Three High Schools in Alachua County, FL are the BEST in U.S. !! Alachua County is home to three of the nation's top high schools, according to a recent ranking by Newsweek Magazine.    In Newsweek's annual "America Best High Schools" report: Eastside High was ranked 29th Buchholz High was ranked 109th Gainesville High was  ranked 532nd. The ranking put these three Alachua County Public Schools in the top 2% of high schools nationwide. In another section of the annual report, Newsweek assigned an equity and excellence percentage to each ranked school and all three of the Alachua County high schools were ranked well above average. The equity and excellence score was measure of how many received a score of three or higher on at least one Advanced Placement test sometime in High school. Th... 05/23/2008

    I'm planning on going to dinner with some friends tomorrow night at the Taste of Saigon here in Gainesville,FL.  I have been here one time and thought it was very good, but my friends have not eaten here yet.  I was trying to tell them where to find a menu they could peruse to see if they want to eat here or somewhere else, when my friend told me about AllMenus.com I'm not sure often you guys try to find menus for your local restaurants online - either to place a to go order or simply to familiarize yourself with the offerings of a place you've never been to - but I do so frequently.  Usually I just google Gainesville, FL, but I'm bookmarking allmenus and will have that as my menu go to of choice from now on.  Hope you guys can use this!  Realtors: make sure t... 05/23/2008

  If you're looking for absolutely the BEST ice cream shop in Gainesville, FL, you've come to the right blog!  I have been going to Sweet Dreams for years.  Initially, my love affair with their fresh, creamy, sweet divinity began with Plantation Brown Sugar, an ice cream containing brown sugar and a bourbon extract.  It does not taste anything like alcohol, but rather a deep butter flavor that I can closest compare to a Werther's Original, just not as sickly sweet.  To this day the Plantation remains my top favorite with a similar flavor, Brown Sugar Toffee, following closely behind. What I like about Sweet Dreams is that they are not afraid to branch out and make unique flavor combinations, some that may even be considered a little "weird" by some people's standards.  But as I've espo... 05/15/2008

  Because this is not as commonly known as a cardinal or bluejay, I wanted to make a thread exposing you guys to the Tufted Titmouse.  He is a small insect eater that is attracted to the suet feeder as well.  He is a grayish blue in color with a little black patch in between the eyes.  He sports a "mohawk", much like a cardinal.  The titmouse has a little bit of yellow under his wings. I love birds.  I have various feeders and hummingbird attracting plants in my yard.  I can count on the cardinals making a nest in one of the hedges up against my house.  We've been fortunate enough to see cardinal families be raised for 3 years in a row now.  These tufted titmice have their own "bird personality".  Their nature is extremely playful (they chase each other around the yard).  They are pret... 05/15/2008

    SALES for Alachua County Homes since January 1, 2008- May 14, 2008: 85          2 bedroom (or less) homes sold 401        3 bedroom homes sold 201        4(+) bedroom homes sold SALES for Alachua County Condos/Townhomes: 195 total have sold this year   Average Days on Market for homes & condos/townhomes:   122                                         (2 beds or less)       (3 beds)       (4 or + beds)      (Condos/Townhomes) *Avg Sell Price $103,959 $185,300 $322,644 $154,306 *Avg List Price $112,687 $195,197 $338,265 $159,424   CURRENTLY ACTIVE LISTINGS IN ALACHUA COUNTY:   2761 Residential 2692 Vacant Land 214 Commercial 61 Multifamily 248 Rent 1078 Attached (Condos/Townhomes) 173 Lease 21 Business 7248 Total     **Interested in buying or selling real estate in Gainesville, FL or ... 05/14/2008

5/14/2008 I moved to Gainesville, FL in the middle of 4th grade and we moved to The Hammock on one of the last designated scenic roads in Alachua County, Millhopper Road.  Millhopper Road is home to Devil's Millhopper State Geological Site, which is a park containing a giant sinkhole you can walk down into.  The walk back up is not very fun though! Millhopper Road is also home to the 7000 acre San Felasco State Park, which has miles of walking trails.  San Felasco has another entrance off of HWY 441 in the Alachua/Progress Park area and on this side of the park you may walk, cycle or ride horses.  The Millhopper Road side is strcitly for walking. There are not many lakes within Gainesville, but The Hammock does have one.  Most of the homes on the west side of the neighborhood are lake f... 05/14/2008

    The Top is one of my all time favorite restaurants in town.  I really like "different" food and get tired of the same old run of the mill stuff.  The Top definitely delivers.  My favorite appetizers from The Top are the corn fritter nuggets & garlic dipping sauce and sweet potato fries.  The Top has seared sashimi grade tuna dishes, filet, vegetarian selections featuring plenty of tofu (try it blackend) and tempeh, pastas and homemade desserts (try the vegan chocolate cake and peanut butter pie).  The Top also has a full service bar and are renowned for their Mojitos.  I usually get the Bombay and Tonic - extra lime. We pulled up at the Top at around 9:30 p.m. last Saturday night.  Parking can be difficult, but by some unknown stroke of luck, not only did we get a parking spot, we ... 05/13/2008

