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Acolyte Living
AboutPropertiesUniversityContact Us
Acolyte Living
Acolyte Living
Trustpilot

TrustScore 4.1

Acolyte Living
Trustpilot
TrustScore 4.1
United KingdomUnited StatesGermanyAustraliaCanada
UniversityVerified ReviewsScholarshipBlogsPopular Stays
About UsPartner With UsList With UsFAQs
Contact UsTerms & ConditionsPrivacy PolicyRefund Policy
support@acolyteliving.comWhatsApp+91 80585 12544+44 113 403 8148

Follow us on:

InstagramYouTubeLinkedInFacebook

© 2026 ACOLYTE LIVING PRIVATE LIMITED. All rights reserved.

SSL Secured
Data Protected
The Retreat at Gainesville: UF Student Housing Guide | Acolyte Living
Row of two-storey townhomes with light grey horizontal siding, covered front porches, and landscaped garden beds along a paved walkway, with street signage reading '9116–9146' visible on one building.
Bedroom with a wood-framed bed dressed in white and sage green bedding, a mirrored sliding wardrobe door, a small wooden desk with a lamp, sheer grey curtains, a dark wood dresser, and colourful abstract wall art.
Open-plan living and kitchen area with a grey sectional sofa, a black coffee table on a patterned rug, an arched floor lamp, and a white kitchen with a breakfast bar, stainless steel appliances, and metal stools.
Living room with a navy blue tufted sectional sofa with pink and grey cushions, a marble-style coffee table with gold legs, an orange geometric-patterned rug, abstract wall art, a wall-mounted TV, and a kitchen with dark cabinetry and a stainless steel refrigerator in the background.
The Retreat at Gainesville

1001 SW 17th Lane, Gainesville, Florida 32601
University of Florida, roughly a 9-minute drive (about 1.6 miles) from the front door, with a regular RTS bus service along the route for students without a car.

1001 SW 17th Lane, Gainesville, Florida 32601
University of Florida, roughly a 9-minute drive (about 1.6 miles) from the front door, with a regular RTS bus service along the route for students without a car.

The Retreat at Gainesville

★★★★★4(508 Reviews)
1001 SW 17th Lane, Gainesville, Florida 32601
University of Florida, roughly a 9-minute drive (about 1.6 miles) from the front door, with a regular RTS bus service along the route for students without a car.
Book Now→

The Retreat at Gainesville sits just off Archer Road, a short hop from Butler Plaza and about 1.6 miles from the University of Florida campus. Built in 2016 and spread across 188 units, it's one of the larger purpose-built student communities in this part of Gainesville, and it leans into that scale with a genuinely resort-style layout: a big pool with a tanning deck, a sand volleyball court, a golf simulator, and a clubhouse that actually gets used rather than sitting empty.

★4 · Resident-review themes inside
Everything about The Retreat at Gainesville
This is for – Accommodation
This is for
Reviews – Accommodation
Reviews
Neighbourhood, honestly – Accommodation
Neighbourhood, honestly
Commute Reality – Accommodation
Commute Reality
Food & essentials – Accommodation
Food & essentials
Docs & booking – Accommodation
Docs & booking
Move-in guide – Accommodation
Move-in guide
Payment terms – Accommodation
Payment terms

Everything about The Retreat at Gainesville

This is for – Accommodation
This is for
Reviews – Accommodation
Reviews
Neighbourhood, honestly – Accommodation
Neighbourhood, honestly
Commute Reality – Accommodation
Commute Reality
Food & essentials – Accommodation
Food & essentials
Docs & booking – Accommodation
Docs & booking
Move-in guide – Accommodation
Move-in guide
Payment terms – Accommodation
Payment terms
Compare Nearby – Accommodation
Compare Nearby
Nearby University – Accommodation
Nearby University
For parents – Accommodation
For parents
International student corner – Accommodation
International student corner
Quick answers – Accommodation
Quick answers

Who is The Retreat at Gainesville actually for?

BOOK IT IF YOU ARE...

  • •
    • •A space seeker. You want a proper bedroom and private bathroom rather than a shared box room, and you're happy to trade a short commute for that extra square footage.
    • •A social student. You like a community with a pool, volleyball court and clubhouse events where you'll actually bump into people, not just a corridor of closed doors.
    • •A car or bike owner. You have your own way to get to campus quickly, since this isn't a walk-to-lecture location and the bus adds time to your morning.
    • •A group of friends. You want to split a four, five or six bedroom apartment with people you already know, sharing a kitchen and living space together.
    • •A home cook. You want a full kitchen to actually cook in rather than relying on a meal plan or microwave, plus in-unit laundry so you're not queuing for machines.

