Relocating to Gainesville? Best Short-Term Housing for Newcomers
Flexible, fully furnished rentals for families, professionals, and corporate relocations
Relocating to a new city can be exciting — but also overwhelming. Whether you’re moving for work, school, family, or a fresh start, Gainesville, Florida offers a vibrant mix of opportunity, nature, and community. And while you're getting settled, finding the right short-term housing can make the transition smooth and stress-free.
That’s where StayGainesville comes in.
We provide fully furnished, move-in ready homes and condos ideal for professionals, families, and corporate transferees who need a comfortable place to live while they find permanent housing. With flexible lease terms, all-inclusive amenities, and local support, our properties are designed to meet the needs of newcomers relocating to Gainesville.
Whether you're here for a few weeks or a few months, this guide will walk you through the best options for temporary housing — and why StayGainesville is the trusted choice for relocation housing in Alachua County.
🌴 Why People Are Moving to Gainesville
Gainesville isn’t just a college town anymore — it’s become a relocation hotspot for:
Medical professionals at UF Health Shands and HCA Florida North Florida Hospital
Remote workers looking for a low-cost, lifestyle-friendly city
University faculty and staff relocating to the University of Florida
Tech and research employees joining startups or Innovation District companies
Families seeking better schools, green space, and a slower pace
With its blend of small-town charm, natural springs, great schools, and growing job market, Gainesville is attracting both young professionals and established families.
🏡 The Problem with Traditional Housing Options
If you’re new to the area, you’ll quickly find that traditional apartment leases and hotels don’t work well for relocation:
❌ 12-month leases = long commitment before you're ready
❌ Hotels = cramped space, no kitchen, expensive for long stays
❌ Airbnb = inconsistent quality, high fees, poor communication
❌ Empty rentals = you’ll need to buy or rent furniture, cookware, linens, etc.
What you really need is something in between — a home that’s fully furnished, move-in ready, and available on your timeline.
✅ Why StayGainesville is Ideal for Relocating
At StayGainesville, we specialize in short-term housing for people in transition. That includes:
Corporate relocation
Family moves
Medical residencies and fellowships
Faculty or university staff onboarding
Real estate closings or remodels
Try-before-you-buy home searches
Here’s what makes us different:
✔️ Fully Furnished
Each home is professionally designed and stocked with furniture, kitchenware, linens, cleaning supplies, and fast Wi-Fi. Just bring your suitcase.
✔️ Flexible Lease Terms
Stay as little as 1 week or as long as 3+ months. We’ll work with your schedule — no year-long contracts.
✔️ All-Inclusive Pricing
No utilities to set up, no surprise bills. Pricing includes electricity, water, Wi-Fi, lawn care, and more.
✔️ Family- & Pet-Friendly Options
We offer homes with multiple bedrooms, fenced yards, and kid-friendly layouts — perfect for families with children or pets.
✔️ Local Support
Our team is based in Gainesville and available 24/7 to assist you with move-in questions, neighborhood tips, or anything else you need during your stay.
👨💼 Who We Serve
🏥 Medical & Healthcare Professionals
UF Health Shands & VA employees
Medical fellows, traveling nurses, and residents
Professionals awaiting credentialing or onboarding
🎓 University of Florida Staff & Faculty
New hires relocating from out-of-state
Visiting professors, research staff, and adjuncts
Remote workers attending campus intensives
🏢 Corporate Transferees
Employees moving to Gainesville for career relocation
HR departments providing employee housing packages
Contractors on multi-month projects
👪 Families in Transition
Buying or building a new home
Insurance-related displacement
Divorce, probate, or caregiving moves
🏘️ Featured Short-Term Rentals for Newcomers
We offer properties across Gainesville — from walkable downtown homes to quiet suburban neighborhoods perfect for families.
