Picking Your Home Base at UF: A Deep Dive into the Best Dorms
Hey future Gators! So, you got into the University of Florida – HUGE congrats! Now comes the next big decision: where are you gonna live? Let’s be real, your dorm is more than just a place to crash after a late-night study session at Library West. It's your home base, your social hub, & where you’ll make some of your first college memories. Picking the right one can seriously shape your freshman year.
I've been around the block, seen the good, the bad, & the moldy (yes, really), & I’m here to give you the inside scoop. UF's housing situation is going through some major changes, with brand-new buildings popping up & older ones getting ready for a date with a wrecking ball. So, let's break it all down.
The Big Picture: What’s Happening with UF Housing?
First things first, you should know that UF is in the middle of a massive 10-year, $1.1 billion plan to seriously upgrade its on-campus housing. This means some of the dorms your parents might remember are on their way out. For instance, Graham, Simpson, & Trusler Halls are scheduled for demolition starting in the fall of 2025. Rawlings & Tolbert Hall are also on the list to be replaced by 2029.
While this means some older, less-than-glamorous options are disappearing (some students have reported issues with mold & bugs in these older buildings), it also means exciting new facilities are coming. The goal is to boost the number of on-campus beds from around 9,300 to over 12,400 by 2035. The star of this new era is, without a doubt, the Honors Village.
The New Kid on the Block: The Honors Village
If you're in the Honors Program, listen up. The brand-new Honors Village, which opened in Fall 2023, is the talk of the campus. This isn't just a dorm; it's a massive, five-building complex with four residential halls & a Learning Commons, housing over 1,400 students. It's located on the east side of campus on Museum Road & is basically the new gold standard for UF housing.
Here's what makes it so great:
- Modern Rooms: You have options for traditional singles & doubles, as well as suites with semi-private bathrooms. Think new, clean, & not 60 years old.
- Insane Amenities: We're talking lounges, kitchens, & laundry rooms on every floor. The complex also includes a maker space, music practice rooms, a meditation space, study areas, & even a library.
- Privacy-Friendly Bathrooms: This is a game-changer. The communal bathrooms have private, lockable "cells," each with its own toilet, shower, & sink. It’s the perfect blend of communal living without the awkward shower-slipper shuffle past your floor-mates.
- Community Focus: It's a Living Learning Community (LLC), meaning you're surrounded by other motivated honors students. There are faculty offices, classrooms, & advising right in the building, making it a true academic hub.
A student who lived there as part of the first cohort mentioned how it's so new that some parts were still under construction, but the facilities that were open are top-notch. The location is also pretty solid, just a two-minute walk from the newly renovated Broward Dining Center.
Decoding the Dorm "Areas": Finding Your Vibe
UF's campus is kind of broken up into unofficial neighborhoods or "areas." Each has its own reputation & perks. Knowing the vibe of each area is key to finding your perfect fit.
The Yulee Area: Social & Central-ish
Located on the east side of campus, this area is known for being social & is super close to Sorority Row, which is a big plus if you're planning on rushing.
- Broward Hall: If you want the quintessential, super-social freshman experience, this is it. It’s known for being loud, active, & a fantastic place to meet people. Plus, its dining hall just got a major renovation, making it a popular spot.
- Jennings Hall: Another very social dorm, similar in vibe to Broward. It's been updated over the years & is a solid choice for freshmen looking to dive into the social scene. A lot of students rushing sororities tend to pick Jennings, Mallory, or Yulee.
- Yulee Hall: Yulee is a bit of a classic. It’s centrally located, offers spacious rooms, & is known for being a bit more peaceful than its rowdy neighbor, Broward.
- Cypress Hall: This is the hidden gem of the Yulee area. Opened in 2015, it's significantly newer than the others & is often ranked as one of the best dorms on campus. It offers modern rooms, full-size beds, & is designed with enhanced accessibility features. It can be tough to get into as a freshman unless you have specific accommodations, but it's worth a shot.
