AnthroFilm

@Juneoh Good luck.. I am an American who did my master's degree overseas (returning back to the States for PhD). I too thought that getting into uni would be the toughest part, but the first several months in the program, halfway across the world were unbelievably nerve wrecking. However, I wouldn't trade it (stress included) for anything, one of the highlights of my life so far. These are really good questions, but so specific to the school, and even the department in which you are applying. Some universities provide housing, some don't. Some colleges or departments have various allowances that others don't depending on endowments, size of the department / cohort and prestige. There are so many variables that without specifics it's hard to give good suggestions, but I can say hang in there... after you establish a routine and make some friends (both and and out of the department) it will feel like home in no time.

Thanks for the tips.. I tried the Top and it is amazing, any other suggestions (especially favorite coffee shops and where to avoid) are greatly appreciated! Wish I would have seen this before I signed a year lease on a studio apartment.. would love to have an English major roommate. With all of the papers I am writing you would never buy your own dinner or drinks

I drove past Madison on 20th when I was there two weeks ago. They seemed nice. They are on a two lane highway surrounded by lots of other apartment complexes (I was looking at a different one). I didn't see any signs of large parties or silly activity. The buildings are two story, a bit older, but that's no big deal and may work well with a dog. I didn't get an uneasy feeling and the few folks I did see there seemed nice. The property is big enough for a dog to run around a bit. My only drawback is that it is a bit removed, but it is on a busline. I didn't look at Hidden Valley. Good luck!

Greetings @New Applicant and @Sammi From my weekend in Gainesville I found it very much like Boulder, Colorado or Charlottesville, Virginia. There is a large theatre (both live shows and films) as well as a vibrant dining and pub scene. There is also a small farmers' / craft market on the weekend. Depending on what you are interested in Gainesville will either be a great fit or a total bust. Like most college towns there is always something to get involved with, but it is usually aimed at youth, educational or activist oriented. My primary concern with Gainesville is that it seems fairly isolated. You don't need a car around town, but if you want to go anywhere else, some type of transportation is vital. It is about 2 hours drive to any decent size city (Orlando or Jacksonville, neither of which excite me). I have eaten at about four or five places there so far and like what I tried. The prices seem average for the offering, and the quality was enjoyable. Just like Eugene, Oregon or many other college towns, it is a fairly liberal community in a very conservative state. I am personally more inclined toward Oregon's climate, geography, and culture (I currently live in Jacksonville, Florida). However, UF was my top choice perfect fit so I am getting excited regardless. I don't mean to sound negative, because Gainesville seems like it will be a great place to live. I just signed a year lease about half a mile from campus (right next to a shwarma shop and across from a coffee shop) So I am sure it will feel like home soon enough. I am going back the first weekend of April and will have a lot more to say after that trip. Good luck on both of your decisions!!

The accommodation situation is a total crap shoot. I have also had dicey experience with roommates so I can relate. When I moved to Manchester I found a shared flat on Gumtree and ended up living with 6 Spanish dishwashers in Fallowfield. Nice enough guys, but I had a constant contact buzz and now know every Skrillex album. I scoured Craigslist.com (like Gumtree) in Gainesville and from what I have been told those are also hit or miss.. You could find an absolute gem! Other options include splitting a 2/2 or a 4/4 in an apartment building. They offer roommate matching at most of the en suite places. I considered it (private, furnished bathroom and bedroom is nice) but was concerned about the shared living room, washer/dryer and kitchen (can't stand a mess). If I find someone I get on with I may consider going that route next semester or just looking for a house to split, but not anticipating it. I spent the weekend in Gainesville two weeks ago and am heading back the first weekend in April for an admitted student weekend. I will gladly try to check out a few spots if you have specific places. I remember how much of a shock I went through moving to the UK for my masters degree so I am happy to help if I am able.

