Dunnellon, Florida Employment Opportunity (Gainesville, Ocala: relocating, agriculture, gated)

[mbzorc]

I currently live in a suburb of Chicago and my husband and I are interested in relocating to Dunnellon, Florida. I have an undergraduate degree in business and he does HVAC. What is the job market like in this area? Any feedback is appreciated.

[Floridamom1970]

I am a long time resident of Dunnellon Florida. Most people around here have to commute for work.Usually to Ocala which is about 25 miles or more away depending on where you go.Currently there are three small shopping centers, four grocery stores, several small restaurants. Your husband can most likely find local work, however you will most likely have to commute. Gainesville is about an hour north of Dunnellon proper and will probably have more job opportunities for you.Most of the employment opportunities for Dunnellon are related to the service industry. Waitressing, cashier ect.I know there are two or three places that your husband can probably apply at.

If you have a family you might be disappointed as Dunnellon really seems to be focused more on retired folks than on families. Personally I would rather move to Citrus County, which actually begins in Dunnellon. I love Citrus, they have pretty much anything you could need right there either in Crystal River or Inverness. In fact when I take my kids anywhere it is usually in Citrus County.

Over all I would have to say that Dunnellon is like the rest of the state. High cost of housing/living with low wages. The subdivision we are in is called Lake Tropicana and is one of the more reasonable ones since we are zoned for agriculture. There are still a lot of wooded undeveloped lots here for sale, you can have horses, cows, chickens ect. Lots I think are around $30-35,000 ( used to be $12-14 grand before land got so high priced here)It is quiet and not a bad place I just wish we did not have to drive so far to go to a movie or a decent shopping mall.We have a mix of mobile homes and site built ones and are not deed restricted,but most people around here try to take decent care of their property.

Just out of curiosity. What brought Dunnellon to your attention?

[lsseds]

Floridamom1970 you forgot the most important thing Dunnellon has to offer. A really good cup of coffee from Dunkin Donuts! I drive all the way from the big town of Morriston just for a cup of Joe from Dunkin.

[Floridamom1970]

Well I really cannot comment on Dunkin Doughnuts coffee. I am not really a coffee drinker, but hey if its that good I might just try some.

[mbzorc]

Thanks for your feedback! My mother in law lives in The Villages and my husband was looking at land in Dunnellon last year when he was visiting her. He really liked the rural setting and wooded lots. We don't have kids so the community focus on retirees should not be an issue. I just don't want to live somewhere and have to commute an hour to work. You mentioned that Gainesville has more job opportunities for someone like myself. What suburbs would you recommend that are near Gainesville?

[Floridamom1970]

Originally Posted by mbzorc

Thanks for your feedback! My mother in law lives in The Villages and my husband was looking at land in Dunnellon last year when he was visiting her. He really liked the rural setting and wooded lots. We don't have kids so the community focus on retirees should not be an issue. I just don't want to live somewhere and have to commute an hour to work. You mentioned that Gainesville has more job opportunities for someone like myself. What suburbs would you recommend that are near Gainesville?

Well I am not really familiar with most of the suburbs in the Gainesville area, however Williston is a small town about halfway to gainesville from Dunnellon. It is a bit smaller than Dunnellon, but is maybe twenty minutes from the start of Gainesville. I have a friend from work who lives in Gainesville and likes it. She says it takes about half an hour to get to Ocala where we work. It takes me about forty minutes to get to work.

I can tell you that , for around here at least, Gainesville has a pretty good local music scene. It is a University Town with a good sized mall (at least by my small town standards)A really good hospital system, and a community college.

If his mom lives in the villages, then you may want to consider Leesburg.I have never been there but have driven through and it seems like a nice place.

[Nanny3]

Originally Posted by mbzorc

I currently live in a suburb of Chicago and my husband and I are interested in relocating to Dunnellon, Florida. I have an undergraduate degree in business and he does HVAC. What is the job market like in this area? Any feedback is appreciated.

I've lived in Dunnellon for 26 years coming here from Ohio, and I must say Floridamom1970 has given you a pretty good description of our area, we are very rural and not a lot to do....if you like a laid back country setting, and don't mind commuting to make the big bucks, then Dunnellon is for you :-)

[sherry07]

i posted once before, but ill ask again, just so i can get some more feedback....how is romeo school in dunnellon? and crime, and safety? also, for office jobs where would i go? how far a commute to orlando? to valencia community college?

[sherry07]

if dunnellon maybe isnt what im looking for what towns in citrus county have safe neighborhoods, and good schools? i have 2 young children, one with a speech problem, not severe.....looking for work also.
does anyone know about any gated community? my price would be around 160k. ????? any advice is appreciated. i really want to move by my friend, but i need to know im in an upscale area, with no gangs or anything like that. not for me.l.... my friend is in dunnellon.
i trying to change careers - thats why i wanted to know how far the commute to valencia college. are there any industrial parks?
thanks.

[Floridamom1970]

Inverness is pretty safe, so are Hernando. Lecanto , Beverly Hills and Crystal River. If your child has a speech problem, then I can reccamend an excellent center in Crystal River for you.