<p>Ok,so I have been reading reviews on almost all the apartment complexes near campus and I am absolutely TERRIFIED! I've never visited Gainesville so I don't know to what extent these people are exagerating but they make it seem like if every place close to UF has either a severe bug/mold problem, fleas, high crime, absent staff/property management and/or broken A.C/appliances. </p>
<p>Are there ANY nice clean places around UF? Like within 1-5 miles and <$550?</p>
<p>Pleaseee help!! I will be checking places out this weekend.</p>
<p>ANY input is GREATLY appreciated. Thank you :)</p>
<p>Check University House on 13th Street. I am not sure if there are any available units left, but it is a newer complex and clean. I have two daughters there and they have liked it and their roommates. Good luck and don’t give up! If you message me, I will pass it on to my daughters and see if they know of some other places to recommend.</p>
<p>Gator Mom and future transfer student (I hope! Still waiting for decision.)</p>
<p>Although, everyone has a horror story, there are plenty of nice places. My D was there the past 4 years and lived off campus 3 of those years. My S will be a Freshman this year.</p>
<p>D lived at University Club Apartments on SW 23rd Terrace. Close to campus, bus stop at complex, quads with separate leases.</p>
<p>However, I really recommend on campus living first year. Make some new friends and then go get apartment with them.</p>
<p>I’ve had first hand experience at both The Enclave and The Woodlands. Both are within 5 miles, have options available for under $550/mo and suffer none of the problems you listed.</p>
<p>How do students come and go from campus from these various off
campus apartments whether or not mold infested, crime infested or
otherwise horrible? I’m curious about transportation. Can the student
drive in and park? Does the student take a public bus? Does UF have
a bus system that has stops close to these various apartment complexes?</p>
<p>My daughter is accepted for fall term, and may live off campus-- I would
appreciate insights.</p>
<p>Most students use the bus system. A Gator-1 card gets UF students a free bus ride. Usually bus stops are very close to many of the apartments. </p>
<p>It is not recommended to drive to campus. A decal is needed to park; even with one, parking is horrible. </p>
<p>Many students also use scooters. Many students also load bikes onto buses and use them on campus. Biking to campus (if you feel to do so…some do it) from an apartment will not take more than 30-40 minutes from the furthest complexes (5-10 minutes from a close apartment). </p>
<p>Buses suck on weekends/holidays/breaks…so get groceries on weekdays or get a ride from a friend if you don’t have a car. You can also bike to the groceries (what I do). In an emergency, practically anywhere in Gainesville is within biking distance…but watch out for hills. Generally campus has a net downhill direction from North-East to South-West.</p>
<p>Buses (almost) never follow their exact schedule, so show up to the stop whenever. The good this is, though, that (most) buses show up frequently. Use this site to track buses:</p>
<p>There is an app for phones for tracking buses.</p>
<p>Major buses run until 3AM (but less frequently), so you can still get home if staying late on campus. But, many parking restrictions are lifted in the evenings anyways.</p>
<p>Hope this helps; I said anything that came to mind from experience. Also, many of the reviews online are very biased. For the most part, the ones who feel strongly enough to write a bad review write those reviews. Some are justified, but some are also outliers. Just try your best and hope for the best.</p>
<p>TonyT-- Thanks so much for the specific info. D has a car and I sort of
assumed it would not be used to commute to campus as parking is a total
mess. I guess it will be the bus system for her finding a place on campus that
is comfortable for study between classes.</p>