looking in Ocala (Gainesville, The Villages, Belleview: homes, neighborhood, buy)

[rpow53]

can any one give me some information on the ocala area. my wife and I looked around there and liked what we saw. but we would like to get different opions. we are about 6 months from retirement.

Thanks Bob

[MyHomeIsInOcala]

Hello Bob!

Ocala is very large, do you think you will be looking to a 55+ community? If so, there are many here to choose from and in some very well located areas as well.

The worst thing about this area is traffic and ANTS! hahahaha

[missy sissy]

del webb is building up there pretty nice area it's a 55 i think it's called stone creek

[rpow53]

my wife and I are only 54 and the retirement communities will not sell to us yet. we would like a good neighborhood that is not too big and about 15 to 30 minutes from town.I want to be able to fish, so I like to be not too far from the water. we looked around leesburg and that was where we were told that we could not buy in the 55+ communities. a nice quite community would be nice.

Thanks

[florigidge]

15 to 30 minutes from town would mean you are living in the country....well, 30 minutes, at least. it's only 45 minutes from ocala to gainesville.

but, it's pretty in ocala area, rolling hill, horse country. and it does attract retirees.

54 isn't all that old (i'm 58 myself) and i lived 17 years in gainesville. if you like activity or joining civic groups or becoming politically active or an active intellectual community - you might consider gainesville or living on the outskirts of it. property taxes would be higher though than marion county (ocala).

or even finding something that is in north marion near the alachua county line could be interesting since you could have easy access to both.

the newspaper in ocala is the ocala star banner - you can access it online to get a feel for the area.

[MyHomeIsInOcala]

Try looking in Dunnellon, Williston, McIntosh, Reddick, Citra, Anthony, Belleview, Summerfield, and Lake Weir areas. All will be in your general area of description. these are all pretty areas some are very rural and laid back!

Reddick, McIntosh, Citra and Anthony areas will put you in the Gainesville / Ocala area, with easy access to both areas.

[bgmiami]

We have a home in Stone Creek. The development is turning out great and we are very pleased with the builder. The folks moving in are very nice and friendly. I would definitely check it out.

[MotleyCrew]

Where is Stone Creek? We are still drawn to Florida for our retirement and liked Ocala over the other areas we saw. How is Ocala as far as crime, any areas there we should avoid? Thanks

[rpow53]

what do the homes cost there, and what do they have to offer. what is the monthy cost if your home is paid for.

[meilamoo22]

I lived in Belleview for 8 months...and went back to New Jersey...Not much work in 2003.....Don't know how it is now...but to retire there...it is really nice....The Villages are very nice....you should look into that........