Life in Gainesville, Florida, means hot summer days, packed tailgates in the fall, quick trips to Midtown, and busy weekends around downtown. For students who want to stay close to the University of Florida without living in a traditional dorm, The Metropolitan Gainesville offers an off-campus apartment option with a location that keeps campus, dining, and city life within easy reach.
This FAQ pulls together the details students and families usually want to know before committing to a year-long lease. It covers floor plans, furniture packages, amenities, parking, pet policies, and everyday support, so it is easier to decide whether The Metropolitan Gainesville is the right fit among apartments near UF.
1. Location & Proximity to Campus
The Metropolitan Gainesville is located at:
2209 SW 13th St
Gainesville, FL 32608
This address places The Metropolitan Gainesville just south of the University of Florida in a part of Gainesville that keeps campus buildings, UF Health, restaurants, and everyday stops close by.
The Metropolitan Gainesville is 0.22 miles from the University of Florida, which puts it close to the academic core of campus and especially convenient for students who want UF apartments near classes, campus events, and student resources. Several major UF destinations are also nearby, including the Reitz Union, Library West, Marston Science Library, Turlington Hall, and The Hub.
The Metropolitan Gainesville is near many of the campus destinations students visit most often. Nearby UF landmarks and buildings include:
- UF Health Shands Hospital, 0.4 miles away
- UF College of Veterinary Medicine, 0.4 miles away
- Norman Hall, 0.6 miles away
- Southwest Recreation Center, 0.7 miles away
- Stephen C. O’Connell Center, 0.7 miles away
- Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, 0.8 miles away
- Reitz Union, 0.9 miles away
- Library West, 1 mile away
- Century Tower, 1 mile away
- Marston Science Library, 1 mile away
- Turlington Hall, 1 mile away
- The Hub, 1 mile away
- Smathers Library, 1.1 miles away
- Heavener Hall, 1.2 miles away
- Weil Hall, 1.2 miles away
- Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 1.3 miles away
- Pugh Hall, 1.5 miles away
That makes The Metropolitan Gainesville a strong fit for students looking for apartments near the University of Florida with practical access to classes, libraries, athletics, and student life.
Yes. The Metropolitan Gainesville is especially well placed for students who spend a lot of time near UF Health Shands Hospital, the UF College of Veterinary Medicine, or Norman Hall. Those destinations are all under a mile away, which helps shorten the trip to labs, clinical settings, classes, and campus appointments.
The Metropolitan Gainesville is close to some of the most familiar dining and social areas in town. Nearby spots include:
- Midtown Gainesville
- Downtown Gainesville
- Birdie Box
- Sando
- La Tienda
- Steak ‘n Shake
This part of Gainesville keeps quick meals, coffee runs, and weekend plans within easy reach, which is a major plus for students searching for Gainesville student apartments near both UF and local hangouts.
Students at The Metropolitan Gainesville are also near shopping, museums, and daily errand stops around the city. Nearby places include:
- Florida Museum of Natural History, 0.8 miles away
- Harn Museum of Art, 0.8 miles away
- Oaks Mall, 5 miles away
For everyday errands or a weekend shopping trip, that puts several useful Gainesville destinations within a short drive from home.
There are several easy off-campus options nearby for students who want a break from class and campus routines. Popular places close to The Metropolitan Gainesville include:
- Hippodrome State Theatre, 1.5 miles away
- Depot Park, 1.5 miles away
- Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, 5 miles away
- Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, 8 miles away
- Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park, 10 miles away
- Crescent Beach, 90 miles away
That mix of downtown destinations, parks, and outdoor spaces gives students more to do than just stay close to campus.
Yes. RTS Bus Route #13 stops right in front of The Metropolitan Gainesville, which adds another transportation option for getting around Gainesville and reaching campus destinations without relying only on a car.
The Metropolitan Gainesville’s location near UF, UF Health, and several Gainesville destinations supports a more connected day-to-day routine for UF students.
2. Floor Plans, Furnishings, & Furniture Packages
The Metropolitan Gainesville offers studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, three-bedroom, four-bedroom, and five-bedroom apartments. The property also features a mix of urban and townhome-style layouts, which gives students several options depending on whether they want a more private setup or a larger shared apartment near UF.
Yes. The Metropolitan Gainesville offers layouts with private bedroom and bathroom options. There are also units with shared bathrooms, so students can choose the setup that best fits their preferences and housing budget.
Yes. The Metropolitan Gainesville offers furnished options, and the standard furniture package covers both the common area and each bedroom. That makes move-in simpler for students who want Gainesville student apartments that come ready for the semester to start.
The common area furniture package includes:
- 50-inch Smart TV
- Coffee table
- Dining table with four chairs
- Entertainment table
- Sofa and chair
This setup gives shared living spaces the essentials for lounging, studying, or spending time with roommates.
