South Cocoa Beach (near Cocoa Beach HS) (Orlando, Melbourne: crime rate, home)

[jjphillips48]

I am in the process of relocating my family (me, wife, 4-year old boy and baby boy) to the area as I start a new job new Melbourne airport. We are interested in a new construction neighborhood that is on the south edge of Cocoa Beach. Based on the map, it is just south of the Cocoa Beach HS (and Roosevelt elementary). So it seems like it is a little outside of the heart of Cocoa (in other words, not in the touristy area). Just up the road from the new Squid Lips. I'm more familiar with Melbourne and have not spent that much time near Cocoa. Any information I could get about the area near the Cocoa schools would be very helpful. Here are some of the more specific questions I have about the area. (please remember this is the area on the south edge of Cocoa):
- How are the Roosevelt and Cocoa Beach public schools?
- Are there local issues with crime, drugs, gangs, etc.
- Are there many families with kids in this area?
- What is the beach like in this area? (depth, rocks, strong currents, etc.)

[beckerd2]

You need to recheck your map. Cocoa Beach and Cocoa are NOT the same towns. Cocoa Beach is close to the ocean while Cocoa is more inland. Merritt Island and 2 rivers separate the towns. Cocoa is known for having a high crime rate while Cocoa Beach is not known for that.


If you're going to drive to work at the airport in Melbourne, then it will take you probably 45 minutes more or less on weekdays.


Here are a couple of links about the schools..


This shows Roosevelt as being a good school


Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School - Cocoa Beach, Florida - FL - School overview




If you click around on this site, then you'll be able to see all of Brevard's schools...


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The beaches are fine to swim in. They usually have a lot of folks from Orlando because its a straight shot down 520 or 528. The beaches get pretty maddening during the holidays.


There are a lot of families in the area as well as retirees and such.


One thing that I would consider if I was looking for a home close to the high school is the amount of noise pollution you may get from there. If they have a football game, you may have to contend with lights and all the cheering that goes on whenever a game goes on.
Also, high school kids like to go fast through the streets whenever they get out of school. They can't help it, its in their biological makeup...lol


Good luck with wherever you end up!

[1insider]

• No rocks on any Brevard beaches north of Patrick. Beaches south of Minutemen Cswy rarely get crowded even on holidays. The daytrippers and tourists tend to congregate north of downtown. The beach in Cocoa Beach is perfect for biking except at extreme high tides. You can ride your beach cruiser from Patrick all the way to Port Canaveral.
• No gangs in Cocoa Beach but don't leave your bike unlocked outside any of the watering holes. It might get borrowed.
• Many families with kids in Cocoa Beach. Cruise up Minutemen Cswy during the school going-to and getting-out times and see the kids walking, biking, skating to school on the wide sidewalk from the neighborhoods to the schools. Both schools are highly rated. Attendance suffers any day the waves are good which is often.
• There are two Cocoa Beaches; the one most outsiders think of which is the tourist area around Ron Jons and the Pier and Coconuts on weekends and the one that I live in and love, the Cocoa Beach south of 4th ST. North. It's a friendly small town with no speed limit over 35 MPH and very little traffic or crime issues. I would recommend it to any family wanting a safe, friendly beach town with a slower pace of living.