Economy - 12/27/2007

Ocala is a mid sized city, population relatively 50,000. The city is largely self employed and a large population is also retired. The economy here is struggling, especially for those in the construction industry or government employed individuals. Property taxes are through the roof compared to the value of property and housing. Job growth is slow. This city is for the Have's and the Have Not's.

[Comment on this Posting]

Ocal, Fl - 9/15/2007

If you can afford to be a 'Heat' bird, go north for July and August

[Comment on this Posting]

Living in Ocala - 7/1/2007

Living here is great. The weather is great from October until the begining of June. Then the daytime Florida heat kicks in but the evenings during the summer are suprisingly comfortable. There are tons of activities, you can hike, bike, canoe and of course tons and tons of golf and fishing. The is a new open air mall to be opened in 2008. Best of all, no crime to speak of. Safe and quiet living here in SLOWCALA.

[Comment on this Posting]

Good Medical Care, Best Place to Live - 5/15/2007

To dispute Myrtle's opinion, Ocala boasts 3 outstanding hospitals and is just 35 miles south of Gainesville, home of Shands and voted Best Place to Live. Sorry you weren't happy here Myrtle, glad to hear you are heading back north!

[Comment on this Posting]

GREAT PLACE TO LIVE! - 4/3/2007

Ocala is a beautiful town. Full of wonderful down home people. Plenty of Southern Hospitality. Small town flair. Many restaurants since I-75 goes through Ocala. Great for retiring or 2nd homes. Weather is great all year round. Get some cold fronts in the winter and hot spells in the summer, but mostly in the 70's on average. I would definitely recommend Ocala to anyone looking to retire here!

[Comment on this Posting]

Think twice...medical care is lousy - 1/11/2007

I have been here now for almost 3 years..I go back "home" for medical care because it is so bad. I feel like I went back in time 50 years down here. I do, however, like my veterinarians. They seem to be the bright spot..at least I have great vets. I will not stay permanently. Heat and humidity from May to mid November is bad....Hurricanes do come here..we lost power for 10 days in Frances and for 8 days in Jeanne in 2004. Air conditioning is a necessity.They do not have income tax..but they have tons of "fees". I recommend only for a seasonal home..not permanent..my opinion from the many sad experiences here. Myrtle

[Comment on this Posting]

welcome to gods waiting room - 1/3/2007

religous characters are portrayed by locals on street corners, homeless roam the downtown area, speedtraps galore, poor economy, poor quality of education, one school actually refered to as cow patty high, entertainment value is zero, high crime rate, inflated real estate values, summer heat is unbearable, residents of national treasure ocala forest resemble characters in deliverence, residents of high dollar horse farms resemble their animals, resturants constantly in paper for health code violations, can't wait to leave. maybe it should be called the devils waiting room.

[Comment on this Posting]

Good place to leave is right - 12/29/2006

I moved here from crime ridden West Palm Baech Fl 3 years ago and now am moving on. The cost of living has caught up to South Florida, but wages are at least 10 years behind. This area is going to the retirees. The county keeps rejecting new business. We could have had Walmart distribution center and Sysco, but the county drove them away.

[Comment on this Posting]

Great Retirement - 12/2/2006

Great retirement place. Horses, golf, boating, rivers and midway between oceans. And north enough that hurricanes are subdued here. Home prices are going up however. Great weather for those who suffer from the cold northern climes.

[Comment on this Posting]

Quiet and tranquil town - 9/24/2006

If you are loooking for peace and quiet, this is it but still has plenty of things to do especially if you are into horses.

[Comment on this Posting]

Getting more expensive to live here - 9/5/2006

Ocala is a beautiful city in the heart of Florida. It was a great bargain to live here in 2001 when we moved here, but although we have done well with the equity in our home--we have seen a more than 200% increase--the salaries are generally low, and the cost to live here rising daily. I recently returned from NYC, which is known for the expensive cost of living; however, the cabs, subway, dining out, and entertainment discounts were far better than what we are experiencing in Central Florida right now! Our weather is great for 5 of 12 months of the year, but that is so in most states of our country! Thanks for your site! Gretchen

[Comment on this Posting]

Good place to leave - 5/10/2006

In general Ocala is a good place to live. Real estate is high, and there are a lot of retirees, but there are plenty of things for families to do.

[Comment on this Posting]

Ocala, Florida - 4/15/2006

Ocala has a lot to offer. We like it here other than the real estate prices.

[Comment on this Posting]

Cost of rent - 1/11/2006

The cost of renting a normal 3 bedroom house is over a thousand dollars a month. Must higher than what I am used to.

[Comment on this Posting]

Ocala, FL - 8/23/2005

Ocala is a decent place to live...very busy with fairly long commute times for a city our size. We have lived here for 20 years but are considering a move due to the increase of crime and decrease in affordable housing in decent areas that is available in Ocala.

[Comment on this Posting]

Ocala Florida - 8/21/2005

Sperlings information is dated! Ocala's real estate market is booming. Median price has risen 21% 4th Q of 2004 and 24% 1st Q of 2005. Insufficient infrastructure and poor planning will inevitably cause huge tax increases, either property or sales. Beautiful area of rolling hills and forests in the heart of the horse capital of the US.

[Comment on this Posting]