LOOK ELSEWHERE IF YOU...

  • •
    • •Campus obsessed. You want to roll out of bed and be in a lecture hall in ten minutes flat, since 1.6 miles each way adds up across a semester.
    • •Budget tight without a car. Between the commute and typical parking or bike costs, this suits people with reliable transport more than those relying purely on walking.
    • •Wanting a maid service. Cleaning here is on you, like most US student apartments, so if a weekly clean is non-negotiable this isn't that kind of property.
    • •After total peace and quiet. With a big pool scene and regular resident events, this leans social rather than library-quiet, especially in the warmer months.

What residents actually say

👍 I genuinely love the pool area here, especially playing beach volleyball with my flatmates on a free afternoon. Honestly no complaints about that side of things.👍 My room is big and bright with loads of natural light, and there's always somewhere to park, which made settling in far less stressful than I expected.👍 Having my own bathroom instead of sharing with three other people has made living with roommates so much easier and less awkward day to day.
👎 Our air conditioning went out in the middle of summer and it took well over two weeks to get properly fixed, which was miserable in Florida heat.👎 I put in maintenance requests that sat unanswered for over a month, and chasing them up felt like more effort than it should have been.👎 The internet has been patchy and some of the ethernet ports in my room simply don't work, which is frustrating when you're trying to submit assignments.

The neighborhood, honestly

  • •This stretch of southwest Gainesville along Archer Road is a mixed retail and residential corridor rather than a leafy campus quarter, so expect main roads, shopping centres and a fair bit of traffic on match days.
  • •Depot Park's green space and walking trails are a short drive away if you want grass underfoot, though there isn't much greenery immediately outside the front gate itself.
  • •You'll be sharing the area with a broad mix of Gainesville residents and fellow students living in the several purpose-built communities dotted along this same corridor.
  • •Lighting and footfall along Archer Road are generally decent given the shopping centres nearby, though as with any US city it's sensible to stick to well-lit routes after dark and use the property's own security features.

Commute reality: door to lecture

CAMPUSTIMEHOW
University of Florida (Turlington Plaza, main campus)9 minsBus Or Car
University of Florida 30 minsWalk
UF Health / College of Medicine4 minsCar

Food & essentials map

  • •Supermarkets: Publix at Butler Plaza West on SW Archer Road is the closest proper grocery run, just a few minutes' drive from the front door.
  • •Cafes and student-friendly eats: Butler Plaza's cluster of casual chains, including Starbucks, Chipotle and Panera Bread, covers most coffee and quick meal needs without heading all the way into campus.
  • •Library: Alachua County Library District's downtown headquarters branch is a short drive away, while UF's own Library West sits on campus for those wanting to study among coursemates.
  • •Gym: The property's own 24-hour fitness centre covers day to day training, with Gainesville Health & Fitness on Tower Road nearby as an alternative for a bigger equipment range.

Documents & booking process

Documents typically needed:

  • •A government-issued photo ID or passport
  • •Proof of University of Florida enrolment or an offer letter
  • •A completed rental application, including the application fee
  • •Proof of income, or a qualifying guarantor's details if you don't meet the income requirement independently
  • •Renter's insurance, arranged before or shortly after move-in

Room picks:

  • •Best Value: 6-bedroom share, from around $800/month per bed, ideal if you're moving in with a full group of friends and want the lowest per-person cost.
  • •Best All-Rounder: 4-bedroom apartment, from around $875/month per bed, a solid balance between privacy, roommate count and monthly outlay.
  • •Careful Budget: 5-bedroom share, from around $830/month per bed, a middle ground for groups who still want their own bathroom without the top price tag.
Check Availability →

Move-in guide: first 48 hours

Provided by property: Furnished bedroom and living space, kitchen appliances, in-unit washer and dryer, and access to the pool, fitness centre, clubhouse and study rooms from day one.

Bring or buy: Bedding, towels, kitchen basics like pots and cutlery, a shower curtain if needed, cleaning supplies, and any small appliances such as a kettle or microwave if not already fitted.

