Palm Bay

Access ocean, rivers and creeks from Port Malabar From the teal waters of the Atlantic Ocean to the blackwater creeks of coastal marshes, Port Malabar lets residents explore Florida’s natural landscape from the comfort of a small suburb. This neighborhood within the city of Palm Bay has no shortage of aquatic recreation, says Lauren Merrell, a local who’s also a Realtor at Dale Sorensen Real Estate Inc., “In almost every resident's life, there’s some version of water activity.” That may mean an afternoon water skiing on the Indian River Lagoon or a gentle kayak journey through the mangroves of Turkey Creek. The neighborhood is part of the Space Coast, a nickname for Brevard County that recognizes the importance of the aerospace industry in the region. NASA’s Kennedy Space Center is 45 miles north of Port Malabar, with other technology companies and manufacturers up and down the coastal county. Port Malabar is within commuting distance of these high-tech employers, while maintaining access to the varied waterfront recreation of Florida’s east coast. Mediterranean-influenced architecture on the Space Coast Port Malabar’s 9,000 houses are concentrated in subdivisions that extend off the arterial roadways Babcock Street and Palm Bay Road. Bungalows and ranch homes often display Mediterranean influences, such as stucco exteriors and tile roofs. Home development surged in the 1960s as the height of the space race, but new construction continues today. Single-family home prices start in the high $100,000s for a three-bedroom house, extending to the low $600,000s for a newly built four-bedroom home. Small condo and townhouse developments are common too, and they often come with community swimming pools. Prices for condos or townhouses range between $100,000 and $400,000. FEMA rates the risk of a hurricane in Brevard County as “very high,” and the high winds and floodwaters brought by Hurricane Ian in 2022 caused $14 million worth of damages. Though the federal agency reports the neighborhood isn’t in a flood zone, Palm Bay roads do occasionally flood after heavy rains, which happened on Babcock Street in 2023. Paddle from Port Malabar to the Indian River On the east end of Port Malabar, Turkey Creek Sanctuary hosts a launch point for kayakers and canoers amid the 130-acre nature preserve. If they paddle along the canopied waterway, they may see manatees or otters by the time they reach the mouth of the Indian River. In the heart of the neighborhood, Grapefruit Trails features nearly 3 miles of tracks for mountain bikers. Meanwhile, Fred Lee Park hosts the typical amenities of a municipal park, including a playground, a football field and softball fields. If residents get bored of the recreation options in their neighborhood, a day trip to Melbourne Beach is less than 10 miles away. Palm Bay Magnet High at robotics world championship Zoned to Brevard Public Schools, children may start their education at Port Malabar Elementary School, which earns a Niche grade of B. Older students can go to Southwest Middle School and Palm Bay Magnet High School, both receiving grades of B-minus. Keeping with the region’s high-tech history, Palm Bay Magnet High has an award-winning robotics team that competed in the VEX Robotics World Championship in 2023. Port Malabar is also home to Saint Joseph Catholic School, a private school for kindergarteners through eighth graders that gets an A-plus from Niche. Twisty Cone scoops desserts for 40 years Babcock Street and Palm Bay Road are each lined with shops and restaurants that include big-box stores, national chains and local businesses. An example of the latter is Skeebo’s Soul Food Kitchen, recognizable by the smoker that sits in front of the restaurant. On the opposite end of Port Malabar sits the family-owned ice cream shop Twisty Cone, which has doled out soft-serve cones since 1982. “Twisty Cone hasn’t changed much in the last 40 years,” says Merrell, adding that it was a roadside staple when she was a kid. Next to Twisty Cone are retail essentials such as Walmart and Lowe’s Home Improvement, while groceries can be picked up at Port Malabar’s Publix and Winn-Dixie. The neighborhood is also close to HealthFirst Palm Bay Hospital. Major employers and the city of Orlando nearby Palm Bay residents mostly use cars to commute to work. Next to Port Malabar is an office for L3Harris Technologies Inc., a locally headquartered technology company with more than 7,000 employees working in the county. Space Coast Area Transit has buses that stop along Palm Bay Road and Babcock Street, offering an alternate way to reach nearby shopping centers. Melbourne Orlando International Airport is 5 miles to the north. However, Orlando International Airport, about 60 miles away, offers more than 100 additional destinations. Annual festivals at Fred Poppe Regional Park Seven miles west of Port Malabar, the city of Palm Bay hosts annual festivities at Fred Poppe Regional Park. In February, locals feast on fruit-filled treats at the Strawberry Fest, while in March the park is home to live music, dancing and food from around the world during the Palm Bay Multicultural Festival.

