How is Ocala Fl?? (Orlando, Margate: for rent, high crime, modular home)

[bamboosmom]

Clarissa, stop getting all upset from the negative people on here. Florida is a wonderful place, especially when you can stay home with your child and your husband has a wonderful job. It's beautiful up that way. Smile, you will be happy. You know that there are some people that never have anything nice to say no matter where they are or what they are doing.

[backtofla]

i have heard great things about ocala...this was like the first negative comment about ocala i have heard. teen pregnency, ppl not able to read and write, and not giving out employment applications to african-americans??? or you sure??? that sounds like where i used to live, but not really here in fla.

ps- there are going to be racists everywhere

[bamboosmom]

Ocala also has alot of horse farms and rolling hills.

[williamsfam]

I lived in Ocala for 18 years. Yes it is nice. Lots of Horse farms and such and it is growing fast. HOWEVER if you have teens or children....we have a nickname for Ocala it is Slocala. There is nothing for them to do except see movies all the time,,sit on the boulivard or drive in the woods where I can tell ya they arent looking for deer.

If not it would be a great place to move !

[clarissairene]

Williams fan,


thanks for the info on ocala. I do have a 4 year old. So the area probably woudnt effect him, yet.

Can you suggest other areas that are good for kids and teens around Ocala?? My husband will be working in sumterville/bushnell. Know of any good citys we can check out?

[floridaguy]

HI! folks. having moved 1 year ago from s/fla ( WHERE i LIVED FOR 20 YEARS)
to the ocala area ,I must say I LOVE IT! It's beautiful with an unbelievable amount of outdoor activities to do,it's close to orlando/ gainesville(university of florida)and the west coast!in addition to a low cost of living, friendly natives and a widely varied houseing market you also have a low crime rate and are much less exposed to severe weather.as i said I LOVE IT!

[BKLYNMOM]

Originally Posted by floridaguy

HI! folks. having moved 1 year ago from s/fla ( WHERE i LIVED FOR 20 YEARS)
to the ocala area ,I must say I LOVE IT! It's beautiful with an unbelievable amount of outdoor activities to do,it's close to orlando/ gainesville(university of florida)and the west coast!in addition to a low cost of living, friendly natives and a widely varied houseing market you also have a low crime rate and are much less exposed to severe weather.as i said I LOVE IT!

Hi Floridaguy My family is looking to move to Ocala with my husband and three children. I am happy to hear that you enjoy living in Ocala. Could you give some details why it is so great? What are the outdoor activities?

[LS1DAN]

Originally Posted by williamsfam

I lived in Ocala for 18 years. Yes it is nice. Lots of Horse farms and such and it is growing fast. HOWEVER if you have teens or children....we have a nickname for Ocala it is Slocala. There is nothing for them to do except see movies all the time,,sit on the boulivard or drive in the woods where I can tell ya they arent looking for deer.

If not it would be a great place to move !

great point! however ocala really has very little entertainment for really any age group. and also keep in mind that florida has a failing school system and the highest dropout rate in the country.

[watsont3]

My wife and I have been investigating the central Florida area with an eye on moving in Feb./Mar. 2007. We will be staying in the Ocala area for about a week just after Thanksgiving.
We have decided that, unless Ocala turns out not to be what we wanted, we will probably rent a nice apartment for at least a year. that way we can check out the areas we have been considering (Lakeland, Orlando, Kissimmee, DeLand). We are contemplating a 55+ community (manufactured home) and have information on quite a few that we want to look at.
This forum has been extremely helpful. I work at a major tourist attraction in Lancaster Pa (Strasburg Railroad) and have spoken to many Floridians who give Ocala god reviews.
We are from Long Island (Hamptons) and have lived in Lancaster since I retired in 1999. Lancaster is experiencing all the growing pains that seem to be affecting a lot of areas. My wife has finally come to the conclusion that we have to get away from winter and the snow.
I have a decent pension and start collecting Social Security next month, so the job market does not affect me. Our kids are all grown and have kids of their own so schools do not become an issue either.
It sounds like Ocala will be a great place to start. My wife likes the info she has seen about Mount Dora also.

[Jammie]

HI Watson, I hope you and your wife find what you're looking for. When you get back from staying in the Ocala area, please give all of us a review of the things you liked and disliked. We're in somewhat the same situation that you're in. We have no concerns about the schools, but one thing that does worry me is the fact that I will still need to work for several more years. Silver Springs Shores is still on our list although we are interested in one other place, too. The insurance rates and high cost of living that people are talking about really scare me.