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Why You Want to Live on Malibu Dr. 

The Full Story

Overview of Brevard County 

Brevard County, often referred to as Florida’s Space Coast, stretches along the Atlantic shoreline and is best known for the Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, and its deep ties to aerospace, defense, and technology industries. The area balances innovation and history with an accessible coastal lifestyle. The county is large, spanning over 70 miles of coastline, with diverse communities ranging from vibrant beach towns to quiet riverfront enclaves and planned luxury developments. 

The Ocean is Calling.

Melbourne & Melbourne Beach 
Melbourne is one of the larger cities, with a thriving downtown, cultural scene, and proximity to tech employers. Melbourne Beach is quieter and residential, with beautiful oceanfront properties and a small-town feel. 

 

Indialantic & Indian Harbour Beach 
These barrier island towns combine walkable communities with upscale waterfront real estate. They’re known for boutique shops, local cafés, and family-friendly beaches. 

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Cocoa Beach & Cape Canaveral 

Surf culture thrives here, with a blend of retirees, young families, and seasonal residents. Cocoa Beach in particular is both a tourist hub and a highly desirable residential area for those who want direct beach access. 

Melbourne to Mars.

WATCH A LAUNCH FROM YOUR BOAT DOCK
at your new house on Malibu... Right in Melbourne. 
Click Here to see the schedule:
https://www.spacex.com/launches

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Titusville 
Located closest to Kennedy Space Center, Titusville is experiencing a renaissance as aerospace companies expand in the region. It offers affordable housing compared to southern parts of the county, while still having access to riverfront and nature preserves. 

 

Viera 
A master-planned community in the heart of the county, Viera has grown rapidly with golf courses, shopping, new schools, and luxury subdivisions. It attracts professionals, retirees, and families looking for newer construction and amenities. 

 

Merritt Island 
Known for riverfront estates with private docks, Merritt Island is ideal for boaters and those who want quick access to the Indian and Banana Rivers. Parts of the island are highly developed, while others remain semi-rural. 

Nerds Rule the World.

Schools & Education 

Education in Brevard is anchored by Brevard Public Schools, one of Florida’s top-ranked districts. Key points: 

  • Public Schools: The district has several A-rated schools, particularly in Viera, Suntree, Melbourne, and beachside communities. Magnet programs in STEM, aerospace, and advanced sciences reflect the county’s space heritage. 

  • Private & Charter Options: Multiple private institutions, including Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy and Melbourne Central Catholic, attract families seeking rigorous academics. Charter schools also provide specialized options, such as engineering or performing arts. 

  • Higher Education: The county is home to the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT), Eastern Florida State College, and proximity to University of Central Florida (UCF) in nearby Orlando. This higher education presence fosters a strong research and innovation culture. 

Magical Markets all around you.

Surrounding Counties 

Relocating families often look at nearby counties for additional lifestyle options: 

  • Orange County (Orlando) 
    About 45 minutes inland, Orange offers the cultural and commercial hub of Orlando. It’s ideal for those who want proximity to major employers, entertainment, and international airports while still living on the coast. 

  • Indian River County (Vero Beach) 
    Directly south of Brevard, Vero Beach is an upscale coastal town with a strong luxury market, cultural venues, and boutique shopping. It attracts seasonal residents and retirees looking for refined coastal living. 

  • Volusia County (Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach) 
    North of Brevard, Volusia has a mix of affordable and luxury properties. New Smyrna Beach in particular has become a trendy, artsy beach town with a strong appeal for second-home buyers. 

  • Osceola County 
    West of Brevard, this county has more suburban growth tied to Orlando’s expansion. It’s not coastal but provides affordability and access to Orlando’s workforce. 

Luxury Residential Market 

Brevard’s luxury real estate market has surged in recent years, particularly with migration from South Florida and out-of-state buyers. Key features: 

  • Price Range: Luxury homes typically start around $1.2M and extend to $5M+ for direct oceanfront or riverfront estates. Like 751 Malibu Lane, Indialantic  

  • Popular Luxury Areas: 

  • Indialantic & Melbourne Beach: Direct Atlantic oceanfront estates with modern architecture. 

  • Merritt Island: Riverfront mansions with deep-water docks for yachts. 

