For those ready to plant down roots in Greater Gainesville, there is a lot to be excited for. There is something magical about the thrill of moving to a brand-new place — especially Greater Gainesville, so chock-full of fun things to do, it promises weekend after weekend of novel escapades and an everyday lifestyle that will never grow tiresome. It will take time to get to know all that this welcoming community has to offer, and it all starts with turning the front door key, unpacking that first box and hitting the road to explore.
Once the idea of life in Greater Gainesville nestles into the heart of a soon-to-be resident, that moving list needs checking off, box by box — purging, packing and unpacking. Moving is a labor of love that can sometimes feel daunting, but Guide is here to make the process as simple as can be. The moving checklist covers important steps before, during and after move day.
When that last piece of furniture is in place, finally comes the chance to get the lay of the land. Explore the charming downtown districts in any of the municipalities, including Gainesville, Newberry and Alachua to name a few, or venture out to the incredible parks and reserves, teeming with unique wildlife.
Passing through Gainesville? Catch a ride on one of the City’s new, fully electric buses, or navigate one of the bike lanes and dedicated trails. Traversing city streets is generally a safe experience even for those still unfamiliar with the territory, as leaders prioritize pedestrian and driver safety and support policies that regulate safe, efficient transit options.
After becoming familiar with the area, new residents might be ready for out-of-town company to come visit. The Gainesville Regional Airport is the most convenient choice, by far the closest airport for Greater Gainesville residents and very easy to navigate. The regional airport recently introduced a 15,200-square-foot terminal expansion, investing in additions and renovations to meet growing demand and make the space even more beautiful and modernized. The team at GNV airport attends conferences each year in efforts to add more airlines and routes, which ultimately provide more travel opportunities — and more affordable fares.
It will not take long for newcomers to realize the locals’ passion for preserving the beautiful natural spaces around them and adopting environmentally conscious practices. Gainesville Regional Utility’s sustainability projects have made Gainesville one of the leading cities in renewable energy sources nationwide.
GRU also helps eligible residents save green stuff of the other sort. Through the Low-Income Energy Efficiency program, GRU offers free upgrades and repairs to qualifying residents’ home utilities. The program helps many low-and moderate-income families upgrade or replace home fixtures they otherwise could not afford on their own. Thanks to GRU’s efforts to secure funding for the program, LEEP expanded May 2022 to offer more services to even more homeowners — and now renters as well, who were not previously eligible.
There are more than enough reasons to relocate here, and from easy travel to utilities, connectivity to community, settling in to the Greater Gainesville way of life becomes pretty easy. All that remains is the finer details of putting down those roots. Even then, however, new residents are not alone. Guide is dedicated to acclimating newcomers of all stripes. Welcome to the party.
By Drew Mortier