For many renters, parking and transportation is a top priority. Luckily, most Gainesville apartments offer these types of accommodations. Some communities feature open parking, in which anyone can park wherever he/she want, while others provide decals or assigned spaces. Some Gainesville apartments have covered parking (a great benefit during the hot and stormy Florida summers). In fact, some communities even have security-monitored parking garages; just another step towards making sure you and your belongings are protected. Whichever Gainesville apartment you choose, you can expect that there will be a free parking space nearby.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the University of Florida campus. UF sells student-parking decals based on housing and credit hour. This means that freshmen (with lower credit hours) may not be able to enjoy the same parking facilities as upperclassmen. Student parking decals are a bit pricy as well, costing $154 for an annual pass. And still, none of this guarantees that you will be able to find a close. convenient place to park.
Fortunately, there are alternative options. Many Gainesville apartments are located on or near a bus stop. UF students frequently make use of the Regional Transit System system in their commute to campus. RTS is free for UF students (just make sure you have your student ID on hand!). On average, RTS buses pass through Gainesville apartments every 5-10 minutes. Bus schedules can be looked up online or tracked by mobile device.
Swamp Rentals also offers a selection of apartments within walking distance to UF campus. Use the "Miles to UF" tool provided on the Gainesville apartments page to see what apartments are available.