Bedroom furniture includes:
- Full XL bed
- Desk with chair
- Dresser
These pieces cover the main basics students usually need for sleep, storage, and schoolwork.
The Metropolitan Gainesville features white gloss cabinets, graphite quartz countertops, and new, modern appliances. The apartments also include hardwood-style flooring in common spaces and open-concept layouts, giving the interiors a clean and contemporary look.
Yes. Each apartment includes an in-unit washer and dryer, which helps students handle laundry at home instead of relying on shared laundry facilities.
Yes. Select apartments at The Metropolitan Gainesville include balconies, poolside locations, top-floor placement, walk-in closets, and premium unit options. Availability varies by floor plan and unit, so the leasing office can help with the most current options.
Yes. Apartments include Smart TVs in the living room, and high-speed WiFi is available throughout the property. That is especially useful for streaming, online coursework, and staying connected across both apartment and shared amenity spaces.
Yes. Bedrooms are individually keyed, which adds privacy within shared apartments.
Yes. The Metropolitan Gainesville has a broad range of layouts, from studios for students who want a more private space to larger multi-bedroom apartments for roommates who want to share common areas. With options that extend up to five bedrooms, the property gives students more ways to narrow down what works best for their day-to-day setup near campus.
The Metropolitan Gainesville includes internet, cable, water, sewer, and trash removal. That keeps more of the monthly housing costs bundled into the lease structure.
3. Amenities
The Metropolitan Gainesville includes a wide range of amenity spaces for studying, working out, relaxing, and spending time with friends. On-site spaces include an academic lounge, private and group study rooms, a computer lab, a two-story fitness center, a resort-style pool and spa, a clubhouse and lounge, a courtyard with outdoor games, grilling areas, hammocks, cabanas, a firepit, a tanning space, and a dog washing station.
Yes. The Metropolitan Gainesville has an academic lounge, private study rooms, group study rooms, and a computer lab. That setup works well for both independent study time and group project sessions when students want a place to work outside their apartment.
Yes. The Metropolitan Gainesville has a two-story fitness center with cardio equipment, strength equipment, and a turf training zone. The fitness setup includes:
- Treadmills
- Ellipticals
- Stair climbers
- Strength training machines
- Cable machines
- Power rack
- Free weights and barbells
- Benches
- Turf training area
This gives students a more complete workout space without leaving the property.
Yes. The Metropolitan Gainesville has a resort-style pool and spa area with cabanas and a Jumbotron. It is set up as one of the main outdoor amenity spaces for relaxing, hanging out, or catching a game on the screen.
The Metropolitan Gainesville includes several outdoor features beyond the pool area. Outdoor amenities include:
- Courtyard with games and outdoor recreation
- Firepit
- Outdoor grilling area
- Hammocks
- Bag toss
- Cabanas
- Pool and spa area
These on-site spaces give residents multiple places to step outside, meet up with friends, or take a break between classes.
Yes. The Metropolitan Gainesville includes a clubhouse and lounge, along with shared spaces around the pool, courtyard, and other amenity areas. These spaces support everything from casual hangouts to game days and everyday downtime in a setting that feels more connected than a traditional dorm setup.
Yes. The Metropolitan Gainesville includes a Jumbotron, courtyard games, hammocks, a firepit, and lounge areas that give students more ways to unwind close to home.
Yes. The Metropolitan Gainesville includes a dog washing station, which adds practical convenience for our dog-owning residents.
Yes. High-speed WiFi is available throughout The Metropolitan Gainesville, which supports both apartment use and time spent in shared spaces like study areas and lounges.
4. Community & Resident Programming
P.A.W.S. is The Metropolitan Gainesville’s resident programming model. It is centered on four areas of student life: philanthropic growth, academic growth, wellness, and social connection. The program is designed to help residents feel like they belong while creating more opportunities to get involved in life at The Metropolitan Gainesville.
Yes. The Metropolitan Gainesville hosts regular resident events as part of its P.A.W.S. programming. These events are meant to keep community life active and give residents more chances to connect outside of class and outside their apartment.
Resident events at The Metropolitan Gainesville include a mix of casual and practical programming that fits student routines. That can include giveaways, grab n’ go breakfasts, snack bars, and other events tied to social connection, wellness, academics, and community engagement. The event lineup is built to offer more than standard social gatherings, with programming that supports both everyday student life and a stronger sense of community.
The Metropolitan Gainesville offers roommate matching through RoomSync. This helps students find a roommate based on lifestyle preferences and living habits, which is helpful for anyone who wants a shared apartment but is not coming in with a full roommate group already in place.
