Ocala

Silver Spring Shores sits along the edge of Florida's first tourist attraction, Silver Springs State Park. Since the late 1800s, visitors have flocked to Silver Spring State Park to ride on the nation's first glass-bottom boat. However, this area was destined to be more than just a tourist hub. Today, the region surrounding the park is considered one of Ocala's main residential pockets. "Silver Spring Shores runs for miles," says Realtor Sue Amsden of Coldwell Banker Ellison Realty. Amsden has lived in Ocala for over 50 years, selling homes for close to 10. "A lot of homes were built back in the older days, but because there's so much land here, new houses continue to pop up today. It's a promising area at an affordable price point." Most properties in Silver Spring Shores qualify for first-time buyer incentive programs, so the area is home to many first-time homeowners. The community saw consistent development from the 1970s through the first decade of the 21st century. This development predominantly included ranch styles and contemporary bungalows that often feature between 1,000 and 1,500 square feet. But a few homes exceed 2,000 square feet, offering four bedrooms. While a few houses cost around $100,000, a few larger homes reach $500,000. Houses are spread out on moderately woodsy lots between a quarter and a half-acre. And most roads are narrow, without central paint and sidewalks, so the community has a rural feel. Kids growing up in Silver Spring Shores attend Marion County Public Schools, which earned a B on Niche. Students kickstart their education at Emerald Shores Elementary School, which has a student-to-teacher ratio of 17-to-1 and a C-plus on Niche. Students advance to Lake Weir Middle School, also earning a C-plus on Niche. Students head to Lake Weir High School to earn their diplomas. The high school hosts the Cambridge AICE Program, which provides students access to scholarships or to earn college credits. Niche gave the high school an overall B-minus. Locals meet their neighbors at the Silver Spring Shores Community Center. "My husband used to be in politics, so I've been in the community center quite a few times for his meetings," Amsden says. "It's a good place for meetings and a great spot for families to bring their kids." Members enjoy access to recreational amenities, like tennis and basketball courts, swimming pools and a playground. Inside, there's a gaming room with air hockey, table tennis and an electronic gaming center. Adjacent to the community center is The Country Club at Silver Spring Shores, sitting along the banks of the Marshall Swamp Wildlife Management Area. The golf course features a scenic backdrop with diverse wildlife. Golfers additionally enjoy a day on the links at Lake Diamond Club and Baseline Golf Course. Kids in Silver Spring Shores have several places to hang out. The Rotary Sportsplex of Marion County is a nearby venue that hosts baseball leagues for kids ages four through 15. Younger children enjoy Ralph Russel Park, which has a playground and softball field. State Route 464 is the community's primary thoroughfare and commercial hub, with many big box stores and restaurants. Heather Island Shopping Center sits just off 464, featuring a Publix, plus a few restaurants and service businesses. A Walmart Supercenter sits across the street from Heather Island, and adjacent to the Walmart is an Aldi for additional shopping needs. For a meal out of the house, locals have several options. Decorated with wagon wheels and cow hides, Southern Pig & Cattle Co. serves char-grilled steaks and smoked meats. When craving comfort food, residents head to Crunchies & Munchies, a local bistro known for fried chicken and savory baked beans. Inside Los Magueyes Mexican Restaurant, locals will find chairs covered in colorful murals and tables filled with enchiladas and sizzling fajitas. Silver Spring Shores is about 10 miles from Ocala's historic downtown, and locals typically hop on 464 to reach the city center. If locals need public transportation, the SunTran bus services most Marion County communities. In case of an emergency, Advent Health has an ER facility based in Belleview, just 6 miles away. Ocala International Airport is about 15 miles away when locals need to catch a flight.

