Ocala, Florida? (Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa: job market, college, living in)

[journeyer]

Hi,
Not sure where to post this, but I think that Jacksonville or Orlando is the closest town listed on this site. I am considering moving near Ocala Florida, my brother lives there and I am curious about the job market and quality of living there. I'm a software developer. I understand that Ocala is a fairly isolated area and I am single so I do not want to be isolated, but I want to live in a climate that is warm and sunny most of the year. I recently lived in a rural area in the midwest and I was never so miserable. I am living in Maryland now, near Baltimore and the job market is good and the climate is not too bad most of the year, but there are other reasons, long story, that I may want to relocate again. I would appreciate any advice.

[riveree]

Ocala ia quite far from Jax, I'll move the thread to the general "Florida" forum so you can get more feedback.

[Granny Sue]

You don't state your name but I'll take a stab at between 25-35.
Ocala isn't really isolated but it's also not known for it's nightlife.
I myself like Ocala but then again I'm 46, married with children....nuff said....
If nightlife and a young atmosphere is what you're looking for and staying withing shouting distance to your brother, I would suggest Gainsville. UF(boo Gators lol) is there so it's a college town.
Major cities would be....
Beach access......Tampa, Jacksonville, Miami.
Center of the State....Orlando.

It's all in what's important to you.

[journeyer]

Originally Posted by captnemo62

You don't state your name but I'll take a stab at between 25-35.
Ocala isn't really isolated but it's also not known for it's nightlife.
I myself like Ocala but then again I'm 46, married with children....nuff said....
If nightlife and a young atmosphere is what you're looking for and staying withing shouting distance to your brother, I would suggest Gainsville. UF(boo Gators lol) is there so it's a college town.
Major cities would be....
Beach access......Tampa, Jacksonville, Miami.
Center of the State....Orlando.

It's all in what's important to you.

Nope. 48. So that type of nightlife scene is not what I'm looking, for, really, but I am divorced and my kids are grown, so I don't want to be somewhere that there is only 1 single / divorced woman per every 100 sq. miles. And also, as I was saying, I need to have a job market that keeps me employed while not driving 2 hours to and from work every day.

[DailyJournalist]

Originally Posted by journeyer

Nope. 48. So that type of nightlife scene is not what I'm looking, for, really, but I am divorced and my kids are grown, so I don't want to be somewhere that there is only 1 single / divorced woman per every 100 sq. miles. And also, as I was saying, I need to have a job market that keeps me employed while not driving 2 hours to and from work every day.

I would not suggest you move to Ocala, the employment opportunities will be very limited and the more rural setting will mean a less vibrant dating scene. For career and personal life I would suggest sticking with the major Florida cities of Orlando, Tampa, Miami, and Jacksonville. These cities will provide you with better employment opportunities, especially in your field and will have much more to do on the weekends as a single person.

[Alphaman]

I agree Forget Ocala stay close to one of the cities.

[Chet S.]

Ocala is retirees, migrants and a truck stop. Look elsewhere

[bunnyv24]

Have to agree with the previous posts. Job market isn't good, the dating scene for your age group is even worse. Jacksonville and the Tampa/Clearwater area are two places I would suggest.

[tallrick]

Ocala is also very overpriced, like all of rural Florida.

[sk071077]

A bit off topic but, has anyone been to the Ocala National Forest? If so is it worth going? I saw some pics in a book and it looks beautiful.