[jdcip]

Me and the family are thinking of moving to the Melbourne area from CA. We went out there about 5 years ago but my Wife wasn't too impressed with it. I liked things about it, but we are worried about crime, schools and so forth. We have a daughter who is 7 so schools are a big concern. Is it a good city to raise a family?? Thanks!!

[MrTudo]

Try Merrit Island instead if you can spring for the $$. South Merrit even better.

[MrTudo]

Originally Posted by MrTudo

Try Merrit Island instead if you can spring for the $$. South Merrit even better.

Don't "worry" about it. Just do your research.

[SPLIT]

J: Read your post and if you are coming from CA should have enough money for the higher ins, taxes, etc. We lived there for 12 years, two houses, Lake Washington area. Schools quite excellent most rated " A" ,county sup DePadri (?) high state ranking. If you have a specific need for Melbourne, Family, guaranteed employment, etc, or year round warm weather, enjoy. Many new condos being built. Roads very very crowded now. Wickham rd North & South link over-used. I-95 many morning accidents clog Palm Bay area. State trying to install median guard rails to stop Cross-Over Head on Fatal accidents, etc. House prices should be lower than a year ago. Many state and pan-handle retirees leaving for Tenn where housing and utilities, insurance are only 1 / 3 rd of central / south Fla.

[alexander59]

My daughter lives in Melbourne beach and six years ago I almost moved there, houses have gone crazy and the place is a boom town, it used to be quiet and all the small little beach towns were great, now insurance runs my daughter over 8000.00 a year on a 225,000 town house, a mile from the water, her boyfriend lives in Melbourne and its very expensive with insurance etc. The schools used to be great but its getting crowded, my grandson just graduated from Melbourne High and he was bored along with most of his friends. Florida schools are horrible, please do your research, private school is often an option. I hope you have a job waiting for you or a very good education or profession because good jobs are scarce. The newspaper Florida Today covers Melbourne and the surrounding areas, please do lots of research before you move to Florida. Your seven year old daughter will be at least a grade ahead of her classmates and they will not put her up that grade. Just because a school is rated A thats Florida standards not the countries, be wary.

[sunrico90]

Agree with Split; Melbourne is great place but expensive. Check Palm Bay and bit of a drive, but you get more house for your money..

[AmyK]

We have lived around the general area of Melbourne since 1987. My husband's first job out of college was with Harris Corp. in Palm Bay. First we rented an apartment in Melbourne Beach, then bought our first home in Palm Bay (more affordable). When our oldest child was about to begin Kindergarten, we moved back to Melbourne Beach to be in Gemini Elementary's school district -- I did lots of research about the schools, and our first choice was Gemini, but a close 2nd and 3rd were Indialantic Elementary and Ocean Breeze Elementary (they are in the next couple of towns north of Melbourne Beach). Those 3 schools are all excellent; and if you are not looking on the beachside, I have also heard very good things about Lockmar in Palm Bay... A newer (growing) area near us is the north Melbourne/Suntree/Viera area where I also hear the schools are good. (But I'm much less familiar with that area than with the beachside). We have been VERY happy with Gemini Elementary, Hoover Middle School, and now with Melbourne High School. I would be happy to give you more info and/or try to answer other questions you have about the area. We have loved it here!