geared toward the college crowd but there are some decent places to eat- seafood to steaks, and plenty of ethnic choices- here in the Pub we bitch about the limited food options but for a town this size they are remarkably diverse- you do have to have a sharp eye to find 'quality'.
For housing lots of folks live in the surround small towns and work in Gville. Saves money - away from student masses and comfortable rural settings on all sides.
Hope this is a start for your study

bakaduin · 01-20-2013, 10:34 AM

Love Gainesville. Came here 9 years ago for undergrad, stayed through vet school, and got a job here after. Can't imagine a better place to live.

Its not too small and not too big. Plenty of quality restaurants. Gator sports to go to almost year round. Jax/Orlando/Tampa all within ~1.5 hours.

Dreamliner · 01-20-2013, 10:58 AM

I was born and raised in Gainesville and lived there for forty years. Regardless of anything I might say about the town, it's MY Gainesville and always will be.

There is more than enough in Gainesville to stimulate all but the already over-stimulated.

Oh, and living in Orlando, for the last ten years, I do miss the trees and hills of Gainesville.

LeafUF · 01-20-2013, 10:59 AM

I strongly considered moving back two years ago and ultimately decided it wasn't for me at least at that time. I was traveling a lot and working from home so having to frequently drive a few hours to a major airport was hard to overcome. I was also single and at least from a social perspective didn't think it was the best for me.

Other than those few things not working for me specifically there is so much to love about Gainesville, and who knows maybe it will still be in my future some day. You came to the right place for info, the Pub will take care of you.

TheGator · 01-20-2013, 11:36 AM

Lived there in college and travel back for games all the time. Like anywhere else, Gainesville is what you make of it.

Lots of outdoors things to do. For better or worse, most of your entertainment will be centered around the University. While there are a few decent restaurants, there is nothing like the type of options you would find in a major city.

Also, restaurants, theaters and etc are usually geared for students. If you are not a student, I would tend to think that might get old after awhile. Of course, plenty of opportunities to get a cheap dinner.

.

Part of me would love it, but I think I would miss the better restaurants, Broadway shows and etc.

If I was to move back to Florida, I think my choices would be to move to Tampa, Orlando, and or Jacksonville. Then drive into Gainesville for sports and etc.

bakaduin · 01-20-2013, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGator

Lived there in college and travel back for games all the time. Like anywhere else, Gainesville is what you make of it.

Lots of outdoors things to do. For better or worse, most of your entertainment will be centered around the University. While there are a few decent restaurants, there is nothing like the type of options you would find in a major city.

Also, restaurants, theaters and etc are usually geared for students. If you are not a student, I would tend to think that might get old after awhile. Of course, plenty of opportunities to get a cheap dinner.

.

Part of me would love it, but I think I would miss the better restaurants, Broadway shows and etc.

If I was to move back to Florida, I think my choices would be to move to Tampa, Orlando, and or Jacksonville. Then drive into Gainesville for sports and etc.

Granted I am bias but I feel the opposite. I would rather live in Gainesville (not deal with the traffic and nonsense of a major city) and travel to Jax/Orlando/Tampa occasionally for a great restaurant/concert/show/amusement park than do the opposite.

**bofusgators** · 01-20-2013, 12:20 PM

Gainesville has a lot of attractions plus the University. It was voted a number of years ago , sorry but I for got whom by, as the seventh best place in the US to live based on all that was offered. To me it is a wonderful place to be and live. Unfortunately, due to work, it's not available to me, but I visit there eigth times a year.

TheGator · 01-20-2013, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bakaduin

Granted I am bias but I feel the opposite. I would rather live in Gainesville (not deal with the traffic and nonsense of a major city) and travel to Jax/Orlando/Tampa occasionally for a great restaurant/concert/show/amusement park than do the opposite.

Very true. Something to be said about avoiding the traffic and other bs.

**LightMan** · 01-20-2013, 12:31 PM

Thanks for all the insight y'all have provided so far. Seems to be along the lines of what we are looking for. Big plus that I can entertain my son with Gator sports all year round. Houses are cheap compared to here in the Hampton Roads area in VA.

