Best Places to Live in Ocala

Are you relocating to Ocala, Florida? Here are some of the best neighborhoods to live in Ocala.

Understanding what living in Ocala is like will help you determine whether this city is the right place for you. Overall, Ocala is a beautiful town located between Gainesville and Orlando. It has tons of different neighborhoods and subdivisions to choose from.  

Ocala is part of Marion County and has a population of around 65,000 residents. It is a small city that is in the middle of Florida, but only two hours to the coast. People love calling Ocala home because of its weather, affordable cost of living, welcoming atmosphere, and more.

This small city has been rated in the top 20 places to retire, the top 10 places to live in Florida, and one of the safest places to live. Keep reading to learn more about why Ocala is a fantastic city. Keep reading to learn more about some of the best subdivisions in Ocala, Florida.

Here are the eleven best neighborhoods in Ocala.

Forest of Golden Hills

Forest of Golden Hills is located on a natural preserve in Central Florida. This neighborhood is placed strategically throughout the rolling hills giving the area its unique beauty. This area is at the center of a 220-acre preserve with various activities such as walking, horseback riding, hiking, and more. 

If you are looking for a peaceful neighborhood, the Forest of Golden Hills is the perfect place to reside. Because the community is surrounded by nothing but nature, it provides the subdivision with a calm environment. This neighborhood is a great place to relocate to for people of all ages and demographics. 

Currently, there are three homes for sale in Golden Hills with a median list price of $639,600.

Devonshire

If you are looking for an older, well-established neighborhood, Devonshire is the perfect area to relocate to. Most of the houses in this subdivision were built in the late 1900s, but there are more modern homes throughout. Most of these homes have 3 or 4 bedrooms, which are the perfect size for families.

Another reason why this neighborhood is perfect for families is because of all the amenities for the residents. They have tons of parks and playgrounds located right in the subdivision. There is also a shopping center located in the area with restaurants, retail, grocery stores, and more. 

Devonshire has retained its rustic charm. However, new construction has been done to modernize the area and create more homes for those who highly desire to live in the neighborhood. This subdivision has sustained steady growth over the last 120 years and is now one of the most essential neighborhoods in Ocala.

There are currently a few homes for sale in this neighborhood. Check out the homes for sale in Devonshire here.

Whisper Crest

This neighborhood is only 40 minutes from Orlando and just North of the beautiful Lake Weir. Lake Weir is one of the largest lakes in Florida and is known for fishing, swimming, and more. It is also near shopping centers, restaurants, and the Ocala Civic Theater.

Whisper Crest has become a trendy neighborhood to live in because of its convenient location and wide range of housing options. This is the perfect neighborhood for families and retirees. 

The lifestyle of Whisper Crest is an excellent standard of living at an affordable price, allowing residents to live comfortably in Central Florida.

Turning Hawk Ranch

This neighborhood is located close to the center of Central Florida. It is on over 500 acres of landscaped hills, making Turning Hawk Ranch super unique. Not only does this area have beautiful landscapes, but it also has luxurious amenities. Those include things like a spa, fitness center, and pool. 

Turning Hawk Ranch is one of the most liked neighborhoods in the city because of its rich history and welcoming environment. This is an excellent place for those who are looking to settle down in Ocala. 

Not only is it beautiful and has a welcoming environment, but it is also close to various restaurants and shops. This lively and diverse neighborhood has something for everyone.

Check out the luxurious homes for sale in Turning Hawk Ranch.

Bellechase

If you are looking for a luxurious gated community, you should check out homes for sale in Bellechase. This neighborhood is located south of downtown Ocala and features golf courses, pools, tennis courts, parks, and more. It is a peaceful neighborhood and the perfect place for families and retirees to live.

Bellechase is full of winding roads that are lined with beautiful oak trees. It also has a handful of lakes and ponds throughout the neighborhood. There are more than 700 homes in Bellechase. From villas to townhomes, they also have larger estates with views of the water.

This neighborhood is one of the most desired in Ocala because of its lavish lifestyle and close proximity to shopping centers, restaurants, hospitals, and more.

Here are the homes for sale in Bellechase.

Quail Hollow

This community has a variety of home styles, like single-family homes, villas, and townhomes. Quail Hollow is located right next to Paradise Park. This park is full of fishing areas, boat docks, picnic areas, playgrounds, and a large lake with mile-long walking trails.

This neighborhood is perfect for families and young professionals just minutes from downtown. Because of its desired location, this subdivision has grown immensely over the last decade. More homes are constantly being built, such as shopping centers and businesses. 

If you are looking for an affordable subdivision in a great location, Quail Hollow is the perfect one.

Oak Run

Oak Run has also been one of those neighborhoods that people constantly want to move to. It is located ten miles North of downtown Ocala allowing residents to have easy, quick access to dining, retail shops, grocery stores, and much more. This neighborhood is on the luxury side when it comes to the prices of the homes, the style, and the amenities.

