Thanks to Kathleen for compiling this list!
Car Title, Florida License, Voter Registration
- Fun Stuff:
- Lake Wauburg (I think we can rent canoes, paddle boards, etc for free with our Gator1 card!!)
- Bowling in the basement of Reitz Union!
- Butterfly Rainforest exhibit @ the Florida Museum of Natural History
- Free yoga outside every Saturday morning @ 8:30 AM, Northeast Park (https://www.facebook.com/neparkyoga/)
- Tubing/swimming @ Ginnie Springs!! (We need to plan a lab outing to here or to another spring in the area; springs are warm year-round!)
- Restaurants!!!!!:
- Italian: Amelias
- Sushi/Japanese: Dragonfly (downtown) Sushi Matsuri (Off Archer), Bento (two locations), Miya Sushi (Next to the Publix in Butler)
- American: Burger Fi, Metro Diner (featured on Diners Drive-Ins and Dives)
- Mexican/Cuban: Boca Fiesta, Mi Apa
Car Title, Florida License, Voter Registration
- You can change the title on your car, get your Florida license, and register to vote all at the same place: Tax Collectors http://www.alachuacollector.com/. They have a couple of branches, but a close one is by the Publix in Butler Plaza.
- You can make an appointment or walk in (walk in wait times aren't too bad). Just make sure you have all of the documents you need (proof of Florida insurance, proof of residence, etc. before going in!
- Groceries:
- Publix: sign up for a Publix account (https://www.publix.com/myaccount/register?wtrealm=urn%3aadfs%3afederation%3aPCOM%3aprd&verificationRedirectUrl=https%3a%2f%2fwww.publix.com%2fsavings%2fcoupons%2fdigital-coupons), "clip" coupons online, and then they're automatically applied when you enter your phone number at checkout in the store
- Union Street Farmers Market (Wednesdays)
- Alachua County Farmers Market (Saturdays)
- Sams Club has a membership (100 for the plus), lets you get in on early hours and has some discounts on prescriptions through their pharmacy. Not too great a deal on glasses/contacts
- Banks
- Wells Fargo ATMs and branches are EVERYWHERE
- Both Wells Fargo and Bank of America can open check account for international students without SSN
- As far as I know, BoA can issue credit cards for international students without SSN.
- Campus USA is a major credit union here
- Thrift Stores for Buying Furniture/Household Stuff:
- Habitat for Humanity Thrift: A LOT of furniture; however, some (e.g., sofas) are on the more expensive end for thrift stores
- Salvation Army Family Store: furniture + household things; cheap!
- Goodwill Thrift—Gainesville North & South (2 different stores): decent amount of furniture & household items; cheap!
- Haven Hospice Attic Resale Store: good mixture of household items & furniture
- Alachua County Human Society Thrift: not much furniture; lots of pet supplies if you need 'em
- Family Treasures Thrift Shop: fancier/more expensive furniture