Considering moving to Brevard county... (Orlando, Palm Bay: deductible, living in, cost)

[Nelli8810]

Originally Posted by 1insider

Cocoa Beach once you get south of the Kelly Slater statue is a great small beach town. We get tourists at the beach downtown around Coconuts but far less than the touristy northern part of Cocoa Beach and the tourists rarely venture south of downtown. It's a normal little Mayberry type of town there. Just happens to be on a beach.

There are events downtown pretty often when they'll close off two blocks of Minutemen Cswy., set up food trucks and a stage and the locals walk down out of the nearby neighborhoods with the kids and the dogs and roam about eating, drinking and visiting while musicians play. There are over 40 restaurants and bars and several coffee shops within that four block area. On weekends there will be live music at 8 or 10 locations within walking distance of each other. With only 12,000 population, you'll become a local fairly quickly. Full disclosure: I realize I'm biased but feel a need to point out that the public image of Cocoa Beach as a touristy or elderly-only place doesn't match the small town reality of the southern end of town.

BTW, the number one rated elementary school in the County is here and the high school and middle school are both A rated.

thanks!

[Nelli8810]

BTW, thanks to all the advice we are down to these 5 in Brevard...

Indialantic
Melbourne Beach
Merritt Island
Satellite Beach
South Patrick Shores

[Gypsy3n8]

Originally Posted by Nelli8810

BTW, thanks to all the advice we are down to these 5 in Brevard...

Indialantic
Melbourne Beach
Merritt Island
Satellite Beach
South Patrick Shores

If walkability to a beach is high on your list of criteria, I would remove Merritt Island from consideration.

[Nelli8810]

Originally Posted by Gypsy3n8

If walkability to a beach is high on your list of criteria, I would remove Merritt Island from consideration.

I think I missed that in the comments earlier thanks ... I think I see Island & assume beach but I guess that's not the case?

[SanyBelle]

Originally Posted by Nelli8810

BTW, thanks to all the advice we are down to these 5 in Brevard...

Indialantic
Melbourne Beach
Merritt Island
Satellite Beach
South Patrick Shores

I would add Indian Harbour Beach, that's a small town just south of Satellite Beach.

[Gypsy3n8]

Originally Posted by Nelli8810

I think I missed that in the comments earlier thanks ... I think I see Island & assume beach but I guess that's not the case?

If you look at the map, you will see Merritt Island is between the mainland and the barrier islands. On one side is the Indian River, on the other is the Banana River, and in the middle is what's called Sykes Creek. It is all part of the Indian River Lagoon system, but no, there are no beaches.

[Nelli8810]

Originally Posted by Gypsy3n8

If you look at the map, you will see Merritt Island is between the mainland and the barrier islands. On one side is the Indian River, on the other is the Banana River, and in the middle is what's called Sykes Creek. It is all part of the Indian River Lagoon system, but no, there are no beaches.

thank you!!! :-) this really helps! down to 4 which are all pretty close so im happy with that! Next we will narrow down our list in the counties close to Brevard, may try to hit a few on this trip.

[Nelli8810]

Originally Posted by SanyBelle

I would add Indian Harbour Beach, that's a small town just south of Satellite Beach.

thanks!

[BrevardREALTOR]

Hi @Nelli8810 I moved here in 2010 and was originally looking mainland. Luckily, I ended up settling in Indialantic and I couldn't be happier. My trips to the beach seem to go in waves, but the more I visit the happier I am. This summer I was lucky enough to watch several turtle nests hatch. I can't even explain how amazing that was! The beachside schools generally have good ratings too. Good luck with your search & if you have any questions feel free to ask!

[Nelli8810]

Originally Posted by BrevardREALTOR

Hi @Nelli8810 I moved here in 2010 and was originally looking mainland. Luckily, I ended up settling in Indialantic and I couldn't be happier. My trips to the beach seem to go in waves, but the more I visit the happier I am. This summer I was lucky enough to watch several turtle nests hatch. I can't even explain how amazing that was! The beachside schools generally have good ratings too. Good luck with your search & if you have any questions feel free to ask!

That is amazing :-) Thanks for sharing! I'm keeping an eye out for cheap tickets for a long weekend trip...my husband hates flying & not many nonstop trips from PIT to Melbourne area that I have found so we may try to fly to Jacksonville rent a car and hit up a couple places along the way in St. Johns & Volusia counties (Palm Valley, Sawgrass, Ponce Inlet, & Port Orange). Although im thinking this is likely too much for a long weekend. I wish there was more frequent Amtracks that went to the area!

how good is the public transportation system is around Indialantic? & are the beaches dog friendly?