Sharpes offers quick commuting to Cape Canaveral
Overlooking the Indian River on Florida’s Space Coast, Sharpes is 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 nearby. Giamporcaro calls it 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.”
Competitive prices for single-family homes and condos
Narrow streets are lined with cottages, manufactured and ranch-style homes, many with short, sandy driveways and spacious, palm-shaded backyards. New Traditionals are common in subdivisions like Panther Ridge and Watermark of Cocoa. Condos, like those in the wide, two-level Canebreakers community, are also available. Giamporcaro says Sharpes is affordable compared to other areas of coastal Florida. The median, just under $350,000, is below the state median of $410,000, according to Florida Realtors. Single-family home prices start under $100,000 and quickly rise to about $2.5 million. Homes east of U.S. Route 1 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 typically sell for between $120,000 and $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 earns a B-plus from Niche, serves about 74,000 students and allows school transfers by application. Sharpes kids may attend Fairglen Elementary (C) for preschool through sixth grade, then Cocoa Beach Junior/Senior High (A) for seventh through 12th. The high school offers an IB program, as well as Career & Technical Education programs in subjects such as aqua science, digital design, marketing and technical design. High schoolers may also take dual-credit classes at Eastern Florida State College.
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, where there’s also 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, within about 12 miles of most homes, has Dillard’s, JCPenney and more clothing, jewelry and shoe stores. Giamporcaro recommends Pacific Rim, a sushi and Thai fusion spot near the mall, for date night.
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, slightly more than 10 miles away. HealthFirst Cape Canaveral Hospital is within 20 miles of most homes. Orlando is less than 50 miles northwest via State Roads 528, 417 and 408.
