| The city of Ocala is located 90 minutes north of | | | | Horse Fever, a public art project that displayed 51 |
| Tampa and Orlando in Florida. The city is considered | | | | artist-inspired full-size horses around town until their |
| as the heart of Florida's horse country. | | | | auction, raised over $800,000 for animal-related |
| With its rolling terrain, cool climate and quaint estates | | | | charities. There are about 1,000 farms, of which 600 |
| and ranches, it is the perfect backdrop to the wide | | | | are estimated to be Thoroughbred farms, and are |
| expanse of beautiful horse farms that make one feel | | | | located within a 50-mile radius. The farms attract |
| as if they're in the bluegrass country of Kentucky. | | | | thousands of visitors annually. |
| Ocala has a unique climate that is not often felt in | | | | The City's More Than Just Horses |
| other Florida locations. Ocala is probably 10 degrees | | | | Aside from the wonderful farms, breezy conditions |
| colder in the wintertime than Orlando, although there is | | | | and rolling terrain, the city offers a healthy offering of |
| not much difference in the heat index, since it's very | | | | cultural and sporting attractions, aside from its |
| much the same all over Florida. | | | | world-famous horses and Thoroughbred farms. |
| The only difference is that the city does not get the | | | | Combine this comfortable and exciting lifestyle with |
| ocean breeze other coastal cities have, because | | | | good public and private schools, a 120-acre community |
| Ocala is located in the center of the state. It's usually in | | | | college campus, over 185 churches and temples |
| the 90's during the summer months, and February is | | | | throughout the county, excellent hospital and medical |
| the coldest month in the city. The city's population is | | | | facilities, and one of the most appealing tax structures |
| close to 294,000 and is very much a diverse mix. | | | | in the nation. |
| It's Considered As The Racehorse Capital Of The | | | | The real estate picture is thriving here too, and there |
| World | | | | are a lot of housing options to choose from, whether |
| Ocala is the county seat for Marian County, which | | | | one's looking for single-family homes, large estates, or |
| was named in honor of Francis Marian. Ocala goes | | | | a villa complete with stables for horses. You could |
| back to the early 1900's when the city burned to the | | | | even buy a whole acre, and start a vegetable farm. |
| ground and was rebuilt in bricks. The city has made its | | | | The options are aplenty, and prices are still competitive, |
| distinguished mark in the history of the horse racing | | | | as based on the current property prices statewide. |
| industry. | | | | Ocala, and the whole of Marion County as well, is |
| At present, an estimated 3,500 to 5,000 race horses | | | | blessed with a diverse and vibrant economy. Its |
| are born there each year, which is around 10 percent | | | | manufacturing base is strengthened with the growth of |
| of the nation's total output, enough for Ocala to bill itself | | | | the commercial and service sectors. The growing |
| as the Horse Capital of the World. The whole town | | | | population and excellent training programs supply a |
| revolves around the horse industry, which is clearly | | | | steady workforce for employers. |
| seen even in the tourist sights seen around town. | | | | |