Day 1: Collect your keys and fob from the leasing office, do a walk-through and photograph any existing damage, meet your roommates if you haven't already, and locate your parking spot and mailbox.

Day 2: Register your car if driving, set up internet and streaming logins, do your first Publix shop for groceries, and take a short drive or bus ride to campus to time your actual commute.

Payment terms, decoded

Total Cost: Rent runs from roughly $800 to $1,155 per bed per month depending on floor plan, with occasional promotional pricing on select units, so always check the live rate before booking.

What's included: Furnished bedroom and bathroom, full amenity access including the pool, gym, clubhouse, study rooms and volleyball court. Confirm which utilities are bundled into your specific lease, since this can vary by unit.

Instalments: Rent is billed monthly and due on the 1st, with a late fee if payment lands after the 4th, so setting up autopay is worth doing early.

Deposit: A security deposit of around $100 is standard, though this can shift depending on your application outcome.

Cooling off: Florida leases don't carry a mandatory cooling-off window once signed, so read the full lease and ask the leasing team to clarify anything unclear before you commit.

Visa Safety Net: The property doesn't publish a formal no-visa no-pay style policy, so international applicants should confirm directly with the leasing office what protection exists if enrolment plans change before move-in, and get it in writing.

The Retreat at Gainesville vs Alternatives

PropertyLocationRooms per flatCleaning incl.Social style
The Retreat at GainesvilleSW 17th Lane, 1.6 miles from UF2 to 6 bed, from around $800/monthSelf-cleanBig pool, sports courts, social clubhouse
HighbranchSW 17th Lane, 1.7 miles from UFFrom around $945/monthSelf-cleanUpscale, quieter and design-led
Cabana Beach GainesvilleSW 51st Terrace, Archer Road corridor2 to 4 bed, from around $670/month per bedSelf-cleanResort pool scene, very social
Royal VillageSW Depot Avenue, 1.4 miles from UFFrom around $839/monthSelf-cleanCentral, mixed social and study crowd
The MetropolitanSW 13th Street, 1.9 miles from UFFrom around $875/monthSelf-cleanRooftop and central, sociable
University Club ApartmentsSW 23rd Terrace, 2.4 miles from UFFrom around $749/monthSelf-cleanQuieter, more budget-focused crowd

Nearby universities

  1. •University of Florida, the obvious and closest fit at roughly 1.6 miles away, easily reached by car, bike or the regular RTS bus.
  2. •Santa Fe College, further out on the north side of Gainesville, more realistic for students doing a partial UF pathway or with flexible timetables, since it's a proper drive rather than a hop.

The parents' section

What you should know before your child signs:

  • •Individual liability. Each roommate signs their own lease for their own bed, so your child isn't financially responsible for a roommate who falls behind on rent.
  • •Guarantor requirement. Most applicants without independent US income will need a qualifying guarantor, or an additional deposit in place of one, so check this early.
  • •Distance from campus. At 1.6 miles, this is a drive, bike or bus commute rather than a walk, so factor in how your child will get to early classes.
  • •Maintenance response times. Some resident reviews mention slower turnaround on certain repair requests, so it's worth asking the leasing office directly about their current typical response times before signing anything.
  • •Furnished but not fully stocked. The apartment comes furnished, but bedding, kitchenware and cleaning supplies are still down to your child to bring or buy.

Forign Corner

Arrival: Landing in Gainesville, the nearest airport is Gainesville Regional, with Orlando or Jacksonville as larger alternatives. Plan your grocery run and a SIM card or phone plan within the first couple of days, since orientation week moves fast and basics need sorting early.

No US Guarantor: If you don't have a US-based guarantor, the property typically allows an additional security deposit in lieu of one, so budget for this upfront cost rather than assuming a guarantor is mandatory for every applicant type.

Visa Safety Net: There's no formally published visa refusal protection on this property, so confirm directly with the leasing team what happens to your deposit and lease if your visa or enrolment falls through before arrival, and request written confirmation.

Setup: Once you've moved in, prioritise a US bank account, a local phone number, and your Social Security Number or ITIN application if you'll be working on campus, since several of these take a few weeks to process fully.

Home Food: Gainesville has a reasonable spread of international grocery options beyond Publix, including Asian and Latin American markets scattered around the city, well worth a weekend trip once you've settled into the routine here and worked out the bus or drive.

