Sweetwater vs Ufora: Which Apartment is Right For Me?

When deciding where to live in Gainesville, UF students have a variety of factors to consider from price and availability to location and proximity to classes. With so many options for student apartments, it can be hard to decide which property is right for you. 

At Sweetwater, we are confident that our variety of floor plan options, top-of-the-line amenities and prime location will suit the needs of any student. With that being said, we understand the importance of fully comparing properties before deciding which apartment is right for you. To help simplify this process, we have written this side-by-side comparison of two of the most popular options for student apartments in Gainesville: Sweetwater and Ufora.

Comparing UF Student Apartments: Sweetwater vs. The Ufora Gainesville 

Sweetwater’s lobby is a cozy retreat perfect for remote work, preparing for an exam or collaborating on a group project.

The Basics

To start, let’s look at the basics. 

Location 

For many UF students, location is one of the biggest deciding factors when contemplating where to sign a lease. Both of these properties are located on University Ave, just a few minutes from campus.

Sweetwater 

Located at 1225 W University Ave, Sweetwater is just steps from campus. Located at the corner of 13th and University, it’s easy to walk or scoot to sorority row and just a quick drive from all of your favorite spots in Midtown and Downtown.

Sweetwater is located at 1225 W University Avenue, just one block from the UF campus.

Ufora  

Ufora is located near the east edge of campus, so walking to class would take about 5-10 minutes. It’s across the street from the School of Architecture and Fine Arts Building, Norman Hall and Norman Lawn, and a short walk from sorority row. 

Ufora Gainesville’s exterior. Image courtesy of Swamp Rentals.

Amenities 

Both Sweetwater and Ufora offer their residents a variety of amenities designed to complement the college lifestyle. To streamline the comparison, we’ve crafted this chart detailing the available amenities at each location. 

For more information on amenities, visit the amenities pages for Sweetwater and Ufora. 

Ufora Gainesville’s pool deck. Image courtesy of Swamp Rentals.

Sweetwater’s study floor is one of the many amenities available to students.

Pricing and Floor Plans

Sweetwater 

Sweetwater offers a variety of floor plan options from 1×1 to 6×6 layouts. View current pricing and availability on our floor plans page.

Units come fully furnished with stainless steel appliances, premium Wi-Fi internet, full-sized washers and dryers, a wall-mounted smart TV and more.

Sweetwater’s units feature tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and quartz countertops.

Ufora 

Ufora offers the following floor plan options: studio, 1×1, 2×2, 3×3, 4×4, 6×6 townhome, and 8×8 micro studios. 

As of publication in November 2024, rates for 2025 – 2026 at the Ufora ranges from $1,225 to $1,985 per person, per month, depending on unit type.* You can see the most up-to-date pricing and availability on Ufora’s floor plan page. 

Each apartment comes fully furnished and is complete with a smart TV, in-unit laundry and stainless-steel appliances. Available upgrades include private balconies, side-by-side fridges and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Ufora Gainsville’s kitchen. Image courtesy of Swamp Rentals.

We hope this information helps you better understand your options. For more articles like this, such as Review of Social 28 and Review of The Standard, visit our resources page on our website. For any additional questions, please reach out to our leasing staff!

*Last updated 11/13/2024