Opinions on Florida?

mem · #1 10/27/10, 09:16 AM

We arelooking to relocate to be closer to family. This means either central NY or FL. I've already lived in New York and not liked it much for various reasons, so it looks like Florida for us. DW's mom lives in Ocala, so we are looking to be within 2 hours or so ( a little closer is better). I would rather be north than south -- it looks like the southern part is too populated -- of course, that is where most of the open positions in my field are.

Just looking for some input -- are there any rural areas left in Central FL? What are the prospects of getting a few acres of land, having few neighbors, and being able to raise some animals?

Any insights would be appreciated.

TRAILRIDER · #2 10/27/10, 09:23 AM

From what I remember there are still some rural areas in outlying areas of ocala. But its been several years since I was there. be prepared for fleas, they can be terrible in the sandy soil.

heavyrebel · #3 10/27/10, 09:28 AM

Well, I can say that in my area, Palm Beach County, it is really pretty and great weather. Warning: The further you go inland, the HOTTER and more humid it gets. We are looking to move to Jupiter Farms, which is an area of 1.25- 20 acrea sites, zoned AG. If you garden smart you can garden year round, but it takes a lot of soil work/composting.

I love Florida, moved here from NC, raised in Missouri, and it is my favorite place so far.

heavyrebel · #4 10/27/10, 09:29 AM

Oh, and there are PLENTY of rural areas in Florida...Id say more than a lot of states

mustangsally17 · #5 10/27/10, 09:34 AM

I lived in Fla for 18 yrs 10 in St Petersburg and 8 in Dixie county {north Fla]. There are a lot of rural areas in North Fla....High Springs, Chiefland, Old Town, Cross City, Fanning Springs, just to name a few all about 1 hr from Gainesville. I dont know what you do for a living but there are a-lot of prisons in Fla...just a thought. Also be prepared for the never ending heat and humidity, fleas, snakes, spiders..if it crawls and is poisonous its in Fla, hurricanes, did i mention the heat!!

Sonshine · #6 10/27/10, 10:08 AM

Yes, there are still rural areas in central Florida, but as others have stated, sand fleas are terrible! The soil is terrible, so you would have to build it up, unless buying from someone who has already done so. Although it's hot, I don't think you'll have a problem with that if you're moving from the Dallas area.

jill.costello · #7 10/27/10, 10:18 AM

I just moved to Ocala in February from Delaware. There are TONS of rural-ish properties REALLY cheap right now because there is no work.....

BUT, if you have income or a job already, then I recommend Ocala-area highly.... Horse farms as far as the eye can see, and little towns such as Reddick, Anthony, Sparr, Citra are all within 15 minutes of all amenities (Lowes Home Depot Walmart Restaurants,, etc, etc, etc).

I just bought a 1400 sq ft. Block/stucco home with an inground pool and 2.5 acres zoned for horses for $80,000. in the city limits! If you want 6-12 acres and a home outside the city limits, you can find it for under $150,000 all day long.

Here's one on 10 acres for $129,900.00 http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...1_M59002-60586

jill.costello · #8 10/27/10, 10:23 AM

Oh, I just re-read your OP, you would need work.... Well, Gainesville is 45 minutes north of Ocala, and is a healthy college town full of neat things to do. Great hospitals, too.

Here is a super-cool cb home (cinderblock) on 6 acres for $100,000. http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...9_M61364-81265

the mama · #9 10/27/10, 10:37 AM

I am a native. I live 30 miles north of Gainesville. I am happy here, wouldn't move. Soil consistancy can differ in a matter of yards, so you might have some sand, some clay and some good topsoil all on a 10 acre lot. Florida has thriving agriculture, so somethings must like the sand. All of the other problems; fleas, roaches, snakes, alligators, hurricanes, red necks, good 'ole boys and trailer trash can be found most anywhere. Florida is the capital for lighting strikes. Check out local harvest, there are farms in every county, so rural areas can be found even in dense population areas, just may be costly.

Jan Doling · #10 10/27/10, 12:31 PM

Another native here....I commute an hour to Orlando for work and live in the woods by Lake Harney...best of both worlds. Our neighborhood is forrested and you are allowed a head of livestock for each acre you own. One lady has a few dozen llamas....many landowners have large gardens.

We have had several wildfires in the 15 years I've owned the land here, but no homes were lost. Tropical storm Fay dumped tons of water steadily over a few days time, so we evacuated for several weeks at that time. We also evacuated last year for a wildfire for several days until the fires were all out and the smoke cleared.

The mosquitos can be brutal and the heat and humidity are no picnic...but it beats shoveling snow and driving on icy roads. In the winter we have blue skies and lots of sunshine...fresh fruit and veggies all year long.

Harry Chickpea · #11 10/27/10, 12:37 PM

WOW! Prices around Ocala have changed! We investigated the area back in 2006/2007 before the RE bust and prices were much higher.

mnn2501 · #12 10/27/10, 01:22 PM

Central FL is where we want to live, unfortunatly my kind of jobs are scarce there.
Lived there for 7 years and loved it.

Micahn · #13 10/28/10, 12:13 AM

I live a little west of Ocala out in the National Forest. It is 5 miles to the closest store from my house so I guess you could call that rural area.
I am told right now land around here is going for between 5K and 8K a acre.
I can do just about anything on my land as far as zoning goes. However across the street they can not because of zoning. You have to watch that.

I live about 5 miles S of HWY 40 It is about 20 miles or so into Ocala. They have a CVS and a Winn Dixie right there on 40 as well as some other stores and a bar. We some times go weeks without going "into town" if we can get away with it lol.

My sister is looking around at this time in this area as well. She has found a couple of places with 5 or so acres that she and her husband are looking at.

You can also look up around Fort McCoy when I was looking for this place found a lot of places up there that was interesting as well. What made us pick this place is it backs right up to the NF so no one can build anything back there.

davel745 · #14 10/28/10, 04:41 AM

Hi Mem

We have a house for sale in Central Florida. It is in Deltona.

It is a 4 bedroom 2 full bath home with a 2 car garage. The roof is in good shape and everything works.

We are asking $250,000.00 with no real-estate broker involved.

If interested let me know.

Dave