Ocala - Florida - 4K Downtown Drive

Afternoon drive in and around the downtown area of Ocala, FL.
Filmed: February 2021

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From Wikipedia:
Ocala (/oʊˈkælə/ oh-KAL-ə) is a city in Marion County, Florida, United States, which is part of the northern region of the state. As of the 2019 census, its population, estimated by the United States Census Bureau, was 60,786, making it the 49th most populated city in Florida.

It is the seat of Marion County and the principal city of the Ocala, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated 2017 population of 354,353.

The first thoroughbred horse farm in Florida was developed in Marion County in 1943 by Carl G. Rose. Other farms were developed, making Ocala the center of a horse-breeding area. Local horses have won individual races of the Triple Crown series; in 1978, Affirmed, who was bred and trained in Marion County, won all three races, boosting interest in the industry there.

Ocala is one of only five cities (four in the US and one in France) permitted under Chamber of Commerce guidelines to use the title, "Horse Capital of the World", based on annual revenue produced by the horse industry. 44,000 jobs are sustained by breeding, training, and related support of the equine industry, which generates over $2.2 billion in annual revenue. Postime Farms and Ocala serve as host to one of the largest horse shows in the country: H.I.T.S or "Horses in the Sun", a Dressage/Jumper event lasting about two months. It generates some 6 to 7 million dollars for the local Marion County economy each year. The show features classes for over 100 different breeds, including Tennessee Walker, Paso Fino, Morgan horse, Saddlebred, Draft horse and the American Quarter Horse. Other equine events in the area include mounted shooting by the Florida Outlaws, as well as endurance rides, barrel races, extreme cowboy events, jumper shows, trick shows, parades, draft pulls, rodeo events and more.

n the last decades of the twentieth century, the greater Ocala area had one of the highest growth rates in the country for a city its size. The population of Marion County in 2000 was more than 250,000, up from under 100,000 in 1975.

Many historic homes are preserved in Ocala's large residential Historic District, designated in 1984. East Fort King Street features many excellent examples of Victorian architecture. Ocala structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places include the Coca-Cola Building, the E. C. Smith House, East Hall, the Marion Hotel, Mount Zion A.M.E. Church, the Ritz Historic Inn, and Union Train Station.

The original Fort King site was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 2004.

[johnathanshakewellesquirei]

Hated it when I was younger. Now I'm 30 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Ocala is one of the most underrated cities in Florida IMO. Home of the DUI and DWI lol.

[heathercook]

I lived in ocala for almost 15 years...then lived in charleston, sc for over 10....now I'm back in Ocala...I can honestly say that if you think Ocala is boring than everywhere else will be boring eventually....lol the only fun I really had was when I lived in columbia, sc for a couple years in my mid twenties and went downtown to drink....but you can really do that anywhere. Charleston is beautiful and has lots of history, but so does Ocala....as you get older you have to make your own fun!

[itsrelativ]

Ocala is the driest city in Florida. Every time I visited my mother it never felt like Florida. Tampa and St. Pete are my cup of tea. LOL

[angelabarabas]

Moved here 20 years ago and never looked back. Love it here

[donnalynn]

I have lived in Ocala for 21 years. This is my 2nd home meaning my heart will always belong in Michigan where I grew up. I love it here, only thing missing is my brother, sister, nieces and nephews who all still live there.

[cocoa]

I moved here last year I really do love Ocala this place is very peaceful and everybody out here is nice I was born and raised in Deland Florida which is about 77 miles away from here one hour not far I wouldn't move no other place this is where I'm going to say I love it out here

[adhdegrees]

When I searched Florida on ur page, I was not expecting a drive through of my home town.

[queenbee]

Moved away 20 years ago... it was great back then, but the landlocked summers were horrible! Muggy and hot, and now it’s overcrowded. Living in the mountains now.

[harlemhoney]

I live in New York but have family in Ocala, such a beautiful place. Would love to live there for the peace other than the hustle and bustle of NY which I love also. Here we go downtown Ocala.... Silver Spring Shores

[ronblanchard]

You did a video of my hometown where I was raised ( Lawrenceville, Ga.) and now I see this one of Ocala the town I live in now. Thanks Mike we Ocala and your videos.

[GrillWarrior]

Thanks for the video, it really did bring back memories of when I used to live in Ocala. I really can't say they were great ones, too much bad stuff happened to me there. I would love to go back and hang around for a couple of days. I made a lot of friends in Ocala. Times are different, it isn't the same place that it was back in the 90's.. I think you sharing this video helped me see that there is a chance for a good city. When I lived there, I couldn't wait to get out of that craphole, that's how I felt about it. I think it has changed so much for the better, it really makes me want to go and visit soon.

[terrysmith]

I've lived here my whole life an love it here .

[sparkyman]

Hey Mike, I grew up in Ocala in the early 70s, We lived at 961 NE 4TH st, corner house. I used to be a paperboy and deliver in the area I lived, the old Ocala Star Banner. There was also a restaurant called the Plantation Pancake House I worked in During the summer, Our family would often go out to the Flea Market at the Drive in Theater. The 4th of July was always amazing, as the Parade would go down Silver Springs Blvd and end near Tuskawilla Park.we were always in the Parade. Amazing memories. The house I lived in is still the exact same color, wood and the exact same round curved Front entry door. I went to Wyomina Park Elementry school, Osceola Middle School, and Ocala Forest High School

[bettypompie]

Lived in this area all my life. People can't wait to leave the area but they always come back. 😃

[deanstein]

The best thing I did was leave this city its nothing to do boring, I live in Hallandale Beach which is next Miami and Hollywood Beach, and Fort Lauderdale, the night life is amazing and its always some were to go and enjoy yourself.

[ohnoitsamus]

Immediately recognized the street. Lol. I live here too.

[cch]

Thank you for the great video I was looking towards moving to Ocala I'm stuck in the desert of Arizona at the moment but I really appreciate somebody taking the time to make a video of how to get around places i never been

[jwful]

Looks so clean and beautiful. No tents and panhandlers and shopping carts and needles and trash and sirens and ambulances...Looks like normal people live there

[tameikabrown]

I Like That View Driving Right Beside The Train Tracks Especially When Train’s Coming Along The Tracks

[didestiong]

We moved in Ocala from California about couple of months ago and we love it here! Never going back to Cali ever.