Bayside Lakes offers seclusion, privacy and amenities within walking distance. A gated, master-planned community in Southeast Palm Bay, the development is home to grocery stores, dining, parks and highly ranked schools. “Bayside Lakes is a quiet, bedroom-type community where you have what you need, and everything else you might need is close by,” says Steve Stylianos, a Broker Associate with Century 21 Baytree Realty. “The vibe is laid-back, and everyone looks out for each other. We help everybody out.” Florida’s Space Coast beaches are 16 miles east, and acres of nature preserves blanket the city’s eastern side. Proximity to the Patrick Space Force Base and defense and aerospace businesses like Northrup Grumman and Collins Aerospace are also luring homebuyers. “Palm Bay and Melbourne are beginning to attract a lot of young engineers who work for Space X and NASA and commute,” says Stylianos. Palms and a canopy of hardwood hammocks blanket the gated enclave. Walkways wind around multiple lakes and green spaces. Bayside Lakes features various gated subdivisions. Architecture styles include Craftsman-style, ranch-style and custom homes. “Bayside Lakes is a good place to start and offers a nice balance of young professionals and retirees,” says Stylianos. Most were built in the early 2000s, but there’s also new construction. Prices range from the high-$200,000s for a three-bedroom to the low-$800,000s for a renovated or new four- or five-bedroom. Property size averages between 1,300 and 3,500 square feet. “Bayside Lakes is affordable in the overall scheme of Florida,” says Stylianos. “You’re close enough to the beach but saving money on insurance. When the hurricanes come, you’re not evacuating, so it gives you that safety.” Each subdivision offers water views and mature trees. The Lake Forest subdivision sits at the highest price point, and Fairway Isles is one at the lowest price point. Lot sizes are large, averaging a quarter acre, but some stretch more than a half acre. Most dwellings have multicar garages and in-ground pools. Townhouses are available in the Fairway Crossings subdivision, offering two- to four-bedrooms ranging from the mid-$200,000s to the high-$300,000s. Community amenities include a clubhouse, basketball and tennis courts, a pool, a playground and a gym. Bayside Lakes has a CAP Crime Index Score of 2/10, lower than the national average of 4. Brevard County Schools serves the area, which has a B-plus rating from Niche. Kids can attend the B-rated Westside Elementary, which offers a running club, followed by Southwest Middle, which earns a B-minus. Students can finish their education at Bayside High School, which scores a B and provides two magnet programs: Bayside Engineering and Technology Academy and Bayside Fine and Technical Arts Academy. The high school also offers soccer and cross-country teams. Parents can also send their children to the B-plus-rated Odyssey Charter School, a tuition-free public charter school with two campuses serving elementary-age students and those in junior and senior high. Anchored by Publix, Bayside Lakes Shopping Center is within the community, along Bayside Lakes Boulevard. The shopping strip also offers Dollar Tree, a bank, Walgreens and fast-food chains. “The shopping center has everything you need, including all kinds of local restaurants,” says Stylianos. Family Tradition Café is a favorite for breakfast classics and southern comfort food. Thai Bayside Restaurant is known for its drunken noodles, Pad Thai and curries. Pub chain Beef O Brady’s is the go-to spot for a night out with Irish fare, sports memorabilia and TVs showing the latest game. Hammock Landing offers big-box stores and other dining options 7 miles away. There are several parks outside of Bayside Lakes amenities. Bill Madden Park is 2 miles away and offers a playground, pavilion and 6 acres of picnic space. McGriff Park is 2 miles away and is the go-to spot for skateboarding and BMX riding. The 200-acre Fred Poppe Regional Park is 7 miles west and one of the most popular recreational sites in the city. It includes a community center, soccer and softball fields, volleyball courts, a disc golf course and a dog park. The park also has four fishing lakes and trails leading into Three Forks Conservation and the Thomas O. Lawton Recreation areas. These nature preserves surround the city’s western side, and the combined 47,000-acre properties are popular for fishing, boating and hiking. “It’s not in Bayside Lakes, but Turkey Creek is really nice,” says Carol Daly, Communications Manager for Fairway Isles at Bayside Lakes and resident for 15 years. An 8-mile drive, Turkey Creek Sanctuary is a 130-acre refuge is home to native Florida plants and wildlife and is a popular hiking and kayaking destination. Some subdivisions in Bayside Lakes host celebrations. “We have twice yearly neighborhood yard sales, which bring everyone together,” Dally says. Fairway Isles also hosts an annual Oktoberfest, a Trunk or Treat and a Christmas Dinner. The clubhouse is also a hub for events. Several churches are within the community, including Grace Bible Church, New City Church Palm Bay and River of Life Christian Center of Palm Bay, FL. Interstate 95 is 4 miles east of the community, connecting to State Road 507 and County Road 514. These routes provide access to the rest of the area. The city riverfront is 10 miles away, Downtown Melbourne is 12 miles away, and Melbourne Orlando International Airport is 12 miles north. Space Coast Area Transit provides public transportation, and bus stops are up and down Bayside Lakes Boulevard and Cogan Drive. Health First’s Palm Bay Hospital is the closest medical facility, 6 miles away.