Job in Orlando but want to live at the beach (Melbourne: houses, safe neighborhoods)

[edavis44]

Considering taking a job near UCF (east Orlando) with standard hours - show by 7-9am leave by 4-6pm. My wife spent her entire life living next to beaches on the panhandle. She would like to live on the beach or along Indian River for the lifestyle, breeze, beach access, etc. So, we've looked at homes anywhere from New Smyrna down south to Melbourne. We'd be looking to buy a home in the 200 or 300s. I worry that the commute would be miserable with traffic, tolls, etc. I can't seem to find anywhere under an hour commute and some of the coastal towns (i.e. Cocoa) seem sketchy. So, our dilemma is long commute with beach lifestyle or shorter commute but far from beach. Thoughts?

[ExIslander]

The usual starting point for "commute to Orlando but live not too far from the beach" house hunting is Merritt Island.

You're correct about the mainland side by the river (i.e. along U.S. 1) not having a lot of great neighborhoods down that stretch.

Another option would be Viera, which is slightly farther away from Orlando and definitely farther from water, but is a popular place to live and should have plenty of options in your price range. Depending on where you are in Viera, it's probably ten minutes to the river/U.S. 1 and another ten to get to and over the Pineda causeway to the beach. If that isn't too far, that might be an option.

[1insider]

Originally Posted by edavis44

Considering taking a job near UCF (east Orlando) with standard hours - show by 7-9am leave by 4-6pm. My wife spent her entire life living next to beaches on the panhandle. She would like to live on the beach or along Indian River for the lifestyle, breeze, beach access, etc. So, we've looked at homes anywhere from New Smyrna down south to Melbourne. We'd be looking to buy a home in the 200 or 300s. I worry that the commute would be miserable with traffic, tolls, etc. I can't seem to find anywhere under an hour commute and some of the coastal towns (i.e. Cocoa) seem sketchy. So, our dilemma is long commute with beach lifestyle or shorter commute but far from beach. Thoughts?

Unless you're actually going to be living beachside, it makes no sense to just be closer, like Merritt Island. If you'll have to get in your car to go to the beach do yourself a favor and be closer to work than the beach. You'll be going to work far more often than you'll be going to the beach even if you live one block away from the beach. Sucks but that's reality. I live directly on the ocean and it's a major part of my life but my toes are under my desk more often than they're in the Atlantic.

[chopchop0]

I think Cocoa Beach would be your best bet. Prepare for a commute a bit less than or more than an hour depending on the traffic.

[mateo384]

consider beachside in Daytona Beach Shores or Port Orange. I'm sure you can find something in your price range, and those are good, safe neighborhoods along those stretches. Ponce Inlet might be too pricey, but that would be even better. I'd check it out.

[chopchop0]

Originally Posted by mateo384

consider beachside in Daytona Beach Shores or Port Orange. I'm sure you can find something in your price range, and those are good, safe neighborhoods along those stretches. Ponce Inlet might be too pricey, but that would be even better. I'd check it out.

Too long of a commute imo. Better to avoid i4 and use the 528 if possible.

[clnewman]

I agree with ChopChop. I'd rather have a root canal than drive the I-4 every day.

There are 2 toll booths on the 528 east of the 417 and the total toll is $2 each way. 528 traffic is seldom horrible. Your route when you hit the 417 area will determine additional cost or not. 417 is another toll road. We lived in Kissimmee while house hunting, and it cost $5 each way in tolls for the 417/528. It took us about an hour + 15 minutes from Kissimmee to Merritt Island.

There are still housing values in Titusville, PSJ, Merritt Island, and points south. However, waterfront property is always at a price premium. Not sure you can find much on the water at your price point that won't require massive remodel investment. That said, if you can't be right on the water, then many other areas open up as opportunities. I would prefer to be "beach close" in a home I like than on the water in a home I don't like or can barely afford.

Just my 2¢.

[Rabflmom]

Also, since you said the job is close to UCF Rt 50 is an option without tolls. Titusville is right on 50 so probably the closest to that area of Orlando, but it does not have houses on the beach because of the Space Center. It does have one of the best beaches in a National park, though. The national seashore is natural and always beautiful but is quite a long drive to get there. I have to say I like Titusville though for its small town friendly atmosphere and you can get some really nice homes for a good price.

When our son was going to UCF and we drove from South Brevard, we used to take 95 to 520 to Taylor Creek road, to 50 to Alafaya to avoid Friday I-95 bumper to bumper traffic and tolls sometimes. Loved the country feel of Taylor Creek Road.

[kidjudge]

Originally Posted by clnewman

I agree with ChopChop. I'd rather have a root canal than drive the I-4 every day.

There are 2 toll booths on the 528 east of the 417 and the total toll is $2 each way. 528 traffic is seldom horrible. Your route when you hit the 417 area will determine additional cost or not. 417 is another toll road. We lived in Kissimmee while house hunting, and it cost $5 each way in tolls for the 417/528. It took us about an hour + 15 minutes from Kissimmee to Merritt Island.

There are still housing values in Titusville, PSJ, Merritt Island, and points south. However, waterfront property is always at a price premium. Not sure you can find much on the water at your price point that won't require massive remodel investment. That said, if you can't be right on the water, then many other areas open up as opportunities. I would prefer to be "beach close" in a home I like than on the water in a home I don't like or can barely afford.

Just my 2¢.

If you use sunpass those tolls go down to 87 cents a toll. I drive from Titusville to Orlando everyday at different times and it has never taken me more than 30 min door to door unless there is an accident and that has not been very often (knock on wood)

[clnewman]

I always wondered if the tolls were discounted for Sunpass users. We didn't make the journey often enough to warrant getting one. In hindsight, not having to stop at the booths to pay would have been a nice time saver.