7 Reasons to Move to Ocala, Florida

Updated on March 11, 2026: This story was originally published on May 5, 2022, and has been updated with new information.

Known as the Horse Capital of the World, Ocala, Florida, is home to hundreds of thoroughbred farms and training centers. But horses are far from the only thing that makes this city so special! With things to do in Ocala ranging from diverse cultural attractions to natural wonders unlike anything else in the Sunshine State, Ocala frequently shows up on lists ranking the best places to live, and living in Ocala scores a B+ on niche.com, based on factors such as housing, schools, cost of living, weather, diversity, health, and outdoor activities.

If you are looking for a new home in a charming Florida city, here are 7 fantastic reasons you’ll want to make Ocala your new home.

1. Small-Town Feel and Southern Charm

Ocala, Florida, is a city of about 70,000 people that boasts a small-town feel and true Southern charm. Imagine being surrounded by large oak trees draped with elegant Spanish moss, an abundance of wide-open green spaces, and charming horse estates – this is exactly what you’ll experience when you make Ocala your new home!

As you explore the downtown area, check out the Ocala Historic District with many beautifully preserved historic homes, eclectic eateries and pubs, and boutique shopping, nestled around a historic town square, in a highly walkable area shaded by a Live Oak tree canopy.

2. Arts and Culture in Ocala

Ocala has a strong arts scene - there's even a city park uniquely centered around art! Located just north of Ocala's Downtown Square, Tuscawilla Art Park is a cultural gem hosting outdoor sculptures and public art, set amongst lush landscaping and botanical plants, with winding pathways and benches. The Art Park Series hosts events in the park, including a chalk art festival, sculpture stroll, and, new for 2026, a literary and poetry festival. The park is also home to the Reilly Arts Center, a performing arts venue hosting a diverse array of concerts, performances, and events, from Ocala Symphony concerts to touring musicians, dueling pianos, and live theater.

The public art experience continues with murals in Ocala showcasing the city's rich culture and history. The City of Ocala Cultural Arts administers a Public Art Program that maintains over 80 pieces of artwork installed in the city, and a mural walking trail guides you to Instagrammable spots in Downtown Ocala.

Also in Downtown, the free First Friday Art Walk is held from October through May. Stroll the streets around the downtown square while taking in live performances, street musicians, galleries, and free art activities - you may even find the perfect piece of art to display in your new home in Ocala!

This small city is home to an art museum, galleries, and studios, as well. The Brick City Center for the Arts not only showcases the above mural; inside, this art gallery features a new exhibition every month and is home to workshops, events, and the Marion Cultural Alliance.

The Appleton Museum of Art, located on the College of Central Florida campus, showcases a permanent collection of more than 24,000 pieces of art. From classical to contemporary, the museum also hosts an outdoor sculpture garden, idyllic courtyard and fountain, and a variety of events and special exhibitions.

Within the Appleton Cultural Center, the Ocala Civic Theater has entertained the Ocala community for 75 years, and the current season is underway with an impressive list of productions. And, the historic Marion Theatre in Downtown Ocala hosts live performances, music, and movies, in a space that started life in 1941 as a movie house.

3. The Ocala National Forest

One of the most unique things to do in Ocala is explore the Ocala National Forest, the southernmost forest in the continental U.S. and the world’s largest scrub forest. Escape the everyday with more than 430,000 acres of botanical diversity, all sorts of wildlife, and greater than 600 lakes and rivers.

Natural Florida springs are perhaps the most unique feature of the Ocala National Forest. Formed by water flowing through limestone in an underground aquifer, these beautiful oases are 72 degrees year-round and a wonder to behold with crystal-clear waters providing a natural window to aquatic plants, unique rock formations, and colorful fish and wildlife. Swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, and canoeing or kayaking are all activities you can enjoy at various springs in the Forest, such as Alexander Springs, Salt Springs, and Juniper Springs.

And that is far from all! A laid-back day may include a scenic drive, a picnic, and perhaps fishing. An extensive trail system provides hiking, biking, and horseback riding, and includes idyllic bridges and boardwalks from which to observe wildlife. If motorized sports are more your speed, motorized boats can be used on various lakes and rivers, and miles of OHV trails let you experience the Forest on motorcycles, ATVs, and UTVs. For an overnight stay, there are several campgrounds and cabins for rent.

4. State Parks

Florida’s springs aren’t limited to the Forest. A national landmark and nature park with one of the world’s largest freshwater springs, Silver Springs State Park is located just east of Ocala. The park is perhaps best known for its glass-bottom boats, first operated here in the 1870's, and providing a unique experience to see an underwater world. The main spring is surrounded by serene gardens and historic structures dating to a time when visitors arrived here by steamship, via the Silver River. You can also kayak, paddleboard, canoe, hike, bicycle, horseback ride, camp, and even shop and dine within the park. There is an amphitheater, cabins and pavilions for rent, gardens, a museum, and settings for weddings and private events.

In nearby Dunnellon, Rainbow Springs State Park is a destination for both relaxation and adventure. In the gorgeous waters of the spring and the Rainbow River, you can canoe, kayak, swim, snorkel, paddleboard, or enjoy a local favorite activity - tubing! Kick back, relax, and float with friends down this natural lazy river, with the tubing season opening March 16th this year.

5. Parks, Recreation, and Equestrian Activities

Outdoor activities are plentiful in Ocala thanks to the city’s wealth of green space and Florida’s beautiful year-round weather. In addition to the National Forest and State Parks mentioned above, some of Ocala’s best outdoor activities include:

• Sholom Park, with trails winding through open prairies and shaded tree canopies, features picturesque labyrinths and botanic gardens designed as an urban escape from everyday life.
• Carney Island Recreation and Conservation Area on the shores of Lake Weir includes more than 700 acres of trails, playgrounds, and beaches, with concession stands during the summer months, and restaurants along the lakeshore.
• World-class horse competitions and shows, including events at the 300-acre World Equestrian Center, hosting indoor and outdoor arenas, stables, expo centers, luxury hotel accommodations, curated shopping and dining, and more.
• KP Hole Park, located on the Rainbow River, is known as a premier Florida destination for river tubing as well as boating, snorkeling, and other water activities.

6. An Affordable Cost of Living

Ocala boasts a strong economy with an affordable cost of living when compared with other Florida cities. According to BestPlaces.net, living in Orlando or Tampa is 23% more expensive than Ocala, and Ocala’s cost of living is 13% less than the U.S. average and 15.6% cheaper than the average for Florida!

In addition to the equine industry, Ocala supports a strong workforce in the manufacturing, logistics, IT, healthcare, and service industries. In addition, Ocala is home to major employers, including Lockheed Martin, FedEx Ground, Chewy, and major healthcare providers UF Health, AdventHealth, and HCA Florida.

While Ocala is considered a small city, many find living here is just right thanks to the affordability, job availability, and access to daily necessities (not to mention all the great things to do in Ocala).

7. New Homes for Sale in Ocala, Florida

With so many great reasons to move to Ocala, we have one more item to add to the list – Our beautiful Ocala new home communities!

Situated in beautiful locales with access to highways, recreation, and all of the great activities we talked about in this article, our new homes for sale in Ocala are priced from the mid $200's, with multiple neighborhoods to suit your lifestyle and needs!

Now that you’ve discovered all of the great things to do in Ocala and reasons to live in this charming small city, allow our Ocala New Home Specialists to help you find your dream home! Call or email us today and start planning your move to Ocala.