Thanks for Voting!
Ocala, FL is a beautiful city known for its historic downtown area that is rich with culture and great places to visit. The city is home to a variety of attractions, including the iconic Silver Springs State Park which offers visitors activities such as fishing, swimming, camping, and kayaking. Visitors also enjoy exploring the Appleton Museum of Art, which houses collections of European and American art. In addition to all these attractions, Ocala enjoys a vibrant nightlife scene with plenty of bars and restaurants. The downtown area has been recently revitalized making it an even more attractive destination for travelers looking for an authentic experience in central Florida.
Reviews of Ocala are overwhelmingly positive. Visitors rave about the friendly atmosphere and abundance of things to do in the city. Tourists find plenty of activities from nature trails to art galleries and everything in between. Those who visit report that they feel safe walking around town during both day and night time hours as there are numerous police officers patrolling the streets. With its unique blend of natural beauty, vibrant downtown life, and abundance of activities, Ocala has quickly become one of central Florida's most popular tourist destinations.
based on 56 ReviewsGet to know Ocala with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited Ocala
Ocala is great for Seniors - 12/10/2023
My wife and I have lived in Ocala as retirees since 2014 and we love it here. It is definitely a place for retired folks. There is lots to do here for us. As for young people, the place is not geared towards them because it is mainly a retirement town. When our grandkids visit, they are bored. But for us, there is the art walk downtown on Fridays which is very nice, and music in the park. Also there are good coffee shops, restaurants and bakeries downtown. It is a small downtown but it has a historical look to it which is quite pleasant. The town is divided by Silver Springs Blvd (N/S). We found more seniors living on the SW and SE side of town compared to NW or NE. So if you are looking for a lot of things for seniors to do, keep this in mind because many events you can even walk to depending on where you live. The largest community for seniors in Ocala is On Top Of the World in the SW part of town and this is a huge, expansive senior citizen development with many golf
Read More
Start Your Review of Ocala
Beautiful community ruined by crime - 12/14/2022
I lived here for 12 years during my 20's to early 30's. Raised my children and started careers. This place offered plenty of work, good neighbors and lots of memories. Downtown is pretty but small. One thing mentioned is violent crimes. Unfortunately, there was some horrible crimes that happened because of the people living in the Marion County area that would travel in the city of Ocala.
Read More
Nice small town - 6/21/2022
I like this city, a small town and a lot to offer for adults between 30 to seniors. Now if you planing to move with teens is not for you, unless you coming from another small town. We got a house in central Ocala our area is nice. Not many options on the internet, we pay a lot for ours since my husband work from home. I’m getting used to this City but is not for young
Read More
Ocala is a hidden GEM here in central florida - 3/6/2020
I have lived in Ocala Florida for 10 yrs. Moving from New England. It does indeed get hot here....IT'S FLORIDA. I am not a fan of the blistering cold of the northern states although I lived there for almost 50 yrs. although New England used to be charming to say the least you will be hard pressed to find that same charm today. Now for Ocala it is slower than New England thank goodness and as far as cleanliness goes it surpasses what the politicians are willing to do in N.E. this is one of the cleanest towns I have been in. Blight doesn't last long here they tear it down and rebuild faster than any town I've seen. The civic pride is outstanding and people here are constantly trying to improve what they offer the citizens. I had to learn to change the way I did things as far as the heat goes, like not doing yard work at high noon. Seems like Ocala has a handle on this by offering a lot of activities at night. I love it here and knew the minute I drove into town that this would be my
Read More
Why I Choose to Make Ocala Home - 12/18/2019
I have lived in different parts of FL from Miami to Live Oak. I have also lived in NH, VA, & SC. I have also made many extended visits to GA & TN many times in different seasons. I have resided in Ocala for the past 30 years. Ocala beats the snot out of ALL the large cities in FL (Ocala is meduim size) because our cost of housing is far cheaper, much less traffic with NO tolls, & less crime, central location to get to all the hot spot tourist traps, just far enough from the coast to buffer hurricanes and high insurance premiums. If someone states Ocala has crime they did not experience Maimi during the late 1970s & 80's or even lately! Ocala has access to more places and things to do within an hours drive than about anywhere else in the USA and you will not find better weather except for mid July - mid Oct but that's what all the water, shade trees & A/C is for. For the value, it is hard to beat
Read More
Skip the city, go to the forest - 8/12/2019
The city isn't really anything special but the real nice stuff is in the Ocala national forest with the freshwater springs and big lakes. I really think more people should visit them more often. they're beautiful, inexpensive and lots of fun to go to.
Read More
Don’t bother - 8/10/2019
Ocala is a good ol boy town with confederate flags and right wingers. If that’s your style you will love it here. Cost of living is low, paychecks are even lower. The traffic light system is not set up for traffic flow but for traffic congestion and there is a lot of that. Some say the slowest baddest drivers live here. Crime is very high.
Read More
Ocala Good place to live - 4/20/2019
I have been a resident since 1987 of Ocala, FL . I have raised 2 children hear. Like ever place it has its up and downs. But I choose to change the bad areas and make it better. It has nice parks, It has Horse farms and local events. If you are looking for Disney World this is not your place. There is ample employment if especially if you have credentials. If you have little to no education then the job market will likely be an issue. I find those struggling with employment usually failure to pass background checks and with failure to search hard. We do have Lockheed Martin and other large employers I am a Realtor and can help you with relocation. Fort King Realty,
Read More
Ocala Good place to live - 4/20/2019
I have been a resident since 1987 of Ocala, FL . I have raised 2 children hear. Like ever place it has its up and downs. But I choose to change the bad areas and make it better. It has nice parks, It has Horse farms and local events. If you are looking for Disney World this is not your place. There is ample employment if especially if you have credentials. If you have little to no education then the job market will likely be an issue. I find those struggling with employment usually failure to pass background checks and with failure to search hard. We do have Lockheed Martin and other large employers I am a Realtor and can help you with relocation. Fort King Realty,
Read More
Do NOT move to Ocala Florida - 8/20/2018
This is a very terrible place to live - believe me. There in NOTHING to do here. There are NO jobs and the pay for these jobs are pitiful. I came from Lovely Brandon (Tampa) and I am looking to return. I am a city girl and not a country bunkin, if thats what you like. Ocala has NOTHING to offer anyone except senior
Read More