I have lived in Ocala since 1996. I moved from New York with my family into Silver Springs Shores. Coming from a place where life was happening day and night to “Slow-cala” was a culture shock. I have learned to enjoy the quiet, quaint life that is Ocala. However, there has always been a need for growth. I have gone to middle school, high school, college, and now have a career all in Marion County and Ocala. I am raising two children and my wife is from here.
Ocala/Marion County has always lacked sustainable entertainment. That is one of the biggest pet-peeves for this county. Wild Waters/Silver Springs have come and gone. There was an entertainment complex on 40… come and gone. My wife and I, among other children from the 1990s to my children today, have to go outside Marion County/Ocala for quality entertainment.
I have seen this county boom in residency. I have worked for the local emergency services and now for the hospital system. The growth in the last 5 years has been tremendous because of WEC, financial affordability. That is fantastic from bringing in money for the County/City. But why have we not adapted? You want crime and road congestion to diminish? We need to keep up with the growth of the population…