Environment: 3Transportation: 3Safety: 4Health: 5Amenities: 3Shops: 3Education: 4Quality of Life: 3Cost of Living: 2Employment: 4
Pros: As a native of Gainesville, I've seen the stuff that has happened here throughout the years. I recommend only visiting this city if you plan on attending UF. Other than UF, there isn't much to do. Schools aren't that great due to funding within the county. I also hate how everything is on one side of the town and not spread apart. If you want to go eat out, good luck finding a good restaurant as the only places to go to are on the other side of town. (Celebration Pointe & Butler Plaza). You really have to find the niche/less popular places that aren't overpriced. Want to go shopping? Well, you're in the wrong town, as these places (again) are packed with so many people. The overall environment is alright; you just have to be in the right place. Usually, people here don't give two damns and can be straight-up rude. Also to mention, the homeless population is ridiculous. You can see them pretty much everywhere in Gainesville, whether its downtown or even driving to random places.
Cons: Better education for all schools (even on the ghetto schools on the eastside), make public transportation safer, and develop places where its spread apart, not in one area, and get rid of the homeless population. Other than that, I think they are progressing slowly towards building a bigger community.