🏡 The Hawthorne House – 3BR, 2BA, Near UF & Hospitals
Fully furnished with stylish decor
Large fenced yard, ideal for kids or pets
Quiet neighborhood, close to shopping & dining
Weekly or monthly stays welcome
🏙 Downtown Loft Condo – 2BR, 2BA
Located in the heart of Gainesville’s arts district
Modern, walkable, and great for couples or solo professionals
Fast Wi-Fi and workspace included
Perfect for UF staff or remote workers
🐶 Pet-Friendly Family Cottage – 4BR, 2BA
Family-size home in residential neighborhood
Large kitchen, washer/dryer, fenced yard
Near top-rated elementary schools and parks
Flexible check-in and extended stays available
🧳 Move-In Ready Checklist (Included in Every Stay)
StayGainesville homes include everything you need to live comfortably while you find your next permanent home:
✔️ Beds with fresh linens and pillows
✔️ Towels, shampoo, soap, and hair dryer
✔️ Stocked kitchen with dishes, cookware, and utensils
✔️ Smart TVs, high-speed Wi-Fi
✔️ Washer & dryer
✔️ Iron, ironing board, vacuum, and cleaning supplies
✔️ Lawn service, pest control, utilities
💼 For HR & Corporate Relocation Partners
We work directly with HR departments, relocation specialists, and recruiters to provide:
Corporate invoicing and receipts
Custom booking portals for staff
Housing for multiple employees
Flexible terms to fit onboarding timelines
“Try before you buy” options for relocating families
Looking for a professional housing solution in Gainesville? Contact us at info@staygainesville.com or call (352) [Phone Number] for a tailored quote.
💬 What Our Relocating Guests Are Saying
"We relocated from Chicago and needed a place while we house hunted. The StayGainesville team was responsive, helpful, and the house was absolutely perfect."
— Brian & Melissa T.
"I’m a travel nurse working at Shands and loved the fully furnished setup. Great location, fast Wi-Fi, and quiet. Will definitely book again."
— Katie R.
"As a recruiter, I need fast, reliable housing options for new hires. StayGainesville makes it seamless every time."
— Amanda J., Gainesville HR Consultant
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs
How long can I stay in a short-term rental with StayGainesville?
Stays can range from 7 nights to 3+ months. We offer flexible lease lengths to suit relocations, transitions, and onboarding timelines.
Do your rentals include utilities and Wi-Fi?
Yes. All StayGainesville properties include electricity, water, sewer, garbage pickup, lawn service, pest control, and high-speed Wi-Fi.
Can I bring my dog or cat?
Yes! Many of our homes are pet-friendly with fenced yards and pet-safe furniture. Let us know when booking.
Do you offer corporate or group housing for companies?
Yes — we work with HR teams and relocation specialists to provide multiple homes or condos, billed to a single account if needed.
Is furniture and kitchenware included?
Absolutely. All homes come fully furnished and move-in ready — including beds, couches, kitchenware, linens, towels, and cleaning supplies.
What areas of Gainesville do you serve?
We have rentals across Gainesville, including downtown, midtown, near UF campus, close to UF Health, and in residential areas like Haile Plantation and Duckpond.
🏡 Make Gainesville Feel Like Home – From Day One
Moving to a new city doesn’t have to mean starting from scratch. With StayGainesville, you can land in a beautiful, fully furnished home that gives you time to breathe, settle in, and explore your new surroundings.
Explore our relocation-friendly listings at www.staygainesville.com, or reach out to our team for a custom stay based on your timeline, family size, or company needs.
Stay local. Stay flexible. StayGainesville.
Looking for a comfortable, stylish, and well-located place to stay in Gainesville, Florida? Whether you're in town for a medical appointment, a University of Florida event, or a relaxing getaway, StayGainesville offers over 40 fully furnished short-term rentals in Gainesville, FL that feel like home.
