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🏡 Welcome to Ocala
New to town? Here's a practical checklist to get settled. We've linked to the relevant pages on this site where we have data, and pointed you to the right official sources for everything else. No fluff.
Know Your New Home
Know who represents you
Find out which city council member, county commissioner, and school board member covers your address. Handy before your first local election — or if you want to actually call someone.
The Seat of Power →
Check your neighborhood at a glance
Demographics, school grades, flood zone, utility providers, and what's nearby — all in one place for your ZIP code.
Neighborhood Explorer →
Check grocery access near you
How far is the nearest supermarket? Marion County has some food-access gaps that aren't obvious until you're living there.
Grocery Access Map →
Find out what internet providers serve your address
Cox, AT&T, SECO, T-Mobile, and others serve different parts of the county. Check what's available before you commit to a provider.
Broadband Access →
Paperwork and Practical Stuff
Get a Florida driver's license
New Florida residents have 30 days to get a FL license. Bring your out-of-state license, proof of identity, Social Security card, and two proofs of FL residential address. Marion County Tax Collector offices handle this locally.
FLHSMV: Getting a Florida License →
Register your vehicle in Florida
Also a 30-day window from establishing residency. You'll need the title, proof of FL insurance, and a completed application. Marion County Tax Collector handles registration.
FLHSMV: Vehicle Registration →
Register to vote
Florida voter registration deadline is 29 days before an election. Register online through the Florida Division of Elections.
RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov →
Set up trash and recycling pickup
Service varies by whether you're inside city limits or in unincorporated Marion County. City of Ocala residents contact Ocala Public Works; county residents contact Marion County Waste Management.
City of Ocala Solid Waste →
Set up electric and water service
Your provider depends on your address (see the Neighborhood Explorer above). OEU and City of Ocala Water Resources serve in-city addresses; SECO Energy and Marion County Utilities serve unincorporated areas. Duke Energy also serves parts of the county.
Ocala Electric Utility →
Checklist state is visual only and resets when you close the page. External links go to official government sources. OcalaBanana.com is an independent civic information site not affiliated with the City of Ocala, Marion County, or any government agency.