5. Safety, Security, & Transportation
The Metropolitan Gainesville includes several security features across the property, including:
- FOB-controlled building access
- FOB-controlled stairwell access
- FOB-controlled amenity space access
- Individually locking bedroom doors within units
- Security cameras throughout the property
- On-site security guard on Saturday and Sunday nights
These features add more controlled access across key areas of the property.
Yes. The Metropolitan Gainesville has controlled access for the building, stairwells, and amenity spaces through FOB entry points. This adds another layer of privacy and access management for residents.
Yes. Bedrooms at The Metropolitan Gainesville have individual locks, which adds privacy inside shared apartments and helps each resident keep a separate personal space within their unit.
Yes. The Metropolitan Gainesville offers lot parking for $100 per month. Parking options may vary by availability, so the leasing office can help with current parking details and availability.
Yes. RTS Bus Route #13 stops right in front of The Metropolitan Gainesville. This gives residents another way to get around Gainesville and get to campus without driving or biking.
Yes. The Metropolitan Gainesville is close enough for a short bike or scooter trip to campus, which gives residents another practical option for getting to class and other UF destinations.
Yes. The Metropolitan Gainesville offers bike storage, which is useful for students who plan to ride to class or around Gainesville on a regular basis.
6. Pet Policies
Yes. The Metropolitan Gainesville allows pets, which makes it a good fit for students who plan to live with an approved cat or dog while attending UF.
The Metropolitan Gainesville allows up to two animals per apartment. Any pet must be disclosed and approved before move-in.
Yes. The Metropolitan Gainesville has breed restrictions as part of its pet policy. Aggressive breeds are not permitted, including:
- Chow Chow
- German Shepherd
- Doberman Pinscher
- Mastiff breeds
- Staffordshire Terrier breeds
- Pit Bull
- Rottweiler
- Cane Corso
- Akita
- Siberian Husky
- Dogo Argentino
- Alaskan Malamute
- Wolf-hybrid
- Any mix of these breeds
No. Exotic animals are not permitted at The Metropolitan Gainesville. This includes birds such as parrots and toucans, reptiles such as snakes, rodents such as ferrets, fish tanks, and insects.
Yes. The Metropolitan Gainesville charges a one-time pet fee of $300 and a monthly pet fee of $35.
Yes. All pets must be disclosed and approved before move-in, and applicants must complete a pet profile through PetScreening.
Emotional support animals and service animals are handled separately from the standard pet policy. The Metropolitan Gainesville uses PetScreening for assistance animal requests, and residents with an emotional support animal or service animal can complete an assistance animal profile through that process. Contact the leasing office for more information.
Yes. All residents must register with PetScreening, even if they are not bringing a pet. This applies to pet owners as well as residents submitting service animal or emotional support animal information.
7. Management & Maintenance
Yes. The Metropolitan Gainesville has an on-site management team that helps with day-to-day questions and resident support. The team assists with lease-related questions, package delivery, and general help during office hours.
Yes. The Metropolitan Gainesville has on-site support for maintenance requests. If something in the apartment needs attention, residents can reach out to the team in person or online through the resident portal for help.
Yes. The on-site team helps with package delivery, maintenance coordination, lease questions, and other day-to-day resident needs. This gives students a direct point of contact when something comes up during the lease term.
Yes. The on-site team is available during office hours to help residents with questions, service needs, and other property-related concerns.
8. General Leasing Information
Yes. Residents are required to carry liability insurance as part of the housing contract. This requirement can be met in one of two ways:
- Enroll in the Damage Waiver Program for a monthly fee
- Purchase liability insurance from a licensed agent and submit proof of coverage through Confirm Insurance
This gives residents the option to use the property’s program or provide their own qualifying coverage.
Monthly installments can be paid online through the Resident Portal. Checks, cashier’s checks, and e-money orders are also accepted. Cash and paper money orders are not accepted.
The housing contract is divided into 12 installments from August through late July. Before move-in, the first full month’s installment must be paid before keys are issued. For the current due date schedule during the lease term, contact the leasing office.
Lease assignment details may vary, so contact the leasing office for the current reassignment or relet policy.
A guarantor may be required depending on the application. Students who need a guarantor should be prepared to include guarantor information during the leasing process.
Yes. The Metropolitan Gainesville offers roommate matching through RoomSync. This helps students match based on lifestyle preferences, living habits, and other compatibility factors before move-in.
Students can apply online through The Metropolitan Gainesville’s application process. When it is time to complete the housing contract, be prepared with:
- Social Security number
- Government-issued ID
- Guarantor information, if applicable
The Metropolitan Gainesville offers 12-installment housing contracts that run from August through late July, which aligns with the full academic year.
The Metropolitan Gainesville offers an optional program called RentPlus, which gives residents a way to build credit during their lease term. For more information about program benefits or how to opt out, contact the leasing office.