    La Fiesta is a mexican restaurant that is on my recommended places to eat in Gainesville, Florida.  I was going to the Newberry road location for years, but now there is one in NW Gainesville, which is in my "neck of the woods", so I go here.  Mexican is a pretty serious debate in this town.  I haven't eaten at every single Mexican joint in Gainesville, but I've been to a lot of them.  I've never had a good experience with Las Margaritas (I had a terrible pitcher of margaritas one time there too), although most Mexican fans love it.  I order food for take out often and everyime I get the food home it's cold, despite arriving early and the 5 minute drive home. I've never had a bad experience with La Fiesta.  I love their mild refried beans, their queso and their vegetarian offerings,... 05/13/2008

5/13/2008 Blues Creek is a neighborhood located in the NW quadrant of Gainesville, FL in the North 43rd Street area.  The community features a clubhouse, pool (both pictured below) and a tennis court for its residents.  Blues Creek is zoned for Talbot Elementary, an A-rated Elementary which I attended in my "formulative years".  Blues Creek is also zoned for Fort Clarke Middle school and Gainesville High School.  I have lived in Gainesville for 17 years now and I can say Blues Creek is one of my favorite neighborhoods.  I know all the "secret" trails and how to connect over to the TV20 Park, or Deer Run, or even Spring Forest.  Blues Creek is located just minutes from the Hunter's Crossing shopping center which contains Publix, Millhopper Cafe (Mexican Restaurant), Starbucks, Subway, C... 05/13/2008

                                                  If you have not been to the Gainesville Downtown Farmer's Market (specifically known as the Union Street Farmer's Market due to its location), you need to quit procrastinating.  Every Wednesday starting at 4 p.m. and running until 7 p.m., vendors are in place at the Sun Center (surrounding the Hippodrome State Theatre), ready to tantalize your taste buds and offer fresh wares from herbs and produce to organic milk, homemade soaps, handmade jewelery, and a variety of other local goods/trades. Visit the Union Street Farmer's Market Website to explore the vendors you will run into while attending.  One of my favorites is the Terranova Catering Company.  I can't go to the market without buying some of their fig & kalamata olive tapenade.  I ... 05/08/2008

     Liquid Ginger is another one of Gainesville, FL's independently owned, ridiculously good restaurants.  The prices are phenomenal for the quality of food that is served, as well as the portions.  Unfortunately, Liquid Ginger does not have an online menu, but I will outline just a few of their tastings below: Soups & Salads: Your choice of Miso or Tofu & Spinach soup, both of which are good.  Salads come with a choice of ginger, sesame, lime or soy vinaigrette dressing. Appetizers: Some of the appetizers you will find on the menu include Calamari (tender, not chewy, cooked to perfection, fresh and flavorful.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Served with a spicy dipping sauce that I liked but didn't eat), garlic eggplant, fried eel with spicy sauce (eel in a light panko breading, drizzled wi... 05/07/2008

 The good news is that the Gainesville real estate market has remained relatively afloat as compared to the rest of the country.  However, we are being affected by the media's constant barrage of negativity and buyer's from out of town are having trouble digesting the fact that they are not going to get a bargain basement deal here.  It takes some educating to show the buyers "what they can get away with", and the greatest tool is a CMA (comparative market analysis) to show the buyer's what comparable properties are selling for.  Since buyers are being tough on the market, home seller's need to come out with guns blazing.  No, don't shoot the Realtor!  The Florida Association of Realtors posted an article today outlining some things sellers really should consider to not only capture a b... 05/05/2008

Are you a first time homebuyer?  You may be trying to decide if buying a home is the right move as compared to continuing to rent.  You have concerns about what kind of downpayment you're going to be responsible for, what your closing costs are going to be, what other costs are associated with buying a home, and a multitude of other questions flooding your mind in the quest to determine if this is the best option for you. I have compiled a list of articles I wrote specifically geared toward First Time Homebuyers, but those who have already purchased a residence before might pick up some interesting information/refresh themselves to the process. FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER'S INFORMATION PACKAGE/RESOURCES: Things to know about buying a home/understanding the process Costs associated with buying ... 05/04/2008

