Gainesville, FL Foreclosed Homes & Properties

Foreclosure Homes for Sale in Gainesville, FL: What You Need to Know 

Established in 1853, the city of Gainesville was named after U.S. military officer Edmund P. Gaines. In 1906 the University of the State of Florida relocated to the town. In 1911 the Florida Gators football team was officially active. By the 1930s, the population had grown to over 10,000 residents as there was a huge economic boom.  

The Gainesville Regional Airport was built in 1935, and by the 1970s, the population had soared to 64,510 residents. During the 1960s, Gainesville had become a center for college activism. Today, the University is the state's center of education, medicine, cultural events, and athletics, and it’s one of the leading employers in Gainesville and its surrounding counties.

Cost of Living 

The cost of living in Gainesville is 2% lower than the national average. Housing costs are 9% lower, utilities are 19% higher, and groceries are 4% higher than the national averages. You can expect to pay about $990.26 a month on rent as the median home price is $316,117. Average monthly energy bills will run about $199.01, phone bills cost about $212.14 a month, and gas is roughly $2.70 per gallon. Healthcare costs in Gainesville are 1% lower than the rest of the nation, on average. The sales tax rate is 7%.  

Things to Do in Gainesville

Gainesville is located in a central area that is a short drive away from both coasts: the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. On either coast, you can visit beautiful beaches that offer different sceneries and are unique in their own way. Those who love nature can visit the Morningside Nature Center, a nature park with over seven miles of hiking trails. The Kanapaha Botanical Gardens offer over 62 acres of specialty gardens and lakeside forests. 

There are thirteen museums and galleries, including the Ham Museum of Art, the Florida Museum of Natural History, and The Historic Thomas Galleries. Plus, there are always plenty of fun events happening throughout the year. Some of the more popular annual festivals include the Hoggtowne Medieval Faire, the Jest Fest, and the Butterfly Fest.

The Local Sports Scene 

The Gainesville Raceway is home to the Gatornationals and NHRA and hosts many racing events throughout the year.  There are five professional sports teams in Florida: Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL), Tampa Bay Rays (MLB), Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL), Orlando Magic (NBA).  All of these teams are located less than two hours away from Gainesville.  The most popular sports team in the city are the Florida Gators, the intercollegiate athletic teams representing the University of Florida at Gainesville. These teams compete in the NCAA and the SEC and are consistently ranked amongst the top college sports programs in the US.