The area is a haven for leisure travelers who are attracted to the historical sites,
scenic beauty and cultural events; to name a few. Quality of life is a major attraction
for Alachua County. Alachua County is one of 31 counties in the country which made
the 2010 list of the 100 Best Communities for Young People. There are many cultural
and sporting events; including the University of Florida Gators football and basketball;
National Hotrod Association Gatornationals, Harn Museum of Art, Phillips Center
for the Performing Arts and Florida Museum of Natural History.
Education has been a chief asset for Alachua County since the establishment of the
University of Florida in 1905. Santa Fe College (opened in 1965 as Santa Fe Community
College offering two-year degrees) continues to steadily grow and provides students
with an excellent education. In 2009, Santa Fe College began offering four-year
degree programs.
Alachua County is known as one of the leading medical centers in the southeast,
with four hospitals serving the area. Shands Teaching Hospital, in collaboration
with the University of Florida’s College of Medicine, offers state-of-the-art medical
treatment and procedures. For example, the University of Florida has a Proton Treatment
Institute (which offers this cutting-edge treatment for various types of cancers).
This facility is only one of five facilities in the country. As of 2010, there are
only 29 Proton Treatment Centers in the world.