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Gainesville Real Estate For Sale In FL
Gainesville is a charming and energetic north central Florida college town located 71 miles south of Jacksonville. Home of the prestigious University of Florida, Gainesville real estate is a magnet for students, but young families and professionals are also drawn to this close-knit community of low living costs, affordable real estate, plentiful education & healthcare jobs, and abundant opportunities to connect with nature. Take a look at some of our listings to see if Gainesville is the ideal location for you to purchase Florida real estate.
More About Gainesville, FL Real Estate
The mid-size, inland Florida city of Gainesville is home to over 141K people. It is also the largest city and the seat of Alachua County, and the main city of the Gainesville Metropolitan Area. One of the biggest perks of living in Gainesville is its location, a short drive from all the major cities in Central and Northern Florida. You can get to Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, Tampa, or Orlando in less than three hours by driving on I-75 or I-4.
The University of Florida, which enrolls over 50,000 students annually, is the city's focal point and soul. There's always something going on around campus, especially well-attended tailgates for football games. Despite its large student population, Gainesville maintains a serene, small-town feel yet has enough going on to satisfy the most cosmopolitan of its citizens. Boutiques, art galleries, and locally owned restaurants line the streets, and there's always something happening downtown.
Gainesville is known for its vibrant music scene with a considerable number of venues, like Heartwood Soundstage located in the city’s heart, and The Bull, close to University Avenue. There are also many annual festivals including the Hoggtowne Medieval Faire filled with Renaissance fun and the Hogtown Craft Beer Festival.
Gainesville real estate can also be your paradise if you want to immerse yourself in nature instead. With over a dozen parks (including four state parks), nature preserves, wildlife management areas, natural areas, and wetlands, not to mention seven lakes in its surroundings, you'll be busy all year long, especially with such good weather. Popular outdoor recreational activities in Gainesville include boating, hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, and canoeing.
Gainesville Nearby Cities
Gainesville, FL Real Estate Market
The Gainesville, FL real estate market is a strong seller's market. It comprises some of the most desirable housing supplies in the Sunshine State, offering potential homebuyers anything from small downtown condos near the university perfect for rental investment to luxurious sprawling estates on acreage in upscale suburbs like Carriage Way.
The Gainesville real estate market is also recognized as one of the most reasonably priced in Florida. The median sale price for a home for sale in Gainesville is around $282K, trending up 22.2% over the past year. The typical house sells for 1% above the asking price and usually goes pending in under two weeks.
Homes For Sale In Gainesville, FL
Most real estate in Gainesville, FL are three or four-bedroom bungalows or lovely cottage houses (many of them carefully updated) with comfortable living spaces and sought-after features like manicured tropical landscaping, extensive lawns, and backyards.
Many homes date back to the '70s and '80s, but homebuyers can find dwellings from the 1990s, the 2000s, and later. Century-old houses for sale in Gainesville are prevalent in selected historic neighborhoods like Duckpond. For those wanting to settle in a brand new single-family home, there's plenty of new construction in Gainesville, particularly on the eastern side of the city in areas like Oakmont and Grand Oaks. New home prices range between $450K and up to $910K.
Condos For Sale In Gainesville, FL
As a college town, Gainesville is primarily home to renters, so it's no surprise that the city has a high proportion of rental dwellings, approximately 65%. Renters mostly live in one, two, or studio apartments and condos located downtown or encircling the UF campuses. The condos for sale in Gainesville are primarily in low-rise buildings or gated communities, offering residents options like fully-furnished units and amenities such as pools and sports courts.
Gainesville, FL Neighborhoods
Sugarfoot
Sugarfoot is located in west Gainesville, adjacent to the lush Sugarfoot Prairie Conservation Area, and is one of the best suburban neighborhoods in the city. Quiet and kid-friendly, Sugarfoot attracts growing families and adults looking to move away from the neighborhoods closer to the university. The single-detached home is the most prevalent form of Sugarfoot real estate, but townhomes and sizable apartments are also available. The median home price is around $368K. Sugarfoot offers residents proximity to great schools, a plethora of amenities in the shopping plazas along Newberry Rd, and fun outdoor adventures in the nearby parks and lakes.
Duckpond
Duckpond is a vibrant neighborhood in the heart of Gainesville's Downtown, regarded as the city's first neighborhood. This historic area has a unique feel that will immediately transport you back in time while being right in the center of the action and close to all the modern conveniences you need to thrive. The homes in Duckpond are frequently on the National Register of Historic Places, which means mature homebuyers can get their hands on some genuinely unique architectural gems. That includes antique Victorian-style homes, Colonial-style homes mixed with Old Florida designs, mid-century modern dwellings, and even remodeled single-family homes constructed in the early '90s. Most of the homes for sale in Duckpond have beautiful yards, lawns, and gardens. The median sale price for Duckpond real estate is $399K.