Fort King, Brick City, Six Gun, Silver Springs, there’s a lot of local history still evident in the names of businesses and places in Northeast Ocala. Founded in 1846 near the U. S. Army post of Fort King, Ocala is a small to medium city and is the county seat of Marion County.<br><br>As you drive down Silver Springs Boulevard, you’ll notice a lot of businesses in the area named Silver Springs. That’s because nearby is the Old Florida attraction Silver Springs, famous since the mid-1800s for its natural beauty and glass bottom boats. Today Silver Springs is a Florida state park.<br><br>Also on Silver Springs Boulevard is Six Gun Plaza. Once a wild west theme park, six gun is today Ocala’s largest shopping center. <br><br>In 1883, a fire devastated much of downtown. The city was rebuilt of brick, unusual for Florida back then, and so today Ocala is known as the Brick City.<br><br>Northeast Ocala is a reflection of these older times, with mid-century modern homes and quiet streets lined with ancient live oaks drenched in Spanish moss. With plenty of attractions, shopping and cultural activities, Northeast Ocala is a blending of Old Florida and new Florida lifestyles.<br><br>Northeast Ocala is an Old Florida neighborhood. That is people were moving here in the 1950s and some of the current homes date from that time. Overall there is wide variety of home styles and vintages, single family homes, apartments and condos. Lot sizes range from less than ¼-acre to half acre or more and many of the older streets are lined with old live oaks covered with Spanish moss.<br><br>Northeast Ocala was once the gateway to Silver Springs, one of Florida’s original theme parks. Today it’s Silver Springs State Park, located on the eastern border of Northeast Ocala. Just north is the 4466-acre Indian Lake State Forest and just east is the Ocala National Forest, 672 square miles of wilderness. South of Silver Springs is the Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center featuring exhibits on Florida’s natural history.<br><br>Ocala long timers may remember Six Gun Territory, a 1960s old west theme park. Today it’s Six Gun Shopping Plaza, Ocala's largest Shopping Center.<br><br>The Appleton Museum of Art is one of Florida’s premier art museums, home to an eclectic collection of American, European, and Asian artworks.<br><br>On the campus of the Appleton Museum is the Ocala Civic Theatre, home to the Marion Players, presenting professional theater and theater classes to the community.<br><br>The main branch of the Marion County Public Library is located at 2720 East Silver Springs Boulevard and features children’s programs and special events.<br><br>The Ocala Model Railroaders' Historic Preservation Society hosts a free to the public bi-monthly open house with model trains and demonstrations.<br><br>Northeast Ocala is home to eight vastly different parks. Chazal Park and Wyomina Park are small neighborhood parks with walking paths and children’s playgrounds. At Fort King Municipal Tennis Center, you can play a game of tennis or get lessons. <br><br>Ocala/Marion County Veterans’ Memorial Park honors local veterans, and Fort King National Historic Landmark takes you back to Florida in the Seminole War.<br><br>Both the Heritage Nature Conservancy and Jim Kirk Park feature hiking and nature trails, children’s playgrounds, picnic tables, and are pet friendly. Silver Springs Conservation Area is 330 acres of hiking trails, native plants and animals, and are also pet friendly.<br><br>There are four public and private schools in the Northeast Ocala neighborhood for children kindergarten through 12th grade. Montessori Preparatory School of Ocala is a private school for infants through 5th grade. Wyomina Park Elementary School and Oakcrest Elementary School are both public schools for grades prekindergarten through fifth. Fort King Middle School is a public school serving sixth through eighth grades.<br><br>Most people think of Florida as beaches, but Ocala, located in north central Florida, is more like rolling hills. The lifestyle is slower and more country than city. <br><br>The overall cost of living for the area is below both the national and state averages. However, utilities are more expensive and are above those averages. Healthcare and groceries are both on the higher end and housing is on the lower end.<br><br>Ocala is located at the crossroads of two major highways, U.S. 301 and State Road 40. Interstate 75 is on the city’s west side.<br><br>There are no hospitals in Northeast Ocala, but the Marion County Hospital District is about 5 miles away on the southwest side of the city. <br><br>There are no major airports in Ocala, although there are several general aviation airports in the county. The nearest commercial airports serving Delta and American Airlines are Gainesville Regional Airport, about 45 miles north, and Dayton Beach International Airport, 70 miles east. Orlando International Airport is 94 miles away.

