<p>So I live in PA and plan on going to Santa fe for my freshman year. This really is my only option besides University of Tampa, which I dont want to go because I'll be by myself. Two friends and I are planning on living in a student apartment complex such as the UH, Estates, GP, or any other local complex, then eventually transferring to UF. My brothers are adamant about the whole dorm experience as a freshman and how its necessary, which is really making me nervous. My concerns are completely about that, and I dont know where to go to get insight which is really making me stress out. I'm worried that I'll miss the social aspect of the dorms if we get an apartment. Im also worried about the age of the occupants, cause I know if we find out most students in the apartments are grad students, I know were going to stick to ourselves more and not get out and meet people. Does anyone have any thoughts? I'm just worried about not having friends my age to meet and hang out with at the apartments. Thanks for any input</p>
<p>Element,</p>
<p>To begin, I guess you mean you will be attending Santa Fe your first two years, since UF only accept transfers with 60 credits/AA (i.e that will make you entering UF your junior semester not as a sophomore).</p>
<p>Now regarding your social aspect of student apartments verses dorms. This is nothing to worry about. You will be OK. Every student for one is not staying in a dorm at UF, two, many prefer student apartments than dorms any way, and three, all those places you mentioned have many students your age.</p>
<p>I’m not sure if you’re going to catch many graduate students anyway because they probably prefer not to stay around a lot of freshmen and sophomores, and UF also provides them with nicer apartments. </p>
<p>Also, student apartments have many parties, a lot of times weekly when you first move in, pool parties, club houses, gym, basketball courts, tennis courts, volleyball court (usually outside), tanning booths (provided in some), the office will provide breakfast and lunch sometime, you are bound to meet others your age than your roommates. </p>
<p>Many students prefer to stay in student apartments anyway than dorms. Dorms have more restrictions it seems, and a lot of times you paying the same price or more when you can just stay in a nicer student apartment (all inclusive) that has a 3B3B or 4B4B.</p>
<p>With that all being said, you’ll be fine and so will your friends. Santa Fe students are allowed to become members in some UF clubs, but you may find the clubs at Santa Fe interesting too.</p>
<p>Best wishes in your endeavors!</p>
<p>Kschool your response makes me feel a WHOLE lot better. Im a pessimistic person and all I’ve been thinking about is getting stuck in a place with no one my age with no way out, and being miserable my first two years of college, regretting not going to a college with dorms and meeting more people. Like I said, my whole concern is with the social part. My brothers seem to think that we’ll just stick to ourselves and not meet many people in the student apartments, Ive always said they were wrong, so that response helps. Also, are there any particular student apartments that seem to have a large amount of students? Particularly a younger group?</p>
<p>Thanks a lot, I really appreciate it</p>
<p>Glad I could help. The apartments you listed have large amount of students including your age group. The Crossings at Santa Fe, Cabana Beach, The Districts, Spyglass Apartments, pretty much every student apartment that has 3B3B/4B4B all inclusive will have many students, and those students are your age and may have few years on you.</p>
<p>Does anyone else have any input on the student apartments or anything else?</p>
<p>Yes. What’s your price range? I would NOT recommend any of those apartments, mainly due to safety issues. Spyglass is okay, but all of the others are kind of sketchy (especially Cabana Beach and Crossings at Santa Fe. It’s not really safe to walk around Cabana Beach by yourself at night, and I know a girl who got assaulted there walking from her car to her apartment one night. Crossings also has a bunch of problems, too).</p>
<p>I should be able to afford any of the student apartments in gainesville</p>
<p>Okay, well, Woodlands, Estates, Museum Walk and Canopy are all really nice, and are close enough to Santa Fe.</p>
<p>Oh, and Spyglass is good, too. It’s right next to Woodlands and Canopy, and they will actually pick up your trash for you (you just put it outside your door, and they come get it for you). Pretty sweet deal, especially if you live far from the dumpster.</p>