Called “Kingdom of the Sun,” the city of Ocala encompasses the beauty of Florida. It was originally a city hub to breed horses, and it’s still called the Horse Capital of the World! Many people are living in Ocala, and it’s led to one of the highest growth rates in the country. Though it’s not on the coast, the people of Ocala enjoy the nearby ocean with all the benefits of an affordable suburb.
Between delicious restaurants, stable schools, and close proximity to many employers, it’s no surprise that people are moving to Ocala. If you’re tired of asking, “Should I move to Ocala?” keep reading to check out our guide and get your answer.
Ocala Population & Demographics
With a population of 57,812, it’s a big enough town that you can have your space, but small enough that it’s not overrun with traffic. No one wants to deal with the tourist traffic around the ocean, and thankfully, you won’t have to!
Ocala is also a great city to live in for families. The median age is about 38.7 and there are many young kids. Beyond that, the Ocala demographics break down into 61.6% White, 19.4% Black, and 13.3% Hispanic. The poverty rate is about 20%, which is slightly above the national average. However, Ocala has friendly people and neighborhoods.
Looking for Ocala zip codes? The zipcodes inside Ocala are: 34470, 34471, 34474, 34475, 34479, 34480, 34481, and 34482. Ocala is in Marion County, and it’s the largest city, so it holds the county seat.
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Cost of Living in Ocala
When you’re planning on moving to Ocala, your cost of living is important! With a median income of $39,238 and median property prices at $121,800, it’s a fairly affordable city to live in considering the high cost of other Florida cities. In fact, it’s even below the national average.
Over 50% of people own their homes, and property prices are on the rise. It’s a great time to check out the current homes on the market and buy a home in Ocala, FL. For those who rent or lease homes, you can expect to pay an average of about $899.80 for a one-bedroom apartment or $1,200.00 for a three-bedroom apartment.
Daily Ocala Cost of Living
- Meal at an Ocala fast-food restaurant: $7.50
- Meal at a restaurant: $15.00
- A gallon of milk in Ocala: $3.54
- A dozen eggs: $1.94
- A pound of chicken: $3.85
Best Ocala Neighborhoods
Living in Ocala has never been easier when there are amazing and historic neighborhoods to choose from. Some of the best Ocala neighborhoods include Historic Downtown Ocala, Maricamp, Meadow Wood Farms, and upscale Westbury.
There are plenty of neighborhoods with different offerings. In the city center, you can expect apartments and urban-style living. In the suburb areas, like Westbury, you can find expensive, high-end homes close to golf courses. There are also neighborhoods for those who love horses and want to own a laidback farm!
If you’re moving to Ocala, you can plan to change your phone number and have an area code of 352.
If you want to make yourself a part of any of these communities, you should check out the latest listings for homes for sale in Largo, FL or let us introduce you to a local agent in the area.
Beautiful Ocala, FL Weather
Looking to get a tan and some extra vitamin D? If so, living in Ocala should be your future! With highs ranging from 70°F to 92°F in the summer, you’ll be experiencing gorgeous sunshine all year long. While it does rain in the winter, you can expect this only 5-10 days a month. Plan to keep your shorts out all year and throw away your jeans.
Florida is known for its hurricanes, but with the Ocala climate, you don’t have to worry. People love living in Ocala because it’s never been hit by a hurricane! Sure, it gets some remnants of tropical storms, but you can relax knowing that you’re good when hurricane season comes.
Things To Do & Restaurants in Ocala
If you relocate to Ocala you will find delicious food and fun things to do! Thankfully, you’re in luck. Living in Ocala is great because there are beautiful parks, fun museums, and enough delicious food that you’ll never want to cook again. Ocala, FL also has some very convenient shopping, including Lowes, WalMart, Home Depot, Regal Cinema, and Paddock Mall. Check out some of the top things to do and restaurants in Ocala:
Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing
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This museum has all the racing cars you could dream of–from way back when to modern-day! It’s one of the many great things to do with kids in Ocala.
Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing, 13700 SW 16th Ave, Ocala, FL 34473 (352) 245-8661
Sholom Park
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Home to 44 acres of botanical gardens, Sholom Park is known for its entertainment. From weddings to birthdays, people come here to look at the stunning agriculture every day.
Shalom Park, 7110 SW 80th Ave, Ocala, FL 34481 (352) 873-0848 ext.7650
Silver Springs State Park
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If you’re looking for things to do with your family in Ocala, Silver Springs State Park is one of the top choices! This picturesque landscape has a river, nature trails, picnic spots, and more.
Silver Springs State Park, 5656 E Silver Springs Blvd, Silver Springs, FL 34488 (352)261-5840
Brooklyn’s Backyard
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Restaurants in Ocala are a dime a dozen, but Brooklyn’s Backyard is a true gem. With the craft beers, pub-style burgers, and over 1,000 positive reviews, you can count on good food!
Brooklyn’s Backyard, 2019 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, FL 34470 (352) 304-6292
Amrit Palace
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For tongue-buzzing Indian food you won’t be able to forget, check out Amrit Palace. This top-rated Ocala restaurant is known for delicious samosas and curries.
Amrit Palace, 3415 SW College Rd, Ocala, FL 34474 (352) 873-8500
Ocala Job Opportunities
Moving to Ocala can be a dream come true for someone looking for a good place of employment. With 23,000 employees in Ocala, the average commute is a modest 19 minutes, which means you won’t have to go far. The most common job is in healthcare where over 4,000 people work. There are also many people who work in retail and sales, food services, and finance. No matter what your experience is, there are always current job openings in Ocala to apply for.
Best Ocala Schools
If you’re moving to Ocala with your family, schools may be one of the most important things you look at. Thankfully, Ocala has many schools that are rated above the national average in elementary, middle, and Ocala high schools. On top of that, the College of Central Florida awards many degrees to higher education students.
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Living In Ocala Tips
- Work in Ocala at one of the many jobs for a small commute
- Enjoy neighborhoods that are urban-style, farm-style, and suburban-style
- Check out the local parks for gorgeous nature trails and clear rivers
- Ocala’s low cost of living is perfect for young families
- Get a great education while living in Ocala
Planning on moving to Ocala, FL? This city is fun to live in, and Ocala to Orlando is only an 80-minute drive, which means you can enjoy Disneyworld and Universal Studios whenever you’d like.
With the above-average schools, low cost of living, and gorgeous surrounding scenery, Ocala, FL has everything families are looking for. When you’re ready to call this awesome city home, 2 College Brothers is ready to help you with your move. Our Ocala moving company employs highly trained and professional movers that can get the job done.
Give us a call at 352-448-9095 or fill out the form to the side for a free Ocala moving estimate today!