Click to view Slideshow & Information for Haile Plantation Neighborhood Part 1: Community and Golf Course HAILE VILLAGE CENTER: The second portion of the slideshow features the Haile Village Center. Here residents can walk shady brick lined sidewalks and enjoy restaurants like The Third Place Pub and Grille, Sisters for Breakfast, and The Village Market, as well as browse shops and boutiques such as The Village Jeweler and Blue Bird Boutique. Relax and pamper yourself at Escape Day Spa and Hair Salon or perhaps indulge in a pedicure at Charm Shoes and Pedicures. The charming Village Center even has condos above and around the action if you'd like a New Orleans type feel but with a much quieter atmosphere. Don't miss the Haile Farmer's market!The Village Center is pictured in the slidesh... 05/04/2008

Anyone living in a "college town" knows what the meaning of "TURN OVER" time.   At the end of each semester, you have students moving in and moving out....Turn Over Time. Property management companies that deal with rentals know this is their high stress season.  But, I don't want to talk about rentals, let's talk about the Residential Real Estate Market in Gainesville FL. Today was Graduation Day for the University of Florida.  You can't get a hotel room in town this weekend, and you will be waiting for tables at most of the restaurants in town too.   I spent my day showing homes to buyers from St. Pete.  They are looking for a single family home in a nice neighborhood that is close to UF/Shands for their sons that are starting school here soon.  It was a great day!  In one neighborhoo... 05/03/2008

  Ichiban Sushi is my recomended sushi restaurant in Gainesville, FL. I have been going here for almost 8 years, and it has become a tradition to celebrate anything (a closing, birthday, etc.) by getting sushi from Ichiban.  There are other good places to get sushi in Gainesville such as Dragonfly, Kotobuki, Miya, Yamato...the list goes on.  However, I've been coming here for years, it is conveniently in my "quadrant" of town, the prices are great and the food is wonderful. Sushi and sashimi not your thing? Ichiban offers everything from Teriyaki to tempura, to katsu and Udon dishes.  Ichiban also offers Pad Thai, a variety of appetizers including spring rolls, kimchi, fried tofu, edamame, gyoza, etc., salads (the wakame salad is excellent, as is the spicy tuna salad with wakame added ... 05/01/2008

  Chutnees is a fabulous Indian Restaurant in Gainesville, FL that features traditional Indian Cuisine in an elegantly decorated setting (click to view interior restaurant shots). Location: 3833 NW 97th Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32606 (352) 333-1133 Vegetarian Entrees start at $7.95  Other Entrees start at $14.95 Appetizers  include traditional favorites such as samasos and dahi wade, or more unique plates such as the Tandoori chicken pizza or chicken spring rolls served with chutney. Chutnees offers an extensive selection of - what else!- chutney.  I usually get the tamarind chutney, but the mango chutney (mangoes simmered in sugar syrup & lemon juice) or pomegranate chutney (pomegranate pureed and flavored with ginger, cumin and red pepper) is a welcome departure. Whenever I go to Chutne... 05/01/2008

Since using "del.icio.us" I have collected links to the majority of real estate news headlines in the Gainesville Sun for April, 2008. For daily doses, check out my Squidoo page.Stunted developmentSuperfund showdown: Any progress at Cabot-Koppers?City hears power plant options Center for girls to get renovation Loans to help storm victims Group helping keep homes in shape Far from home: Gainesville's continuing struggle with homlessness County foreclosure filings up 175% Alachua County's first Wal-Mart Supercenter readies for opening SW 8th Avenue to get makeover Residents: Turn former church into Tower Road community center Mill Creek work draws scrutiny City's homeless site options open $2 million resurface job on SW 8th Avenue to start in May Mill Creek Preserve opening coincides wi... 04/30/2008

Why rent when you can own? This end unit Gainesville townhouse is move-in ready with brand new carpet and paint, kitchen cabinets and counters updated in 2005, an approximately 3 year old roof, 2 years new washer & dryer, and new tile in kitchen area.Each bedroom upstairs has its own half bath (including vanity/sink/mirror/toilet. The bedrooms share the tub and shower Jack and Jill style. There is also a half-bath downstairs.The location is fantastic: only about 2.5 miles to UF or SFCC, on Gainesville RTS city bus route, low association fees at only $127/month. Property manager says NO PET RESTRICTIONS! Community has a clubhouse and pool and is close to shopping and restaurants. Seller will consider contributing towards a portion of buyer's closing costs or give an appliance allowance w... 04/27/2008

 Dear Parents, Congratulations on your son or daughter being accepted to the University of Florida!  Now comes the stressful part: Moving them and all their worldly possessions up here!  When it comes to living arrangements, the most common options are 1st year in the dormRENTBUY Now, you may have had a fleeting thought about purchasing real estate in Gainesville, but dismissed it as a hassle.  I'm here to hopefully help you reconsider it as a solid financial decision.  Why is now the time to buy in Gainesville, FL?  Let me run down some reasons why you want to entertain this thought for your relocating child:1. Interest rates are still low2. Gainesville tops the list of 7 most recession proof places to retire 3. Gainesville voted #1 city to live in the nation for 2007 by Cities Ranked ... 04/26/2008