Marion County, Florida offers you nearly perfect weather year-round, Marion County offers an endless panorama of natural beauty, historic landmarks, and man-made diversity which are a constant source of pleasure and recreation for resident and visitor alike. The county is a successful blend of past and present.
Beyond Ocala, scattered amid crop lands, horse farms, and acres of national forest, lie new communities where residents enjoy all the conveniences of contemporary living. A drive of just minutes takes them from pastoral countryside to modern shopping centers and malls, restaurants, cultural events, nature-based attractions, and educational opportunities.
Thousands of new residents are attracted each year by the market's healthy economy, excellent quality of life, diverse recreational activities, pristine environment, and the wide array of shopping opportunities.
Every year thousands of new residents begin calling Marion County home, keeping it among the three fastest growing areas in the nation. The county's welcoming atmosphere makes transitions easy. The variety and affordability of housing ensures that there are homes to suit every taste, lifestyle and budget.
The scenic countryside, shady forests, and crystal-clear waterways are treasured and protected, but also willingly shared with visitors and newcomers who quickly realize that Marion County, with Ocala at its heart, is more than a place to live it's a place to be experienced.
Ocala is nestled in a perfect location because it is approximately an hour's drive to Orlando, the Gulf Coast, and the Eastern Atlantic coast of Florida. To be exact, the quaint little town is located in the county of Marion and is home to the enormously-sized national park, The Ocala National Forest. So, people who live in Ocala have the opportunity to live quietly and serenely while still being able to take short day trips to some 
extraordinary places. Even if you decide not to travel out of Ocala, there is plenty to do. One of the most well-known places is the gorgeous 350-acre nature theme park, Silver Springs. This place has plenty of things to do like: fishing, swimming, glass-bottom boat rides, canoeing, or wild life watching. Silver Springs is an amazing place with some rare animal species that will amaze the whole family.
There is another big plus about Ocala, and that is the economy. The economical state of this great city is ideal due to its location. For one, Ocala is right smack dab in the middle of two major universities, next to a couple international airports, and near major attractions (i.e. Orlando). This optimum location makes it a great location for manufacturing. Also, the local workforce is diverse and has a wide range of skills. The local commercial businesses do well because of the moderate climate and diversity in the workforce pool. All in all, Ocala has a very strong and stable economy compared to other parts of the country.
Anyone looking for peace and tranquility will definitely find it in Ocala. And, because it is located outside of major cities, the real estate is still reasonable. Living in Ocala can be fun and exciting (because of all the things to do), but also calm, cool, and relaxing. Therefore, the city of Ocala is one of the greatest places to raise a family and settle down to a live a life of peace, harmony, and serenity!
