Community Details at a Glance
The Homes
Type
Condominium units (1999 to 2002)
Size
Roughly 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom condominium homes
Stock
Resale condominium units
Updates
Condition varies unit to unit
Costs & Fees
Association fee
Monthly dues include high-speed internet; confirm the current amount with the listing
CDD
None expected; confirm on tax bill
Insurance
Florida condo insurance, a real line item
Amenities
A pool and hot tub
Association-maintained
A fitness room
Association-maintained
A basketball court
Association-maintained
And a sand volleyball court
Association-maintained
Location
Setting
SW Gainesville on SW 23rd Street, less than three miles from the University of Florida
Near
UF and Shands
Lifestyle
Low-maintenance condo
The Homes
Countryside at the University is condominium product: units of roughly 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom condominium homes built 1999 to 2002. Floor plans and condition vary unit to unit, and updated interiors command real premiums over original-condition twins. Because the building draws renters near UF, an updated, well-kept unit reads very differently from a tired rental, even at a similar size. Read the specific unit's condition, floor, and exposure, not a building average.
What Living Here Is Actually Like
Countryside at the University lives like the low-maintenance condominium community it is in SW Gainesville on SW 23rd Street, less than three miles from the University of Florida: walkable or a short bus ride to the University of Florida and Shands, with the building handling exterior upkeep. The trade is shared walls, association rules, and a monthly fee.
what to expect here?
A strong renter base of university of florida students, faculty, and medical staff, drawn by the location and the low-maintenance lifestyle.
How is the location?
SW Gainesville on SW 23rd Street, less than three miles from the University of Florida, a short drive or bus ride to UF, Shands, and everyday shopping.
Is it quiet?
As a condominium community, expect shared-wall living and common areas; tour at different times of day and ask the association about noise and rule enforcement.
Can I rent my unit out?
Rental rules are set by the association and can change, and some buildings cap rentals or owner-occupancy. Get the current policy and any cap in writing before you offer, especially if you are an investor.
What to Check Before You Offer
- The current monthly fee and exactly what it covers, in writing from the association.
- The reserve study and recent minutes, plus any pending or recent special assessment.
- The owner-occupancy ratio and any rental cap, for financing and resale.
- The master insurance policy and your unit-owner premium.
- The specific unit's condition, floor, exposure, and any updates, documented and permitted.
- Rental rules in writing if you may ever lease the unit.
- Current school assignment for the address from Alachua County Public Schools, if relevant.
- True comparable sales of similar units in the same building, not a building average.
Countryside at the University is a condominium buy, which means the association is as important as the unit. Our job is to read the fee, the reserve study, the minutes, the insurance, and the owner-occupancy ratio, then tell you what the all-in carrying cost and the resale picture really look like.
Near UF, much of this market is investor and student rental, so we confirm the rental rules and the renter mix before you commit. We pull the comparable sales of similar units in the same building, not a building average, and we represent you, not the seller.
Countryside vs. the Alternatives
Most Countryside shoppers cross-shop other Gainesville condominium communities and nearby detached homes. The honest comparison:
| Community | The trade-off |
|---|---|
| Windsor Park | Smaller-unit UF-area condos with a fitness center and courts |
| Rockwood Villas | Larger townhome-style units near Santa Fe and the Oaks Mall |
| Victoria Station | 2-bedroom townhomes near UF with bus access |
The verdict: if you want a purpose-built student-housing investment near UF with a direct bus route, Countryside fits the model. If you want an owner-occupant condo rather than a 4-bedroom rental, the smaller-unit UF-area buildings are the field to shop.
The Honest Trade-offs
Pros
- Walkable or short bus ride to UF and Shands
- Low-maintenance, lock-and-leave lifestyle
- Association handles exterior upkeep
- A pool and hot tub
- Established renter base supports investor demand
- Lower entry point than detached homes nearby
Cons
- Shared-wall, association-rule living
- Monthly fee moves with reserves and insurance
- Owner-occupancy ratio can limit financing
- Florida condo insurance is a real, rising line item
- Condition varies unit to unit at this vintage
- Resale depends on the building's financial health
