The Gator Nation has another reason to celebrate.
Gainesville was recently named the No. 1 college town by Livability.com, a website that rates American cities. On the site, Gainesville is called a “paradise for sports fans.”
“I really do believe it’s all in our diversity,” said Bob Woods, communications manager for the City of Gainesville. “We are doing things in a unique way, and that’s what separates us from the other college towns listed.”
Gainesville was followed by Athens, Ga., home of the University of Georgia, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, N.C.
Woods said this ranking shouldn’t be anything new for Gainesville.
“Quite frankly, as we see more and more of these awards, our secret is not so well-kept anymore,” he said.
In 1995, Money Magazine named Gainesville the No. 1 place to live in America.
Since then, the city has received 29 such awards, according to the City of Gainesville website, including recognition as the No. 1 place to retire during an economic downturn by SmartMoney.com and the No. 11 “gayest city” by The Advocate.
Israel Mendez, office manager for The Swamp Restaurant, which Livability named as one of Gainesville’s assets and places where after-game festivities take place, believes that there is more behind Gainesville than just being a good college town.
“I think it’s a great place not only to go to school to but also to raise a family,” Mendez said. “It shows children you can have fun while you are getting an education.”