🌿 Ultimate Guide to Nature Attractions Near Gainesville, FL Gainesville and its surrounding areas are rich in natural beauty, offering a diverse array of parks, springs, gardens, and waterways to explore. Whether you're interested in hiking, kayaking, birdwatching, or simply enjoying the outdoors, there's something for everyone. 🌳 City Parks in Gainesville 1. Alfred A. Ring Park * 📍 Address: 1801 NW 23rd Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32605 * 🌐 Website: City of Gainesville Parks * 📝 Features: Over a mile of trails through upland mixed forest and slope forest, tracing the course of Hogtown Creek. 2. Depot Park * 📍 Address: 874 SE 4th St, Gainesville, FL 32601 * 🌐 Website: Depot Park * 📝 Features: A vibrant community park with playgrounds, splash pads, and a lakefront boardwalk. 3. Sweetwater Wetlands Park * 📍 Address: 325 SW Williston Rd, Gainesville, FL 32601 * 🌐 Website: Sweetwater Wetlands Park * 📝 Features: A constructed wetland with boardwalks, birdwatching opportunities, and native plant species. 4. Morningside Nature Center * 📍 Address: 3540 E University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32641 * 🌐 Website: Morningside Nature Center * 📝 Features: A living history farm with heritage livestock, period gardens, and interpretive programs. 🌿 State Parks & Nature Preserves 5. Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park * 📍 Address: 4732 Millhopper Road, Gainesville, FL 32653 * 🌐 Website: Florida State Parks * 📝 Features: A 120-foot deep sinkhole with a 132-step staircase leading to the bottom, showcasing unique geological formations. 6. Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park * 📍 Address: 100 Savannah Blvd, Micanopy, FL 32667 * 🌐 Website: Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park * 📝 Features: A vast wetland preserve with bison, wild horses, hiking trails, and birdwatching spots. 7. San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park * 📍 Address: 13201 San Felasco Parkway, Alachua, FL 32615 * 🌐 Website: San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park * 📝 Features: A forested park with trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. 8. Ichetucknee Springs State Park * 📍 Address: 12087 SW U.S. Highway 27, Fort White, FL 32038 * 🌐 Website: Ichetucknee Springs State Park * 📝 Features: A 6-mile river fed by nine springs, offering tubing, kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking through shaded hammocks. 9. O'Leno State Park * 📍 Address: 410 SE O'Leno Park Rd, High Springs, FL 32643 * 🌐 Website: O'Leno State Park * 📝 Features: Historic park with hiking trails, picnicking areas, and the scenic Santa Fe River. 10. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park * 📍 Address: 18700 S County Rd 325, Cross Creek, FL 32640 * 🌐 Website: Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park * 📝 Features: The former home of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, with gardens and historic buildings. 11. Dudley Farm Historic State Park * 📍 Address: 18730 W Newberry Rd, Newberry, FL 32669 * 🌐 Website: Dudley Farm Historic State Park * 📝 Features: A preserved 19th-century farm with historic buildings, gardens, and interpretive programs. 💧 Springs & Water Features 12. Poe Springs Park * 📍 Address: 28800 NW 182nd Ave, High Springs, FL 32643 * 🌐 Website: Poe Springs Park * 📝 Features: A spring with a 45-foot deep vent, offering swimming and snorkeling opportunities. 13. Ginnie Springs * 📍 Address: 5000 NE 60th Ave, High Springs, FL 32643 * 🌐 Website: Ginnie Springs * 📝 Features: A popular spot for tubing, snorkeling, and scuba diving in crystal-clear waters. 14. Blue Springs Park * 📍 Address: 7450 NE 60th St, High Springs, FL 32643 * 🌐 Website: Blue Springs Park * 📝 Features: A spring known for its vibrant blue waters and opportunities for swimming and picnicking. 🌸 Botanical Gardens 15. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens * 📍 Address: 4700 SW 58th Dr, Gainesville, FL 32608 * 🌐 Website: Kanapaha Botanical Gardens * 📝 Features: 24 major collections, including the state's largest public bamboo garden and a butterfly garden. 16. Cedar Lakes Woods & Gardens * 📍 Address: 4990 NE 180th Ave, Williston, FL 32696 * 🌐 Website: Cedar Lakes Woods & Gardens * 📝 Features: A 20-acre botanical garden set in a century-old limestone quarry, featuring waterfalls, koi ponds, and tropical plant displays. 