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The Relocation Guide
Moving to Brevard County, Florida
Prepared with Carrie Liotta, Real Broker · carrieliotta@gmail.com · (256) 479-2800
Waterfront at a glance
Oceanfront: Direct beach access, Ocean breezes, surf breaks, Strong rental demand. Watch for higher wind and flood insurance, salt air upkeep, condo association rules. Cocoa Beach, Indialantic, Melbourne Beach, Satellite Beach.
Riverfront: Calm water and dolphins, Big sunset views, Often larger lots. Watch for seawall condition, shallow water for big boats, lagoon water quality varies. Melbourne, Merritt Island, Rockledge, Titusville.
Canal: Docks and lifts at home, Protected from open water, Strong boating community. Watch for bridge clearance to open water, depth at low tide, dock permits and seawalls. Cocoa Beach, Indian Harbour Beach, Merritt Island, Satellite Beach.
Communities
Cape Canaveral ($300K to $1.2M): Home to Port Canaveral, one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, with launch views, port jobs, and the new Brevard Zoo aquarium coming to the port. Smaller beach town feel with condos, townhomes, and some single-family streets. Watch cruise ships come and go from Port Canaveral. Jetty Park, the pier, and the coming Brevard Zoo aquarium nearby.
Cocoa ($250K to $800K): Historic Cocoa Village on the river, plus larger lots and rural acreage to the west for those who want space. Cocoa Village has brick streets, shops, the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse, and riverfront parks. West of I-95 opens up to larger lots, acreage, and horse property. Close to SR 528 for a quick drive to Orlando or Port Canaveral.
Cocoa Beach ($350K to $2M+): Surf culture, the pier, and oceanfront condos five minutes from Patrick SFB. See the condo and short-term rental guide. Mostly condos along the ocean and A1A, with canal homes on the river side. Walkable to the pier, Ron Jon, and the downtown strip. Rental rules vary by building and zoning, see the condo guide.
Indialantic ($500K to $5M+): Homes and condos walkable to the sand, a five-minute bridge to downtown Melbourne, and luxury gated islands like Lansing Island. Small-town main street with cafes near the beach. Short drive over the causeway to downtown Melbourne. Older beach cottages, updated homes, and gated Lansing Island nearby.
Lansing & Tortoise Island ($1.5M to $8M+): Gated luxury island communities with deep-water docks, estate homes, and privacy. Lansing Island in Indian Harbour Beach and Tortoise Island in Satellite Beach. Gated entries and private roads. Deep-water docks with river access. Custom estate homes on large lots.
Melbourne ($300K to $900K): Historic downtown, riverfront parks, the airport, and the heart of the L3Harris and Northrop campus area. Downtown Melbourne has restaurants, live music, and the historic district on New Haven Avenue. Eau Gallie Arts District offers murals, galleries, and riverfront parks. Neighborhoods range from 1950s ranches to riverfront estates. Melbourne Orlando International Airport sits in the middle of town.
Melbourne Beach ($550K to $3M+): Quieter barrier-island living with homes and condos, river-to-sea lots, and sea turtle nesting beaches to the south. Lower-density stretch of the island with natural dunes. Sebastian Inlet and the Archie Carr refuge to the south. River-to-ocean lots and quiet streets.
Merritt Island ($350K to $2M+): Canals, docks, and boat lifts between two rivers, minutes from the Cape, KSC, and the Canaveral Lock. Deep canals on the south end with direct boating access. Mature trees and older ranch homes on large lots in the north. Between the Indian and Banana Rivers, minutes from the beach and the Cape.
Mims ($300K to $1M+): Quiet, rural, and wide open. Acreage, barns, and equestrian properties with easy access to I-95 and KSC. Wide-open lots, pastures, barns, and room for animals. Many properties use well and septic. Few HOAs, so check county zoning for livestock and outbuildings.
Palm Bay ($280K to $550K): A favorite for first-time buyers: plenty of new construction, attainable prices, and many non-HOA neighborhoods with bigger lots, plus a little extra land without going fully rural. Many non-HOA streets with quarter-acre and larger lots, room for a boat or RV. Steady supply of new construction from several builders. Southwest Palm Bay is still growing, so check road and utility plans. Some areas use well and septic, so ask before you buy.
