Moving Companies Gainesville, FL

Gainesville, Florida

USA Today ranked Gainesville, Florida as one of its "Top Ten Small Cities in 2010." Why do the editors believe that moving to Gainesville is a great idea? Gainesville’s great reputation is based on its vibrant economy, which is host to more small-business incubators than anywhere else in the United States. But money isn’t the only thing that keeps the Gainesville moving companies busy; quality of life is important, too. The sunny climate is far enough inland to avoid the worst of the hurricanes, but close enough to the beach for a quick daytrip. There’s plenty to do at home, too; lots of people are relocating to Gainesville for the upbeat arts scene, as well as the many outdoor parks and walking trails.

Economy:
Gainesville’s strength is in its ability to innovate. CNNMoney.com named Gainesville one of the “Top 100 Places to Live and Launch [a Business]” in 2007. It cited the city’s two greatest assets: the University of Florida (whose pool of graduates is an excellent source of well-educated employees) and the Sid Martin Biotechnology Innovator (which has launched dozens of biotech companies). To build on its reputation, the Gainesville Chamber of Commerce launched a 2010 initiative called “Innovation Economy.” The initiative will work hand-in-hand with two new resources: the Cade Museum of Innovation and the UF Innovation Hub. Together, the leaders of these groups work to “help turn inventions into companies,” in the words of the Gainesville Today newspaper.

History:
Gainesville’s history stretches back to the pre-European era, when the region that is now known as Alachua County was home to the complex Indian civilization known as the Timucuan. In the wake of the plagues and plundering brought by European explorers such as Fernando de Soto, the Timucuan civilization faded away and was replaced by Spanish and English settlements.

Alachua County began as an enormous county that stretched from the Georgia border to Tampa Bay. The county was partitioned several times, and development of the Gainesville county seat was held back by the Second Seminole War. This meant that the region didn’t really begin growing until the railroads were built in the mid-nineteenth century. By 1860, Gainesville had 232 residents. It grew by leaps in bounds thanks to the prosperous citrus and phosphate industries that made Alachua famous, and Gainesville reached the 20th century with a population of 32,000 residents.

Tourism:
Gainesville is a great destination for art enthusiasts, who will want to start their tour at the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art at the University of Florida. The Harn is home to Asian, African, modern and contemporary art collections, as well as a separate collection of fine photographs. Those who prefer the sciences to the arts will enjoy a stop at the Florida Museum of Natural History, which includes a four-story Butterfly Rainforest complete with tropical plants and animals. Gainesville’s warm climate also lends itself to outdoor activities, and what better place to start than the Kanahapa Botanical Gardens? The gardens are divided into 24 areas, including a Children’s Garden, a Labyrinth, a Hummingbird Garden and a Vinery.

Colleges/Universities:
• University of Florida
• Santa Fe College
• City College – Gainesville Campus

Interesting Facts:
• Gainesville covers about 62-square-miles.
• The population of Gainesville is nearly 131,000 residents who live in 87,500 households.
• Gainesville is the birthplace of Gatorade, the first mass-marketed sports drink.
• Gainesville is within 75 miles of both the Atlantic Ocean (to the east) and the Gulf of Mexico (to the west).

Helpful Links:
• City of Gainesville
• Gainesville Real Estate
• Gainesville Storage Facility
• Gainesville Van Lines