Southwest Ocala - Ocala, FL

The year 1846 saw the construction of the first house in the city. By 1881, it had rail service and served as a shipping center for vegetables, cotton, merchandise and fruits. A large fire in 1886 destroyed parts of Main Street, Orange and the area near the Public Square, which caused a great deal of damage to the town. The dauntless residents began rebuilding the following year with the addition of an opera house, banks and over 25 retail stores. Brick, metal and granite constituted the new buildings instead of wood frame structures.

Ocala was the fifth largest city in 1890 Florida. The population reached 2,700 by 1887. By 1891, it was a prosperous, beautiful town with broad, paved streets, streetcars that operated all over the city and an impressive city market that offered all sorts of produce, fish and meat.

Locals can visit the Silver River Museum in Silver Springs State Park to learn more about the unique history of this area.

A large selection of chain and privately owned restaurants run along Route 200 and run the gamut from local cuisine to international selections. Whether you feel like dining at a high-end restaurant or just grabbing a burger, Southwest Ocala has you covered.

Candler Hills Restaurant, located on SW 90th Terrace Road, connects to the Candler Hills Golf Course, but you don't need to be a member to enjoy a meal there. The restaurant sports big windows for a sunny view and tables with crisp white tablecloths. To get a real taste of Florida cuisine, try the shrimp skewers with honey rosemary glaze.

When you feel an urge for Italian food, Carmine’s Cafe, located on SW Highway 200, applauds Sicilian cuisine surrounded by traditional Sicilian ambiance. The linguine pescatore, loaded with shrimp, mussels, clams, scallops and calamari, will have you singing like Pavarotti. La Cuisine, on SW 1st Avenue, offers a selection of French bistro dishes from different areas of the country in an elegant setting. Try the bourguignon beef for a real treat.

Nightclubbing offers various choices, including Colosseum Nightclub on Pine Avenue for pounding music, drinks and a night of dancing in a high-end atmosphere. If you want to dance but want to go country, try out the line dancing at Cowboy’s Saloon next door to Colosseum, and show off your best cowboy boots.

Transportation could not be easier in Ocala. Drivers have the option of getting on a nearby interstate and linking to other parts of the state. About 85 percent of the commuters drive alone to work, while approximately 12 percent carpool. Having a car provides an easy and convenient way to travel in the area.

Those who prefer the convenience of city buses take advantage of the numerous bus stops and, after checking the time online, residents simply head to the nearest SunTran bus stop for a short wait. The regular fare costs under two dollars, with discounts for seniors and disabled and small children ride free. Those who enjoy walking or riding bikes also find nice trails to access.

For out of town trips, Shuttleliner service takes you to the Orlando airport. Driving there is easy via Interstate 75 and the Florida Turnpike and takes about one hour and 15 minutes.

Ocala has plenty to offer when it comes to parks. The Ocala Regional Sportsplex covers 80 acres with fields for baseball, softball, volleyball and football, and even a track to run your remote controlled cars. Located on Southwest 67th Avenue, picnic pavilions, sidewalks, trails and interspersed benches and tables provide the perfect opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and have a picnic.

Polly Palmer Park on Southwest 27th Avenue sits on 12.18 acres and has two ponds as well as a perimeter walkway to run, take a walk or spot wildlife through the trees. Nearby, you also have the enormous Silver Springs State Park, bordering Lake George. Whether you choose to go horseback riding, camp out in the wilderness, kayak down the river or toss on a backpack and rough it on one of the scenic trails, it becomes an adventure.

Living in Southwestern Ocala costs 14 percent less than the national average. A regular fare bus ticket costs $1.50, and frequent travelers have the option of buying monthly passes. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment costs $777. Beer prices run about $2 for domestic and $3.50 for imported brands, and gas prices cost around the same as the national average.

Plenty of shopping opportunities exist in Southwest Ocala, including Paddock Mall on Southwest College Road where you can pick up everything from tires for your car to a sequin-covered backpack or orange and blue golf bag with the Florida Gators logo. With 90 specialty stores in addition to the four anchor stores, JCPenney, Belk, Sears and Macy's, you can shop all day. Boutiques galore in the area include A Cut Above Boutique at Southwest 18th Court for fabulous women's clothing and accessories; pick up the latest in aviator sunglasses for that bright Florida sun. Nearby Serendipity Boutique on Southeast Maricamp Road sells Florida-style clothing and Gator jewelry. E'Lore Boutique on North Magnolia Avenue could dress a queen with a variety of church suits and formal and casual wear by top designers. This shop can outfit you from head to toe, so your new elegant suit also includes a matching hat, shoes, handbag and accessories. Nearby, you find Bravo Supermarket on Southwest College Road, which has a great deli and good service and prices, or check out the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Southwest 19th Avenue Road. On Saturdays, you can hop over to the Ocala Farm Market, offering over 60 vendors and even selling dog treats for Fido.