New Job! Relocating from ME to FL. Where to live? (Tampa: apartment, rentals) - Ocala - Florida -Marion County - City-Data Forum

caring1 · 03-12-2010, 10:19 AM

Hi everyone. After looking for a move to Florida from Maine for a couple of years it is finally happening!

Originally I planned on SW Florida but I now am looking at the Ocala area since my new job will be in Ocala. I've searched the forum but don't feel I have a firm idea yet of where to look. My income will be decent so I can afford to rent a nice place. I've seen many rentals but since I am not overly familiar with Ocala I am confused as to where to concentrate looking.

I will be moving with my adult (25 year old) daughter who is disabled so I would want a two bedroom home. I would prefer to rent a small house rather than an apartment but would consider both options. Our needs are simple such as a clean place...and not much in amenities but would like a w/d hook up - we have the appliances.

We aren't people looking for night life or anything like that but we do love nature and the ocean. I would like to be as close to the ocean as I can get without a nightmare commute. That means I will have to drive a bit to get to the ocean on days off but again, how far away from Ocala could I go and have a reasonable (1 hour or so) commute to work? I would want to avoid Tampa if possible since my impression of Tampa is that it is very crowded. If I am wrong about Tampa please let me know.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

EnjoyCoast · 03-12-2010, 10:55 AM

I have no idea, have you searched in this forum?

caring1 · 03-12-2010, 11:11 AM

Yes, I have searched this forum - repeatedly. Been searching since 2008 so I could get to know Florida on a more indepth basis than just as a frequent visitor. Unfortunately, I don't see information which leads me to the area between Ocala and the west coast which will not cause a nightmare commute (over 1 hour or 1 and 1/2 hours). I originally had been looking to Fort Myers but I have to go where I have a guaranteed job with a good income so off to Ocala I will go. I don't want to live in Ocala since I know that will be a long ride to the ocean so I am looking for suggestions that will lead me closer to the ocean but not too far from Ocala.

airboat5 · 03-13-2010, 05:14 PM

Where are you coming from????and the beach is almost a strait shot from there take 40 east and its really a nice ride.

caring1 · 03-13-2010, 10:19 PM

airboat5...I am coming from Scarborough, ME and although I am a little familiar with Ocala, I hadn't thought I would end up getting a job there. I always thought I would end up nearer Fort Myers which is why this is kind of throwing me a bit. I googled and it seems Yankeetown is an hour and 4 minutes from Ocala - so is the coast doable? I think of Ocala as being way inland.

Any help is appreciated as I start my new job 4/2. Thanks

airboat5 · 03-14-2010, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caring1

airboat5...I am coming from Scarborough, ME and although I am a little familiar with Ocala, I hadn't thought I would end up getting a job there. I always thought I would end up nearer Fort Myers which is why this is kind of throwing me a bit. I googled and it seems Yankeetown is an hour and 4 minutes from Ocala - so is the coast doable? I think of Ocala as being way inland.

Any help is appreciated as I start my new job 4/2. Thanks

yankeetown or ocala? where are you trying to get to? And on the beach I love the east coast beachs and the west coast beachs not so much.

caring1 · 03-14-2010, 12:00 PM

I will be working in Ocala since that is where my new job is. The problem I am having is to figure out where to live. Ocala is too inland for me as I am used to being minutes from the beach here in Maine. I mentioned Yankeetown only because it was on a google map and driving directions said it was just over an hour to Ocala which would be a doable commute. I am not as familiar with this part of Florida as I had always figured I would end up in SW Fl but I have to go where my new job is.

Why do you prefer east coast beaches - aren't they crowded and more commercial than the west?

racechick8293 · 03-14-2010, 10:01 PM

For my 2 cents, here goes. I moved to Ocala from Fort Lauderdale about 8 months ago. I was used to being 10 minutes from the beach, now, it's about an hour to the Daytona area.

IMHO, the West coast "beaches" are not what I consider beaches- sand, surf, etc. The West coast areas that I've been to thus far have been more natural areas, and are nothing like what I consider a beach, and that's even if you can get close enough to see the ocean. If you take a look at Google Maps, you'll see green areas for the West coast areas such as Cedar Key, Yankeetown, Crystal River, etc, which I believe signify that they are "natural areas", and you are not going to see my version of a beach in those areas.

The ride out 40 to Daytona is not a bad one- a bit relaxing with the forest being there for the most part- and it's a straight shot of about an hour.

If I were to be working in Ocala, my preference would be to live in/near Ocala, and suck it up and drive to the beach. I believe that the cost of living would be lower and there would be less of a commute and the related costs and headaches.

DailyJournalist · 03-15-2010, 07:33 PM

Check out Inverness

caring1 · 03-15-2010, 08:45 PM

Thanks for the input. I will check out both of your suggestions. I am so excited to finally be coming to Florida. Two years of planning and suddenly because of a job, I move in 2 weeks!