The Northeast Historic District is a 63-square-block area of 290 historic buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Their architecture reflects styles common to Florida from 1880 through the 1920s. A prosperous business community, Gainesville also provides a strong educational environment and a myriad of recreational activities. Agriculture is the economic mainstay of the area and several state and federal agricultural agencies are headquartered in Gainesville. The area boasts a younger population and a lower percentage of unemployment than the state of Florida average.

Gainesville also offers one of the best retirement areas in Florida, with numerous retirement communities in and around Gainesville, where the natural beauty of the area allows for relaxation and contemplation.

Paynes Prairie State Preserve is the site of a wildlife sanctuary where a rare herd of buffalo roams, and descendants of the first horses brought here by the Spanish are maintained as well. It is a treeless plain covered by marsh and wet prairie vegetation providing a major wintering area for sandhill cranes, waterfowl and hawks. Lake Wauberg offers swimming and fishing.

Alachua covers 961 square miles, population over 211,000 Union has 245 square miles, population close to 14,000 Bradford covers 305 square miles, population over 25,000