Thanks for that @bposadas someone said Gainesville is super expensive for utilities so I decided to rent at the Continuum since it it all inclusive. However, if electric really is under 50 per month then I may look elsewhere next year depending. (I pay almost 100 per month in electric in Jacksonville and never run my AC). Good luck on accommodations.. I liked the Continuum based on the all inclusive rent and the fact that it doesn't allow undergrads (I am a bit older and most of the other complexes bragged about their poolside ragers). I will say in my very limited exposure to Gainesville it reminds me a bit of Charlottesville, Virginia. It is a walkable, funky university town in a conservative area. But, I could be way off base. Regardless, I am excited after my sightseeing weekend.

Well I am a guy and a little older, so my experiences may be different... Depending on your department there will be a lot of opportunities to meet new friends. The anthropology department, for example is having a "get to know you" weekend for incoming grad students the first week of April. This will give us a chance to hang out and make friends with both our new cohort and the folks who are already there. We are also required to take certain classes as a cohort which will also facilitate introductions. I moved around a lot in my early and mid 20's (Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New York) and then did my master's degree abroad. I had some of the same concerns. However, between classes, colloquiums, and conferences I made friends pretty quickly. The biggest lesson I learned was that most folks are just as shy and scared of rejection and usually appreciate you starting the conversation. Yeah, there will always be some unfriendly folks and they will rebuff your attempts at say hello, but for the most part people are relieved and appreciate you starting the conversation. These are your potential colleagues so making friends now will help you create lifelong networks. I am sure you'll be fine once you are in the program. I live about 90 minutes from Gainesville now and have visited twice, there are so many clubs, groups and activities between hiking, biking, theatres, sports groups and civic / volunteer associations that whatever free time you may have can easily get filled with all kinds of activities. I would also suggest making friends outside of your department. Seeing the same folks socially and professionally everyday can get tedious and downright exhausting. Plus it's nice to broaden your horizons and expand your comfort zone. I know it is a little vague and a bit trite, cheesy pep-talkish, but I hope it helps.

I have full coverage on a 2009 Hyundai (perfect driving record) and was quoted around $420 per 6 month policy.

More housing thoughts below.. but I tried 5 coffee shops in Gainesville and will be doing more when I return in April. My coffee impressions so far (I only drink straight black coffee): 1) Know Where Coffee: Close to campus, friendly staff and pretty good coffee they source from a roster about 90 minutes away. As the name implies they try to make a point to make you aware of where your coffee is coming from (not sure if it works, but I applaud the effort). Not the best coffee I have ever had, but passable and a nice study vibe. 2) Volta: Little hip and slightly impressed for my taste. However, they offer cupping classes and the coffee wasn't bad. They have a nice sidewalk seating area that made for fun people watching. 3) Downtown Bodega: Great locally roasted coffee (Sweetwater Midnight Oil is my preferred roast) served out of a funky little bodega in the middle of downtown. No real inside seating (as name implies), but tons of other nice soups, sandwiches and sodas. Worth the 15 minute walk from campus on your way downtown. 4) Coffee Culture: Fun shop with good coffee, but a bit out of the way and small location makes it a bit of a gamble. I would be concerned about driving all the way there and them being full. They are open late (until 11) and have a drive thru. 5) Maude's: Definately a contender for favorite new shop. Friendly counter / barista, solid drip/filter coffee and great location. Spacious interior seating and the food / pastries looked really good. It's located next to a theatre with tons of outdoor seating it was nice to watch the crowds pass as I sipped a nice dark roast. 6) Starbucks: It is what it is.. but great location (across from Maude's and they have wine / beer and small plates. There are a few more shops I still need to check out. I didn't look at Campus Lodge (hoping to do a studio since I am not sure how well I would do with a roommate and they seemed a little undergrad for my 36-year-old self) I live about 90 minutes drive to UF and spent last weekend poking around. I looked at 9 places and the letting agents all said the same basic thing, 1 bedrooms are going to be tough, but 2 and 3 bedroom shared units should be available. I am trying to book a studio at Continuum because they only rent to grad students. A few of the places I looked at (College View and Courtyards) had some pretty impressive pool side parties going at 2 in the afternoon. While I remember those days, it's no longer my scene. 2nd Ave Centre also seemed nice (my backup if Continuum doesn't work), but the letting agent told me it can be a bit young at times. I know a lot of people share houses around 8th, Ave, and some private landlords will work with students on partial rents. It really depends on what you are in the market for both price and location/size. If anyone needs I can post more detailed thoughts on each property... But many really blend together.

