There’s a reason the Sunshine State is the tourism capital of the world and the third-most populous state in the country. As a Florida resident, you’re never far from the world’s best beaches, theme parks and attractions (and their Florida resident discounts) and cultural arts. Factor in our favorable tax rate and entrepreneurial spirit, and it’s easy to see why so many individuals, families and businesses choose to make Florida their home.

From the natural beauty of our wide-open trails, to the hospitality of our tight-knit community, to the stores we love and the new ones to discover, it’s all here. But that’s just a snapshot of today — because our home city has big plans for the future.

With an average high of 65 degrees in January, you rarely hear the terms “wind chill factor” and “freezing rain” in Gainesville — unless you happen to be watching a national weather forecast. Mild winters and warm summers are par for the course in the Sunshine State. With its beautiful natural landscape, nearby freshwater springs and stunning prairies, Gainesville has been called an “urban forest.”

There’s more to the climate in Gainesville than the weather and scenic environment. There is the climate of innovation and entrepreneurship that has resulted in the creation of a substantial number of new businesses in recent years, making the city especially attractive for dual-career families.

UF’s Strategic Development Plan provides a robust framework for building a more dynamic city by leveraging the brainpower of experts across the university. This innovative model for town-and-gown relationships earned UF the Society for College and University Planning’s 2017 “Excellence in Planning for an Existing Campus” award. The worldwide organization’s recognition is akin to winning an Academy Award in the motion picture industry.

Jacksonville, the largest city in area in the continental United States, is a rapidly growing metropolitan city in Northeast Florida and home to nearly 850,000 residents.

Jacksonville is known for its convenient location, mild climate, reasonable cost of living and high quality of life. Recognized as “America’s Logistics Center,” Jacksonville is a leading distribution center, with a transportation network embracing port and air cargo facilities, rail and trucking routes. Millions of tons of raw materials and manufactured goods move through the city annually. Jacksonville is consistently rated one of the “Hottest Cities in America” for business expansions and relocations in an annual poll featured in Expansion Management magazine.

The city is also home to two large military bases — Naval Station Mayport and Naval Air Station Jacksonville.

Among Jacksonville’s many natural assets is one of the largest urban park systems in the country. The active and passive parks and preservation lands are a key part of the city’s landscape. Swimming and surfing are popular at nearby barrier island beaches, such as Atlantic Beach, Jacksonville Beach and Neptune Beach. Championship golf courses in the area include Ponte Vedra Beach’s TPC Sawgrass, headquarters of the PGA Tour.

Jacksonville also offers a major symphony orchestra, a sports and entertainment complex downtown and numerous special events each year. The home of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, the city welcomed its first Super Bowl in 2005.

Jacksonville has been named one of the 10 Best Big Cities to Live by Money Magazine.