Palm Terrace, Gainesville

Updated · 256 residents

Palm Terrace is a quiet, historically significant community defined by its spacious, custom-built estates and lush, semi-rural landscape. While the neighborhood remains primarily car-dependent due to a lack of sidewalks, it offers residents a peaceful, private environment with clean air and strong access to healthcare.

Key Highlights

Spacious and PrivateQuiet but Sidewalk-FreeScenic Estate LivingPet Friendly EnvironmentOpen Rural LandscapeQuiet and FunctionalModerate Traffic NoiseClean Air QualityPurely ResidentialHigh Insurance CoverageStrongly LiberalDiverse Age GroupsModerate Flood Risk
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About Palm Terrace

Established around 1925, Palm Terrace is a historically significant neighborhood in Gainesville, Florida, developed to support the growth of the nearby University of Florida. As part of the city's university-related thematic areas, the neighborhood was designed to accommodate faculty and university staff, contributing to its distinct 'university town' character. Palm Terrace features a collection of residences dating back to the 1920s, which remain important to the city's architectural history. Often grouped with neighboring districts like Hibiscus Park and Golfview, the area reflects the early 20th-century expansion of Gainesville’s residential landscape, providing a tangible link to the historical development of the university community.

The area is characterized by high visual appeal, featuring large lots and significant separation between homes that ensures a private living experience. Residents enjoy a strictly residential atmosphere, completely free from industrial activity or commercial noise. The landscape feels distinctly open and rural, with dense greenery that contributes to a serene setting, even as it maintains a functional connection to the broader Gainesville university community.

According to iHuus data, the neighborhood is best suited for those who prioritize privacy and a quiet, car-oriented lifestyle over high-density walkability. While the local environment is pet-friendly and features clean air, the area does experience some moderate traffic noise from nearby roads. Families should be aware that while the local school district includes high-performing institutions, it is currently navigating significant administrative and financial volatility.

Neighborhood Scores Across 15 Qualities

Privacy Index
Score: 7 out of 10

Large lot sizes and significant separation between homes provide a higher level of seclusion than the Gainesville average. This spacing contributes to an increased sense of privacy for residents, according to iHuus data.

Ranked #4 in Gainesville →
Walkability
Score: 6 out of 10

Low traffic volumes and calm streets make for pleasant strolls, though the lack of sidewalks distinguishes this area from more pedestrian-oriented parts of Gainesville. According to iHuus data, walking is slightly more feasible here than in the city average.

Ranked #30 in Gainesville →
Visual Appeal
Score: 9 out of 10

Large estates with custom architecture and significant privacy buffers provide a much more visually refined environment than the Gainesville average. According to iHuus data, the area is characterized by high-end amenities and lush greenery.

Ranked #2 in Gainesville →
Dog Friendliness
Score: 7 out of 10

Accessible green spaces and wide, low-traffic paths make this area slightly more accommodating for dog owners than the Gainesville average.

Ranked #29 in Gainesville →
Urban-Rural Index
Score: 9 out of 10

Dense forest and agricultural land characterize this area, offering a much more secluded environment than the typical Gainesville setting. According to iHuus data, there is very little built-up infrastructure or residential density in this neighborhood.

Ranked #7 in Gainesville →
Neighborhood Vibe
Score: 3.8 out of 10

Daily activity is notably higher than the Gainesville average due to proximity to university hubs, though much of the area remains a low-key, semi-rural residential environment. While certain pockets near campus offer accessible dining and coffee shops, most parts of the neighborhood are primarily car-oriented and lack dense commercial activity.

Ranked #25 in Gainesville →
Acoustic Comfort
Score: 5 out of 10

Steady traffic sounds from a nearby busy street are present. According to iHuus data, acoustic comfort levels here are higher than the Gainesville average.

Ranked #6 in Gainesville →
Air Quality
Score: 7 out of 10

Air quality in this area remains mostly clean with rare instances of elevated readings; according to iHuus data, these conditions are slightly better than the Gainesville average.

Ranked #33 in Gainesville →
Industrial Proximity
Score: 10 out of 10

Industrial activity and nearby hazard sites are entirely absent from this area. Residents benefit from a strictly residential environment that lacks the warehouses and heavy facilities found more frequently elsewhere in Gainesville.

Ranked #1 in Gainesville →
Health Insurance Coverage
Score: 9.6 out of 10

Health insurance access is exceptionally high among Palm Terrace residents, far surpassing the Gainesville average according to iHuus data.

Ranked #7 in Gainesville →
Ideological Lean
Score: 9.3 out of 10

Voting patterns and census indicators show a much more liberal leaning than the Gainesville average, according to iHuus data.

Ranked #26 in Gainesville →
Population Age Profile
Score: 4.8 out of 10

Residents live alongside a varied demographic of young adults, families, and older individuals; according to iHuus data, this age distribution is slightly more balanced than the Gainesville average.

Ranked #22 in Gainesville →
Flood Safety
Score: 5.3 out of 10

Flood risk in this area is slightly higher than the Gainesville average, though official FEMA studies for this specific location remain incomplete.

