Gainesville, Fla.

Gainesville, Fla., is the largest in Alachua County. Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto passed through the area in the 1500s. It became an important shipping point for cotton, vegetables and citrus crops all through the 1800s until these activities waned during the early 1900s. Agriculture is still big in the local economy.

During the Florida land boom and construction of the University of Florida, Gainesville grew quickly and frequently outstripped the available utility and water supplies. Gainesville rental properties are plentiful considering that thousands of students live here.

Rated several times as one of the healthiest communities in America, Gainesville is a large metropolitan area covering about 49 square miles. A vibrant art scene offers the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art. The historic Thomas Center is a former hotel with Mediterranean architecture featuring gardens and two floor of art galleries. In the old downtown area is the Hippodrome State Theater, listed in the National Registry of Historic Places.

For nature lovers, there is plenty to choose from. The Florida Museum of Natural History is downtown, and two miles away is the Butterfly Rainforest. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park and Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park are popular attractions. At Payne's Prairie State Park there are nature trails through the woods and swamp. The Florida National Scenic Trail runs nearby.

The Gainesville Regional Airport is only about 3 miles northeast of downtown, has two runways and is served by Delta, American and US Airways. The Gainesville Regional Transit System runs a bus route from the airport to downtown continuing to the U of F campus. Greyhound Bus Lines stops downtown and Amtrak provides connector bus service to Palatka, the closest train stop about 32 miles away. U.S. Highway 301 runs through the area in a northeast-southwest direction.

One of the biggest campuses in the country, the University of Florida campus is the largest employer in town. University Avenue connects downtown with the campus, with many shops and restaurants along the avenue. Many residential areas surround University Avenue, and bicycle commuting is common in Gainesville.