Southeast Ocala mixes historic charm and modern comfort with access to parks, a hip dining scene and high-ranking public schools. “We have everything you need, but it still feels like a small town,” says Brandon Perry, a Realtor with Newgate Realty LLC, who has been selling homes in the area for a decade. According to Perry, people move here because of the weather, but also because of the lack of state taxes. “The cost of living is significantly less than in areas closer to the beach,” he says. The area is known as the horse capital of the world and has about 600 horse farms in the area. Ocala is home to the World Equestrian Center — Ocala, which hosts horse races, beauty pageants and other community events like an Easter celebration. “There’s lots of outdoor activity in Florida, but especially in Ocala,” Perry says. Southeast Ocala also offers neighborhood and pocket parks, including Fisher Park, Walker Park and Carriage Hill Playground. Jervey Gantt Park is the go-to outdoor destination for athletes, with four T-ball fields, basketball, volleyball, racquetball and tennis courts, as well as an aquatics center. Residents can take their fur babies to nearby Letty Towles Dog Park. For indoor sports and activities, residents visit the Frank DeLuca YMCA Family Center. Outdoor enthusiasts seek a more relaxing experience by heading to Ocala Nature Park to sit on the dock hanging over the man-made pond. Here, they spy on turtles below the water or watch flocks of white ibises hover overhead. Golfers can tee off at nearby Ocala Golf Club, a public course featuring 18 holes of gentle sloping fairways and white sand bunkers. Most shopping is concentrated along Silver Springs Boulevard to the north and on Pine Avenue or College Road to the west. Residents will find Target, Home Depot, Sam’s Club and the Paddock Mall. For a morning pick-me-up, people stop by Symmetry Coffee Company for specialty coffee and hand-crafted crepes. Funky and hip Blue Highway, a local favorite, dishes out specialty pizzas, calzones and pasta. With Downtown Ocala within walking distance, residents can visit any of downtown’s fine dining restaurants, such as Katya Vineyards. Featuring an extensive wine list, this rustic-chic establishment serves high-end entrees — such as filet mignon and crab stuffed lobster tail — alongside personalized wine pairings. The majority of Southeast Ocala homes are midcentury brick ranch-style houses and traditional concrete block homes ranging from $250,000 to $500,000. Larger Spanish Revivals on spacious lawns range from $400,000 to $650,000. Southeast Ocala also encompasses the Ocala Historic District, where homebuyers will find a variety of architecture from 1880 to 1930, including Victorian homes with ornate porch details, 1920s bungalows and Queen Anne homes with cross-gabled roofs. These homes range from $800,000 to $2 million. Marion County Public Schools serves children in the area, with a B from Niche. Young kids may attend Dr. N.H. Jones Elementary, which receives an A-minus. Children have the option of moving on to Osceola Middle School, which earns a B-plus. The school has many career-based programs like the Future Business Leaders of America and the Future Farmers of America. Students can advance to West Port High School, which earns an A-minus and offers magnet programs in subjects like the arts. Families can have a fun day at Skate A Way South, a colorful, retro-style rink that’s one of only two skating rinks in all of Ocala. On the weekends, people head to the Ocala Drive-in Theatre to watch classic movies in a vintage setting. It's open to the public seven days a week, all year round, including holidays. The same area transforms into the Ocala Downtown Market on Saturday mornings, where residents can enjoy live music and local vendors, and purchase fresh produce. When residents aren’t riding horses through paved trails, they’ll be driving on Florida State Route 464 — typically referred to as Southeast Maricamp Road — to reach work and other desired destinations. Major employers in the area include the HCA Florida Maricamp Emergency, the HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and the HCA Florida West Marion Hospital. This medical system brings in many out-of-state doctors who have been recruited to work in the area, according to Perry. Commuters reach work through the public bus, with convenient stops throughout the area. The Ocala International Airport is just 7 miles away.

Ocala is the county seat of Marion County and Marion County is known as the Horse Capital of the World. That’s because over the years, the area has been home to many of horse racing’s top champions, so you may notice several equestrian centers and horse ranches in Northwest Ocala. Home buying options, therefore, can range from smaller city lots to several acres or ranchettes in the country. <br><br>With a mild climate, outdoor activities can be enjoyed year-round and there are several parks in the area where you can hike or play sports. There are also a couple of unique venues where you can soar over a canyon on a zip line or take your ATV out for the ultimate drive.<br><br>Connected to the outside world by three major highways, Northwest Ocala is a great place to live and work in Florida.<br><br>Northwest Ocala is an eclectic mixture of older homes, manufactured homes and apartments, along with a variety of businesses and industries. Residential streets are narrow and heavily shaded. Lot sizes range from ¼-acre to ½-acre or more, and you can even find homes with several acres as you travel north of the city limit.<br><br>A variety of local businesses can be found in Northwest Ocala, but there are no shopping malls or plazas. Big Midget Meat and Produce is a unique grocery market that has been serving the area for more than a generation, offering fresh meats and poultry, cheeses, and fresh and frozen vegetables.<br><br>One of Florida’s more unique attractions is Canyons Zip Line and Adventure Park. Built on an old phosphate mine, the park features zip lines over lakes, nature tours and horseback riding.<br><br>The Ocala Wellness Community Garden is a place to let it grow. For a yearly nominal fee that includes raised beds, soil, tools and water, participants can grow their own gardens.<br><br>For a fee, you can bring your own off-road vehicle to Hardrock Offroad Park and experience a two-mile loop trail with an elevation of 291 feet. There’s also a campground with 50 full hook-up sites.