Off-Campus Housing & Apartments near University of Florida (UF)

Welcome to off-campus living at the University of Florida. Whether you’re new to UF or you’re a returning student, you have plenty of off-campus housing options. ForRentUniversity.com includes more 100 listings to help you find the best apartments near the University of Florida. Since this may be your first year living off campus, you probably have questions: How is student life in Gainesville? What are the best neighborhoods for Florida students? Read on for the details in our University of Florida off-campus guide.

You’re in good company at the University of Florida. U.S. News ranked Florida No. 9 among top public schools in the country, so you’re all set for academics. But here are few other things you might not know about attending UF: - The University of Florida Gators have one of the most loyal fan bases in the country. Orange and Blue is going to be your go-to color scheme, in your wardrobe and probably in your apartment. - 56% of graduates leave the school with no student debt. - You might be tempted to stock your apartment refrigerator with a lot of Gatorade. The drink was created at UF in 1965. - UF is ranked by The Princeton Review as one of the top party schools in the country. So depending on whether you want to join the party or not, choose your off-campus neighborhood wisely.

What’s it like for a student living in Gainesville? Students love Gainesville for its artistic nature, energetic nightlife, multiple festivals, and overall acceptance. Not surprisingly, because of the University of Florida, Gainesville is very young and very educated. The median age in the city is 25, and 43% of adult residents have a bachelor’s degree or higher. As a college-age student, you certainly won’t feel out of place around town. The Gainesville area also has one of Florida’s hottest music scenes. Gainesville, after all, has given us bands as varied as Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Less Than Jake, and Against Me! Still, if you occasionally want to take a road trip to a bigger city, Gainesville is just 62 miles from Jacksonville, about 95 miles from Orlando, and 118 miles from Tampa. As for town and gown relations, the University of Florida and the city of Gainesville have had their challenges with the school's party-heavy reputation infringing on the communities that border UF. But the university’s Town/Gown Task Force has worked to improve matters in recent years. The University of Florida’s Gator Guide has more tips on issues of importance for off-campus students in Gainesville, including transportation, safety, and getting to know the city.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a neighborhood located south of the UF campus across NE State Road 24, otherwise known as SW Archer Road. This area has one of the highest concentrations of student apartments in Gainesville. Across Archer Road, you’ll also find the Butler Plaza shopping complex, which has more than 150 stores and restaurants. When it comes time to get groceries, Butler Plaza has a Whole Foods, a Trader Joe’s, an Aldi, and not one but TWO Publix supermarkets. If you prefer to grow your own vegetables, the Phoenix neighborhood is also where you’ll find the UF Organic Gardens Cooperative, where students can rent plots and tools.

Bartram Woods / Mill Pond / Clear Lake

The area is north of Archer Road and east of the UF campus. It centers around Clear Lake Nature Park. You’ll find lots of apartment complexes here, located north of the Butler Plaza shopping complex and along Interstate 75 and West Newberry Road. Living here, you will be a little farther away from campus so a car, bike, or public transportation might be required to get around efficiently. Fortunately, the Regional Transit System runs buses all around the neighborhood, and UF students can ride free with a Gator 1 card. Along West Newberry Road, you’ll find The Oaks Mall, a movie theater, restaurants, and more. As it approaches UF, Newberry turns into University Avenue, the main drag for student-focused bars and restaurants.

College Park / University Park

The College Park neighborhood is just north of the UF campus. For many students looking to live off-campus, this area provides the best balance of convenience, amenities, and the vibrancy of college life. The neighborhood sits right along West University Avenue, UF’s main thoroughfare, so you’ll find lots of stores, restaurants, and bars. Landmarks include The Swamp Restaurant, near Ben Hill Griffin Stadium; and, just across 13th Street in the Innovation District, Bagels & Noodles, a restaurant that, as the name implies, mixes American breakfast food with Thai and Vietnamese cuisines. As you might expect, this neighborhood is party central on game days at spots like the Salty Dog Saloon. So, if you want to be in the middle of the action, this is your neighborhood.