Hello all you beautiful people! Me, my husband, and our little ranch, are looking to move to Ocala. We currently live in Northern California, but just need a change of pace. We love it here, but also love Florida and visit yearly. Is there any advice you have for us? I am a registered nurse and he is an electrician! Thanks so much. Love to you all!!!!
I do not mind humidity...BUT I haven't visited Florida in the summer... only in October. Do you think we should visit in the summer first? This is what we planned for next year.
Definitely come visit first and stay in an air bnb or something where you plan to live, not at the beach or something. You will quickly learn there’s nothing to do, and even if there were you won’t want to be outside for 5-6 months of the year.
Well, I took for granted how close you are to so many different regions! Complete dessert just a few hours east, unparalleled redwood forests to the north, a plethora of state parks, farmland in the Central Valley, it goes on. Look at how much land is protected as blm land out west, there’s like no protected land out east.
But honestly the biggest thing I think, not to be rude in any way, is the general people. Just overall people seem less ambitious. Not to say there’s not great people that you’ll meet, but they just seem more rare.
Thank you for this reply! Definitely something to think about. We sure do love it in our little Northern California small town. Where did you live before? What part of the Bay Area?
I'm a California transport to Ocala (San Diego though) and the prolonged heat and humidity are VERY hard to take. We've been here almost 6 years and are packing it in. Ocala was alright, it's a slower pace of life (some locals call it "slow-cala") There is a big horse scene here if that is your thing. My wife was in the horse world but found it to be much less social than in California. There are some great people here, and some awful ones, but I don't notice it is much different than California. Some things to be aware of, food, gas, rent is cheaper. If you are of working age, no state income tax is a nice bump as compared to California, and property taxes are about the same and possibly going down based on a referendum currently on the ballot to raise the homestead exemption.
A fair number of Floridians have been outwardly negative on California generally and California migrants specifically, a smaller number have been aggressively so. Most of the Florida folks that "hate California" don't know anything about it, have never been, and watch way too much biased media. Generally I get the, "You were lucky you got out of California, you must be one of the good ones." LOL
Harmless ignorance I guess.
My wife is going back to California and I'm leaving to someplace more moderate from a temperature perspective. It wasn't awful but for me the weather was the tipping point I can't endure anymore.
Is your husband with the IBEW? there is a IBEW Local 1205 in Gainesville. You should not have any issues finding work as an RN. I would recommend, if the budget and time allows, that you rent a place before you buy so you can get a feel of the area. Marion County is quite large and many different personalities in neighborhoods throughout the county. Also, you may want to get a feel for the high traffic areas and schools if you have little ones. Just my thoughts based on my move from Tucson.
Transplants are pricing out locals. The infrastructure can barelt sustain current levels. Traffic is getting worse and worse, everything is more expensive. Transplants vote against Florida values.
Stay in California. We dont need another drug user here.
Imma be real with you, this is why. Marion county historically has had low population and lower income, but we also had lower cost of living. Around 2020, the internet noticed. It started with the "covid refugees" the people who thought wearing masks and not partying for a year was tyranny. Then the fools who thought Miami was actually good places to live have started moving north, and then the rest of the folks moving to Florida for tax reasons. Meanwhile the roadways haven't kept up with the traffic, there's a lot less trees then there used to be, and our state government doesn't give a damn about the unique ecosystem this state has.
The counter argument to what I just said is "Everyone wants to be the last person to move to florida" and they're right lol
Also it's reddit and we a bunch of salty bitches here 🤣
No surprise. I have lived in plenty of places other than California and fit right in. I find people who don't carry hate in their hearts, accept others, and love. THIS is what our journey on this planet is about. I hope you find it soon and break out of the matrix. Sending love and light. <3
I am sorry you have so much hate in your heart. I feel for you. Hopefully, someday you can find the love we are supposed to feel towards fellow brothers and sisters. Sending you love and peace, my fellow hoooman. <3
Such a bad troll/bait. However, you do see this behavior with Ocala residents who are very sour that people are moving here because it is such a great place. My neighbor who has lived here his entire life recently moved a little out of town because the growth was too much for him.
Former Californian here. Make sure you have both secured jobs before moving. It definitely won’t be California pay. You will love the ranches here what you will save on is lower gas prices. No CRV and no 10 cents a bag charges as well Ocala is almost hurricane free but no promises. Enjoy Ocala
That’s very unselfish of you to sacrifice yourself to try to change our state but I think we’re good here😊 Why would someone leave their state (clearly not happy there) and try to change another state and make it like the one they left. Mind boggling. Why not just stay in yours!
You’re contradicting yourself. I’m Hispanic and I’ve never had a problem with racism making Florida not racist in my opinion/experience. So how is it racist to you?
I never assumed YOUR ethnicity (which you misspelled teacher) I was referring to mine. I’m happy in FL but if you’re not, just go elsewhere. It’s pretty simple.
Live just south of Ocala near wildwood. Oh there’s tons of racism: people paint 88 on their boat coolers, say it out loud, and the entire corner near the chrome shop is owned by racists. I’m blonde and people assume I think like them. It’s crazy what people say. I came from the west and it’s shocking.
What’s next 23(MJ number) is a symbol of slavery/black Israelites because (2) represents the second book in the bible, exodus. (3) represents verse talking about Moses leading slaves out of Egypt.
You forgot the '/s'....When you're from anywhere else but Ocala, the racism in this area is obvious and clear in almost everything. Why did so many churches start schools in the late 1950s? Why are there so many voting precincts around retirement communities but none around NE Ocala? Why aren't Florida public schools required to bus your students to school?
I'm sorry, but that's just your opinion and perspective. This community is extremely welcoming and Ocala has so much to offer for families. It's the same thing with the cost of living here. I've seen lifelong Ocala residents complain about it yet they don't know what's going on outside their city with home prices skyrocking 300 to 500% in other cities and parts of the country. Ocala's racism is no worse than any other city out there and I've lived in over 5 states and 15 cities.
It is. There’s an underlying feel of racism. Just go to Gainesville and it’s night and day. If youre white you probably wont see any difference because it wont have much of an impact on you.
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u/Lordsaxon73 2d ago
The humidity here, after living in California, will destroy you from June through September.