Ugly Florida Town Contest? I nominate Ocala...

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

I didn't see too much of the town but I did have a friend who lived there. She lived outside of town in the area where all the people with the horses lived. She had 10 acres with a nice home, she had a pool with a small barn. All the houses around here were similarly set up. I thought it nice but Ocala isn't the size of town I am used to be nearby.

[PK33476]

Well first and foremost, I have been living in Pahokee all of my life (22 years) so I by far know Pahokee better than most people would. I know that we are not the best, richest, prettiest town in the world but i know that we are a close-knit family that cares about one another. What the heck are you talking about Florida Boy? I am so disgusted by your comments, it really do makes me want to vomit. Take a ride down Bacom Point Road, or East Main Street or Larrimore road, or just go up the hill and relax in your car on the marina that overlooks Lake O. It's peaceful in Pahokee, yes I said it. Peaceful. There are no gangs in Pahokee, you must have us mixed up with someone else. There haven't been any murders in the past say 5 or more years...not even 1. We may not have much, but what we do have is each other. And of Course, football. We take pride in our city. I am currently living with my parents right now, but when I get married and settle down and depend on myself, I would like for the place to be in Pahokee. Because i know that people care about me over here, unlike when you go into the city, and feel like a fish in the ocean. And you say kids are having kids here....well is it any different over there on the coast in west palm beach? No. So scratch that. Oh and about the shoplifting thing...no one does that!!! we have grocery stores here....maybe not wal-mart but we have stores that fit our needs. And you are suggesting that people have a gun and roll up their windows when they are riding through Pahokee???? Ewwww, I am so disgusted! How dare you, you know nothing about Pahokee. So many people have that perception about Pahokee, but when they finally do come to Pahokee, they admit that they had a wonderful time...the people welcomed them hospitably, and they felt comfortable. That's who we are, a group of grateful, hospitable people. Yes, there are bad Parts in Pahokee. Aren't there in every city? I hate when people judge us, and put us on the back burner even before getting to know us. Please think before you say or do things. You have hurt many people in Pahokee, including myself. I love Pahokee...always have, always will. But i refuse to silence myself, when people speak harshly about the town i love so dearly.

Originally Posted by FloridaBoy2007

Sorry Kids.
I've traveled all over Florida and I have yet to see ANY place that is Pahokee's equal for squallor. Less than 6000 people live there, the crime rate is through the roof and quality of life does not exist. 13 year old girls having their second kid by an unknown father, stores boarded up and gone or selling crap goods at obscene prices because A.) There is no competition B.) They have to make up for the cost of all the shop-lifting. Their city government is SO bad they had to disband the police and "former" gang-members routinely win elected positions. I'm not sure if I can use the proper words to describe the "business" currently operating in a residential neighborhood (across the street from my parents). But "House of Ill-Repute" is much too classy for the joint. Apparently the ladies their are paid in a certain substance that resembles rock salt and is smoked. The "farmers" that own land there are wealthy, live in Wellington and collect checks from the local Sugar Co-Op. All their vast wealth comes from government price supports for sugar arranged by a vast corporate farmer lobbyist network. Come to that the Feds support most of the residents of Pahokee through various programs. If you drive through roll your windows up, lock your doors and if you have a gun, make sure you have a round jacked into breech. Welcome to Pahokee - Failed Government Experiment in Social Intervention

[MerryMike]

Originally Posted by Prichard

Regarding Geneva, I love this little town! They will rip a Developer's intestines out with their hands if need be, if any developer even THINKS about making inroads into developing this area! It's a small Southern Baptist community, that loves large tracts of land and horses.

Regarding the Ugliest cities in Florida. There are pleanty, but here are a few of my picks: Leesburg; Gulfport; Kenneth City; Starke; Titusville; North Miami; Branden; Plant City; Bithlo; Ocala; Deltona.

You are correct sir concerning Starke. If you have any further info about Starke I will appreciate muchly. My eMail addy mike2295@usa.com

[Chrome Microphone]

Originally Posted by ChrisA70

I nominate Fort Pierce or "PIT PIERCE"... What a DUMP... Runner up is Cocoa, NOT Cocoa Beach, but Cocoa is a ghetto!!!!

A lot of Cocoa Bch is pretty ugly too, in my opinion. How about places like Opa Locka, Riviera Bch., Daytona Bch??? Some of them are by the ocean (which is pretty) but if you look at the city itself...yikes!

Oh!!!!!!! I forgot about Bithlo, Plant City and Deltona!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[shiva1963]

only in its racism

[ashley1234]

I have lived in Ocala for the first 19 years of my life. Is it the ugliest town? No. You probably saw a glimpse of a bad area, which every city has, and rationalized that as Ocala's image. Try going a little farther and you will see a beautiful developing city. There are actually a lot of beautiful people that live in Ocala and stopping at a gas station going through the city will not give you that prospective.

[heez10]

Originally Posted by R Marshall

First let me say, I do not live in Ocala, but do visit it frequently due to close family members living in the area. Do I think it is the most beautiful place in Florida. or is it perfectly set like Naples or Seaside (which both I find over planned and "Stepford-esque")...NO. But ugliest?... I think not. Though they do have urban/suburban decay, there are alot of very nice areas within the city limits. I have not traveled ALL of Florida so I can't pass judgement but I can say that I have seen some "ugly" in some of the most popular areas of Florida. Take for example....all of Daytona.....Tampa has alot of urban/suburban decay as well. I would not say these are the ugliest either. I suggest more extensive traveling in Florida with your eyes open before passing judgement on this town which has grown leaps and bounds since the early 90's. Maybe it is all of the southern Floridians moving in that it bringing all of the decay you saw.

Totally agree with Marshall, I Also have relatives in Ocala and it is a beautifull town, great shopping areas, restaurants, a lot of greenery not all parking lots, a souther gem!

[kshe95girl]

Originally Posted by heez10

Totally agree with Marshall, I Also have relatives in Ocala and it is a beautifull town, great shopping areas, restaurants, a lot of greenery not all parking lots, a souther gem!

Seriously?