Where to Buy in Brevard (Clearwater, Melbourne: HOA, insurance, houses)

[Colkoe]

We are relocating from Louisville KY to Brevard, we have a budget of $650k, kids have left home so no worry about schools, but where to buy? smaller home that needs work in Sat beach or Indialantic or nice home thats larger in West Melbourne or Viera?

[HarryWhom]

Originally Posted by Colkoe

We are relocating from Louisville KY to Brevard, we have a budget of $650k, kids have left home so no worry about schools, but where to buy? smaller home that needs work in Sat beach or Indialantic or nice home thats larger in West Melbourne or Viera?

I'd look a little further south in Melbourne Beach.

[Nypafl4u]

Originally Posted by Colkoe

We are relocating from Louisville KY to Brevard, we have a budget of $650k, kids have left home so no worry about schools, but where to buy? smaller home that needs work in Sat beach or Indialantic or nice home thats larger in West Melbourne or Viera?

Do you want canal front? What is important to you in your search. Brevard is a big county and many homes will fit your budget.

[Colkoe]

Looking for middle to upper class neighborhood, close to restaurants, any particular areas to stay away from, due to crime, industrial etc...I dont like the feel of Satellite beach, houses are small, run down and all look alike, is Indian Harbour or Indialantic "nicer", I guess i need a trip down to get a feel, its just a big county so wanted to try and narrow it down. Does one get a breeze off the ocean if you are in Melbourne, what about bugs are they worse inland?

[Nypafl4u]

You really should take a trip and drive around. I am partial to the northern part of Brevard in Cocoa Beach and surrounding areas. Decent restaurants and a bit of night life. Usually a breeze off the ocean. Bugs are everywhere in Florida.
I am in Merritt Island which does have mostly older homes from the 1960's. But living on a canal street, many have been gut renovated in the last year or two and are quite nice inside. You will be hard pressed to find one like that in the $650 range, unless it needs some work. Advantages, nice breezes, friendly people, no HOA's, not incorporated which has fewer rules but that may be a disadvantage to some. Disadvantages, older homes in most areas. Older cast iron sewer pipes that likely will need replacing or relined, not incorporated so more likely to find some rough looking properties sprinkled about the nicer ones. My street has houses ranging in value from $500's to close to $2,000,000 if that give you an idea.
Downtown Melbourne can be fun and plenty of cultural things offered, but Oceanside will generally be nicer neighborhoods and priced accordingly.
Come visit, drive around and narrow down your choices.
I do not like newer cookie cutter types you find in HOA communities like in Viera and Suntree, where you have newer homes, usuall smaller lots, but you have rules there and some prefer that.
Good luck in you search.

[Florida Paul]

I agree with HarryWhom, Mel Beach, but even then it is still slightly above your range of 650K. There is a house on 2nd ave that is 700k, that is close to Ocean Ave where all the restaurants and bars are.

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...?ex=2943652942

Satellite Beach is basically solid working/Middle class unless you live on Lansing or Tortoise Island.
I think Indialantic and IHB have a nicer clean feel then Satellite Beach, but it is also more snowbirdie.
You might want to look into Sebastian. You have a ton of options.

[Leo58]

Viera is booming, tons of shopping and restaurants there, cookie cutter housing but it is newer.

[AlwaysBeachin]

When I come down, I love staying at the Hilton Melbourne Beach. Of course, that area (Indialandic) just north of Melbourne Beach is really nice. Plenty of restaurants, grocery stores, Walmart, etc. You're not going to get as much for your money due to the location. Viera is nice and upcoming, but it's cookie cutter new, like another poster stated. My impression of Merritt Island is that it's 50/50. North of A1A, there are nice houses around the golf course, and the further south you go down Tropical Trail, it's also like that. The center of Merritt Island around the causeway is where you find the older homes. It's going to be your preference on nicer area/smaller home or larger, older home on a canal that may need updates.

I am looking at this area for retirement one day, possibly, since it is not a "tourist" area or retiree mecca like Clearwater, Naples, The Villages, etc. We get so many tourists on my part of the Gulf Coast that I want a mid-sized beach town that's never overrun with tourists. I have a friend in Cocoa, so I like to come down that way often.

[kyle19125]

Given the current state of the home insurance market and what is likely to happen post-Hurricane Ian, I would look at homes much further inland in Viera or West Melbourne in non-flood zones or minimal at least.

[Nypafl4u]

Our dock is currently underwater and the water is right up to the top of our sea wall. But our house sits another 4-5 feet higher, at least on our block in Merritt Island. We likely will not see water ever come that high to the house due to the locks in Port Canaveral and the barrier of beachside. But some streets do flood as the sewers get overwhelmed. It still wouldn't stop me from living on the water. Just due the correct research, ask neighbor's and visit after heavey rain.
Insurance is high everywhere in Florida. Flood insurance is relatively cheap. Maybe an extra $1,000 a year. My flood insurance is about $800 yearly now. So it really depends in what zone you are in based on your elevation and the flood zone guidelines (which can and do change over time).
I can tell you in our experience, waterfront property holds its value overtime better than non waterfront. Maybe in another 30-50 years that will change, but I likely won't be around to see that. Enjoy life now and enjoy the waterfront living if you can afford to. It really is pleasant, to look out and see the water, catch a nice breeze, get occasional dolphins and all the fish. I consider this my slice of paradise and wouldn't change it to be more inland, especially living now in Florida.