Ocala, Florida: Drug Overdose, Rich History, and Affordable Living

[@TIMJMEANSBUSINESS]

Do you enjoy my videos? Please support my channel by liking, subscribing, and leaving a comment. Your support helps it grow! I look forward to chatting with you in the comments. For business inquiries or if you’d like me to visit your town and get your perspective on the city, feel free to DM me on Instagram at @TimJMeansBusiness. Thanks for your support!

[@lastshallbefirst5516]

I’m from Illinois… I drove thru Ocala for the first time in 2018. And up into that point, I had never seen such a gap in wealth, so close. I seen horse ranches next to section 8 neighborhoods. I was blown away. And just driving thru, looking at the surroundings and individuals… the drug addiction was evident.

[@TIMJMEANSBUSINESS]

I had no idea that Ocala had such a serious issue with drug overdoses and a high death rate until I saw another KZbinr's video on it. It was eye-opening to learn that the county also has one of the highest suicide rates in the state. So I had to go see what's going on for myself. Thanks for watching.

[@mgreene011]

The music in the video is good.

[@TIMJMEANSBUSINESS]

Thanks and thanks for tuning in!

[@Bloodrocutioner]

Amazing work. The music in this was a great mix, my favorite being around the 27:15 mark. Reminded me of Skyrim or some other video game. Good citations of the history here and I did not know this part of Florida was so popular as far as equestrian activity goes.

[@TIMJMEANSBUSINESS]

Thank you so much! I'm really glad you enjoyed it, and I truly appreciate you taking the time to watch it!

[@Bloodrocutioner]

@@TIMJMEANSBUSINESS of course! Still watching it as of now! The train station bit has me rolling. 🤣 Love all the work and research put into videos like this as well your abandoned ones. Really makes me look at some of these towns with a more in depth appreciation for some of the history these places have.

[@stevenpowell2765]

Love what you’re doing, Tim! Keep up the fantastic work and continue sharing this amazing content. It’s truly appreciated!

[@TIMJMEANSBUSINESS]

Thank you! I appreciate your support!

[@mellymail9208]

Great content, bro! I really appreciate how you highlighted the town’s history. Ocala has a rich Black history, and they’ve been fortunate to have some amazing pioneers who paved the way for the community. Thanks for shining a light on that in your video!

[@TIMJMEANSBUSINESS]

Thank you! And thanks for watching and supporting the channel. Much appreciated.

[@strangejames1259]

Fantastic video! I really feel like I got a thorough look at the town, including its rich history and current issues. I appreciate how you included statistics, the cost of living, and brought attention to the growing drug overdose problem. I've watched several videos about Ocala, but this one offers the most facts and valuable insights. Thanks, Tim J!

[@TIMJMEANSBUSINESS]

You're welcome and thank you for watching!

[@SBTiki]

Ocala is the Horse Capital of the World. There are many beautiful horse farms just outside of Ocala, all over Marion County. Thoroughbred racing and equestrian industries are huge there. You can go into a place like Horse & Hounds and sit next to a horse dentist on your right and a farrier on your left. If you are into horses, this is a great place for you. Next time stop at World Equestrian Center (WEC), it has put this town on the map even more. Also, Billy Woods is a great Sherriff that is loved by many because he is a strong law and order guy. I would return and capture the beautiful horse farms if you can. Every year more horses are born in Ocala than in Kentucky. Beautiful animals!

[@TIMJMEANSBUSINESS]

I touched on some aspects of the horse industry in the vlog, but I’ll definitely return to explore it in more detail. Thanks for sharing additional insights! I absolutely love horses, they're my favorite animal

[@lilabrantley916]

Ilike your videos they are excellent keep them coming videos thanks you ❤❤❤❤😂❤❤❤❤😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@TIMJMEANSBUSINESS]

Thanks for watching and for the love!

[@michaelle8384]

Only 3 building in ocala beside the few hotel

[@TIMJMEANSBUSINESS]

Thanks for watching!

[@danalynch8889]

I remember when I was a kid my dad drove their in 1968. And at the time if you blinked you missed it.

