How is Ocala Fl?? (Orlando, Margate: tornado, insurance, apartment)

[Jammie]

Oh Daisy, thank you. That's comforting to know that it will stay the same and not turn into concrete.

Clari, it's so nice that you found the spot you both really like. I've been getting the impression from reading different things that the Silver Springs area may not be as nice or well-kept as Ocala itself. Is that the way you saw it? Also, since you're already in the process of having a home built there, you may be able to answer something for me. I understand that it's not in a hurricane area so are the insurances much lower then in the southern part of the state?

[clarissairene]

Well, I got most of my information about hurricanes and areas hit from this board! But this is what the home builders said when i asked the question: "These homes are built to hurricane standards even though Ocala is by no means in as high of winds as the coastal areas" and by talking to the locals they said when Charley hit, thats the hurrciane that came straight through the central area.... that the worst they experienced was heavy rain and yes, the city shut down and everyoen stayed home and they lost power for about 5 days. Thats the worst theyve experienced. I am such a scardey cat that if the news says there will be one coming, I will pack up my son and leave and then come back. Seriously, I have NOT been wanting to make this move because of the hurricanes and tornadeos and lightnening. But after this trip and talking with locals and doing alot of research.... I am making the move! As for insurance in the Marion Oaks part of Ocala with the home that I am getting ($207,000) it will be around $800-1200 a year. Thats not to bad! I was expecting over $3000 from what people were saying.

And about Silver Springs Shore, dont get me wrong... its still looks like a nice place to live, but the roads werent kept up well and there was like one main road (that i saw!) and it was packed with traffic come 5 pm. But it looks up and coming. Like in 5 years from now I bet its going to be all fixed up and nice.

Have you checked out the Marion Oaks part of Ocala?

Question, do you have kids? I am trying to find someone who is moving to ocala with kids. I have a 4 year old and wonder how he will do over there.

[Buddy263]

FL Daisy doesn't speak for me. I have been to Ocala many times and the horse farms are still there. BUT, like everywhere else in Florida they have begun selling out to developers.

The developments are filled with cheap houses right on top of each other. Like, Top of the World and Marion Oaks. Marion Oaks streets are terrible. People I know there have been promised for the last year that the streets would be improved, but nothing. It'sa great placeif you like watching broken down cars littering people's driveways or streets blocked off with basketball hoops in the middle of the road.

Just beware of real estate agents that watch this board like hawks and post incorrect or improper views of neighborhoods. Go to an area for yourself and look around. Ocala has improved alot in the last three years. Along route 200 there are all new chain stores. But they are surrounded by 55+ mobile home trailer parks so it is hard to find a home there unless yougo on the sidestreets. People actually have horses roaming there yards like a pet, if that is what you like on a one acre lot. Some of the sidestreets outside the city still don't have paved roads. Try a little bit outside the city. You can still get good lots.

The city has come a long way for the better.

It is nice and you will like the open fields of the horse farms. But, unlike FL Daisy I do not believe the horse farms will remain. The city has done nothing to keep them. GO LOOK FOR YOURSELF. there are alot of good hotels right off route 75.

[Jammie]

Clari, I really believe you'll be ok there with the storms. So many people have said that the area doesn't get hit hard by hurricanes and there is unsafe weather all over. Thank you for all the first hand info that you've given me. It sounds like you like the area even though you're not excited about moving. Is your little boy in preschool and you're worried about him readjusting to new friends? We have no small children, but we just adore little ones. We're middle aged and my hubby will be semi-retiring in about a year and a half and that's hopefully when we'll make our move to a warmer climate. It's been hot here, but we have some very cold and snowy winters.

Buddy, we do plan on looking for ourselves, but can't at the moment. We live many miles away from Ocala and won't be able to go there for a few months yet.

[bigtone]

Yes, some parts of Marion Oaks may not be the nicest, but that can be said about alot of areas. The "older" section, which has houses that were built mainly in the 80's, is crowded. This is where the police station and library are located. The lots are small, so therefore the houses are bunched up pretty tight. The further you go down into Marion Oaks,(it is rather large) the worse the roads get. Some sections have sewer, which I heard can be rather expensive. But, to me at least, there are some nice areas. Also, Marion Oaks is starting to crack down on junk cars and other zoning violations. It is a deed restricted community, although, the rules are not overly restrictive. For instance, junk cars, RV's fencing, and types of carports and sheds seem to be mainly what they cover. Marion Oaks is broken up into sections, but I am not familiar with all of them. Section 4, where my house is, has good roads and newer homes. Section 10 is on the north side of 484, and seems to be fairly desirable.

[Jammie]

When we originally started looking at the Ocala area, we had internet info that placed the population there at about 50,000. Since that time we're learned there is more like 158,000 people there. Does that sound correct or is my info outdated? It sounds like it's a more populated area. Can anyone tell me about that? Also, is there a lot of tourism in that area because of the Springs Theme Park and the National Forest?

[BKLYNMOM]

My family is also planning to move to Ocala. My husband is 40 and has just retired from the NYPD. My husband chose Ocala because it is not as crowded as Orlando. He also feels he will find work there. My friend lives in Orlando and tells me Ocala is up and coming. A bit rural. We have 3 young children and are concerned about the schools. I just found out that the middle school my son will attend is 14 miles away. I think this is horrible. There is another middle school closer to the home we are building, yet we are not zoned for that school. I phoned the board of ed and they said that there is no way I can get out of sending him so far. The lady I spoke to said that Marion County was under court order not to transfer anyone to a school other than the one I was zoned for.

[Jammie]

Bklyn, that does seem disappointing. That's an awfully long trip to have to go 28 miles a day to attend school when you live right in a city. Have you been to Ocala yet and if you have, how did you like it?

[BKLYNMOM]

I saw some of Ocala in April. Did not have time to really take a good look. A family friend was having a home built there. This is how we heard of Ocala. My husband is set on Ocala but did agree that if we don't like it we can sell and move to Brevard County. I think the schools there are better.

Ocala was different from NY. I am looking forward to the warm weather and not having to deal with the bitter cold and snow. I hope my children will like it. I hope that Ocala offers many activities for the kids.

[Jammie]

Brklyn, the cold and snow are exactly what we want to escape from. Also we have extended family that live just a couple hours away from there and we have no family left up here.