Satchels came up frequently, so did Top Bar (I think that was the name) so I will have to try that.. I have done Flying Biscuit in North Carolina and loved it. I love Indian food, so thanks for the recommendation on Andaz. I will have to pop in there for lunch during the "get to know your adviser" weekend in April. Yeah, I tried Air BnB, but the pickings were slim for last weekend, however they look much better for April, so I think I just picked a bad weekend to visit. One of the agents told me that first year admit notices were sent out a week ago and their office was flooded with out of town parents trying to lock in housing. I stayed at a La Quinta near I-75 and it was clean and nice enough. For the most part the 9 apartments were fairly expected. I have put in application for a studio at the Continiuum Graduate Housing (furnished and inclusive so less to move and easy to budget). The only place that really turned me off was College Park, but that was because of the massive pool party that was raging with shirtless frat boys and bikini clad co-eds at 2 in the afternoon and I am a little too old for that now. Most of the other places were nice enough and very convenient to the campus (I have a car but hope to just bike or walk everywhere) I went back through several of the complexes after dinner Friday night and never felt concerned. I also chatted with some current grad students at the graphic design show and none of them indicated that the area is unsafe. I did toy with the idea of renting a house and getting a roommate, but not knowing anyone there that option may be better for my second year. I doubt they will transform me into a football fan (I lived in Pittsburgh for 5 years and used to have access to a box at Heinz field and still didn't convert) but it may be fun to try in a university setting. Thanks again to both of you for your input.

This was an amazing response, thank you so much!! I was actually in Gainesville apartment hunting and sniffing around the city over the weekend. I met some great folks at a graphic design show Friday night and enjoyed seeing the remodeled student center on Saturday (even got a pic with Albert and Alberta). I toured about 9 complexes, so I have some decisions to make. I am a huge coffee freak, so what place do you recommend? I tried Know Where and Volta. I prefer Know Where, but I am sure there are other places I need to try. Also, any good "must eat" places? I tried Crane Ramen, Burrito Brothers, and Leonardo's Pizza. What else should be on the list? (I am coming back in April for a "get to know you" weekend.) Also, and this may be off base... but what is up with the hotels always being booked??? Sheesh. Thanks again, I appreciate all of your help!! I just visited last weekend and thought the city had an "interesting" vibe (reminded me a bit of Manchester). I concur some areas seemed a bit sketch, but not any more than any other city I have lived in. The university was packed (so much so it convinced me to walk or cycle to class) and my biggest complaint was that I got stuck in a huge frat pool party by accident while touring a complex. However, I am not a football fan so I am a bit nervous about home game weekends. I talked to a few folks who told me which bars to avoid on game days. Good luck with the fellowship!

Hasn't been a lot of movement in a while so I will throw this out there..I am starting a PhD program at UF this Fall (2016) and heading down this weekend to start apartment hunting. Any suggestions/recommendations? I am looking at Continuum, a few lofts and studios and University Heights.

I think that sounds like amazing news bioarch_fan. While I am thrilled that I already have my acceptance letter... I am still waiting to hear about funding... Letter made it very clear that not all who are accepted will receive any funding. Good luck!

LKK: Good luck with the food studies at NYU. That looked fascinating!

Depends on the school EA76.. Florida schools are open today but some NC schools are closed (for weather, not holiday)