Ranked #27 in Gainesville →

Address-Level Insights for Palm Terrace

iHuus Neighborhood Intelligence Insights

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Compare with Any Neighborhood

Compare with
DimensionPalm TerraceAshton
🚶
Walkabilityavg 5.49
Score: 6 out of 10
Score: 7.5 out of 10
🔊
Acoustic Comfortavg 3.45
Score: 5 out of 10
Score: 5.6 out of 10
🤫
Privacy Indexavg 5.77
Score: 7 out of 10
Score: 6 out of 10
🎨
Visual Appealavg 5.61
Score: 9 out of 10
Score: 7.5 out of 10
🐕
Dog Friendlinessavg 6.73
Score: 7 out of 10
Score: 8.5 out of 10
🗺️
Urban-Rural Indexavg 7.16
Score: 9 out of 10
Score: 8.6 out of 10
Neighborhood Vibeavg 2.63
Score: 3.8 out of 10
Score: 4.7 out of 10
🏥
Health Insurance Coverageavg 6.36
Score: 9.6 out of 10
Score: 8.2 out of 10
🌿
Air Qualityavg 6.49
Score: 7 out of 10
Score: 8 out of 10
🏭
Industrial Proximityavg 6.6
Score: 10 out of 10
Score: 8 out of 10
🌊
Flood Safetyavg 4.63
Score: 5.3 out of 10
Score: 6.6 out of 10
🗳️
Ideological Leanavg 7.36
Score: 9.3 out of 10
Score: 8.6 out of 10
👥
Population Age Profileavg 4.16
Score: 4.8 out of 10
Score: 5.1 out of 10
🔥
Fire Safety
Score: not available
Score: not available
🏫
School Quality
Score: not available
Score: not available

School Districts Serving Palm Terrace

Alachua County School District
Grades K–1262 schoolsRatings 1–8/10
5/10
Hidden Oak Elementary SchoolElementary
8/10
High Springs Community SchoolElementary
8/10
Alachua Learning Academy MiddleMiddle
8/10
Professional Academy Magnet At Loften High SchoolHigh
8/10
F. W. Buchholz High SchoolHigh
8/10
Expressions Learning Arts AcademyElementary
8/10
Alachua Learning Academy ElementaryElementary
8/10
Healthy Learning Academy Charter SchoolElementary
8/10
Kanapaha Middle SchoolMiddle
7/10
Meadowbrook Elementary SchoolElementary
7/10
Littlewood Elementary SchoolElementary
7/10
Gainesville High SchoolHigh
7/10
William S. Talbot Elem SchoolElementary
7/10
Caring & Sharing Learning SchoolElementary
7/10
Boulware Springs CharterElementary
6/10
Abraham Lincoln Middle SchoolMiddle
6/10
Fort Clarke Middle SchoolMiddle
6/10
Newberry Elementary SchoolElementary
6/10
Kimball Wiles Elementary SchoolElementary
6/10
Micanopy Area Cooperative School Inc.Elementary
6/10
Santa Fe College Academy Of Science And TechnologyHigh
6/10
Lawton M. Chiles Elementary SchoolElementary
6/10
Carolyn Beatrice Parker ElementaryElementary
5/10
Newberry High SchoolHigh
5/10
Oak View Middle SchoolMiddle
5/10
Glen Springs Elementary SchoolElementary
5/10
Santa Fe High SchoolHigh
4/10
Howard W. Bishop Middle SchoolMiddle
4/10
C. W. Norton Elementary SchoolElementary
3/10
Micanopy AcademyHigh
3/10
Archer ElementaryElementary
3/10
Eastside High SchoolHigh
3/10
The One Room School House ProjectElementary
3/10
Resilience Charter School IncMiddle
1/10
Myra Terwilliger Elementary SchoolElementary
1/10
Idylwild Elementary SchoolElementary
1/10
Stephen Foster Elementary SchoolElementary
1/10
W. A. Metcalfe Elementary SchoolElementary
1/10
Joseph Williams Elementary SchoolElementary
1/10
Hawthorne Middle/High SchoolHigh
1/10
Lake Forest Elementary SchoolElementary
1/10
Westwood Middle SchoolMiddle
1/10
Alachua Elementary SchoolElementary
1/10
A. L. Mebane Middle SchoolMiddle
1/10
Chester Shell Elementary SchoolElementary
1/10
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Elementary SchoolElementary
1/10
Constellation Charter School Of GainesvilleElementary
1/10
The Einstein School Inc.Middle
Not rated
Siatech Mycroschool Inc.High
Not rated
Alachua County JailHigh
Not rated
Alachua Virtual Instruction ProgramOther
Not rated
Alachua Eschool (Virtual Franchise)High
Not rated
Alachua Virtual Instruction Program (District Provided)Elementary
Not rated
Early Learning Academy At DuvalPrekindergarten
Not rated
Santa Fe College High School Dual EnrollmentHigh
Not rated
A.Quinn Jones CenterHigh
Not rated
Sidney Lanier CenterOther
Not rated
W. W. Irby Elementary SchoolElementary
Not rated
Hospital HomeboundOther
Not rated
PaceHigh
Not rated
North Central Florida Public Charter SchoolHigh
Not rated
Alachua Regional Juvenile Detention CenterHigh
Not rated

School Insights for Palm Terrace

School Insights

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Palm Terrace a walkable neighborhood?
The neighborhood is primarily car-oriented. While the streets are quiet and low-traffic, the area lacks sidewalks, making it less conducive to pedestrian travel compared to more urbanized parts of the city.
What is the atmosphere like in Palm Terrace?
It is a quiet and functional residential area. Residents benefit from a high degree of privacy, spacious lots, and a semi-rural feel that is distinct from the density of central Gainesville.
How are the schools in this area?
The area is served by the Alachua County School District. While the district includes highly regarded schools, it is currently facing challenges related to administrative stability and financial management that families should consider.