Apts. in Palm Bay/Melbourne - Need Opinions! (University: apartments, rent)

[honeybrowncajun]

I am a 58-year-old, retired, divorced woman. I went through my wild and crazy phase in my 20's; believe me, I made Thelma and Louise look tame! All I need to make me happy is nearby shopping (nothing high-end like Nordstrom's), peace and quiet, and I don't want to feel like I'm living in Redneckistan.

The apartments I've viewed online appear to be decent and reasonably priced. On the other hand, I don't want to live somewhere that has such a miserable economy that I can't find a Walmart within 20 miles.

I currently live in a somewhat rural area (not all THAT rural) of PA. I'm sick and tired of being inland, shoveling snow, and driving 5 miles to the nearest gas station or grocery store.

Opinions greatly appreciated on both Palm Bay and Melbourne. Don't want or need a "night life." Don't want or need to hear loud-mouthed domestic squabbles by the tenants next door.

[MartinEden99]

Where do you prefer to keep your budget under? 1 bed, or 2 bed (for visitors)? Is walking to the beach important to you? Or a short car ride good enough? You didn't mention the beach so assuming it wouldn't be, but sometimes people (mistakenly) believe the beach is walking distance for everybody.

That might help to narrow down your options as there are definitely a lot of nice options in the area. But in general, most apartments you'll find are not far (less than 10 mins at most) from shopping & tend to be located in more populated areas...but you will need to drive most places so keep that in mind as well if you were not planning on that.

As a (very) general rule of thumb on low end/high end/mega-high end...low to mid end areas tend to be focused around US1, mid to high end areas tend to be closer to or west of I-95, and the high to mega-high end tend to be on or very close to the beach(A1A). That is NOT always the case in all areas of Brevard County, but it is a general rule of thumb that is more often correct, than incorrect.

[honeybrowncajun]

Looking for an apartment that rents for around $600/month + utilities. Don't want to be more than a 20-minute ride from the beach. Although I might have to drive everywhere, which is fine, I don't want to spend a half hour in gridlock to get to the grocery store.

I'd like to be able to take walks on the beach; no longer into baking my skin to a crisp. I also wouldn't mind going to a nice public park - if there are any to be had.

I don't want to be living in a slum, but I don't need to live in an ultra-wealthy neighborhood; can't afford it in this economy anyway.

Does that help as far as giving me specific suggestions?

[KJW5021]

$600 a month is going to be very tight here in this area in my opinion.

We're in one of the older places in a not-desirable neighborhood and pay $640 for a 2BD. I don't know of anyone with cheaper rent, actually...There might be a few $500 places, but they are not areas I'd want to live in, and trust me, I'm not picky.

Can you get a roommate?

[orphicdragon]

Ok well, have you been here before? I'm going to guess not since we don't tend to suffer much gridlock. High traffic times on Wickham and I95 can get a little gritty but for the most part it isn't an issue. We are over run with Walmart's and Targets. If you drive 20 mins without hitting a Walmart you probably drove into the daggum ocean. You can use the glow of the Walmart sign to find your way back to shore.

We have some run down and older stuff, but for the most part the "bad" areas are going to be anywhere near US1. The area's that aren't bad near US1 smell to high heaven at low tide. No joke a good low tide in August can make a maggot gag and beg for mercy. Stay away from the FIT area as well. Anything in the University/Lipscomb area or over near Palm Bay high. Avoid.

I don't see $600 happening TBH, but check out Shore View in Sat.Beach. It is across the street from the ocean and less than a mile from Patrick AFB. It's a little more removed from the Walmart, because it is near the AFB, but you get to see some awesome airshows and fireworks for free as a benny. They are older, and they show it, but they were decent and I know they rent in the $600-$800 range.