Ocala not so great (Miami, Tampa: transplants, to rent, crime)

[ocala stinks]

I keep reading all the great things about Ocala in these forums, gee why doesn't the whole country want to move there....Well, my take is a bit different. I do live in the Clearwater area and visit Ocala too frequently!
(Someone's MIL lives there). The place is DEAD.....unless you are an old fart!
and I am not young at 45.
Weather:
It is too hot in the summer, with not many lakes to relax in, and freezes in the winter. I guess if you like that weather then fine.
Employment:
No jobs (unless you are in the service industry, serving all those winter vistors eating out)
Traffic: new traffic congestion.
and, homes, homes, homes, and more homes....no wonder it is affordable, the are new homes everywhere, talk about overbuilding, Ocala is surely the model! Many of the homes are cheaply built per my observation too many builders looking to make it bigF!
Activities: If you do not have 1 foot in the grave and like a bit busier lifestyle than wondering around the small downtown square, I suggest living another place.
With most of the population retired and nothing to do but drive to WAL-Mart in the far left-hand lane acting like it's their first time driving to the store, it's no wonder the traffic is just as bad there as anywhere.
Ocala did used to have open spaces, but many are now developed with more of those cheap-ass box houses; driven up 49th street from SR484 lately?

Give me a break OCALA only has cheap homes and not much else going on for the more active folks. But I bet this should upset a few of the baby boomer crowd, so go ahead an "enjoy" the boring Ocala life style, while you're waiting at the lights on SR200 or downtown!
Oh yeah aren't those painted horses beautiful? Yeah right!

Yeah some of the people are nice, but come on, some of the people are nice everywhere, Ocala....get out. Before someone offers you a price you cannot pass-up for your 5-10 acres and puts up even more homes for those minorities, just a matter of time before the crime comes along with them.

[kshe95girl]

yeah, it sucks, unfortunately, I am not in a position to leave here yet.....btw, crime is here in a big way.
I dont live in Ocala proper, I am in Silver Springs. I did live in Ocala for 14 years, 1 block off 200, behind Gaitway Plaza, what a nightmare!
I dont see anything changing anytime soon, the good ole boy network is still firmly ensconced.
I think all the posts about how great Ocala is are written by those folks you posted about, if they think you even might be from here, they are awfully rude to you.

[bunnyv24]

Yes, Ocala does suck and you are 100% correct on the over building of the area. It's like absolutely no though was put into it, just house, on top of house, on top of house..... it's ridiculous. I do enjoy things like kayaking and walking, but miss the options you get from a more metro city (I used to live in Tampa). I am actually living in Beverly Hills right now, but work in Ocala and as such looking to move there. Was looking in the Silver Spring Shores area the newer section. Is that area bad too?

I personally want to get out of Florida, but my boyfriends job keeps us here one day though .....

[kshe95girl]

dear god, do NOT move to the Shores!!!!!! If you have to come here, I would look at Silver Springs, its east of Ocala, and not nearly as bad. Yes, you will still have to drive a bit, depending on where your job is located. I work on the 200 corridor, it takes me about 20 minutes to get to work, pm me if you would care for more info.

[PaintedHorse]

Oh, Ocala sucks. If any of you can get out, then do!! I moved here in 1990 to get away from South Florida. The problem is I didn't do the research I should have done. That is my fault. I didn't know how bad the job situation is here. The pay is so incredibly low, and ratio-wise, it is actually cheaper to live in some towns in Connecticut!! The Ocalans are rude people. Very rude, I have never seen anything like that before. They hate everyone, unless they have a cracker accent. I don't feel a sense of community here, and the blatant prejudice is horrible. The west side of town looks like apartheid. The shores is worse than Ocala itself. All kinds of crime out there. I am stuck here because of low paying jobs. I am middle-aged and don't have big hope of getting out of Ocala, but if anyone here can, then get out while you can. BTW, I worked in computers here for almost ten years, and in Ocala, that field of work doesn't pay anymore than administration.

[kshe95girl]

I hear ya! I worked in the restaurants for several years. I swear, I could bash those folks over the head with a tray!
I created my own career, I am an interior designer, and I am here to tell ya, the transplants are SUCH snobs! You should hear the things they say about the people that dont "matter" when they think that you are one of them..... I have lived in other parts of the US, and Europe, and have NEVER encountered anything like it!

[Miamigirl0416]

Okay I'm really wanting the 411 on Ocala. I'm thinking about moving with my little one. Wanting to know the best family friendly areas and good elementary school since my lit one is about to start school? Where should I look in OCala to rent or buy?

[kshe95girl]

southeast Ocala is your best bet, it seems to be stable, the better schools are in that area, not as much crime, more gated neighborhoods. Since the collapse of the housing bubble, there are lots of bargains to be had.
If you want more info, feel free to pm me.

[Alphaman]

Originally Posted by Miamigirl0416

Okay I'm really wanting the 411 on Ocala. I'm thinking about moving with my little one. Wanting to know the best family friendly areas and good elementary school since my lit one is about to start school? Where should I look in OCala to rent or buy?

You ever see the movie deliverance? Thats ocala.


If you like being out in the sticks then that place is for you.

[kshe95girl]

Originally Posted by Alphaman

You ever see the movie deliverance? Thats ocala.


If you like being out in the sticks then that place is for you.

that wasnt nice at all, alphaman, and untrue. we are not all like that. I may not like it here, but that was rather insulting.
I see you live in Orlando, you could not pay me enough to live in that overblown excuse for a cowtown. btw, how would you know about Ocala, since you live in Orlando, did you drive through on the interstate?