Likes and Dislikes ! (Orlando, Gainesville, Ocala: low crime, houses, income)

[Canarsie girl]

What do like or dislike about Ocala ? Planning on a move and just wanted to know what people think ?

[smartygurl]

I can't believe that no one has responded to this thread yet. Anyway, I like Ocala for the horse country aspect. It is also a big enough city to have all the things you like in a bigger city (shopping, restraunts, etc) and yet small enough were you don't feel lost or crowded.

[just_being_myself]

Dislikes:

Lousy selection of books and DVDs in library when compaired to other small and large metro areas in Florida

Flow of traffic on 200 is very hectic and feels poorly engineered for the growth of Ocala

Has many large city amenities but lacks reliable wifi connections

No real industry and not many jobs unrelated to healthcare

Way too many old people(not that I dislike them) but being a young person in Ocala does not allow for much to do

Not much cultural attractions minus a decent museum at The Appleton

Has a transient population and lacks the down home feeling many areas in the south have


Likes

Low crime rate

Its one of the few metro areas in Florida where you can live affordably in

Has potential to grow and expand

Is very diverse






The following is just my experiance from living in Ocala Florida.

[shiva1963]

ITs affordable.... a big problem is its a bedroom comunity meaning that there is lots of gossip and nosiness about other peoples business.. Kinda like Desperate Housewives

[mff86]

Ocala is perfect for seniors looking for the right mix of Florida and the south. Someone retired and/or on a fixed income should be okay in Ocala, and will appreciate the convenience and access it provides.

Compared to the NE, where I was raised, Ocala is a tiny city that ultimately feels like a faceless suburb, half-baked city, or rustic afterthought, depending on where you are. Some will like those qualities, others won't.

The affordability is obviously the best quality of Ocala. Where the problem comes in is that it's a doubled-edged sword for young couples. I'm 22 and married, and typically bored out of my mind in Slocala. There is a small number of clubs (albeit very small), but no scene. Yet, young people are continously attracted to the area, because it really is a nice median to most of North and Central Florida.

Not exactly the best calling card for a town, where one perk is how close you are to other areas, but that's life.

Come to Ocala if you want, cheap, simple living.

[JoanneGreco]

We moved here from Brooklyn in 2002 and we love it!

I love the price of the houses, compared to NYC. The cost of living is lower and the people are really friendly.

[kshe95girl]

Originally Posted by shiva1963

ITs affordable.... a big problem is its a bedroom comunity meaning that there is lots of gossip and nosiness about other peoples business.. Kinda like Desperate Housewives

Bedroom community for exactly where???? Too far to commute to Orlando, that leaves, what, Gainesville? Yeah, thats soooooo Desperate Housewives

[Jlivan]

Originally Posted by just_being_myself

Dislikes:

Lousy selection of books and DVDs in library when compaired to other small and large metro areas in Florida

Flow of traffic on 200 is very hectic and feels poorly engineered for the growth of Ocala

Has many large city amenities but lacks reliable wifi connections

No real industry and not many jobs unrelated to healthcare

Way too many old people(not that I dislike them) but being a young person in Ocala does not allow for much to do

Not much cultural attractions minus a decent museum at The Appleton

Has a transient population and lacks the down home feeling many areas in the south have


Likes

Low crime rate

Its one of the few metro areas in Florida where you can live affordably in

Has potential to grow and expand

Is very diverse






The following is just my experiance from living in Ocala Florida.

I totally agree with your post. I lived in Ocala for 26years and to me it seems like it needs to grow into a little larger city (with updated amenities like roads & technology) but never will, maybe down the road it will but for now it doesn't seem like it will make that stretch for a while.

[catster]

DISLIKES: There are no jobs here and people are losing their homes left and right. Anyone that tells you differently is LYING. The jobs that are here are extremely low paying. It IS the poorest county in the state of FL. The weather is awful. We have 6 to 10 months (Depending on the year) of awful heat and humidity. It is also FULL OF BUGS. We have GIANT flying COCKROACHES here. It is an awful place to live, like living in a swamp. Most of us who live here, only do so because we can't afford to move. This is a really depressing place to live.

[kek1993]

Holy Heck! "Giant Flying Cockroaches", okay, I am not going to Ocala, ever. Thanks for the heads up!