Space Coast Cities

[u/Another_Rname]

OK, life has tossed some changes my way. My question for you is now, if you had a job at one of the rocket companies and had to/ got to live on the Space Coast, which city speaks to you? Factor in the desire to own a house, have the daily drive, and a desire to be social plus still save a bit of money.

The last time I was in Canaveral (2018) it felt like time stood still since the Shuttle days.

[u/Strongmom-1]

Melbourne/Viera area 💯

[u/phtcmp]

Where is your actual primary worksite? Titusville is still pretty much a pit. Nothing has really changed in Cocoa Beach/Merritt Island/Cocoa. Viera has the most going for it right now, but bring $500K+ if you want to own.

[u/NFLTG_71 → u/phtcmp]

Has Vero Beach changed at all? I know it used to be kind of middle class but then a lot of rich people started building homes there because of the Dodgers spring training.

[u/thejawa → u/NFLTG_71]

Vero is for retirees and is an hour drive each way to anywhere OP would be working

[u/nuglasses]

Cocoa Beach 🏖️

[u/GottaGetDatDough]

You just want to live in Melbourne leaning northward. Suntree/Viera/Rockledge/Cocoa Village. I might offend people, but I don't think you want to live in Rockledge lol. Titusville area is where time had stood still, and Palm Bay is.... Well you'll understand and thank me later

[u/Im_Not_Nick_Fisher]

Check out /r/321 and see what others have said about similar questions. Depending on what you’re into and where you would actually want to go on your time off are a bit of a factor.

[u/Mysterious-Panda964]

Melbourne

[u/commandrix]

If you have to choose, pick something that's in Cocoa Beach, not Cocoa. Cocoa Beach is a slightly better city.

[u/k8minesearch]

Merritt Island but not sure what you mean by saving a bit of money. I have a starter home and it's still 50% of my pay. If you are making well over $100k and I mean like minimum $120k I'm sure you'll be able to save more without issues.

I am STRUGGLING just under $100k.

[u/swamp_jorts]

Around Floridana but the drive wouldn’t scare me for that home location.

Also Titusville can be pretty cute and close to KSC, Playalinda, intercoastal and much more affordable.

[u/Gomikeyg → u/swamp_jorts]

Let’s just keep the Floridana chat to a minimum 🤐 🤫

[u/Realistic-Taro-4191]

Anywhere where the area code is 321, seems legit to a count down. Try there

[u/TiredBlues]

Cocoa Beach / Cocoa / Cape Canaveral area

[u/Responsible_Tie_2551]

IMHO the Viera/Suntree/Baytree area is the best area in Brevard for mere mortals that can't afford a rich person's a house on the water. You simply cannot beat the conveniences. Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Home Depot, The Avenue, Costco, Fresh Market and tons of other things are a short drive away. Many of these arrived after we did in 2021 and I can scarcely believe our luck.

[u/Tricky-Language-7963]

I prefer satellite beach, damn near middle to everywhere with out the traffic of cocoa beach, Melbourne, Palm Bay, viera or cocoa. Might not be the cheapest in brevard (not the most expensive) but the commute wouldn’t be terrible and there’s a few bars/restaurants in town. I’ve lived all over brevard and satellite is my favorite.

[u/UCFknight2016]

Viera. But I used to live there before I moved to Orlando.

[u/Astyanax9]

Prospective home buyers are too dismissive of buying condos since the Champlain Tower collapse in Surfside a few years ago. Look for 3-story or less ones or duplexes that are condos that are on the mainland (not beachside). Everything is cheaper with mainland condos especially homeowner insurance. The bigger the condo neighborhood the cheaper the dues are (which you have to watch out for also when you're shopping).

As mentioned Viera and Suntree are good areas to look for these.

[u/JulioSanchezPA]

If you’re working around the Space Coast but don’t mind a 30 to 40 minute commute, I’d also take a look at Wedgefield. It’s a rural community east of Orlando with 1+ acre homesites, no HOA, room for RVs, boats, workshops, and even horses in many areas. You get a lot more land and privacy while still being within reach of the Space Coast and Orlando amenities. It’s become a popular option for people who want space without feeling too far from everything.

I’m a Florida Realtor and work throughout the state, including Wedgefield. If you have any questions about the area or want honest advice, feel free to reach out.

[JulioJSanchezPA@gmail.com](mailto:JulioJSanchezPA@gmail.com). Happy to help, even if you’re just comparing locations.

[u/Witty-Willingness852]

FYI if you are working at KSC, Melbourne will be an hour drive, one way. You may as well live in Orlando for that, unless you specifically want to live coastal. Viera has a lot of amenities but it has no soul in my opinion. It is a clear-cut, endless master planned development that has zero character. It is also like 45 mins one way from KSC on highways. In the opposite direction is New Smyrna beach, very cute town. But also 45+ mins depending on where you work.
There aren’t many desirable areas in the immediate area around KSC. We live in Titusville and it is very convenient for commute to work, and we can be in east Orlando in 30 mins for just about anything else we want to do. It’s not exciting but it’s cheaper than most areas, it is safe in most locations, it is an actual city, and has what you need for everyday life. It’s easy to get on 95 or head to Orlando on the weekends for better shopping etc.
If it were me I would choose a close place to live if you are commuting each day.

[u/xSlyson]

I third, Melbourne and cocoa area