<br><br>Northwest Ocala has several parks managed by the City of Ocala. Tom’s Park, Lamb Park and Lillian F. Bryant Park all have children’s playgrounds, and Lillian Bryant Park also has a splash pad. Ocala Wetlands Recharge Park features over a mile of paved walking trails on a former golf course. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Complex is three parks in one with a recreation center, an aquatic center, athletic fields, picnic tables and shelters, and restrooms.<br><br>There are two schools located within the Northwest Ocala community. Madison Street Academy of Visual and Performing Arts is a magnet school serving elementary age students in kindergarten through fifth grade with a focus on fine arts, communication and technology.<br><br>Howard Middle School serves grades sixth through eighth and is a magnet school offering programs with the International Baccalaureate and STEAM, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics.<br><br>Lifestyles vary within Northwest Ocala depending on where you are in the community. Residential neighborhoods closer to downtown, particularly those near parks, can be walkable, but a car is necessary the farther north you go. <br><br>Employment opportunities also vary. Along with local services and hospitality businesses, several national industries operate in the community including Silver Springs Bottled Water Company and Capris Furniture Industries. Amazon has a distribution center here as does AutoZone and Chewy, the dogfood company.<br><br>Northwest Ocala is bordered by Interstate 75 on the west, U. S. Highway 301 on the east and State Road 40 on the south. You can go from the west coast beaches of Florida to the east coast beaches on SR 40. I-75 takes you north or south as does Highway 301. <br><br>Although Ocala claims to have an international airport, the facility is for general aviation flights only. The nearest commercial airport is Gainesville Regional Airport about 45 miles north which serves Delta and American Airlines.

Marion County is known as the world's horse capital, and with the state-of-the-art World Equestrian Center only 4 miles away, it makes sense that Southwest Ocala is one of the most populated areas in the county. It's a residential extension of the equestrian center, developed to accommodate Ocala's growth. "Marion County is horse country," says Realtor Sue Amsden Ellison Realty. "I've lived here for over 50 years and have seen the shift first-hand. I've watched it become the primary reason people move here, especially since the World Equestrian Center was developed." The neighborhood offers proximity to the Equestrian Center and many spots to shop and eat. Southwest Ocala features a variety of homes that cater to both suburban dwellers and rural denizens. The neighborhood has several planned developments, like The Meadows at Heath Brook, Saddlecreek and Cimarron. These subdivisions were developed from the tail-end of the 1900s, well into the 21st century, with contemporary bungalows and colonials. Most suburban developments in Southwest Ocala feature sidewalk-lined, leafy streets with community amenities like pools and tennis courts. Brighton is a small luxury, gated townhome community, and The Saddle Oak Club and Fairfield Village feature mobile homes. The Timberwood community offers a more rural feel. The community has expansive, ranch-style homes on a spacious, woodsy acre of land, so residents have more space than a traditional suburban development. Houses mostly cost between $200,000 and $400,000. Florida Aquatics Swimming and Training is a full-service aquatics center with an indoor pool and an outdoor splash pad. Through their Cannonball Kidz program, they offer free swimming lessons and water safety education for all Marion County third graders. The facility has several memberships offering daily and year-round use, swim lessons and competitive swimming. Polly Palmer Park is a popular outdoor respite featuring a half-mile walking trail that circles two ponds. The trail has several benches shaded by mature, mossy oak trees. Ocala Regional Sportsplex is a nearby 80-acre park with sports fields for soccer, football and softball, exercise equipment, picnic shelters and grills and a children's playground. Students attend Marion County Public Schools, which earned a B on Niche. Many kids kickstart their education at Saddlewood Elementary School, which has a student-to-teacher ratio of 16-to-1 and an overall B-plus on Niche. Students progress to Liberty Middle School, which Niche gave a B-minus. Students head to West Port High School to earn their degrees. The high school has a few robust academic programs, like the Marion County Center for the Arts Programs. The art programs allow students to nurture their artistic abilities through centralized course studies, offering access to resources like a dance studio, a 3D art lab, a dark room and a soundproof music production room. Niche gave the high school an overall A-minus. Branching from the intersection of Interstate 75 and State Route 200 is a large mix of shopping and dining options. There's a Sam's Club and Publix, among ample fast-food restaurants. Market Street at Heath Brook is a popular shopping destination in Southwest Ocala. The outdoor mall features national retailers like Dillard's, Marshalls and HomeGoods. Plus, bookworms browse Barnes and Noble, shoe lovers find their fit at DSW and athletes grab new gear at Dick's Sporting Goods. And the mall has several options for dinner. Las Margaritas is a vibrant spot for savory Mexican favorites, EDO Sushi is popular for its rolls and noodle dishes and Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar is a hit for its seafood. Shoppers also explore the stores at Paddock Mall. The mall features department stores like Macy's, JCPenney and American Eagle, among 70 additional stores. Residents primarily drive in Southwest Ocala, but a few pockets of the neighborhood, like State Route 200, are serviced by the SunTran bus system. The area is near busy highways like Interstates 75 and 40, and downtown Ocala is about 6 miles away. "Southwest Ocala is where the major roads are, so it's a busier area of Ocala," Amsden says. Healthcare is provided by HCA Florida West Marion Hospital, a 186-bed hospital and full-service emergency room. Although there is an airport, the Ocala International Airport is for general aviation only. The closest commercial airport is Gainesville Regional Airport, about 45 miles north.

