Is Ocala really that bad? (Tampa, Orlando: for rent, sex offenders, high crime)

[mommyjnny]

We are a family with young children that are homeschooled. My husband may be transferred down with his job to Ocala so we would be making the move from Illinois. We were down in Ocala a few months ago in the Marion Oaks area and thought it was nice. Now, after reading this forum I am starting to freak out! We are from a smaller town here so used to driving to get where we need to go. We are looking for a nice smaller type town with reasonable prices.....not the 200,000 for a 2 bedroom cookie cutter house we have here.
What are other areas in Ocala to look into? Thanks! We will rent at first and need a 3 bedroom. Don't want to pay more than 850 for rent if possible.

[=^..^=]

I suggest you do rent before buying a home in Ocala or anywhere else. I personally like the city of Ocala but we have no children to concern us and only spend the winter in the area. We stay out in Belleview where it's like country once off the main roads, quiet and plenty of shopping close by.

[dontaskwhy]

OP, I suggest you search somewhere outside of Marion Oaks. There are several areas that I feel are more family friendly. An area that you could rent in is Fore Ranch so that you could get to know the area better to make a decision later to buy a home. Hope this is useful.

[aranamor]

It seems family-friendly enough to me. Aside from the fact that people seem to be too lazy to drive to the dump and instead leave their refuse in my woods, I've never found anything really wrong with the place. It also seems unfair to say that gangs control the basketball courts, as all I've ever seen at most was a bunch of guys playing a game, and they're pretty courteous anyway.

[deeni]

I lived in Ocala for two years and am now thinking of moving back with my one year old. Ocala is a very small town...one movie theater, high unemployment, no upscale shopping, and a very slow feel. However, my husband and I found everything we needed there. And anytime we felt like we wanted big city amenities we took day trips to Tampa or Orlando. If we wanted to see the ocean, we took a day trip to Daytona. If we wanted to be around a college town, we took a drive to Gainesville to get lunch. I loved the proximity to everything. There are bad neighborhoods but they are easy to stay away from. I think $850 is very reasonable for rent. We rented a 2 bedroom for $825 although this was a few years ago. One thing I hated about the area was that our neighbors let their dogs run free quite frequently. These were pit bulls and rotties. Sometimes I would be stuck in the house while I waited for a roaming dog to leave my yard. Also the bugs are a mess down there. If you are like me, always have a phone book or large book ready to squash them. Little tree frogs would cover our door during certain times (and would sadly get stuck in the door jamb). Swarms of love bugs making it impossible to be outside. Yuck!

[FloridaHappy]

Originally Posted by deeni

I lived in Ocala for two years and am now thinking of moving back with my one year old. Ocala is a very small town...one movie theater, high unemployment, no upscale shopping, and a very slow feel. However, my husband and I found everything we needed there. And anytime we felt like we wanted big city amenities we took day trips to Tampa or Orlando. If we wanted to see the ocean, we took a day trip to Daytona. If we wanted to be around a college town, we took a drive to Gainesville to get lunch. I loved the proximity to everything. There are bad neighborhoods but they are easy to stay away from. I think $850 is very reasonable for rent. We rented a 2 bedroom for $825 although this was a few years ago. One thing I hated about the area was that our neighbors let their dogs run free quite frequently. These were pit bulls and rotties. Sometimes I would be stuck in the house while I waited for a roaming dog to leave my yard. Also the bugs are a mess down there. If you are like me, always have a phone book or large book ready to squash them. Little tree frogs would cover our door during certain times (and would sadly get stuck in the door jamb). Swarms of love bugs making it impossible to be outside. Yuck!

Ocala is a small town? Try 60,000+. Marion County is larger than the whole state of Rhode Island. How long ago were you here? We have several movie theaters, 5 Walmarts (I know, not upscale), Paddock Mall with Macy's, etc., more shopping than you can get done in a day. You can rent a nice 3 bedroom house here for $750 a month and furnish it through the myriad of furniture stores, thrift shops, and 3, count 'em, 3 flea markets. I can point you to stores that will sell you a couch for $10,000 or one that will sell you one for $50.

High crime areas are Marion Oaks and Silver Springs Shores. That may be where you had your dog problem. We do have animal control and all you have to do is pick up the phone to call them. Love bugs are only around for 2 weeks in May and September and since it's been so dry there are no "swarms" any more. I haven't seen a roach (but I do tend to keep my kitchen clean), snake, or alligator outside captivity since I moved here 3 years ago.

I would suggest you rent, though, for a while until you decide what part of the county you want to live in. I don't recommend Dunnellon (lived there 2 years before buying my current home in SW Ocala) as there seems to be a lot of drugs and trashy people there. The county publishes a booklet once a year with all the sex offenders in it and there are a lot in Dunnellon!

Good luck on your move.

[deeni]

I lived in Philly most of my life so yes Ocala is a small town. I honestly don't know how anyone can classify it as otherwise. The Paddock Mall is the only "real" mall. I do not consider Walmart and fleamarkets to be excellent shopping venues. I know they built an outside mall nearby since I left and that was the talk of the town while I lived there. And yes I kept my house clean but those big black roaches are not from a dirty house. We lived in SW Ocala across from the Paddock Mall...not a high crime area. Animal control was called several times and did nothing. Sorry but your viewpoint is obviously very different from mine. No need for sarcasm and your post came off as attacking my point of view which is very tacky.

[mommyjnny]

Thanks for the opinions, etc. What are the good zip codes to look in? Thanks again!

[kshe95girl]

Originally Posted by deeni

I lived in Philly most of my life so yes Ocala is a small town. I honestly don't know how anyone can classify it as otherwise. The Paddock Mall is the only "real" mall. I do not consider Walmart and fleamarkets to be excellent shopping venues. I know they built an outside mall nearby since I left and that was the talk of the town while I lived there. And yes I kept my house clean but those big black roaches are not from a dirty house. We lived in SW Ocala across from the Paddock Mall...not a high crime area. Animal control was called several times and did nothing. Sorry but your viewpoint is obviously very different from mine. No need for sarcasm and your post came off as attacking my point of view which is very tacky.

Gee, you've been gone 5 years then.
I dont know if I would post derogatory comments about a town that I hadnt lived in for 5 years, and then have the temerity to complain when someone called me out for my lack of knowledge of what I was speaking of.
Just sayin'.

[deeni]

Gee, another snarky post from someone. I loved the city. Said I would even want to go back. But it is a small city. I honestly don't know why anyone took any offense to my post. Actually your Location is listed as "slocala" and has a "sigh" listed next to it. Gee, that seems to be a slight on the city too. Should I get offended at that??? I don't need to be "called out" for anything. I am entitled to my opinion too. Sorry, but your post is just as tacky.

ETA: Don't waste your time replying as you are on my ignore list and I am not wasting my time defending my post any longer.

To the original poster: I am sorry that the thread become sort of argumentative. My post was in no way meant to start a debate. Good luck to you!