What BestPlaces Users Say about Ocala
Ocala, Florida is a small city located in the northern part of the state, known for its scenic landscapes and equestrian culture. With a population of just over 60,000, Ocala offers a slower pace of life compared to larger cities in Florida. However, living in Ocala does not come without its own set of pros and cons, as evident from the numerous user reviews on bestplaces.net. Many users have shared their experiences of living in Ocala, highlighting various aspects such as the cost of living, job opportunities, and community atmosphere.
According to JohnD, who has been living in Ocala for 5 years, the city has a "friendly and welcoming community" that makes it a great place to raise a family. He also mentions the affordable cost of living and the abundance of outdoor activities in the area. Another user, AmyW, echoes the sentiment, stating that Ocala has a "small town feel with big city amenities." She also praises the education system in Ocala, citing her children's positive experience in the local schools.
On the other hand, not all reviewers share a positive outlook on living in Ocala. SarahL, who has lived in the city for 10 years, expresses her disappointment with the lack of job opportunities and the slow pace of development. She writes, "There are not many job opportunities here, and the ones that are available pay very low wages. The city seems to be stuck in time, with no significant growth or development." Similarly, RonB has mixed feelings about Ocala, stating that while the cost of living is low, it comes at the expense of limited job opportunities and a lack of diversity in the community.
In conclusion, user reviews on living in Ocala, Florida provide a diverse range of opinions and experiences. While some appreciate the city's friendly community and affordable cost of living, others highlight the challenges of finding employment and the slow pace of development. Ultimately, living in Ocala may be a good fit for those seeking a quieter and more affordable lifestyle, but it may not be the ideal location for those looking for a fast-paced and diverse community.
based on 56 ReviewsGet to know Ocala with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited Ocala
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
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Ocal, Fl - 9/15/2007
If you can afford to be a 'Heat' bird, go north for July and
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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