Quick answers

Get up to £500 Cashback On your booking
BOOK NOW
Refer a Friend & Earn £100
Who is The Retreat at Gainesville actually for?

BOOK IT IF YOU ARE...

  • •
    • •A space seeker. You want a proper bedroom and private bathroom rather than a shared box room, and you're happy to trade a short commute for that extra square footage.
    • •A social student. You like a community with a pool, volleyball court and clubhouse events where you'll actually bump into people, not just a corridor of closed doors.
    • •A car or bike owner. You have your own way to get to campus quickly, since this isn't a walk-to-lecture location and the bus adds time to your morning.
    • •A group of friends. You want to split a four, five or six bedroom apartment with people you already know, sharing a kitchen and living space together.
    • •A home cook. You want a full kitchen to actually cook in rather than relying on a meal plan or microwave, plus in-unit laundry so you're not queuing for machines.

LOOK ELSEWHERE IF YOU...

  • •
    • •Campus obsessed. You want to roll out of bed and be in a lecture hall in ten minutes flat, since 1.6 miles each way adds up across a semester.
    • •Budget tight without a car. Between the commute and typical parking or bike costs, this suits people with reliable transport more than those relying purely on walking.
    • •Wanting a maid service. Cleaning here is on you, like most US student apartments, so if a weekly clean is non-negotiable this isn't that kind of property.
    • •After total peace and quiet. With a big pool scene and regular resident events, this leans social rather than library-quiet, especially in the warmer months.
What residents actually say
👍 I genuinely love the pool area here, especially playing beach volleyball with my flatmates on a free afternoon. Honestly no complaints about that side of things.👍 My room is big and bright with loads of natural light, and there's always somewhere to park, which made settling in far less stressful than I expected.👍 Having my own bathroom instead of sharing with three other people has made living with roommates so much easier and less awkward day to day.
👎 Our air conditioning went out in the middle of summer and it took well over two weeks to get properly fixed, which was miserable in Florida heat.👎 I put in maintenance requests that sat unanswered for over a month, and chasing them up felt like more effort than it should have been.👎 The internet has been patchy and some of the ethernet ports in my room simply don't work, which is frustrating when you're trying to submit assignments.
Nearby Hotspots
The neighborhood, honestly

Commute Reality
Commute reality: door to lecture

Food & essentials
Food & essentials map

Docs & booking
Documents & booking process

Move-in guide
Move-in guide: first 48 hours

Payment terms
Payment terms, decoded

Compare Nearby
The Retreat at Gainesville vs Alternatives

Nearby University
Nearby universities

For parents
The parents' section

Forign Corner
Forign Corner

Quick answers
Row of two-storey townhomes with light grey horizontal siding, covered front porches, and landscaped garden beds along a paved walkway, with street signage reading '9116–9146' visible on one building.
Bedroom with a wood-framed bed dressed in white and sage green bedding, a mirrored sliding wardrobe door, a small wooden desk with a lamp, sheer grey curtains, a dark wood dresser, and colourful abstract wall art.
Open-plan living and kitchen area with a grey sectional sofa, a black coffee table on a patterned rug, an arched floor lamp, and a white kitchen with a breakfast bar, stainless steel appliances, and metal stools.
Living room with a navy blue tufted sectional sofa with pink and grey cushions, a marble-style coffee table with gold legs, an orange geometric-patterned rug, abstract wall art, a wall-mounted TV, and a kitchen with dark cabinetry and a stainless steel refrigerator in the background.
The Retreat at Gainesville

1001 SW 17th Lane, Gainesville, Florida 32601
University of Florida, roughly a 9-minute drive (about 1.6 miles) from the front door, with a regular RTS bus service along the route for students without a car.

1001 SW 17th Lane, Gainesville, Florida 32601
University of Florida, roughly a 9-minute drive (about 1.6 miles) from the front door, with a regular RTS bus service along the route for students without a car.

The Retreat at Gainesville

★★★★★4(508 Reviews)
1001 SW 17th Lane, Gainesville, Florida 32601
University of Florida, roughly a 9-minute drive (about 1.6 miles) from the front door, with a regular RTS bus service along the route for students without a car.
Book Now→

The Retreat at Gainesville sits just off Archer Road, a short hop from Butler Plaza and about 1.6 miles from the University of Florida campus. Built in 2016 and spread across 188 units, it's one of the larger purpose-built student communities in this part of Gainesville, and it leans into that scale with a genuinely resort-style layout: a big pool with a tanning deck, a sand volleyball court, a golf simulator, and a clubhouse that actually gets used rather than sitting empty.