[@TIMJMEANSBUSINESS]

Thanks for watching!

[@currentuser3852]

You said Tuskawilla correctly, I think. At least that’s the only way I ever heard it said.

[@TIMJMEANSBUSINESS]

Thank you! Glad to know I pronounced Tuskawilla correctly. I always try my best with these names. Thanks for watching!

[@antoinettedavis1405]

Ocala has Chewy and Amazon facilities.

[@TIMJMEANSBUSINESS]

Thanks for sharing that info and for watching!

[@trish2179]

Great Vids, I like that you dont turn your nose up at a place because it has issues, like every other place in the world. Look up Dr. James Still, I have been learning about him since I was a girl, because he was "The black Doctor or the NJ Pines." He helped EVERYONE and beloved by the NJ Pineys.❤ I stopped watching southern life because he just craps on everything and everyone. I like you because you dig into things and try to understand.

[@trish2179]

Definitelt on my list of pleaces in FL to explore

[@TIMJMEANSBUSINESS]

Thank you for the kind words and the suggestion. I’ll definitely look into it! I have a deep love for Israelite black history, and Ocala is filled with such a rich heritage. Seeing all the incredible contributions our people have made to build that community truly touched my heart during my visit.

[@trish2179]

@TIMJMEANSBUSINESS I like hidden history, Its the everyday people who made some of the biggest differences, not the big names they teach you at school

[@michaelle8384]

That old history home in fort king street

[@TIMJMEANSBUSINESS]

Oh okay! Thanks for pointing that out.

[@gwentreherne1407]

Okay, so, your focus was on the drug issue in Ocala. I appreciate your perspective. Thanks. I moved to Ocala in 2004 and after 20 years I am aware of these areas, but you have to either live in it or specifically go to these areas and not everyone living in Ocala is impacted by the very thing you focused your sites. There is comparable housing, great community centers, great shopping districts and so much more than rundown unmanicured homes, but I get the perspective you wanted to focus upon in this video.

[@TIMJMEANSBUSINESS]

Thanks for sharing your perspective! I know there are some great areas in Ocala, and I’ll be sure to cover more of them on my next visit. This video focused more on some of the challenges the town faces and the buzz around why it's growing. Overall, Ocala is a charming town with rich history, and you can tell people take pride in their homes, whether they’re old or new. Appreciate you tuning in!

[@gwentreherne1407]

@TIMJMEANSBUSINESS , Yes, I physically lived in a gated community in Ocala, a little over a year between 2004 and 06. I still work in Ocala, but I moved to one of the burbs in the surrounding areas. I drive up the roadways daily in and out of the city of Ocala. It's not just Ocala that is growing it is, for the most part, Marion County. This is the longest I have lived in an area after a career with the military, but I love this tiny town, and I love pouring into it and its community.

[@TIMJMEANSBUSINESS]

@@gwentreherne1407 Thanks for sharing your perspective!👍

[@currentuser3852]

Thanks for showing this town, good and bad. I have been there many times, as I have some family in the county. Love the square, sad for the terrible drug problem & other issues. I hope you got over to Appleton. It’s a great museum.

[@TIMJMEANSBUSINESS]

@@currentuser3852 No I didn't but next time I'm in town, I will check it out. Thanks for the info and thanks for watching.

[@lilabrantley916]

Thank you for showing your video sir they are awesome welcome a board more videos sir thank you ❤❤❤❤❤😂😂😂😂😂❤😂❤😂

[@TIMJMEANSBUSINESS]

You're very welcome, thanks for watching!

[@lcox726]

My husband and I are retired here it’s quiet. My son is thinking about moving down here with his family to be near us so I’m sending it to them because maybe they want to live narrow. Cala might not be the town for them. And sidenote, don’t wear a black shirt next time.

[@TIMJMEANSBUSINESS]

Thanks for your input and for watching. What's wrong with my "BLACK SHIRT" 🤔

[@CooKiNupCONVERSATIONS]

NEW SUBBIE! here chking U out!!

[@TIMJMEANSBUSINESS]

Welcome aboard! Thanks for subbing and for watching!

