Moving to Brevard. (Hollywood, Palm Bay, Titusville: HOA, crime, houses)

[NeverQuit78]

I'm moving to Brevard from the Jax area (new job). Family of four with a dog that is used to living on a very private 6 acres and the freedom that comes with it. I'm looking for something similar no less than 3 acres or willing to trade all of that for instant boat access either on the water with dock/lift or community with a private ramp/marina.

I've gone down to check out the area a few times and narrowed some areas down.

Scottsmoor/North Mims the positive is that its rural very similar to where we are now but almost forty miles to an inlet (I drive 50 miles to one now and I want to significantly reduce that).

Micco, Malabar, Grant Valkaria, I really like the sleepy feel some acreage is available but I don't know if it's as free as I'm used to (like setting up a home shooting range) some areas feel like it could be some don't. Then there's the waterfront areas which I like.

Palm Bay Deer Run in specific. I like that its rural and fairly affordable for what it is. Downside is the HOA and restrictions (no shooting).

I plan on retiring here so whatever we do needs to be the right choice.

So with those areas in mind can anyone shed any light on things like crime (I'm a police officer so I will be parking a marked unit where I'm at which can tend to be a target) if there are any deputies here I'd definitely like to hear from you on trends, issues, etc. Also do these areas have internet? Real internet (Xfinity, AT&T etc.) not the data capped companies. Where I'm at currently we don't so it's not that big of a deal but it would be nice to have it again lol.

My wife is also a special needs teacher so any thoughts on schools with good programs for that? She enjoys working with those kids and she would prefer staying in that but she is open to general ed as well so really I'll take all info possible lol. If there's any teachers or administrators in here I'd love to hear from yall nothing beats first hand experience.

Thanks in advance!

[NeverQuit78]

I forgot there is also a community called Little Hollywood that has deeded access to a boat ramp. I never got to see it as I saw a listing after I left the last time I was down there. Any thoughts on that community would be helpful as well.

[NeverQuit78]

Out of 65 views someone has to have something.... lol

[Florida Paul]

I've been to Deer Run and Little Hollywood. Deer Run would be more of what your looking for based on the description of wanting rural space. Little Hollywood is like a fishing Village, kinda split up by railroad tracks. Very interesting area, good for boating and land, but not the rural space I think you are looking for. You didn't mention anything about schooling, which I would definitely base your move location on if your children are going to public schools.

I prefer the Micco, Malabar, Grant/Valkaria area than the areas North of Titusville.

Your wife shouldn't have a problem finding a teaching job in Brevard at the moment. They are having problems finding and placing teachers in positions. Its hard even getting substitutes to show up.

Maybe that can help some.

[Rabflmom]

Originally Posted by Florida Paul

I've been to Deer Run and Little Hollywood. Deer Run would be more of what your looking for based on the description of wanting rural space. Little Hollywood is like a fishing Village, kinda split up by railroad tracks. Very interesting area, good for boating and land, but not the rural space I think you are looking for. You didn't mention anything about schooling, which I would definitely base your move location on if your children are going to public schools.

I prefer the Micco, Malabar, Grant/Valkaria area than the areas North of Titusville.

Your wife shouldn't have a problem finding a teaching job in Brevard at the moment. They are having problems finding and placing teachers in positions. Its hard even getting substitutes to show up.

Maybe that can help some.

Deer Run is the last place he wants to live if he wants to have gun practice on his property.

Grant/Valkaria is South and East of Palm Bay not anywhere near Titusville. Grant/Valkaria is probably one of the best areas to look, but need to watch what areas flood. It puts you close to airports, marinas, an inlet, shopping , entertainment, and lots of places to eat. You can also have horses in that area.


Micco, also South of Palm Bay has always been rural but that is changing. The new road and exit will be there and there are something like 1500 houses, commercial areas etc in the plans.

You might want to look at areas around Fellsmere for land Rural Sebastian, too. Parking a police car in Palm Bay anyway, does not become a target. Might actually make a neighborhood a little safer.

Grant and Sebastian have several marinas and if you plan on ocean boating the inlet is there.

Brevard County is the school district so that is the website your wife should look into for a teaching position. One district for the county instead of city districts like up North. Indian River county schools are not rated as highly, but good teachers are always needed. Pay here may be less than she was used to, though.

[NeverQuit78]

Originally Posted by Rabflmom

Deer Run is the last place he wants to live if he wants to have gun practice on his property.

Grant/Valkaria is South and East of Palm Bay not anywhere near Titusville. Grant/Valkaria is probably one of the best areas to look, but need to watch what areas flood. It puts you close to airports, marinas, an inlet, shopping , entertainment, and lots of places to eat. You can also have horses in that area.


Micco, also South of Palm Bay has always been rural but that is changing. The new road and exit will be there and there are something like 1500 houses, commercial areas etc in the plans.

You might want to look at areas around Fellsmere for land Rural Sebastian, too. Parking a police car in Palm Bay anyway, does not become a target. Might actually make a neighborhood a little safer.

Grant and Sebastian have several marinas and if you plan on ocean boating the inlet is there.

Brevard County is the school district so that is the website your wife should look into for a teaching position. One district for the county instead of city districts like up North. Indian River county schools are not rated as highly, but good teachers are always needed. Pay here may be less than she was used to, though.

Thanks! She has been on the district site looking more so for specific schools with good programs for special needs kids that she can target. Although we are heading down in 2 weeks and she's going to the teaching job fair so she may be able to narrow something down there. Pay is roughly the same she works in a small county out of the Jax area so its comparable in that regard.

I do like the Micco and Grant Valkaria areas quite a bit as you mentioned Deer Run does have restrictions are shooting. How do Micco and Grant Valkaria compare? I would set something up with a berm and all necessary safety requirements so I won't be just shooting through trees lol. It's not a necessity but it would be nice.

[NeverQuit78]

Originally Posted by Florida Paul

I've been to Deer Run and Little Hollywood. Deer Run would be more of what your looking for based on the description of wanting rural space. Little Hollywood is like a fishing Village, kinda split up by railroad tracks. Very interesting area, good for boating and land, but not the rural space I think you are looking for. You didn't mention anything about schooling, which I would definitely base your move location on if your children are going to public schools.

I prefer the Micco, Malabar, Grant/Valkaria area than the areas North of Titusville.

Your wife shouldn't have a problem finding a teaching job in Brevard at the moment. They are having problems finding and placing teachers in positions. Its hard even getting substitutes to show up.

Maybe that can help some.

I'm willing to trade the rural areas for on the water or private ramp access. Little Hollywood puts you real close to the Sebastian Inlet so it's got my interest. Thoughts on any issues there?