Haile Plantation
Far west from Gainesville's hustle and bustle, Haile Plantation is a large planned community with real estate to fit every lifestyle, need, and budget. The Haile Plantation community has nine miles of thoroughfares, nature paths, excellent shopping & dining, and the Haile's Village Market Center with all sorts of commercial facilities and health care services. The Haile Plantation Golf & Country Club, with its 18-hole course, is a staple in the area, and the suburb is zoned for Wiles and Chiles elementary schools, Kanapaha Middle School, and Buchholz High School. The homes in Haile Plantation have a median price of around $350K, and the market includes large custom builds and quaint townhouses, apartments, and condos.
Schools in Gainesville, FL
In addition to its widely known higher education institutions, Gainesville offers excellent K-12 education in both public and private schools. Gainesville public schools are part of the Alachua County Public School System which includes over 24,000 students and up to 53 above-average public schools to select from.
For parents of school-age children purchasing Gainesville real estate, choosing a neighborhood that connects to the schools they want their children to attend is a good idea. Gainesville's top-rated public schools include Expressions Learning Arts Academy, Hidden Oak Elementary School, Meadowbrook Elementary School, and Professional Academy Magnet at Loften High School. Gainesville's private schools include Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, Cornerstone Academy, and Oak Hall School. Keep reading for a comprehensive list of schools in Gainesville:
Public Schools In Gainesville
Elementary & Middle Schools
- Boulware Springs Charter School
- Chiles Elementary School
- Duval Elementary School
- Caroline Beatrice Parker Elementary School
- Foster Elementary School
- Glen Springs Elementary School
- Hidden Oak Elementary School
- Idyllwilde Elementary School
- Lake Forest Elementary School
- Littlewood Elementary School
- Meadowbrook Elementary School
- WA Metcalfe Elementary School
- Norton Knights Elementary School
- Rawlings Elementary School
- Talbot Elementary School
- Terwilliger Elementary School
- Wiles Elementary School
- Williams Elementary School
- Howard Bishop Middle School
- Fort Clarke Middle School
- Kanapaha Middle School
- Lincoln Middle School
- Westwood Middle School
High Schools
- Buchholz High School
- Eastside High School
- Gainesville High School
- Loften High School
Private Schools In Gainesville
- Brentwood School
- Countryside Christian School
- Cornerstone Academy
- Gainesville Country Day School
- Millhopper Montessori School
- Oak Hall School
- Queen of Peace Academy
- St. Patrick Interparish School
- The Rock School
- Trilogy School of Learning Alternatives
- Westwood Hills Christian School
- St. Francis Academy
- Newberry Christian Community School
Colleges & Universities In Gainesville
- University of Florida
- Santa Fe College
Frequently Asked Questions About Gainesville, FL Real Estate
What’s The Best Place To Live In Gainesville, Florida?
- Best neighborhoods for young professionals: Westmoreland, Downtown, Duckpond.
- Best Neighborhoods for students: University Park, College Park, University Heights.
- Best Neighborhoods for families: Sugarfoot, Suburban Heights, Hazel Heights.
- Best Neighborhoods for outdoor lovers: Ridgewood, Blues Creek, Lincoln Estates.
What Is The Zip Code For Gainesville, FL?
Here is a list of some of the best zip codes for Gainesville, FL real estate:
Where Is The Nearest Commercial Airport In Gainesville, FL?
Gainesville, FL real estate is close to the Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV), which has domestic flights. GNV is located about five miles northeast of downtown Gainesville, a 9-minute drive. Other nearby airports include Jacksonville International Airport (80 miles north), and Orlando International Airport (121 miles south).
What County Is Gainesville, FL In?
The city of Gainesville, FL, is the county seat of Alachua County, FL.
What Is The Weather Like In Gainesville, FL?
Gainesville's weather is humid subtropical, typical of north central Florida. Gainesville real estate residents can expect humid, hot summers and dry, mild winters. The summer months are July and August when the average high temperature is 90°F. January is the coldest month of the year, with an average high temperature of 64°F.
If you plan to relocate to real estate in Gainesville from a colder climate, be relieved to know that Gainesville never experiences snow because it rarely drops below 44°F in the winter. The average annual rainfall, though, is about 50 inches. While hurricanes can be a pain for many cities in Florida, Gainesville real estate is in a low-risk hurricane zone because it's located in the state's center.
How Far Is Gainesville, FL From The Beach?
Although Gainesville real estate is inland, residents can easily reach several nearby beaches by car. Here are a few of the closest ones:
- Crescent Beach: Crescent Beach is a gorgeous stretch of the Florida coast located south of St. Augustine, about an hour and a half from Gainesville heading east.
- Flagler Beach: This seven-mile stretch of beach near Palm Coast, FL is an hour and 45 minutes southeast of Gainesville.
- Jacksonville Beach: A prime spot for beach lovers, there’s no better place to surf, swim, or stroll the famous fishing pier. Jacksonville Beach is less than two hours northeast of Gainesville.
- Neptune Beach: A bit further north of Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach is one of the calmest beaches near Gainesville. This friendly coastal community is about an hour and 40 minutes northeast of Gainesville.
