Greater Gainesville offers a desirable climate, rich culture, highly ranked collegiate athletic teams, exceptional educational opportunities and access to a state-of-the-art health care system. Gorgeous springs, more than 189 miles of lush hiking and biking trails with indigenous wildlife and 224 sunny days a year support an active lifestyle. It is no surprise this highly sought-after area is experiencing exciting economic and residential growth.
Unique housing options are plentiful. The zero-lot line living concept is attracting young professionals, families and retirees. No yard to maintain means residents have time to enjoy the luxurious resort-style amenities. Popular live work, play developments offer immediate access to shopping, dining and entertainment, and more and more of these up-and-coming neighborhoods are being planned for Greater Gainesville. Looking for a pool and clubhouse? Yoga and Pilates studio? Tennis or basketball courts? The amenity spotlight can help newcomers find the perfect fit.
For those seeking meaningful connections with neighbors, ICI Homes Oakmont is a vibrant master-planned community that offers abundant recreational space and an impressive list of social events. The award-winning builder created a brand-new Design Center to help clients customize their dream home to fit their distinctive needs. Located on Gainesville’s southwest side, Oakmont’s 46-acre Gopher Tortoise Reserve provides exclusive access to educational walking trails.
Guide highlights the wonderfully unique City of Alachua and the many reasons it is called “The Good Life Community.” With a focus on sustainability, several innovative new developments are planned or underway. Multipurpose research park The Convergence is a live work play concept adjacent to Sane Felasco State Park, designed to bring the local science and technology community together.
An exciting new live, work, play community is coming to Newberry as well, another city seeing tremendous commercial and residential growth. The Sandia Town Parc community will bring 1,400 homes, hotels, retail and commercial space, recreation and golf areas surrounding Champions Park, a 16-field baseball and softball complex that draws athletes from around the nation. Despite the City of Newberry growing rapidly in recent years, it maintains a small-town feel and a tight-knit community experience.
Residents of Greater Gainesville say it is the people that make this an exceptional place to live. Guide introduces Kara Bolton, a multi-faceted entrepreneur and contractor dedicated to empowering women through her many business ventures. Whether she is building luxury homes in her exclusive community, Fairway Pointe at West End, or managing Empowered Studios, her modern barre studio, the University of Florida graduate is helping others cultivate outer strength and inner confidence.
Guide also covers brand-new developments beginning construction this year, notable neighborhoods to explore and the best senior living communities.
By Jennifer Kennedy