The Murphree Area: Location, Location, Location
If you ask any upperclassman, they'll likely tell you the Murphree area has the BEST location on campus. It's part of the historic district, right off University Avenue, & you can walk to almost any class, library, or dining hall in about 10 minutes.
- Murphree & Sledd Halls: These are some of the most sought-after dorms for their prime location. The rooms are a decent size (some even have sinks!), & the historic charm is a nice touch. One student said living in Murphree their freshman year was "objectively the most solid option" because everything was so close.
- Buckman Hall: Known for its aesthetic appeal & strong sense of community, Buckman is another popular choice in this area.
- Thomas Hall: This hall is super close to the Reitz Union (the student center) & Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Can you say easy access to Gator football games & Gator Nights?
One thing to keep in mind with the Murphree area is parking. On-campus parking is a notorious headache for students. Finding a spot can be a daily struggle. If you're bringing a car, you might spend more time circling lots than you'd like. This is where thinking outside the box helps. Services like Prked are pretty cool because they connect you with local homeowners who rent out their empty driveways & garages for parking. It can be a lifesaver to have a guaranteed spot near campus without fighting for the few available university spots.
The Tolbert Area: A Quieter West-Side Story
This area is on the west side of campus, near the Graham/Tolbert area that's being redeveloped. It's generally considered a bit quieter.
- Weaver Hall: This is the international dorm, which means it’s kept in really good condition. It's more modern than other traditional dorms in the area & has a vibrant, diverse community.
- Simpson Hall: Students have described this as a "high quality traditional dorm" with hardwood floors & good A/C. It's a solid, quiet option.
- Tolbert Hall: A traditional dorm experience that's on the list for future demolition, but for now offers easy access to campus facilities.
The "Far-Flung" But Fabulous Options
Some dorms aren't in a neat little area but offer unique perks that make them worth considering.
- Lakeside Complex: These are apartment-style dorms, meaning you get more space & often your own bedroom. The trade-off is the location; it's pretty far from the main campus, so you'll be relying on buses. But if you value privacy & a quieter environment, Lakeside is a great choice.
- Infinity Hall: This off-campus dorm is the hub for the entrepreneurship LLC. It's new, the rooms are nice, & it has cool amenities like a fabrication lab. The location is a bit of a downside for getting to the heart of campus, but it's close to downtown Gainesville & Publix.
- Beaty Towers: An iconic part of the UF skyline, Beaty offers suite-style living. You'll share a bathroom with just your suitemates. It's a popular choice for freshmen who want a bit more privacy than a traditional hall.
So, How Do You Choose?
Honestly, there's no single "best" dorm. It all comes down to what YOU want out of your freshman year.
- For the Social Butterfly: You can't go wrong with Broward or Jennings. This is where the action is. You'll have an open door, meet tons of people, & always have something going on.
- For the Studious Scholar: The new Honors Village is your best bet. It’s designed for academic success. Hume Hall (the former honors dorm) is also a great, quieter option.
- For the Gator Who Wants It All: The Murphree Area gives you the perfect balance. It's social enough without being overwhelming & the location is unbeatable.
- For the One Who Values Their Space: Look into Lakeside Complex or Beaty Towers. The extra privacy & apartment/suite style living can be a huge plus.
And a quick note on storage: dorm rooms are SMALL. You'll likely accumulate more stuff than you think. If you find yourself crammed for space, or need somewhere to stash your belongings over the summer, renting a nearby storage space can be a huge help. Sites like Prked also connect people for storage, letting you rent out a spot in someone's garage, attic, or basement. It's a convenient & often more affordable way to handle overflow.
Choosing your dorm is an exciting part of starting your journey at UF. Think about your priorities, do a little more research on the specific halls, & trust your gut. No matter where you end up, you're in for an incredible experience.
Hope this was helpful & go Gators! Let me know if you have any questions in the comments.