What Is Gainesville, FL Known For?
Gainesville is known for being the home of Florida's flagship university, the University of Florida. It is also the birthplace of Gatorade; the famous sports drink created at the request of the head coach of the Gators, the local football team. The city is also known for its lively music scene, which has produced bands like Tom Petty (a Gainesville native) and the Heartbreakers.
Things To Do In Gainesville, FL
Gainesville, FL Parks & Gardens
- San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park: Nestled northwest of Gainesville, this state park offers hiking and biking trails wind through an array of natural habitats and 56 archaeological sites from the Paleo-Indian period.
- Loblolly Woods Nature Park: Beautiful 159-acre wooded area home to a variety of native plants and animals. The park features walking trails, and boardwalks and it’s a great place to take a nature hike or go birdwatching.
- Kanapaha Botanical Gardens: Named after the nearby 250-acre Lake Kanapaha, the gardens are a 62-acre oasis providing plant and flower lovers with a diverse array of plants from around the world, including roses and bonsai, bamboo, and cactus. Visitors will stroll among statues, roundabouts, waterfalls, quaint bridges, ponds, and butterflies.
- Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park: Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park is a state park in Florida with a 120-foot-deep sinkhole. Visitors to the park can take a self-guided tour of the Devil's Millhopper or explore the many hiking trails that wind through the park. The Devil's Millhopper is home to a variety of plant and animal life, as well as numerous fossils.
Gainesville, FL Museums
- Florida Museum of Natural History: Located at the University of Florida, this is one of the state's largest and most famous museums. The Florida Museum of Natural History is home to various exhibits, including interactive displays on Florida's ecology, fossils, and Native American cultures. It also features a butterfly rainforest.
- Harn Museum of Art: The Harn Museum of Art at the University of Florida is among the largest university art museums in the South, with a 112,800-square-foot facility. Its permanent collection has more than 11,300 items, mainly Asian, African, modern, and contemporary art and photography.
Gainesville, FL Activities & Attractions
- Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo: The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo is part of Santa Fe College, the only zookeeper education center in the United States. Over 200 distinct animals representing over 75 species call the zoo home, including mammals, insects, reptiles, birds, and amphibians. Visitors can have student-guided or self-guided tours.
- Lubee Bat Conservancy: This nonprofit organization is dedicated to conserving fruit bats and their habitats. Visitors can schedule a tour to see the most extensive collection of captive fruit bats in the world (over 160 bats representing 12 species), which are used for research and conservation breeding programs.
Living In Gainesville, FL
Job Market in Gainesville, Florida
Healthcare and education are the two largest industries in Gainesville, Florida. The education sector is the biggest, accounting for 22% of Gainesville's workforce. The University of Florida is the city's main employer, with over 15,000 employees. Other notable employers include Info Tech, North Florida Regional Medical Center, Santafe Healthcare, and Gainesville Regional Utilities.
Other significant economic sectors in Gainesville are retail, food services & hospitality, and scientific, professional, and technical services. The city's diversified economy also relies on transportation and warehousing, art, entertainment & recreation, information, finance, insurance, public administration, and real estate.
Gainesville Median Household Income
Gainesville's average household income is $55,795.
Gainesville Taxes
As Florida residents, Gainesville real estate owners have a 0% state income tax burden. They will continue to pay federal income taxes, though. There is a 6% sales and use tax in Florida and a 1% local tax imposed by Alachua County. The property tax rate in Alachua County, FL, is 1.212 % of the assessed value of a home. A $250,000 house would be subject to a yearly tax bill of approximately $3,000 under this rate.
Gainesville, FL Living Costs
Gainesville is 8.7% cheaper than the national average, and Gainesville real estate residents do not pay state income taxes for being in the Sunshine State. You will pay around 20% less for housing and approximately 18% less for transportation services. On the other hand, property insurance rates, healthcare, and utilities are reported to be above average.
Gainesville, FL Healthcare
Gainesville has a reputation for excellence in medical care thanks to world-renowned hospitals like the University of Florida Health Shands Hospital and the North Florida Regional Medical Center. The UF Health Shands Hospital has been named one of the top 50 hospitals in the United States, according to US News & World Report, with nine specialties among its ranks. It's also high performing in seven. The North Florida Regional Medical Center is a medical and surgical facility focusing on neuroscience, women's health, orthopedics, heart surgery, senior care, and more. The proximity to a number of world-renowned hospitals makes real estate in Gainesville a good investment.
Gainesville, FL Transportation
When it comes to public transportation, Gainesville Regional Transit System (RTS) runs over 40 bus routes that serve the Gainesville real estate owners across the city and the metropolitan region. Beyond that, driving is the most convenient way to get around Gainesville. Gainesville is split by a web of state roads in all directions. To the west is I-75, which will take you to Atlanta and beyond if you continue north. The interstate will transport you to Orlando, Tampa, and even Miami if you travel south.