You will find single-family homes, townhomes, villas, apartments, and condos here. Throughout Oak Run, you have access to resort-style amenities. Some of those are an 18-hole golf course, swimming pools, courts, and trails throughout the neighborhood for walking, running, or biking. They also have a country club with a restaurant serving every meal. 

This neighborhood mainly caters to those who are retired or plan on retiring soon. It is a great place to reside if you are looking for peace and security. It is a stunning neighborhood with many activities to do right within it. 

Here are the homes for sale in Oak Run, with a median list price of $275,000.

Raven Glen

If you are searching for a neighborhood in Ocala that is located near downtown, Raven Glen is the perfect subdivision to reside in. It is also only an hour from either Gainesville or Orlando, which allows you to have easy access to day trips to either city. 

This neighborhood started by being farmland. Over time, more and more homes were being built in the area. It was known to be horse country. Residents would enjoy horse shows, picnics, fireworks, and so much more until the economy declined. Since then, Raven Glen has been working its way back up to being a lovely neighborhood.

Raven Glen, today, is a perfect place to relocate to if you are retired or have a family. It is a quiet and peaceful environment with various amenities to enjoy, such as playgrounds, parks, trails, and more. Most of the single-family homes you will find within this neighborhood are spacious, and most have updated kitchens and bathrooms. 

Juliette Falls

Juliette Falls is located near the edge of the Ocala National Forest. Living in this neighborhood gives you direct access to the wildlife and natural beauty of the forest. There is a 150-foot waterfall with tons of vegetation that makes for the perfect scenery. It is also located near Lake Eaton, ideal for activities like swimming or fishing with friends and family.

Juliette Falls is surrounded by authentic beauty and has tons of amenities for the residents to use right within the subdivision. They have fitness centers, a pool, a spa, tennis courts, bocce ball courts, playgrounds, and much more. There is even an 18-hole golf course in the neighborhood for those who love golfing or are looking for a new hobby.

This area is located just minutes from downtown Ocala, allowing residents to have quick and easy access to everything downtown has to offer.

Carriage Hill

This neighborhood is full of single-family homes and townhomes. Carriage Hill is a great place to relocate to if you are a young adult or have a family. People who live in this neighborhood absolutely love it. There are tons of resort-style amenities like pools, tennis courts, and fitness centers. 

Carriage Hill is one of Ocala's most sought-after subdivisions. Most of the homes you will find in this neighborhood are ranch-style homes that range from up to four bedrooms. Apart from the homes, there are shopping, churches, and a country club located in the middle of the neighborhood.

Check out the homes that are for sale in Carriage Hill here.

Dalton Woods

Dalton Woods is an excellent neighborhood for families and retirees. It is located just minutes from downtown Ocala and is an easy drive to local attractions such as Silver Springs State Park. This allows you access to many outdoor activities like fishing, boating, kayaking, and more. 

This quiet community is a great place to reside if you are looking to live in a peaceful neighborhood while still being just minutes from the city.

There are approximately 500 homes in Dalton Woods, all with large yards and streets lined with oak trees. Most of these homes have been renovated over the years, but some have remained classic mid-century. There are several parks located within this neighborhood. They also have tennis courts, playgrounds, and pools for their residents to enjoy.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about living in Ocala, Florida.

Is Ocala, Florida, an excellent place to move to?

Yes, Ocala is a great place to relocate to. This city was rated in the top 20 places to retire, the top 10 places to live in Florida, and one of the 10 safest places to live. Ocala, Florida, has so much to offer its residents and is a great place to relocate to in Florida. 

Why are so many people moving to Ocala?

People are moving to Ocala daily because of its great weather, proximity to the coast, affordable cost of living, welcoming atmosphere, tons of natural areas and forests to visit, healthy job market, and more. Anything you can't find in Ocala, you are just a short distance to two major cities in Florida. 

Is it expensive to live in Ocala?

As mentioned above in this guide's cost of living section, Ocala is significantly cheaper than the national average. Everything in Ocala costs less than the national average except for several factors. 

The Best Places to Live in Ocala - The Final Words

When you are relocating to a new city, finding the perfect neighborhood for you and your family can be pretty stressful. We hope that this guide to the best communities in the Ocala area helped you better navigate your options. Each neighborhood we discussed is unique, but some are also very similar in other ways. These excellent neighborhoods are a reason why residents love living in Ocala.

Whether you are looking for a luxurious neighborhood or an affordable one, Ocala has tons of options to choose from. They also have a variety of communities that are a ways from the downtown area and then some that are located just minutes from downtown Ocala. Depending on what you desire, this city probably has the perfect neighborhood for you.

If you are considering relocating to Ocala, Florida, contact us here to get connected with a local Real Estate professional for further guidance on the buying and selling process in Florida.