★4 · Resident-review themes inside
Everything about The Retreat at Gainesville
This is for – Accommodation
This is for
Reviews – Accommodation
Reviews
Neighbourhood, honestly – Accommodation
Neighbourhood, honestly
Commute Reality – Accommodation
Commute Reality
Food & essentials – Accommodation
Food & essentials
Docs & booking – Accommodation
Docs & booking
Move-in guide – Accommodation
Move-in guide
Payment terms – Accommodation
Payment terms

Everything about The Retreat at Gainesville

This is for – Accommodation
This is for
Reviews – Accommodation
Reviews
Neighbourhood, honestly – Accommodation
Neighbourhood, honestly
Commute Reality – Accommodation
Commute Reality
Food & essentials – Accommodation
Food & essentials
Docs & booking – Accommodation
Docs & booking
Move-in guide – Accommodation
Move-in guide
Payment terms – Accommodation
Payment terms
Compare Nearby – Accommodation
Compare Nearby
Nearby University – Accommodation
Nearby University
For parents – Accommodation
For parents
International student corner – Accommodation
International student corner
Quick answers – Accommodation
Quick answers

Who is The Retreat at Gainesville actually for?

BOOK IT IF YOU ARE...

  • •
    • •A space seeker. You want a proper bedroom and private bathroom rather than a shared box room, and you're happy to trade a short commute for that extra square footage.
    • •A social student. You like a community with a pool, volleyball court and clubhouse events where you'll actually bump into people, not just a corridor of closed doors.
    • •A car or bike owner. You have your own way to get to campus quickly, since this isn't a walk-to-lecture location and the bus adds time to your morning.
    • •A group of friends. You want to split a four, five or six bedroom apartment with people you already know, sharing a kitchen and living space together.
    • •A home cook. You want a full kitchen to actually cook in rather than relying on a meal plan or microwave, plus in-unit laundry so you're not queuing for machines.

LOOK ELSEWHERE IF YOU...

  • •
    • •Campus obsessed. You want to roll out of bed and be in a lecture hall in ten minutes flat, since 1.6 miles each way adds up across a semester.
    • •Budget tight without a car. Between the commute and typical parking or bike costs, this suits people with reliable transport more than those relying purely on walking.
    • •Wanting a maid service. Cleaning here is on you, like most US student apartments, so if a weekly clean is non-negotiable this isn't that kind of property.
    • •After total peace and quiet. With a big pool scene and regular resident events, this leans social rather than library-quiet, especially in the warmer months.

What residents actually say

👍 I genuinely love the pool area here, especially playing beach volleyball with my flatmates on a free afternoon. Honestly no complaints about that side of things.👍 My room is big and bright with loads of natural light, and there's always somewhere to park, which made settling in far less stressful than I expected.👍 Having my own bathroom instead of sharing with three other people has made living with roommates so much easier and less awkward day to day.
👎 Our air conditioning went out in the middle of summer and it took well over two weeks to get properly fixed, which was miserable in Florida heat.👎 I put in maintenance requests that sat unanswered for over a month, and chasing them up felt like more effort than it should have been.👎 The internet has been patchy and some of the ethernet ports in my room simply don't work, which is frustrating when you're trying to submit assignments.

The neighborhood, honestly

  • •This stretch of southwest Gainesville along Archer Road is a mixed retail and residential corridor rather than a leafy campus quarter, so expect main roads, shopping centres and a fair bit of traffic on match days.
  • •Depot Park's green space and walking trails are a short drive away if you want grass underfoot, though there isn't much greenery immediately outside the front gate itself.
  • •You'll be sharing the area with a broad mix of Gainesville residents and fellow students living in the several purpose-built communities dotted along this same corridor.
  • •Lighting and footfall along Archer Road are generally decent given the shopping centres nearby, though as with any US city it's sensible to stick to well-lit routes after dark and use the property's own security features.