  • Viera: Luxury new-construction homes in gated communities with golf and club amenities. 

  • Satellite Beach: Boutique oceanfront homes in quieter, family-centric neighborhoods. 

  • Trends: Buyers seek contemporary designs, hurricane-rated construction, smart-home technology, and waterfront lifestyles (boating, fishing, beach access). The luxury market remains competitive, with limited inventory. 

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Download and Review the entire Residence/Market Analysis here:

Overview of Brevard County 

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Yellow Dog Café — Best Restaurant 

Located in Malabar, this cozy, casual-elegant café has won readers’ hearts for its consistently excellent food, stellar service, and lovely river view (Space Coast Living Magazine).  

River Rocks — Best Seafood Restaurant 

Set in Rockledge along the Indian River Lagoon, River Rocks impresses with fresh seafood, spectacular views, and both indoor and deck seating options that enhance the dining experience (Space Coast Living Magazine). 

Backwater — Best Place for Breakfast 

In Melbourne, Backwater was voted the go-to spot for breakfast. Locals praise its creative and delicious morning menu (Space Coast Living Magazine). 

Chart House — Best Place for Romantic Dinner 

Also in Melbourne, this waterfront delight combines an upscale interior, attentive service, and water views—perfect for a romantic outing (Space Coast Living Magazine). 

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  • The Fat Snook (Cocoa Beach) 
    A seafood-centric, scratch-kitchen favorite endorsed by Emeril Lagasse, known for its whimsical Caribbean vibe, seasonal menus, and local sourcing (Visit Space Coast). 

  • OpenTable Favorites 
    Platforms like OpenTable often rank Space Coast restaurants based on recent diner reviews—great for discovering hidden gems and trending spots (OpenTable). 

  • Yelp’s “Best New Restaurants in Brevard County” (July 2025) 
    Inclusive of places like Ebb & Flow, Salty Sisters Bar and Grill, and Mystic Lobster Roll, this is a solid resource for fresh, buzzy new entries in the food scene (Yelp). 

  • Community Picks on Reddit 
    Locals on r/321 mention upscale picks, such as Luna—a chic spot behind Tropics—and newer contenders like Coa, Flavour, Pompano Grille, and The Fat Snook (Reddit). 

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Elementary Schools 

Top performers include: 

  • Freedom 7 Elementary School of International Studies (Cocoa Beach, K–6): #1 in math & reading combined proficiency; rated 10/10, top 1% statewide (Public School Review). 

  • Additional high-rated schools include: 

  • West Melbourne Elementary School for Science (PK–6) ranked 27th of ~2,258 schools (SchoolDigger). 

  • Robert L. Stevenson Elementary School (K–6) ranked 62nd (SchoolDigger). 

 

Middle & High Schools 

  • West Shore Junior/Senior High School (Melbourne, grades 7–12): 

  • Rated #1 public high school in the county by Niche; overall grade A+; very competitive, academically intense environment (Niche, Niche). 

  • Edgewood Junior/Senior High School (Merritt Island, grades 7–12): Ranked #2 public high school, grade A+ (Niche). 

  • Freedom 7 Elementary, West Shore, and Edgewood Jr/Sr High stand out as the top public options in Brevard (Public School Review). 

 

Top Private Schools in Brevard County (2025) 

Based on Niche and Private School Review: 

  • Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy (Melbourne, Preschool–12): 

  • Ranked #1 private K–12 school in Brevard by Niche; overall grade A+, 11:1 student–teacher ratio (Homes.com, Niche, Niche). 

  • Episcopal co-educational collegeprep institution with a strong reputation (Wikipedia). 

  • Other notable private schools: 

  • Parkhurst Academy (Melbourne, K–12): Ranked #2; grade A (Niche). 

  • Merritt Island Christian School (PK–12): Ranked #3; grade A, 8:1 student–teacher ratio (Niche). 

  • According to Private School Review: 

  • Also highlights Melbourne Central Catholic High School and Merritt Island Christian School as top-ranked private schools (Private School Review). 

  • Brevard has 84 private schools serving about 11,066 students; average tuition ~$11,305, below the Florida average of ~$14,108 (Private School Review). 

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