**kuto22** · 01-20-2013, 12:32 PM

Born and raised in Gville and now live in Orlando. I love the atmosphere in Gville even know it is based around the university. Good schools and for a small town great eating establishments which is what I like about Orlando, but it is the only thing I like about Orlando. I like the small town feel of Gville and would move back. Safe place to raise your children, unlike the CRIME CITY Orlando. The West side of Gville is the best place to live in the area where Haile Plantation is now or even out a little more. I like how close the gulf is and St Augustine/Crescent Beach are.

**ufbeta** · 01-20-2013, 12:40 PM

Moved back (after 10 years in Atlanta) and love it. Great place to raise a family as there is a ton to do with kids (obviously UF sports but there are also a ton of parks and other activities) and there has been a pretty big shift in the last year regarding things to do for adults. I'd disagree (again changed in the last several years) with the comments about a lack of restaurants. There is actually an emerging "foodie" population here and we've gotten some pretty good local restaurants that generally surprise people when we take them.

Overall there is just a lot more going on than you'd normally find in a city this size.

**gatorjjh** · 01-20-2013, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gator1986

Gainesville is amazing. I don't live there but it's beautiful. It's close to all the other cities, which is a plus. I am going into the Army National Guard, and I will be wanting to move there also when
I am done. Unfortunately Gainesville doesn't have an armory, I will be driving to Jacksonville for 1 weekend a month, for fire school. Then hopefully take my talents to Gainesville, and be able to work the field for the games! Good luck my good sir!

would the State Fire College be an alternative to the drive to Jax?

http://www.myfloridacfo.com/sfm/bfst/Campus/campus4.HTM

northgagator · 01-20-2013, 03:58 PM

I would put some time into checking out the small towns within a 30 mile radius of Gainesville. The real estate values will be pretty attractive and in most cases you are at the most twenty to thirty minutes away from shopping and entertainment.

swampbabe · 01-20-2013, 06:01 PM

I would suggest that you look at careers other than teaching. 30 year educator here

**G8trGr8t** · 01-20-2013, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northgagator

I would put some time into checking out the small towns within a 30 mile radius of Gainesville. The real estate values will be pretty attractive and in most cases you are at the most twenty to thirty minutes away from shopping and entertainment.

agreed, when I was looking at moving back I was surprised at the cost of the houses in the NW neighborhoods that had the best schools. That and the property taxes. Alachua County has some of the highest property taxes I have seen in the state. RN can get work there but other professional salaries are relatively low compared to other parts of state. $20k difference between what I can make in Gainesville and what I can get paid for same engineering work in Jax, Orlando, Tampa, Ft. Myers, etc

Welshgator · 01-20-2013, 06:59 PM

I've lived in Gainesville 20 years. It's been a great place to bring up my 2 kids. Schools and availability of sports are great. Never been too worried about their safety. Lots of outdoor places to go and keep the kids away from TV. I live in the NW off 39th Avenue, easy access to I75 and few traffic problems.. There's plenty of nice, affordable neighborhoods that are zoned for good schools.

**gator1986** · 01-20-2013, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorjjh

would the State Fire College be an alternative to the drive to Jax?

http://www.myfloridacfo.com/sfm/bfst/Campus/campus4.HTM

I've thought about that, but in the National Guard you have to drive to Jacksonville 1 weekend a month for your fire fighting training. The best part, is its paid for and ill get a national certification. I already was thinking about the State Fire College, but ill just get the training for free, thanks for the offer of help though!

LeafUF · 01-20-2013, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LightMan

Thanks for all the insight y'all have provided so far. Seems to be along the lines of what we are looking for. Big plus that I can entertain my son with Gator sports all year round. Houses are cheap compared to here in the Hampton Roads area in VA.

Ugh, not a fan of that area of VA. Worked in Newport News, at Ft. Eustis back in 04-05. Maybe Hampton Roads was better but I kind of dislike the whole Norfolk area.