new construction Titusville, Port St. John, Cocoa, Rockledge (Orlando, Palm Bay: houses, neighborhoods)

[ktgrok]

We are looking to move from Apopka, FL (northwest of Orlando) to somewhere closer to my parents who are on Merritt Island. We also need a bigger home - there are 6 of us plus we homeschool and my husband has been working from home and found out that even after Covid he will continue to work remotely. In his field, working remote is more common than not (cybersecurity). So, we need a home office for him and it needs to be away from the homeschool space/kids playing...which means a lot of house. We've been making do in 1500 sq feet and it isn't pretty, lol. Most existing houses don't meet our needs - partly as they are more open floor plan vs ability to close doors for private areas.

Needing that much space for our day to day sanity limits our options a lot. Especially since we are trying to stay under 400K. Building seems the best bet. DR Horton has plans that work, and has new construction in the Cocoa area and Titusville. One, Adamsom creek, is sandwiched between 95 and a landfill, so thinking probably not that one. But not sure what the areas around Panther Ridge (362 Catfish Place, Cocoa, FL 32927) or Lakeside Palms (130 Sorrento Drive, Cocoa, FL 32922) are like - seems sort of empty right now? If it likely will get built up more, that would be fine. We plan to stay long term and getting in before stuff gets built up more seems smart. And I mean, where we are now there was major excitement when we got a Denny's, lol. I will say, we are dog people, and Lakeside Palms is 2 minutes from a dog park! (and playground, trails, etc) They also have one in Titusville (110 Forest Trace Circle, Titusville, FL 32780).

Or Maronda has a great floor plan, our favorite actually, and has "scattered lots" in Port St. John and will have a new development going up in Rockledge called Brookview (854 Brookview Ln, Rockledge, FL 32955) That seems like maybe a nicer area, but we are waiting to hear if it is in our price range and when they are starting to build. They also have some lots left on Merritt Island, but they are out of our price range there - being on the island bumps up the prices about 100K or more it seems. Port St. Johns seems from some google street views like it might be a bit more "country" than I'm looking for, but not sure. Likely depends where in that area?

School district is not an issue, we are long time homeschoolers and will continue with that. We do want to have quick access to the highway for an easy commute to Winter Park as my husband might do some in person teaching again at Full Sail University at some point in the future, in addition to what he does now. And my sister lives in Waterford Lakes, East Orlando area, so want to be able to go see her and have cousins play, etc. So going further south to Melbourne or Palm Bay doesn't really work.

[Not-Sure]

Hi kt;

Of the developments you mentioned, I'd rate "Forest Trace" in Titusville and "Brookview" in Rockledge as your best choices.
Both are far better neighborhoods then either location in Cocoa. Also closer to everyday needs like supermarkets, plus Titusville is much closer to Waterford Lakes/Orlando though you have to slog it over route 50.

If it comes to new construction, you might take a look at Wedgefield off of 520, south of 50. Right now you need to drive to 50 for shopping, but Orlando is growing quickly to the east, so it won't be in the boonies much longer.

Good luck.