Moving to Florida’s Space Coast? Here’s EVERYTHING You Need to Know Before You Move

by Tina Veltri

Thinking about relocating to Florida’s Space Coast?

Whether you’re coming for the sunshine, a new job, retirement, or a lifestyle change, Brevard County is one of the most unique — and surprising — places in Florida. But choosing the right area, understanding insurance, and figuring out which home type fits your budget is a lot to navigate on your own.

I’ve actually lived this move twice myself, and I now help families from all over the country do it with clarity and confidence.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know before you choose an area or a home in Brevard County.

▶️ Watch the Full Video Here

📘 Download the Free Space Coast Relocation Guide

🌎 Understanding How the Space Coast Is Laid Out

Before choosing a neighborhood, it helps to understand the COUNTY itself.

The Space Coast sits on Florida’s east coast and includes:

Atlantic Ocean beaches
The Indian River Lagoon
The Banana River
Merritt Island’s waterways
Barrier-island beach towns
Riverside and mainland communities

Brevard County is long, and every region has its own pace, personality, and lifestyle.

There is no single “best” area.
There’s only the one that fits your life.

📍 Quick Snapshot: What Each Area Actually Feels Like

Beachside (Barrier Island)

Cocoa Beach — lively, surfy, full of things to do
Satellite Beach — quiet, residential, excellent schools
Melbourne Beach — peaceful, tucked-away coastal living

Mainland

Melbourne — mix of everything; strong job corridor
Downtown Melbourne & EGAD — walkable, artsy, restaurants
Palm Bay — huge for new construction; more budget-friendly
West Melbourne — suburban, newer communities, great schools

North Brevard

Titusville — closest to Kennedy Space Center; very affordable
Merritt Island — riverfront homes, acreage, and suburban pockets
Rockledge — established neighborhoods, close to Viera

Viera

Master-planned
A-rated schools
Shopping, parks, stadium
Always in high demand

🧭 How to Choose the Right Area (This Is Where Guidance Matters)

Most relocation buyers start with Zillow — but Zillow won’t tell you:

Flood zones
Insurance differences
School boundaries
Commute realities
New vs. older construction
How neighborhoods feel
Whether your criteria matches the area

This is why I always start with a relocation consultation.

What we talk about first:

Your lifestyle
Budget
Commute needs
Kids' needs
Type + age of home
HOA comfort
Flood/insurance concerns
Timeline
New construction vs resale
Walkability vs quiet

Why it matters:

It’s easy to fall in love with a home online — then later realize:

“Insurance is higher here than I expected.”
“This isn’t the right school zone.”
“This commute doesn’t work.”
“This neighborhood doesn’t fit our lifestyle.”

A guided process helps you avoid wasted time, wrong areas, and expensive surprises.

If you want to understand what buyers actually think and ask before they move here, you’ll love Blog 2 in this series: “What Buyers Ask Before Moving to Florida’s Space Coast.”

🏡 Florida Homes: What You Need to Know Before You Buy

Homes in Florida — especially on the Space Coast — work a little differently than what many out-of-state buyers are used to.

Construction

Concrete Block (CBS): Most common, great for Florida
Wood Frame: Older homes or two-story builds; still fine depending on updates

Plumbing

If a home was built before 1977, we always check for cast iron plumbing.
Not a deal-breaker — just something to inspect properly.

Roofs

Insurance cares deeply about:

Age
Condition
Wind protection
Materials

Impact windows, hurricane shutters, and roof straps can significantly reduce insurance.

💼 Insurance, Flood Zones & Inspections — Made Simple

Insurance in Florida is often misunderstood, but here’s the truth:

Most homes in Brevard County are insurable at reasonable rates.

Insurance companies base premiums on:

4-Point Inspection

Roof
Plumbing
Electrical
HVAC

Wind Mitigation

Roof-to-wall connections
Roof geometry
Impact windows or shutters
Age of roof

Flood Zones

Flood zones are not logical.

Some riverfront homes are not in a flood zone.
Some inland homes are.

I check every property for you so there are no surprises.

🆚 New Construction vs. Resale: Which One Fits You?

New Construction Pros

Everything brand new
Low insurance
Builder warranties
Cleaner inspections
Energy-efficient
Miami-Dade hurricane standards

Resale Pros

Prime established locations
Mature landscaping
Bigger lots
Closer to beach + river
Updated interiors without HOA restrictions

Many resale homes on the Space Coast:

Have new roofs
Have impact windows
Have modern interiors
Are move-in-ready

You don’t have to give up location to have something turnkey.

😮 What Surprises People When They Move Here

Afternoon rain → sunshine
Humidity (affects roofs + A/C)
Landscaping grows fast
New construction noise in growth areas
No basements (garages matter!)
Pest control is routine
Rocket launches become normal
The “causeway moment” — every local has had it

Want a step-by-step plan for organizing your relocation? Check out Blog 3: “How to Plan Your Move to Florida’s Space Coast: The Step-by-Step Guide Most People Skip."