[mmoffitt]

I'm retiring from the military after 25 years next year. My wife is a special needs teacher. We plan to move to Florida, hopefully for our last move. We are considering the Melbourne area because of a job opportunity but are open to other suggestions. We don't have any kids in the house, so schools aren't a concern except for where the wife will get a job. We plan to live in our RV until we get settled in and find the perfect area/home. I'm thinking our home budget will be up to $350k or if we find a fixer upper, then $200k. We would prefer a waterfront/waterview. Here's a few things I'm hoping you guys can help with.

1. Best place for mid-long term RV near Melbourne
2. Schools for my wife to seek or avoid (she prefers junior high or high school)
3. Advice on living in the Melbourne area (pros and cons)
4. If not Melbourne, then where?

Our priorities are: safe area, home with great outdoor living area, affordable area, preferably near a military base for medical.

Feel free to answer any or all of my above questions or give me other advice you think I should know. We are excited about moving there but want to make sure we do our research before we buy our forever home.

Thanks for your help!

[kyle19125]

The Melbourne area is nice and has some good options for you both. Given your desire for water accessibility I would recommend the beach-side peninsula towns of Satellite Beach, Indialantic or Melbourne Beach as well as Merritt Island. Satellite Beach High School, Delaura Middle School (Satellite Beach), Hoover Middle School in Indialantic, Westshore Junior/Senior High in Melbourne (close to Melbourne Beach) and Edgewood Junior/Senior High in Merritt Island are all highly rated options in one of Florida's best school districts (Brevard County). While there isn't a nearby VA center with inpatient care, the fairly new VA clinic in Viera offers all of preventative care and diagnostics needed, and has contracted with local hospitals for any in-patient procedures needed. Satellite Beach in particular has a high ratio of retired veterans due to it's proximity to Patrick AFB's commissary which you might find a more comfortable fit, from a social aspect especially.

VA Clinic

[Ms. Intelligence]

Stay north of Hobe Sound unless you love spanish and third world immigrants.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by Ms. Intelligence

Stay north of Hobe Sound unless you love spanish and third world immigrants.

Thank you Ivanka.

Also as an FYI the Orlando area has the fastest growing Puerto Rican population in the country, which is well north of Hobe Sound.

[Ms. Intelligence]

Orlando is the only exception in all Central and North Central Florida. Outside of their little enclave they call home, it is almost all english and Americans. If I might add those Puerto Ricans don't assimulate and some hate America. They are only here for the job or money!