Rockledge ($300K to $900K): One of Brevard's oldest towns, with shady riverfront drives, historic homes, and newer neighborhoods next to Viera. Historic Rockledge Drive runs along the Indian River under old oaks. Mix of 1920s to 1960s homes near the river and newer builds to the west. Close to Viera shopping without Viera fees. Central spot for commutes north to KSC or south to Melbourne.
Satellite Beach ($500K to $1.5M+): A tight-knit beach town with top-rated schools, homes and condos, and a strong military family community. Quiet residential streets with mature palms and tidy yards. Highly rated beachside schools. Close to Patrick SFB, popular with military families. Canal homes and Tortoise Island on the river side.
Suntree ($350K to $1M+): Established neighborhoods under mature oaks, the Suntree Country Club golf courses, and quick access to I-95 and the Pineda Causeway to the beach. Many areas have no CDD fee. More established landscaping, with tall oaks, mature hedges, and shaded streets. Built mostly from the 1980s to 2000s, so lots and floor plans tend to be roomier. Suntree Country Club golf, tennis, and social membership options. Quick hop to I-95, Wickham Road shopping, and the Pineda Causeway to the beach.
Titusville ($250K to $750K): Front-row seats to Kennedy Space Center launches, river views, and acreage and horse properties on the edges of town. Launch views across the river from many neighborhoods. Gateway to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Canaveral National Seashore. Older riverfront homes plus acreage on the west side. Shortest commute to KSC from the mainland.
Viera ($400K to $1M+): Master-planned, newer homes, A-rated schools, parks on every corner and golf carts in the driveway. Newer homes with young, uniform landscaping and planned sidewalks. Village layout with parks, ponds, and trails throughout. The Avenue Viera for shopping, dining, and events. Most neighborhoods have an HOA and many carry CDD fees, so ask about both.
West Melbourne ($330K to $700K): Newer subdivisions, easy I-95 access, big-box convenience, and steady value for growing households. Mostly 1990s to new-build subdivisions with tidy, newer landscaping. Lots of shopping along Palm Bay Road and Minton Road. Easy I-95 access for commutes. A good middle ground on price between Viera and Palm Bay.
Major employers
Blue Origin (Exploration Park, KSC) · Cape Canaveral SFS (Cape Canaveral) · Collins Aerospace (Melbourne) · Embraer (Melbourne) · Kennedy Space Center (Merritt Island) · L3Harris (Palm Bay / Melbourne) · Lockheed Martin (Titusville / Cape) · Northrop Grumman (Melbourne Airport campus) · Patrick Space Force Base (Satellite Beach area) · Port Canaveral (Cruise terminals, cargo, and port jobs) · SpaceX (KSC / Cape Canaveral) · United Launch Alliance (Cape Canaveral SFS)
Launch viewing
Space View Park, Titusville: Classic riverfront view straight across to the pads, with memorials and audio feeds.
Jetty Park, Port Canaveral: Beach, pier, and a close look at Falcon 9 launches and booster landings.
Max Brewer Bridge, Titusville: Wide-open sightline over the river. Arrive early on big launch days.
Cocoa Beach Pier, Cocoa Beach: Watch the arc over the ocean with a drink in hand.
KSC Visitor Complex, Merritt Island: Ticketed viewing with live commentary for select launches.
Your backyard, Anywhere in Brevard: Seriously. Most launches are visible countywide on a clear day.
Schools
Brevard Public Schools: One countywide district with about 80 schools, consistently among Florida's higher performers. Beachside schools like Satellite High and the Viera and Suntree zones (Viera High, Quest and Manatee Elementary) are especially sought after. Zoning goes by address and can change, so always verify before you buy.
Choice and magnet programs: West Shore Jr/Sr High and Edgewood Jr/Sr High are top-ranked choice schools that admit by application. Other options include STEM, IB, and career academy programs at several high schools. Applications usually open in winter for the next school year.
Charter schools: Tuition-free options like Odyssey, Imagine at West Melbourne, Pineapple Cove Classical, Viera Charter, and Palm Bay Academy. Each has its own enrollment window and many use a lottery, so apply early.
