Rural living with fewer restrictions draws Merritt Island buyers
North Merritt Island is the less developed half of its Space Coast barrier island, with the pull of extra land and more freedom for homeowners. "It's a more rural part of the island, so people like the opportunity to be able to live in areas without rules," says Jenn Clements, broker and owner of Coastal Life Properties and a Merritt Island resident. "There are subdivisions that have rules, but quite a few don't." Residents are surrounded by waterfront recreation and close to space industry employers and attractions such as Kennedy Space Center.
Manicured subdivisions meet sprawling lots with agricultural zoning
Outside of the area's planned communities, lots can range from a third of an acre to 5 acres, according to Clements. Some are zoned agricultural residential, which opens the door for farming and equestrian activities. The popular Sunset Lakes is a private, gated community with Mediterranean-inspired homes, many from the 1990s and '00s. It has its own pier, playgrounds and racquet courts. The up-and-coming Egret's Reserve offers new construction and buildable home plans from four to seven bedrooms. The median price is about $780,000, sitting much higher than Brevard County.
Early college tracks through Brevard Public Schools
Students can attend Lewis Carroll Elementary School, which earns an A-minus from Niche. Thomas Jefferson Middle and Merritt Island High both earn B-plus grades. Middle schoolers can apply to participate in the Accelerated Curriculum for Excellence program, with the opportunity to earn high school credits. The high school offers dual-enrollment classes, career and technical education academies and an AP academy, which culminates in a capstone diploma.
Weekends can include kayaking, manatee viewing and beach trips
Tucked between the Indian and Banana rivers, the island offers various activities on the land and water. Manatee Cove Park features a manatee observation deck and a kayak launch onto the Indian River, where dolphin sightings are common. Kings Park features a deep freshwater lake and a paved nature trail. Mitchell Ellington Park, a large regional park, is a hub for games and tournaments with soccer, football and baseball fields. The sprawling Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge serves as venue for birding, hiking, fishing, hunting and scenic drives. The Canaveral Barge Canal connects boaters out to the Atlantic, and public beaches are nearby on Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach.
Big box stores and waterfront dining not far from home
The necessities are available along Courtenay Parkway, the main north-south corridor through the area. Publix and Target are about 5 miles down the road. Dolphins Waterfront Bar & Grill is a favorite spot for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch along the Canaveral Barge Canal. It has a tiki vibe with outdoor seating, live music and surf-and-turf entrees such as yellowfin tuna and filet mignon. Causeway Diner serves breakfast classics, such as omelets, pancakes and combo platters.
Locals gather for parades, boat outings and Pioneer Day
Clements says the community is still small enough for a tight-knit feel. "There are lots of community events, people gather on certain islands on their boats," she says. "There is no shortage of things to do." Locals deck out golf carts for the annual Christmas parade. Pioneer Day in February celebrates the island's early settlers and the natural landscape with exhibitions, programs, music, tours and hikes. Rocket launches, the Space Coast State Fair and art and music festivals add to the annual calendar.
Courtenay Parkway and State Road 528 link locals to beaches and town
Walkability is not a strength of the community. Residents mainly rely on cars. Courtenay Parkway is the main north-south artery through the island, and locals may experience some boat traffic at the Canaveral Barge Canal drawbridge. State Road 528 runs east and west to the mainland and to Cape Canaveral and the beaches. HealthFirst's Cape Canaveral Hospital is the closest medical facility, about 10 miles southeast. Construction is underway on a new location on Merritt Island. For flights, locals may head to Melbourne Orlando International Airport, about 30 miles away.
Coastal location brings both natural beauty and storm concerns
Hurricanes are a reality for Florida's coastal communities and may impact the area through wind and flooding. "It's always a concern, but we tend to get through it every time it stresses us out," Clements says. A significant portion of the community is a FEMA-designated special flood hazard area. Clements says that through changes in ownership over the years, many homes have hurricane preparedness measures. Locals may experience some noise from rocket launches and the Air Liquide company on the community's north end.
