Ugly Florida Town Contest? I nominate Ocala... (Jacksonville, Tampa: houses, mall)

[roaring-rox]

Daedalo,

I agree with you about Ocala's overall appearance.

Am a native Floridian and remember the charm of yesteryear Florida. I also love big cities and favor the urban core of cities, but do appreciate the rural also.

From reading this thread and many others on this forum, find many people talking about the 'cookie-cutter syndrome' engulfing us now. I'm wondering myself where to go that meets my needs, isn't so hurricane vulnerable, and has charm...not generic city USA which seems to be sprouting everywhere like mushrooms.

Here is an article that goes into a lot of detail about suburban sprawl. Think the article is insightful and thought-provoking. Here is the address:

http://www.walkablestreets.com/duany.htm

[robjr100]

I went down to the casino there.Driving through Immokalee I thought it looked pretty bad.I have to admit I didn`t spend much time there.

One thing I know for sure is that was the worst casino I ever was in.
Goofy slot machines that didn`t pay squat for anybody.I`ll never go back that`s for sure.

[dreamofmonterey]

Originally Posted by roaring-rox

Daedalo,

I agree with you about Ocala's overall appearance.

Am a native Floridian and remember the charm of yesteryear Florida. I also love big cities and favor the urban core of cities, but do appreciate the rural also.

From reading this thread and many others on this forum, find many people talking about the 'cookie-cutter syndrome' engulfing us now. I'm wondering myself where to go that meets my needs, isn't so hurricane vulnerable, and has charm...not generic city USA which seems to be sprouting everywhere like mushrooms.

Here is an article that goes into a lot of detail about suburban sprawl. Think the article is insightful and thought-provoking. Here is the address:

http://www.walkablestreets.com/duany.htm

good site. Stay away from Broward- it looks like h@ll--They have shanty towns there. West Palm is also bad;Lake Worth you can buy a crack house to the tune of 389k. Nice, huh.

[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.

[dreamofmonterey]

Originally Posted by daedalo

Today I drove from Fernandina Beach down 301 to Ocala. The only town I went through of any size was Starke, which is mainly supported by farms and the extensive prisons nearby. I got to Ocala early so I drove around town. I must say outside of Ocala are some gorgeous horse farms. But how in the world did the town of Ocala allow such a cancer of trashy development nearly everywhere? Ocala is, without a doubt, the ugliest city in central Florida. It is a testament to unchecked bottom of the barrel development and a total lack of planning. Zero landscape and signage planning except for an afterthought on one road for a quarter mile north of the CBD (Central Business District). There are a few fragmented areas of old downtown that are restored, but it is clear the downtown is struggling financially. With all the wealth around it, Ocala looks borderline 3rd world. Flat out junk development.

Again, the natural areas around Ocala are some of the prettiest in Florida while Ocala itself is a testament to a flea-market mindset run amok all over the landscape. Is there an uglier city in Florida?

Pompano- near the train tracks-ugh

Actually 99% of Broward, unless you are on the beach, in a safe condo.

West Miami- past the Tpke- forgot the region (Morningside?)- they are building more cookie cutter sections on the flat barren land.

[Floridian34210]

Originally Posted by robjr100

I went down to the casino there.Driving through Immokalee I thought it looked pretty bad.I have to admit I didn`t spend much time there.

One thing I know for sure is that was the worst casino I ever was in.
Goofy slot machines that didn`t pay squat for anybody.I`ll never go back that`s for sure.

Believe me, Immokalee isn't good. In fact, I'm surprised they haven't moved that casino into another city, like Fort Myers or Naples. Immokalee is the crime city of Collier County. Mixed races in "war". Not good at all.

[dreamofmonterey]

Originally Posted by daedalo

Today I drove from Fernandina Beach down 301 to Ocala. The only town I went through of any size was Starke, which is mainly supported by farms and the extensive prisons nearby. I got to Ocala early so I drove around town. I must say outside of Ocala are some gorgeous horse farms. But how in the world did the town of Ocala allow such a cancer of trashy development nearly everywhere? Ocala is, without a doubt, the ugliest city in central Florida. It is a testament to unchecked bottom of the barrel development and a total lack of planning. Zero landscape and signage planning except for an afterthought on one road for a quarter mile north of the CBD (Central Business District). There are a few fragmented areas of old downtown that are restored, but it is clear the downtown is struggling financially. With all the wealth around it, Ocala looks borderline 3rd world. Flat out junk development.

Again, the natural areas around Ocala are some of the prettiest in Florida while Ocala itself is a testament to a flea-market mindset run amok all over the landscape. Is there an uglier city in Florida?

that is sad. Haven't seen it since 2001. It must have changed.

I would nominate Oakland Park (Ft Lauderdale) it makes Rego Park, Queens NY look pristine.

sunny

[MonaVieMommies]

Boy, you went through a bad area of Ocala and made a generalization of the whole town based on that. No biggie though-we don't want more people here anyway, it is nice as a small town! There are beautiful areas of Ocala and not so great areas like any other town-so if you want to call us trashy-fine, I will be happy in my "trashy" custom new home on 3/4 acre with a pool, spa and privacy wood fenced backyard in a "trashy" wooded area! LOL

Originally Posted by daedalo

Today I drove from Fernandina Beach down 301 to Ocala. The only town I went through of any size was Starke, which is mainly supported by farms and the extensive prisons nearby. I got to Ocala early so I drove around town. I must say outside of Ocala are some gorgeous horse farms. But how in the world did the town of Ocala allow such a cancer of trashy development nearly everywhere? Ocala is, without a doubt, the ugliest city in central Florida. It is a testament to unchecked bottom of the barrel development and a total lack of planning. Zero landscape and signage planning except for an afterthought on one road for a quarter mile north of the CBD (Central Business District). There are a few fragmented areas of old downtown that are restored, but it is clear the downtown is struggling financially. With all the wealth around it, Ocala looks borderline 3rd world. Flat out junk development.

Again, the natural areas around Ocala are some of the prettiest in Florida while Ocala itself is a testament to a flea-market mindset run amok all over the landscape. Is there an uglier city in Florida?

[House4Sale]

IMHO are Winterhaven, Miami, Hudson. Not nec. in that order.

[MonaVieMommies]

South Floridians are not to blame for "urban decay" as you put it in Ocala. Many South Floridians, including myself moved to Ocala to have a wonderful country lifestyle and get away from the traffic and congestion of Miami/Ft Laudersdale. We live in a very nice family area in a custom built new home and just love it here. I agree that there are worse parts of FL and better parts of FL and just like anything else-you cannot please everyone all of the time. We are very happy though and just want to enjoy our peace and traquility.
Karen

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.