UF rentals under 5 minutes from campus: what's open right now

UF rentals under 5 minutes from campus are what a lot of students search for first, since a short trip to class makes early mornings and late labs easier. In this guide, under 5 minutes means the listing's distance by car is entered as under 5 minutes, which is the measure our listings use. We pulled five current listings that meet that mark from our Gainesville listings page, and we explain what each one says and what to ask before you sign.

Keep in mind that distance by car is an estimate the lister enters. It doesn't account for parking, traffic at busy times or where on campus your classes are. Treat it as a starting point, then check the route yourself at the time of day you'd actually travel.

Begin your search at Off-Campus Universe, where you can browse current listings near Gainesville.

Here are five listings that are listed as under 5 minutes by car from campus: House off of university at $725/month, a furnished listing with 1 bedroom and 2.5 baths, timing listed as Available now, on a year lease (12 months); Royale Village at $832/month, a furnished 3 bedroom, 2 bath listing on SW 8 St with timing of Aug. 2026-July 2027; Campus View North at $850/month, a furnished 3 bedroom, 3 bath listing on SW 9th Rd dated 8/1/2026; Varsity Housing at $865/month, a furnished 1 bedroom, 1 bath apartment on SW 37th St with timing of Sept 2026 - Jul 2027; and Social28 at $1,085/month, a furnished 1 bedroom, 1 bath apartment on SW 3rd Ave offered as a sub lease from 10/15/2026.

What Five Close-to-Campus Listings in Gainesville Show

All five are listed as furnished, and prices run from $725/month to $1,085/month. Four are on a year lease (12 months). Social28 is the exception: it's listed as a sub lease, which usually means you'd take over someone else's lease for the time left on it.

The bedroom counts vary more than the prices suggest. Royale Village and Campus View North each list 3 bedrooms, yet their prices, $832/month and $850/month, sit close to the 1 bedroom listings. Our data doesn't mark either one as rent by room, so we can't say whether those prices cover one bedroom or the whole unit. That's the first thing to ask. The same goes for House off of university, which lists 1 bedroom with 2.5 baths, an unusual mix that's worth clarifying with the lister.

Timing is the other difference. House off of university lists its timing as Available now. Varsity Housing lists Sept 2026 - Jul 2027, and Social28 lists 10/15/2026. Royale Village and Campus View North list August 2026 dates, which have passed, so ask whether they're still open and what the end date would be. If you need a later move-in date than the one listed, ask about that at the same time, since the lister may have some room on timing.

UF Rentals Under 5 Minutes From Campus: Is Close Always Better?

UF rentals under 5 minutes from campus save you time every day, and over a semester that adds up. You can head home between classes, get to an early exam without rushing and spend less on gas. If you don't have a car, a short drive time is a rough sign the place is close, but you'll still need to check how you'd actually get there.

Close isn't automatically better, though. Places right by campus can be busier and louder, especially on game days and weekends, and parking can be tight. Ask whether a parking spot is included or costs extra, and if you're a light sleeper, visit at night as well as during the day.

It's also worth comparing what you get for the price. A place listed a few minutes farther out may offer more space, newer finishes or included utilities. Our Gainesville listings page has options at several distances, so look at a few before deciding that the shortest drive wins.

If you're considering a sub lease like Social28, ask to see the original lease, confirm that the landlord approves the transfer and find out who you'll pay each month. Ask what happens to the security deposit too, since some sub lease setups settle it between the two tenants and others go through the landlord. Get every answer in writing before you hand over any money.

Furnished units, like all five here, change the math too. You won't need to buy a bed, desk or couch, and moving in and out takes far less effort, which matters if you'll only be in Gainesville for the school year. The flip side is that you live with someone else's choices. Ask for an item list, check the condition of the mattress and larger pieces, and photograph everything on move-in day so you aren't charged later for wear that was already there.

Finally, think about the full year, not just the first week. A place that's close to campus is easy in the fall, but you'll also be there through exams, breaks and possibly summer. Ask what happens if you need to leave early, whether you can sublet with the landlord's approval and whether the lease renews automatically. Those terms affect your costs more than a minute or two of drive time ever will.

Tips for Renting Close to Campus in Gainesville

• Check the route yourself. Drive or map the trip at the times you'd actually travel, and look at where you'd park once you reach campus.

• Ask what the price covers. For listings with several bedrooms, confirm whether the price is for one room or the whole unit, and which utilities are included.

• Confirm the dates. Ask when you can move in and when the lease ends, especially where a listed start date has already passed.

• Visit at different times. Living close to campus can mean more noise on weekends, so see the place in the evening as well as during the day.

Ready to find your place? Browse all listings at Off-Campus Universe.

This article is provided by an independent housing resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the University of Florida.