Commute reality: door to lecture

CAMPUSTIMEHOW
University of Florida (Turlington Plaza, main campus)9 minsBus Or Car
University of Florida 30 minsWalk
UF Health / College of Medicine4 minsCar

Food & essentials map

  • •Supermarkets: Publix at Butler Plaza West on SW Archer Road is the closest proper grocery run, just a few minutes' drive from the front door.
  • •Cafes and student-friendly eats: Butler Plaza's cluster of casual chains, including Starbucks, Chipotle and Panera Bread, covers most coffee and quick meal needs without heading all the way into campus.
  • •Library: Alachua County Library District's downtown headquarters branch is a short drive away, while UF's own Library West sits on campus for those wanting to study among coursemates.
  • •Gym: The property's own 24-hour fitness centre covers day to day training, with Gainesville Health & Fitness on Tower Road nearby as an alternative for a bigger equipment range.

Documents & booking process

Documents typically needed:

  • •A government-issued photo ID or passport
  • •Proof of University of Florida enrolment or an offer letter
  • •A completed rental application, including the application fee
  • •Proof of income, or a qualifying guarantor's details if you don't meet the income requirement independently
  • •Renter's insurance, arranged before or shortly after move-in

Room picks:

  • •Best Value: 6-bedroom share, from around $800/month per bed, ideal if you're moving in with a full group of friends and want the lowest per-person cost.
  • •Best All-Rounder: 4-bedroom apartment, from around $875/month per bed, a solid balance between privacy, roommate count and monthly outlay.
  • •Careful Budget: 5-bedroom share, from around $830/month per bed, a middle ground for groups who still want their own bathroom without the top price tag.
Check Availability →

Move-in guide: first 48 hours

Provided by property: Furnished bedroom and living space, kitchen appliances, in-unit washer and dryer, and access to the pool, fitness centre, clubhouse and study rooms from day one.

Bring or buy: Bedding, towels, kitchen basics like pots and cutlery, a shower curtain if needed, cleaning supplies, and any small appliances such as a kettle or microwave if not already fitted.

Day 1: Collect your keys and fob from the leasing office, do a walk-through and photograph any existing damage, meet your roommates if you haven't already, and locate your parking spot and mailbox.

Day 2: Register your car if driving, set up internet and streaming logins, do your first Publix shop for groceries, and take a short drive or bus ride to campus to time your actual commute.

Payment terms, decoded

Total Cost: Rent runs from roughly $800 to $1,155 per bed per month depending on floor plan, with occasional promotional pricing on select units, so always check the live rate before booking.

What's included: Furnished bedroom and bathroom, full amenity access including the pool, gym, clubhouse, study rooms and volleyball court. Confirm which utilities are bundled into your specific lease, since this can vary by unit.

Instalments: Rent is billed monthly and due on the 1st, with a late fee if payment lands after the 4th, so setting up autopay is worth doing early.

Deposit: A security deposit of around $100 is standard, though this can shift depending on your application outcome.

Cooling off: Florida leases don't carry a mandatory cooling-off window once signed, so read the full lease and ask the leasing team to clarify anything unclear before you commit.

Visa Safety Net: The property doesn't publish a formal no-visa no-pay style policy, so international applicants should confirm directly with the leasing office what protection exists if enrolment plans change before move-in, and get it in writing.

The Retreat at Gainesville vs Alternatives

PropertyLocationRooms per flatCleaning incl.Social style
The Retreat at GainesvilleSW 17th Lane, 1.6 miles from UF2 to 6 bed, from around $800/monthSelf-cleanBig pool, sports courts, social clubhouse
HighbranchSW 17th Lane, 1.7 miles from UFFrom around $945/monthSelf-cleanUpscale, quieter and design-led
Cabana Beach GainesvilleSW 51st Terrace, Archer Road corridor2 to 4 bed, from around $670/month per bedSelf-cleanResort pool scene, very social
Royal VillageSW Depot Avenue, 1.4 miles from UFFrom around $839/monthSelf-cleanCentral, mixed social and study crowd
The MetropolitanSW 13th Street, 1.9 miles from UFFrom around $875/monthSelf-cleanRooftop and central, sociable
University Club ApartmentsSW 23rd Terrace, 2.4 miles from UFFrom around $749/monthSelf-cleanQuieter, more budget-focused crowd

Nearby universities

  1. •University of Florida, the obvious and closest fit at roughly 1.6 miles away, easily reached by car, bike or the regular RTS bus.
  2. •Santa Fe College, further out on the north side of Gainesville, more realistic for students doing a partial UF pathway or with flexible timetables, since it's a proper drive rather than a hop.

