OcalaMom.com

Hi Everyone! When my son graduates from high school in May, we will be packing our things and heading to Ocala. My parents retired to Deltona 26 years ago, and all of my family followed. (I have 7 brothers and sisters). I lived in Lake City for 6 years. My parents both have passed away and most of my family scattered, but I still have 2 sisters and a brother in Florida and I miss my family! The price of real estate here has skyrocketed. You can't touch a home for under 300k. We will be bringing our 5 children that are left at home (1 will have graduated from college and 3 will be in college). I will graduate in May with a degree in computer science. My husband is a CNA. I am very excited to return to civilization, but at the same time, I have gotten so use to living in this safe little cocoon of western Montana that I am nervous also. Are there any schools that we should absolutely avoid? Where we live, we have to drive almost an hour to get to Wal-Mart. We have one small (expensive) grocery store in town. All the larger supermarkets are also an hour away. It gets old after awhile.I am tired of the short summers and LOOOOOONG winters. I hope I will be able to make some new friends before we get there. I love to garden and can't wait to get busy planting flowers all year! Have a great day everyone! Anita

Welcome back to the area soon, Anita!!
I have a friend who used to live in Montana and said it was absolutely gorgeous.
I think one thing that is plentiful in Marion County is Super Wal-mart.
Congrats on your upcoming graduation, too, BTW!

Anita,

I am from Wyoming and understand where you're coming from. However, since you've lived and visited here before, you won't have too much culture shock! Well, maybe a little!

The one thing about housing for 7 people is that it might take $300K to find one big enough. But you can have some land, also, with the slumped market. Maybe you should consider buying now rather than in 2009.

Best of luck on school and the move.

---kay

Hi Elizabeth and Kay and thanks for the replies. Our plan is to start off with a d/w on an acre or so. I know that you are in Tornado country, but I lived in Columbia City on 10 acres in a beautiful d/w. The only problem I had at the time was that I was married to an insane person and the walls always had holes in them. I have since remarried an incredible man who doesn't act like a 2 year old when we disagree on something. I don't want to live in a mobile home forever, but until we can get re-established in Florida, I think it will be our best bet. I have been searching the real estate websites and there seem to be lots available, not too old, and reasonably priced. Thanks again for the replies!
Anita

Hi Anita. I too just joined this group. Congratulations on the upcoming graduation and move. Finding some land with a mobile should not be too hard, you may even be able to find a house that you want in the right price range that can accomodate all of your family. I work for a real estate company(no, I am not an agent), so if there is anything I can do to help with info, let me know.

Mandy

Hi Mandy,
Thank you! I think my hardest task will be finding a job after I graduate. Most places want people with experience. All I will have is a degree. As for the house, my biggest wishes are: I don't want to be in a subdivision, I want at least an acre, if not more, and the house has to be around 2000 sf, give or take. I need to know if there are any schools to avoid. My kids will be in 2nd grade (twin boys), 4th grade, 7th grade (only girl!) and 8th grade. My 8th grader is pretty shy, brainy and not very interested in sports. He is my biggest worry. We can't afford private school, but maybe if I can find a middle school with a good gifted program, he would fit right in.
Thanks Again!
Anita

You might consider applying for the magnet program at Howard Middle School. They have a really strong academic program. We also have two magnet elementary schools, Madison Street Elementary & DR NH Jones Elementary. These programs fill up very fast. So you might want to call and put them on the list now for the following school year.

Thanks for the info. It sounds like HMS is right up his alley! I don't know if I can get him on a list yet though. The website says he has to be an Ocala Middle schooler to apply, but I am going to call anyway.
Anita