Sharpes offers quick commuting to Cape Canaveral
Spread out along the Indian River, Sharpes is a suburban community sought-after for its proximity to big aerospace and defense industry employers on Cape Canaveral. “It’s a hop, skip and a jump from the docks and the rocket launches,” says Raymond Giamporcaro, an eXp Realtor with nearly a decade of experience. Most homes are within about 15 miles of Port Canaveral and the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The Brevard County Jail, another top employer, is also close. “Sharpes is a bedroom community. It’s basically a bunch of working stiffs like us who go to work, get in their boats on the weekend and run around the Indian River,” Giamporcaro says.
Competitive prices for single-family homes and condos
Traditional, ranch-style and manufactured homes are common. Condos, like those in the wide, two-level Canebreakers community, are also available. Compared to other parts of coastal Florida, Giamporcaro says Sharpes is “affordable.” Single-family home prices start under $100,000 and quickly rise to more than $2 million. Homes east of U.S. Route 1 are typically on the higher end of the spectrum; waterfront properties on Indian River Drive range anywhere from just under $630,000 to $2.4 million. Condos tend to sell for between $165,000 and about $245,000. Flooding and wind damage are risks during hurricane season, especially to homes on the community’s southeast side.
Indian River, Merritt Island and Sharpes community recreation
Public boat ramps are available in Port St. John, to the north, and Cocoa, to the south. Some properties on Indian River Road have private piers and/or docks. Anglers can cast for bass, snook and speckled trout from their boats or public piers like the ones on Merritt Island. Osteen Park, on the island within about 10 miles of most homes, has a covered fishing pier, as well as a playground. Bernice G. Jackson Park, in central Sharpes, also has a playground, along with picnic areas and a paved, lighted trail. It’s also home to the Walter Butler Community Center, which features a gymnasium and game rooms, among other indoor recreational amenities. The Space Coast Communities Sports Complex, a few blocks away, features over 200 acres of outdoor recreational amenities, including athletic fields, a playground and a picnic pavilion.
Highly rated Cocoa Junior/Senior High
The Brevard Public Schools district, which serves nearly 74,000 students with a 20 to 1 student-teacher ratio, earns a B-plus grade from Niche. The district allows controlled open enrollment. Many Sharpes kids attend C-rated Fairglen Elementary for preschool through sixth grade and continue to A-rated Cocoa Junior/Senior High for seventh through 12th. The high school has an IB program, as well as Career & Technical Education programs in aqua science, digital design, marketing, technical design and nutrition and food science.
Shopping/dining on U.S. Route 1 and in nearby Cocoa, Merritt Island
Self-storage centers and convenience stores are scattered along U.S. Route 1, which also has a Dollar General and an O’Reilly. Dining options nearby include Stevo’s Pizza Bar, a lively eatery that hosts casino nights and car shows, and Taco Mextizo, a family-owned taqueria. “Cocoa and Merritt Island are where you’d go for special shopping and dining trips, they have more options,” Giamporcaro says. Cocoa, to the south, has a Publix, an Aldi and a Walmart Supercenter. Merritt Island’s Merritt Square Mall, less than 10 miles away, has Dillard’s, JCPenney and more clothing, jewelry and shoe stores. And for date night, Giamporcaro recommends one of his favorite Merritt Island eateries: Pacific Rim, a sushi and Thai fusion spot.
State Road 528 connects to Cape Canaveral, Orlando
U.S. Route 1 follows the coast through Sharpes, connecting north toward Titusville and south toward West Palm Beach. 321 Transit provides bus service from stops on Route 1 to Titusville and Viera. State Road 528 runs east to Cape Canaveral, about 12 miles away. The drive takes about 15 minutes in light traffic. HealthFirst Cape Canaveral Hospital is within about 14 miles, or a 20-minute drive, of most homes. Orlando, almost 50 miles northwest, is around 45 minutes away without traffic on State Roads 528, 417 and 408.
