Capsule:For those who long for the country life, the bucolic countryside of Ocala and surrounding Marion County is home to over 450 horse farms and has been picked as one of the four best areas in the world to raise horses.The scenic countryside, shady forests, and crystal-clear waterways are treasured and protected.

Waterfront Homes: In Marion County, the grand estates are located not on the ocean or the Intracoastal Waterway but on acres of beautiful rolling countryside. If it's water you are seeking, and you are willing to forsake yachting for the opportunity to canoe down a crystal clear stream amidst the largest sand pine forest in the world, Ocala may be for you.

Golf and Tennis: With its rolling hills and valleys, the Ocala region is ideally suited to golf, and the area has more than a dozen fine golf courses. One of the more memorable is the Golden Ocala Golf & Country Club, which features eight replica holes from world-famous golf courses like St. Andrews, Augusta National and Royal Troon.

Weather: The Ocala climate is characterized by long, warm, humid summers and mild, dry winters. Ocala tends to be a few degrees warmer than Orlando in the summer, and a few degrees cooler in the winter.

Culture: "Fine Arts for Ocala" promotes visual and performing arts programs and the group’s annual autumn art show, held on the grounds of the Ocala City Hall, attracts more than 50,000 people during its two days. The Ocala Civic Theatre, the second largest community theatre in the state, offers professional-quality musical and dramatic productions. The Appleton Museum of Art is a regional landmark. It's permanent collection includes 18th and 19th century academic art from Europe, Canada and the U.S., Pre-Columbian art, African art, Asian art, and Antiquities.

For information about luxury real estate in the Ocala area and the Realtors that can help you find the perfect horse farm or country club estate in Marion County, please click here.