Savanna Hoffman
The University of Florida (UF) is located in Gainesville, Florida, and has a large student body of over 34,000 undergraduates. With such a large number of students, there are many areas for UF students to live both on and off-campus. Freshman students are not required to live on campus but it is a popular choice, with 22-24% of students choosing this option. On-campus residence halls, commonly known as dorms, offer a variety of living configurations, from traditional dormitory-style rooms to suite-style accommodations. After the first year, many students choose to live off-campus, with popular areas including University Avenue, 13th Street, and Archer Road. These areas offer a range of housing options, including apartments, traditional houses, and Greek houses, allowing students to optimize their social and academic lives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of students | 34,924 (as of Fall 2023) |
| Percentage of students living on campus | 22%/24% (college-owned, -operated or -affiliated housing) |
| Percentage of students living off campus | 76%/78% (including private off-campus housing) |
| On-campus housing options | Residence halls/dorms (26 available) with various layouts |
| Off-campus housing options | Apartments, traditional houses, Greek houses, private dorms (with more privacy and kitchen facilities) |
| Popular off-campus areas | University Avenue near Midtown, 13th Street near Warrington College of Business, Archer Road and Sorority Row |
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What You'll Learn
On-campus vs off-campus
At the University of Florida (UF), students have the option to live either on-campus or off-campus. On-campus residence halls, commonly known as dorms, are a popular choice for freshmen as they enable students to adjust to college life and find their way around campus. UF offers 26 dorms with various living configurations, including traditional and suite styles. Living on campus can foster a sense of community and make it easier for first-year students to engage with campus events and resources.
However, most UF students choose to live off-campus, with 76% of students opting for off-campus housing. Off-campus living provides students with more independence and a variety of housing options, such as apartments, traditional houses, and Greek houses. Students typically seek residences close to campus to facilitate walking to classes and libraries, avoiding the hassle of parking or public transportation. Popular off-campus housing areas near UF include University Avenue and 13th Street, which offer easy access to social amenities like restaurants and bars.
When considering off-campus housing, students should carefully evaluate their needs and preferences. Cost of living, distance from campus, lease length, roommates, and safety are essential factors in the decision-making process. Off-Campus Life (OCL) at UF recommends that students tour multiple apartment complexes before signing a lease. Additionally, students should be mindful of potential additional fees associated with off-campus leases, such as application fees, redecoration fees, processing fees, and utility costs.
While on-campus living provides a convenient and community-oriented experience for freshmen, off-campus living offers students more independence, housing variety, and opportunities to explore different areas of Gainesville. The choice between on-campus and off-campus living ultimately depends on each student's personal preferences, budget, and lifestyle choices.
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Residence halls/dorms
The University of Florida (UF) offers 26 residence halls, commonly known as dorms, as the only on-campus living option. While freshmen are not required to live on campus, it is a popular choice as it enables students to acclimate to college living and find their way around campus. On-campus dorms offer a variety of hall layouts, including traditional, suite-style, and apartment-style, with options for single, double, or triple rooms. Traditional halls have community bathrooms and kitchens, while suite-style halls offer private bathrooms connected to the rooms. Apartment-style halls provide a more private living space with a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchenette.
Dorms at UF can be double, triple, or even quad occupancy, and many residence halls have communal bathrooms. Some dorms, like Infinity, offer suite-style or private bathrooms shared with suitemates. The second most recently renovated residence hall, Jennings, is a quieter option in the heart of campus. Broward Hall is also a popular choice for freshmen, offering a social atmosphere and newly renovated traditional dorms.
While most students at UF live off-campus, the on-campus residence halls provide an inclusive experience for first-year students, fostering a sense of community and easier engagement with campus resources and events. Additionally, with the convenience of being minutes from campus, students can avoid the headache of parking or taking public transportation.
