Retirement Living in Ocala, Florida

Ocala is consistently ranked among the best places to retire in Florida. Key advantages include a cost of living 15-20% below the Florida state average, no state income tax, affordable housing with a median home price well below the national average, excellent healthcare facilities including AdventHealth Ocala and HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, year-round warm weather, and abundant outdoor recreation. The growing cultural scene, dining options, and proximity to both coasts add to its appeal for retirees.

Major 55+ active adult communities in the Ocala area include On Top of the World (OTOW), which is one of Florida's largest and most popular 55+ communities with its own town square, restaurants, golf courses, and cultural center. Other options include Del Webb Stone Creek (resort-style amenities), Spruce Creek South, Oak Run Country Club (golf community), Summerglen, and Pine Run Estates. Each offers different amenity packages, home styles, and community atmospheres.

Ocala offers one of the most affordable retirement lifestyles in Florida. The median home price is significantly below the state average, property taxes in Marion County are reasonable, and Florida has no state income tax. Grocery costs are below the national average, healthcare is accessible and affordable compared to larger metro areas, and utilities are reasonable. Many retirees find their retirement savings stretch considerably further in Ocala than in coastal Florida cities.

Ocala offers extensive activities for retirees including golf at multiple courses, Silver Springs State Park and glass bottom boat tours, hiking and biking on paved trails, horseback riding, attending shows at Circle Square Cultural Center and Reilly Arts Center, fishing and kayaking on local springs and rivers, joining clubs and social groups at 55+ communities, volunteering opportunities, art classes, fitness programs, and the First Friday Art Walk downtown. The mild climate allows year-round outdoor activity.

Ocala has strong healthcare infrastructure for retirees. AdventHealth Ocala and HCA Florida Ocala Hospital are the two major hospital systems, both offering emergency, surgical, and specialty care. There are numerous primary care physicians, specialists, urgent care centers, and outpatient facilities throughout Marion County. The VA Clinic serves veterans, and multiple assisted living and memory care facilities are available for seniors needing additional support.

On Top of the World (OTOW) is one of Florida's premier 55+ active adult communities located in southwest Ocala. The community features thousands of homes, the Circle Square Cultural Center for live entertainment, Circle Square Commons with restaurants and shops, multiple golf courses, fitness centers, swimming pools, tennis and pickleball courts, hobby studios, and hundreds of resident-led clubs and activities. OTOW is essentially a self-contained town with its own services, dining, and entertainment.