[@CooKiNupCONVERSATIONS]

@@TIMJMEANSBUSINESS Sure thing! U might find my message in group/me telling U I lived in Ocala about 8yrs...hope U locate that message...TAKE IT EZ!

[@MichaelBamfo-b3b]

Amazon and FedEx is there now

[@TIMJMEANSBUSINESS]

That's good to hear. Thanks for sharing that info my brother.

[@MichaelBamfo-b3b]

Yes both factory's are there now off 27 and I75

[@michaelle8384]

I move to ocala fl back to 1989 you can ask me anything I tell you what you want to know when I move to ocala they didn’t have nothing I can tell you they built at least 5 millions or more house they still built more home business don’t work come and go they have the most beautiful home you can imagine the bad thing is it’s rain everyday for 6 month straight lots of snakes gator mosquitoes spiders you can’t enjoy you back yard with all those bugs we have something call the love bugs they come certain of time of the month hurricane tail every years not really a good place to move if you young it’s more retired place

[@TIMJMEANSBUSINESS]

Thanks for sharing your experience of Ocala! It’s always interesting to hear how much the area has changed over the years. Sounds like it has its fair share of both beauty and challenges with the weather, wildlife, and bugs. Definitely gives a realistic picture for anyone considering moving there!

[@michaelle8384]

It’s also the most boring city in America period

[@TIMJMEANSBUSINESS]

I done been to a lot of towns and cities in America and I promise you, Ocala don't seem like the most boring.

[@yir9383]

Lol..

[@gurl1128]

It is for real..

[@michaelle8384]

You showing all the ghetto about drug problem only

[@TIMJMEANSBUSINESS]

The vlog’s purpose is stated right at the beginning, that this video is about the drug overdoes problems.

[@misterphillipw]

Yes....its actually the Ebonics Life Style...see it in Milwakee, Chgo, East St. Louis, Liberty City Miami....

[@sarahMuahahaha]

Not just the black population for drug issues. It's POOR populations on both sides of the fence, unfortunately.

[@misterphillipw]

@@sarahMuahahaha If they are poor then how do they afford to get high...dope is not cheap.!

[@BIVESNUMBERONEFAN]

Ocala is a beautiful place! Most of the residents are very kind. Drug issues are everywhere in the state of Florida! I'm surprised at race stats , there are many Hispanics in the community of Ocala! I guess they classify as white 🤷💯.

[@TIMJMEANSBUSINESS]

Thanks for watching and for your insight! And yes, you are correct, Hispanics are classified as white by the ACS.

[@Miishay-divnappt]

Ummm, why did you spend so much time in the African American community? Ocala has 3-4 suburbs...not just old houses and projects to try to highlight the drug issue. Like really. Where is Sil er Spring Shores, Marion Oaks, Reddick etc.? Where are the horse farms, the aspiring white and black neighborhoods. Thos is ridiculous...you could have asked for a real tour. 😢

[@TIMJMEANSBUSINESS]

My primary focus was the high overdose drug issue, that’s what brought me to Ocala, not the suburban areas. If you want a video promoting and selling Ocala, hire a film crew to create that for you. My perspective is just that, mine, not yours. Grab a camera, do your own tour, and upload it to KZbin. I wish you the best of luck with that! Thanks for watching! 🙄

[@michaelle8384]

Since he’s black he showing we’re the poor black drug addicted leave because that not how ocala really look like I been living in ocala for 35 years I never been in the ghetto area but I know we’re the area at

[@michaelle8384]

I see where this white men showing the village the most glamorous area we’re the celebrities live many leave here including John travolta kelly le Brock Reba and much more

[@TIMJMEANSBUSINESS]

@@michaelle8384 I highlighted what you refer to as "ghetto," which is actually a Israelite community. I also covered downtown and several other neighborhoods in the area, not just the community you're labeling. And for the record, I'm not Black; I'm an Israelite.

[@TIMJMEANSBUSINESS]

@@michaelle8384 I really don’t care what others choose to show. My video focuses on what I decided to cover-that’s my choice. What someone else filmed is entirely up to them. And what’s with all the white man and Black name calling. Race has nothing to do with content creating.