The parents' section

What you should know before your child signs:

  • •Individual liability. Each roommate signs their own lease for their own bed, so your child isn't financially responsible for a roommate who falls behind on rent.
  • •Guarantor requirement. Most applicants without independent US income will need a qualifying guarantor, or an additional deposit in place of one, so check this early.
  • •Distance from campus. At 1.6 miles, this is a drive, bike or bus commute rather than a walk, so factor in how your child will get to early classes.
  • •Maintenance response times. Some resident reviews mention slower turnaround on certain repair requests, so it's worth asking the leasing office directly about their current typical response times before signing anything.
  • •Furnished but not fully stocked. The apartment comes furnished, but bedding, kitchenware and cleaning supplies are still down to your child to bring or buy.

Forign Corner

Arrival: Landing in Gainesville, the nearest airport is Gainesville Regional, with Orlando or Jacksonville as larger alternatives. Plan your grocery run and a SIM card or phone plan within the first couple of days, since orientation week moves fast and basics need sorting early.

No US Guarantor: If you don't have a US-based guarantor, the property typically allows an additional security deposit in lieu of one, so budget for this upfront cost rather than assuming a guarantor is mandatory for every applicant type.

Visa Safety Net: There's no formally published visa refusal protection on this property, so confirm directly with the leasing team what happens to your deposit and lease if your visa or enrolment falls through before arrival, and request written confirmation.

Setup: Once you've moved in, prioritise a US bank account, a local phone number, and your Social Security Number or ITIN application if you'll be working on campus, since several of these take a few weeks to process fully.

Home Food: Gainesville has a reasonable spread of international grocery options beyond Publix, including Asian and Latin American markets scattered around the city, well worth a weekend trip once you've settled into the routine here and worked out the bus or drive.

Quick answers

Get up to £500 Cashback On your booking
BOOK NOW
Refer a Friend & Earn £100
Who is The Retreat at Gainesville actually for?

BOOK IT IF YOU ARE...

  • •
    • •A space seeker. You want a proper bedroom and private bathroom rather than a shared box room, and you're happy to trade a short commute for that extra square footage.
    • •A social student. You like a community with a pool, volleyball court and clubhouse events where you'll actually bump into people, not just a corridor of closed doors.
    • •A car or bike owner. You have your own way to get to campus quickly, since this isn't a walk-to-lecture location and the bus adds time to your morning.
    • •A group of friends. You want to split a four, five or six bedroom apartment with people you already know, sharing a kitchen and living space together.
    • •A home cook. You want a full kitchen to actually cook in rather than relying on a meal plan or microwave, plus in-unit laundry so you're not queuing for machines.

LOOK ELSEWHERE IF YOU...

  • •
    • •Campus obsessed. You want to roll out of bed and be in a lecture hall in ten minutes flat, since 1.6 miles each way adds up across a semester.
    • •Budget tight without a car. Between the commute and typical parking or bike costs, this suits people with reliable transport more than those relying purely on walking.
    • •Wanting a maid service. Cleaning here is on you, like most US student apartments, so if a weekly clean is non-negotiable this isn't that kind of property.
    • •After total peace and quiet. With a big pool scene and regular resident events, this leans social rather than library-quiet, especially in the warmer months.
What residents actually say
👍 I genuinely love the pool area here, especially playing beach volleyball with my flatmates on a free afternoon. Honestly no complaints about that side of things.👍 My room is big and bright with loads of natural light, and there's always somewhere to park, which made settling in far less stressful than I expected.👍 Having my own bathroom instead of sharing with three other people has made living with roommates so much easier and less awkward day to day.
👎 Our air conditioning went out in the middle of summer and it took well over two weeks to get properly fixed, which was miserable in Florida heat.👎 I put in maintenance requests that sat unanswered for over a month, and chasing them up felt like more effort than it should have been.👎 The internet has been patchy and some of the ethernet ports in my room simply don't work, which is frustrating when you're trying to submit assignments.
Nearby Hotspots
The neighborhood, honestly

Commute Reality
Commute reality: door to lecture

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Food & essentials map

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Documents & booking process

Move-in guide
Move-in guide: first 48 hours

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Payment terms, decoded

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The Retreat at Gainesville vs Alternatives

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The parents' section

Forign Corner
Forign Corner

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