by Robert Borges on October 18, 2024
Located in central Florida, Ocala is known for many things, including its rich history, natural beauty, and horse-riding culture. It is home to several illustrious historic sites, including the Fort King National Historic Park–a Second Seminole War site.
If you’re looking for a peaceful, welcoming, and secure neighborhood to buy a home in Florida, consider one of the gated communities in Ocala. These communities are among the most secluded and sought-after areas to reside in Central Florida.
In this post, we’ll dive into the main points of interest in Ocala to help you make an informed choice when looking for a place to live in the city!
Main Highlights of Ocala
Sitting between Orlando and Gainesville, Ocala is endowed with stunning vistas, comprising rolling green landscapes and other picturesque views. Although it’s stacked away from Florida’s magnificent coast, the city is a major tourist destination, thanks to its exquisite scenery, rich culture, and historic sites.
Here are the main reasons why Ocala is a popular choice for many home buyers in Florida:
Equestrian Culture
Ocala is known for its expansive horse farms and horse-riding practices. Most of these farms nurture thoroughbred horses known for their unparalleled athleticism and work ethic.
This city is one of the four main global centers that produce thoroughbred horses. It offers many expansive horse breeding and training grounds. Ocala also hosts numerous equestrian events, including horse-riding competitions and shows.
Known as the ‘Horse Capital of the World,’ Ocala has produced countless champion horses. Many tour companies in Ocala offer horse-related activities like horseback riding and equine expos where you can learn everything you need to know about horses. You can also take a farm tour to have an exclusive behind-the-scenes view of horse barns and understand what goes into rearing horses!
Splendid Nature and Outdoor Scenery
Ocala sits next to the Ocala National Forest–Florida’s second-largest natural forest. This gives the city and its environs gorgeous landscapes, with nature trails, natural springs, and woodlands.
It’s a perfect spot for outdoor enthusiasts and people who enjoy going for long nature walks, camping, and hiking. The springs form crystal-clear lakes that are suitable for various water activities like swimming, fishing, and canoeing.
If you enjoy relaxing in natural water ponds under dense canopies of oak and palm trees, then Ocala is a great choice for you. The city has some amazing parks where you can engage in outdoor activities like camping, kayaking, rock climbing, and family picnics.
For instance, you can visit Silver Springs State Park, a popular tourist site in Florida. The park offers crystal-clear springs, thick tree covers, and glass-bottom boat expeditions. It is also home to a wide range of wild animals like deer, armadillos, foxes, turkeys, gopher tortoises, and Sherman fox squirrels.
Historic Sites
Formerly known as ‘Ocali’ and home to the Timucua, Ocala has a rich history dating back thousands of years. One famous occurrence that defines the city’s history is the Great Thanksgiving Day fire of 1883, which destroyed the city’s downtown. The cause of the fire remains unknown to this day.
The Fort King National Historic Landmark is another popular attraction site in Ocala. Formerly known as ‘Camp King’ or ‘Cantonment King,’ this site was a US Army marker created in the 19th century following the Moultrie Creek of 1823 between the United States and the Seminole community.
The downtown area of Ocala offers a historic feel, thanks to its well-preserved buildings, galleries, and antique shops.
Retirement and 55+ Communities
Ocala is a popular choice for retirees looking for a low-maintenance living situation. It has many retirement, golf, and fifty-five-and-older communities where active adults who have recently retired or are about to retire can settle.
If you’re concerned about the kind of healthcare available in Ocala, the HCA Florida Ocala Hospital is situated right at the heart of Ocala, with a 323-bed capacity.
In Conclusion
These aspects come together to offer a unique blend of outdoor adventure, tranquility, and rich equestrian culture. If you’re looking for the right gated community in Ocala, check out the Private Communities Registry, which features a wide range of master-planned, gated communities in Florida!
