Searching for a notable neighborhood in Greater Gainesville to call home? Not sure where to look? No worries, we have you covered with a number of tantalizing options.
Haile Plantation
Situated on 1,700 acres with over 2,600 homes, Haile is a collection of smaller communities, each with its own charm and unique characteristics. The Haile Loop, a 3-mile tree-lined path perfect for walking and biking encompasses each community, with the Haile Village at its center. A combination of residential units, including town homes and apartments, mixes with retail, office, and medical spaces along with a Café, Bistro and English pub to provide Village residents with everything they could need. Saturday’s Farmer’s Market is a hit for villagers and other Gainesville residents with its assortment of organic produce, meats, baked goods and more. Near the Haile Tennis Center, Publix Market Square not only offers up the namesake grocery store, but also a cadre of shops, restaurants, businesses, and a UF Health Medical Office and physical therapy center to service medical needs. Along with multiple pools, an Equestrian Center and the famous Golf and Country Club, Haile is a desirable place to call home.
Duckpond
This was once slated for demolition, but the Duckpond’s residents banded together to designate their community as a Historical Neighborhood, and that sense of tightknit camaraderie and preservation lives on today. Highly walkable with a palpable history, this charming neighborhood boasts majestic oaks, many parks, and quaint canals teeming with the namesake ducks. Grad students and retirees alike enjoy the easy access to downtown with its bustling nightlife, as well as the mixture of Victorian and colonial style architecture. Most of the homes were built in the early 1900s, so renovation in its various incarnations is at the heart of the Duckpond. Historical roots are further cemented with the Thomas Center, containing art galleries, performance spaces and local history exhibits. Homes range from $59k to $448k, depending on the level of sweat equity one is willing to put in.
Town of Tioga
Conveniently located off Newberry road, the sprawling 500-acre Town of Tioga offers a variety of housing styles on small lots that give the community a small-town, know-yourneighbor feel. With access to a community pool, basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts, as well as a clubhouse and playground, residents can enjoy all the amenities along with a community garden to further enhance that sense of nurturing and growth. Biking paths and pedestrian-friendly streetscapes lead to the crown jewel of the community, Tioga Town Center. This mixed-use development has 80,000 square feet of retail and office space, including a kaleidoscope of dining options to please any palette, a health and fitness center, and an array of retail options. The intimate community atmosphere further shines at the weekly Farmer’s Market and covered outdoor amphitheater, with its free concerts, performances and outdoor movies. Town of Tioga is expanding by the day, with Phase 2 development well under way, stretching the community further towards the 8th Avenue extension, with plans to nearly double in size.
Oakmont
Sitting on a lush 556 acres, the well-manicured foliage and grand entrance to Oakmont lets you know you’ve arrived somewhere special. The newest master-planned community is comprised of an array of new homes built by six of Gainesville’s most renown builders. Featuring a Resident Club with a state-of-the-art fitness center and grand gathering room, Oakmont is also home to a resort style swimming pool with lap lanes, a multi-purpose activity field, tree-lined bike lanes, a multitude of park benches and even an amphitheater. Fostering a sense of community and interconnectedness is at the center of Oakmont’s grand design, encouraging neighborly engagement and friendliness. Between Haile and Town of Tioga, it’s location on 24th Avenue and its proximity to UF and I-75 offers convenient access to all Gainesville has to offer. Oakmont’s high-end, modern amenities and community feel make it an ideal choice for retirees and families of any size.
Author- Brandon Duff