Private schools: Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, Melbourne Central Catholic, Florida Air Academy, Brevard Christian, and Divine Mercy Catholic are popular picks. Many families also use Florida's state scholarship programs, which can help with private school tuition.
Free Pre-K (VPK): Florida offers free Voluntary Prekindergarten for four-year-olds at many public schools and private centers across Brevard.
Colleges: Florida Tech in Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College with campuses in Melbourne, Cocoa, Titusville, and Palm Bay, and UCF's Palm Bay campus. Dual enrollment lets high schoolers earn college credit for free.
Relocation checklist
☐ Get pre-approved with a lender
☐ Pull flood zone and wind mitigation reports before you offer
☐ Request insurance quotes early (wind, flood, homeowners)
☐ Confirm school zoning by address with Brevard Public Schools
☐ Map your commute at your real shift times, not midday
☐ Check HOA rules on boats, RVs, and golf carts
☐ Transfer your driver's license and registration within 30 days
☐ File for Florida homestead exemption by March 1
☐ Make a hurricane plan and a go-bag
☐ Sign up for launch alerts and pick your favorite viewing spot
Utilities & City Directory
Confirm providers by the exact property address. Mailing cities, water service areas, sewer systems, and trash jurisdictions may differ. Fees, deposits, and schedules must be confirmed with the provider.
Start, stop, or transfer service with FPL. Enter your exact service address and requested start date. Have your identification and account details ready; FPL confirms any deposit and connection requirements during setup.
Natural gas in Brevard is provided by Florida City Gas where gas lines exist, including parts of Viera, Suntree, Rockledge, Melbourne, Palm Bay, Merritt Island, and Cape Canaveral. Open a separate account for your move-in date. Rural and non-gas neighborhoods often use propane tanks from a private supplier for ranges, pool heaters, and generators. Many homes and condos are all-electric, so ask before you set anything up.
☐ Confirm the water, sewer, and trash service area using the exact property address, not just the mailing city.
☐ Ask the seller, landlord, or condo association which utilities and trash services are included and which accounts you must open.
☐ Have your service address, move-in date, identification, and lease or ownership documentation ready. Ask the provider what is required.
☐ Request electricity and water service for your move-in date. Confirm deposits, fees, and whether an in-person visit is needed before paying.
☐ Confirm whether the property uses public sewer, a septic system, public water, or a private well. A utility account does not establish sewer availability.
☐ Ask whether the home has natural gas, propane, or is all-electric. Natural gas needs its own Florida City Gas account; propane tanks need a supplier and may be owned or leased.
☐ Check trash, recycling, yard waste, and bulk pickup schedules. Confirm cart delivery and arrangements for moving boxes or oversized items.
Cocoa supplies drinking water here. Prepare two forms of ID, including government photo ID, plus ownership documents or an owner-and-tenant-signed lease. Confirm sewer provider, activation, and billing separately by address. City Public Works manages wastewater; confirm sewer and reclaimed-water arrangements with the city.
The city's Public Works guidance identifies Waste Pro. Confirm collection, carts, and service activation with the city. Condo associations may arrange private collection.
Cocoa supplies drinking water here. Prepare two forms of ID, including government photo ID, plus ownership documents or an owner-and-tenant-signed lease. Confirm sewer provider, activation, and billing separately by address.
Cocoa Water Customer Service is the liaison for Waste Management collection for city residents. Confirm trash activation and cart arrangements there. A Cocoa water account does not mean the property is inside Cocoa city limits.
Cocoa supplies drinking water; use Cocoa's full identification and documentation requirements. Cocoa Beach provides sewer/reclaimed water, and city resident guidance says signup is part of water signup. Confirm the address is within city limits and that all services are activated.
Waste Management handles city collection. Resident guidance includes cart requests and collection information. Nearby county addresses and condo collection arrangements may differ.
Melbourne supplies drinking water here. Apply with ID and lease or ownership documentation. Melbourne does not provide barrier-island sewer service; verify sewer separately using the county service-area map.
Waste Management serves the town. Check collection days and scheduled bulky-item pickup rules. Town schedules do not cover all unincorporated addresses with an Indialantic mailing name.