🛶 Public Boat Ramps & River Launch Points 17. Lake Santa Fe Boat Ramp * 📍 Address: 2308 SE 30th St, Melrose, FL 32666 * 🌐 Website: Lake Santa Fe Boat Ramp * 📝 Features: A concrete boat ramp providing access to Lake Santa Fe for various watercraft. 18. Jill McGuire Santa Fe Lake Park * 📍 Address: 24500 NE SR 26, Melrose, FL 32666 * 🌐 Website: Jill McGuire Santa Fe Lake Park * 📝 Features: A park with a boat ramp, shelter, and play area, offering access to Santa Fe Lake. 21. Ellie Ray's Resort Boat Ramp * 📍 Address: Ellie Ray's Resort, High Springs, FL 32643 * 🌐 Website: Ellie Ray's Resort * 📝 Features: A private resort with a boat ramp providing access to the Santa Fe River. 22. Sandy Point Campground * 📍 Address: Sandy Point Campground, High Springs, FL 32643 * 🌐 Website: Sandy Point Campground * 📝 Features: A campground with a boat ramp offering access to the Santa Fe River. 🌲 Nature Preserves & Additional Parks 23. Barr Hammock Preserve * 📍 Address: Located near Gainesville, FL * 🌐 Website: Barr Hammock Preserve * 📝 Features: A preserve with hiking trails through pine flatwoods and cypress swamps. 24. Buck Bay Flatwoods Preserve * 📍 Address: Located near Gainesville, FL * 🌐 Website: Buck Bay Flatwoods Preserve * 📝 Features: A preserve with hiking trails through flatwoods and wetlands. 25. Four Creeks Preserve * 📍 Address: Located near Gainesville, FL * 🌐 Website: Four Creeks Preserve * 📝 Features: A preserve protecting the headwaters of four local creeks, with seasonal trails. 26. Lake Alto Preserve * 📍 Address: Located near Gainesville, FL * 🌐 Website: Lake Alto Preserve * 📝 Features: A preserve with trails through pine flatwoods and lake shore hardwood forest. 27. Longleaf Flatwoods Reserve * 📍 Address: Located near Gainesville, FL * 🌐 Website: Longleaf Flatwoods Reserve * 📝 Features: A reserve with trails through longleaf pine forests and wetlands. 28. Mill Creek Nature Preserve * 📍 Address: Located near Gainesville, FL * 🌐 Website: Mill Creek Nature Preserve * 📝 Features: A preserve with hiking trails through hardwood forests and wetlands. 29. Newnans Lake Conservation Area * 📍 Address: Located near Gainesville, FL * 🌐 Website: Newnans Lake Conservation Area * 📝 Features: A conservation area with trails and birdwatching opportunities. 🏞️ Other Notable Natural Attractions 30. The Bluffs at Paynes Prairie * 📍 Address: Located at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, Micanopy, FL 32667 * 🌐 Website: Paynes Prairie Preserve * 📝 Features: Scenic lookout points offering panoramic views of the prairie, ideal for wildlife watching and photography. 31. Lookout Points at Paynes Prairie * 📍 Address: Located at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, Micanopy, FL 32667 * 🌐 Website: Paynes Prairie Preserve * 📝 Features: Stunning views over the prairie from observation points, popular for birdwatching and hiking. 🛶 Kayaking, Canoeing, and Tubing Spots 32. Santa Fe River (Canoe and Kayak Launch) * 📍 Address: Various Launch Points (including near High Springs) * 🌐 Website: Santa Fe Canoe Outpost * 📝 Features: Enjoy paddling down the scenic Santa Fe River, a popular spot for kayaking and canoeing. 33. Suwannee River (Canoe and Kayak Launch) * 📍 Address: Various Launch Points (High Springs, Micanopy) * 🌐 Website: Suwannee River * 📝 Features: A popular river for long canoe trips with beautiful landscapes and opportunities for wildlife viewing. Gainesville, Florida, and its surrounding areas are a paradise for nature lovers, offering a rich variety of outdoor experiences from hiking and birdwatching to kayaking and tubing. Whether you prefer the tranquility of a botanical garden, the adventure of a hike through a state park, or the excitement of a spring-fed river, there's no shortage of beautiful places to explore. Each of these locations provides a unique opportunity to experience the natural wonders of North Central Florida. Feel free to visit any of these parks, preserves, and waterways and immerse yourself in the incredible nature surrounding Gainesville! While visiting Gainesville, be sure to stay in one of StayGainesville's comfortable homes and condos. We have a large variety of sizes, locations, prices and more! Stay local. Stay Comfortable. StayGainesville. 352-519-3994 info@staygainesville.com
