Ocala listed homes open the door to amazing lifestyles. Tucked into north central Florida in a region known as “horse country,” Ocala offers visitors extraordinary vistas. Winding community pathways lined with oak trees and dangling trellises of Spanish moss greet you. They offer the opportunity to explore miles of untainted nature.

But Ocala is more than a focal point for the equine industry. It sits at the center of a network of parks and nature reserves. The largest of these is the Ocala National Forest, a network of lakes and treed landscapes that is home to a wide variety of wild inhabitants. Here you can hike, boat, fish and enjoy lounging in natural spring waters.

If you find the prospect of canoeing down a crystal clear stream amid the largest sand pine forest in the world appealing, you will appreciate Ocala and surrounding Marion County. Local freshwater streams, rolling hills and clean air attract visitors as they have for decades. These natural wonders have served as backdrops for Hollywood films. Silver Springs, a national landmark and nature reserve on 350 acres, features world famous glass bottom boats. In fact, they are Florida’s “original attraction.”

For more information, visit our sister site, Amazing Ocala.

Ocala’s Climate

Warm weather dominates the year, but Ocala also features a taste of winter. Local temperatures dip to near or below freezing a few times a year. Summer is typically wet, hot and humid here. Additionally, afternoon thunderstorms make the local xeriscape bloom. Spring and fall usher in a multitude of festivals. Residents and visitors enjoy moderate temperatures during these seasons. Additionally, hurricane season is usually quiet, since the area’s central location offers protection from the worst of storms.

A Wide Variety Of Lifestyle Choices, A Diverse Community

The Ocala metro area features a diverse population. Our community serves as much more than a retirement haven. In fact retirees are a minority here. While many retirees are active in community affairs, the majority of our population is under 40 years of age. However, many older residents do flock here to avoid cold northern winters. They take advantage of the many leisure activities offered in our town and at 55-plus communities. 

We also envision Ocala becoming an epicurean haven. Our town is already home to a few elegant fine dining establishments and many casual restaurants serving delicious fare. But with the opening of the World Equestrian Center expected early in 2021, many more amazing dining options will open to cater to our growing population. The jewel of these establishments will be a fine dining establishment that is part of the W.E.C. experience.

As Ocala attracts chefs and restauranteurs from all over the world, we anticipate many exciting new culinary adventures. As chartered members of foodies anonymous, we will savor “dining around town” opportunities and explore and report on many of them.

The Doorway To Economic Opportunity

Our town sits at the center of a county whose economy is largely dependent on the equine industry. As we have pointed out elsewhere, this industry brings $3 billion in revenue into our community annually. However, The World Equestrian Center will finally open its doors in early 2021 and will impact our economy as no other single business ever has. It is expected to trigger a growth never before experienced here. As a result, the W.E.C. will cause the contribution of the equine industry to more than triple over a period of a few years. Of course, we will continue to report on both the W.E.C. and the equine industry in our posts.

Additionally, our new World Equestrian Center caters to equestrians from around the world and spawns job creation and brisk economic growth. With all that it has to offer, Ocala is a great place to call home. So why not search Ocala listed homes online. Your dream home may be but a click away