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Apartments
Most students at the University of Florida (76% to be precise) live off-campus. This is due to a variety of reasons, including the desire for more personal space, the ability to cook one's own meals, and the option to have one's own bedroom. Off-campus apartments also offer more storage space, which can be beneficial for students who need to store books, supplies, and other items. Additionally, off-campus apartments can provide a sense of independence and allow students to gain experience in living on their own.
For students who prefer apartment-style living, there are several popular areas to consider. University Avenue is one of the most sought-after locations due to its proximity to campus and Midtown, an area known for its restaurants and bars. While University Avenue tends to be more expensive, it offers high-end apartments that cater to students, providing a balance between social and academic life. It is also close to Lib West, a library favoured by UF students.
Another popular area for apartments is 13th Street, which runs north-south along the east edge of the UF campus. This location offers convenient access to classrooms and the nearby grocery store, Publix. However, parking on 13th Street can be challenging due to limited parking garages and busy street parking.
Students seeking off-campus apartments can also consider Archer Road or Sorority Row, which is known for its sorority houses but also offers surrounding apartments for students who want to be near the sorority life without living in a sorority house. Additionally, Royal Villages is an off-campus apartment option with rent starting at $759, providing students with the opportunity to experience more independent living without breaking the bank. Infinity, located near Innovation Square, is another off-campus apartment option that offers single, double, and super suites, although it is about a 15-minute walk from the heart of campus.
For students who prefer a mix of on-campus and apartment-style living, the University of Florida does offer apartment-style halls. These halls provide similar amenities to off-campus apartments, such as a shared or private bedroom, a semi-shared or private bathroom, and a kitchenette. However, these on-campus options may have more limited space compared to their off-campus counterparts.
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Rented houses
There are several reasons why students at UF might choose to live in a rented house. One reason is that rented houses offer more privacy and personal space than dorms or apartments. In a rented house, students typically have their own bedroom and don't have to share a communal bathroom with as many people. This can be especially appealing to freshmen who are transitioning to college life and may find it stressful to have a roommate.
Another reason is that rented houses often have more space overall, including a kitchen and living room. This can be a great option for students who enjoy cooking, baking, or hosting friends. Having a kitchen also gives students more control over what and when they eat, as they are not restricted by dining hall hours.
Additionally, rented houses can be more affordable than other off-campus options, such as high-end apartments. While University Avenue, which is close to campus and has many amenities nearby, tends to be more expensive, there are other areas where students can find more reasonably priced rented houses.
Students looking for a rented house can utilize resources such as the UF Housing & Residence Life Website and Facebook and Instagram groups for their class year to find potential roommates and housing options.
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Sorority/fraternity houses
The University of Florida (UF) has a large student body of over 52,000 students, with a gender distribution of 44.4% male and 55.6% female. The majority of students (76%) live off-campus, with just 24% living in college-affiliated housing.
For first-year students, living on campus is a popular choice as it helps them to acclimatise to college life and get to know their way around campus. UF has 26 dorms to choose from, offering a range of living configurations, from traditional-style rooms to suites.
After their first year, many students choose to move off-campus, where there is a wide array of housing options. The most popular areas for students to live are along University Avenue and 13th Street, which runs north-south along the east edge of the UF campus. University Avenue is lined with bars and restaurants, so apartments here tend to be more expensive. 13th Street is home to a mix of apartments, traditional houses, and Greek houses, and is convenient for students who want to walk to class and the nearest grocery store.
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Frequently asked questions
76% of students at the University of Florida (UF) live off campus, with 24% living in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing.
Students living off-campus tend to live on University Avenue, 13th Street, or Archer Road.
Living off-campus gives students their own space, including a bedroom, kitchen, and living room. Off-campus apartments also tend to have more storage space.
On-campus living is a popular choice among freshmen as it enables students to acclimate to college living and find their way around campus. Living on-campus can also foster a sense of community and make it easier to engage with campus resources and events.
Some popular housing options for students include The Standard, Hub University, Sweetwater, Sorority houses, and traditional houses.