Downtown Ocala is an embodiment of Old Florida. The community got its name from an early indigenous tribe, Timucuan, who named their village "Ocali," meaning "Big Hammock." It started to develop in the 1840s as the first commercial center in Marion County. However, after a big fire in 1883, the town had to take some time to redevelop significantly. Today, it's a vibrant National Register Historic District with several of its original late 19th and early 20th century buildings. Its walkable, busy streets are lined with local businesses and bright murals that intersect historic centers, blending history and modernity. "Downtown Ocala is a very calm community," says Realtor Delaney Mellucci of the Truluck Team at Sellstate Next Generation Realty. "You get a big city vibe in a small town with all sorts of events. In fact, there's an event by the Square almost every month." Downtown Ocala's historic district is a blend of small businesses and residences that date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Buyers will find Victorians, four squares with brick and stone facades and bungalows with wide verandas and tin roofs. Since houses are a bit older, many have been renovated. Some maintain their original fixtures, including wood cabinetry, ornate crown moldings and built-ins. There are also some townhomes along Watula Avenue that cost $800,000. Bigger, 3,000-square-foot homes can cost close to $600,000, while smaller, 1,100-square-foot homes can cost as low as $250,000. Downtown Ocala streets are walkable and covered with mossy oaks. Kids growing up in Downtown Ocala attend Marion County Public Schools, which earned an overall B on Niche. Many students kickstart their education at Eighth Street Elementary School, which has a student-to-teacher ratio of 16-to-1 and earned an A-minus on Niche. Students progress to Osceola Middle School, which Niche gave a B-plus and ranked as the best public middle school in Marion County. Students head to Vanguard High School to earn their degrees. The high school hosts the Future Educators Academy, designed for students interested in a career in education. Niche gave the high school an overall A-minus. Ocala's Historic Downtown Square is the center of the community and a beacon of local events, like First Friday Art Walks and live music every Friday and Saturday. Benches, manicured trees and a small walking path surround the Square's octagonal center. And during Christmas, it lights up with the help of the towering Christmas tree. Locals also enjoy the outdoors at Tuscawilla Park, which features a children's playground, tennis and basketball courts and several picnic areas. Tuscawilla's paved trail meets the park's central lake, which has dancing fountains and meandering ducks. Locals also stroll through Tuscawilla's Art Park, enjoying ornate art displays that scatter two acres. Or residents head to Tuscawilla Park's Reilly Arts Center, home to the Ocala Symphony Orchestra. The center is home to various dynamic musical productions, with 700 available seats. Several restaurants and markets with various goods and flavors scatter Downtown Ocala's. Locals start their day with high-quality espresso beverages and fresh-made breakfast items at The Gathering Café. For lunch and dinner, options abound. Ivy on the Square's rustic yet antique aesthetic features a full bar and sandwich options, like fried green tomato BLTs. Brick City Southern Kitchen and Whiskey Bar is a low-key spot where locals sip whiskey and enjoy the rich barbecue. Harry's Seafood Bar and Grille is a well-known Ocala hit in a high-traffic area across the Square, known for its red beans and rice with smoked sausage. "There's often music in the Square on the weekends, so locals waiting for their table can walk to the Square to hang out and listen to music," Mellucci says. Locals who want to make a meal at home can grab locally sourced produce on Saturdays at Ocala Downtown Market. "The market is packed on the weekends, and you can get standard produce, but several vendors are selling personalized merchandise." And a Publix is off 17th Street, offering big-box options. While Downtown Ocala is a walkable neighborhood, it's served by the SunTran bus system. The nearest commercial airport is Gainesville Regional Airport, about 45 miles north. HCA Florida Ocala Hospital is just south if locals need a doctor.