The city identifies Melbourne for drinking water and Brevard County for sewer. Use the official local utility directory and confirm account setup and sewer activation for the address.
Waste Management provides collection. Use the city's service-request guidance for carts, missed collection, and other needs; confirm the property's collection days.
Apply with ID, service address, and lease or ownership documents. Melbourne's water territory extends beyond city limits; confirm sewer provider separately, especially outside the city.
Waste Management handles city collection. Establish the initial utility account, then request carts from WM if needed. Use the city's address lookup for collection days.
The town identifies Melbourne for drinking water and Brevard County for sewer. Use its official utility directory, then confirm each provider's account and activation requirements for the property.
Waste Pro serves the town. Confirm cart requests and trash, recycling, and yard-waste days. Nearby unincorporated properties may use county collection instead.
Cocoa supplies drinking water here. Prepare two forms of ID, including government photo ID, plus ownership documents or an owner-and-tenant-signed lease. Confirm sewer provider, activation, and billing separately by address. County wastewater serves parts of Merritt Island; do not assume every property has sewer. Merritt Island is unincorporated.
For confirmed unincorporated addresses, use the county's Waste Management collection guidance. Confirm collection days, cart requests, yard waste, and bulk pickup for the property.
Verify county service and use the Mims-area application. Prepare applicant/co-applicant ID copies and ownership or rental documentation with owner contact details. Rural properties may use private wells or septic systems.
For confirmed unincorporated addresses, use the county's Waste Management collection guidance. Confirm collection days, cart requests, yard waste, and bulk pickup for the property.
Search the exact address to identify water and sewer providers separately. County water systems serve specific areas, while Cocoa and Melbourne supply many other unincorporated addresses. Well/septic properties may not have municipal service available.
For confirmed unincorporated addresses, use the county's Waste Management collection guidance. Confirm collection days, cart requests, yard waste, and bulk pickup for the property.
Apply through city Customer Service for available water, sewer, and trash/recycling services. Some properties use wells or septic systems; confirm availability before requesting a connection. Have your ID and lease or ownership details ready and follow the current application checklist.
Republic Services provides city collection. City account setup includes trash/recycling; check cart options, extra-cart registration, and the property's collection schedule.
Cocoa supplies drinking water here. Prepare two forms of ID, including government photo ID, plus ownership documents or an owner-and-tenant-signed lease. Confirm sewer provider, activation, and billing separately by address. Rockledge operates city wastewater service, but some nearby addresses use county sewer.
City Sanitation handles municipal collection. Confirm service activation, carts, and collection days with the division. Do not use a nearby unincorporated address's schedule.
Melbourne supplies drinking water here. Apply with ID and lease or ownership documentation. Melbourne does not provide barrier-island sewer service; verify sewer separately using the county service-area map.
Provide ID and a deed, signed lease, or applicable owner authorization. Confirm available water and sewer services and any follow-up with Customer Service. Some North Titusville mailing addresses use county utilities instead.
The city's service application covers available garbage service along with utilities. Confirm collection, carts, and billing with Customer Service. Use county collection guidance for unincorporated properties.
Cocoa supplies drinking water here. Prepare two forms of ID, including government photo ID, plus ownership documents or an owner-and-tenant-signed lease. Confirm sewer provider, activation, and billing separately by address. County South Central wastewater serves the Viera/Suntree area; confirm your parcel. Viera is not a separate municipality.
For confirmed unincorporated addresses, use the county's Waste Management collection guidance. Confirm collection days, cart requests, yard waste, and bulk pickup for the property.
Use West Melbourne's retail utility application, not Melbourne's. Submit the signed application, government ID, and ownership, authorization, or rental documentation. Confirm deposits, paperwork cutoff, and available start dates with the office.
Waste Management provides collection. Confirm garbage, recycling, and yard-trash billing during utility setup and check cart delivery and collection days.
Directory prepared October 30, 2026. Official URLs are included for reference. For condos and rentals, confirm any shared utilities or private trash collection with the association or landlord.
Carrie Liotta
Real Broker · carrieliotta@gmail.com · (256) 479-2800
