Titusville

Central Titusville puts its residents within arms reach of a rich lineup of destinations in a region widely known for its affiliation with the country’s historic space program. The Indian River to the east provides immediate access to the waterfront, where boating and fishing are just a few of the popular hobbies. Those looking for some dining options, entertainment or just local points of interest can find them downtown at places like Space View Park. Much of this part of the city is divided into a number of subdivisions and developments. The housing and the area’s overall feel are among the things that have drawn people to the city over the years, especially when compared with some of its larger neighbors in the state. “We’re more affordable than in South Florida. We’re on the coast, so we get the nice gentle breeze, and people like to fish here. We’ve got a lot going on,” says Donna Cox, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Property Place and who has made over 180 sales in Central Titusville. Among those who have been attracted to the city are employees of the local aerospace industry. In addition to the Kennedy Space Center, both SpaceX and Blue Origin operate facilities not far from Titusville. The city has also been viewed by some as a favorable alternative to Orlando, which is located roughly 40 to 50 miles to the west, depending on the route. “Especially with retired people who want to get out of the traffic and are looking for more solitude,” Cox says. “We still have a small town feel.” A diverse mix of housing exists here, ranging from cozy ranch-style homes and bungalows to condominiums and gated multi-story properties fronted by extensive driveways, well-manicured lawns and palm trees. Many homes also sit right along the waterfront, like on Riverside Drive where they’re located just across the road from private piers. Although the average price point in Central Titusville is just over $300,000, there are some prices that far exceed that figure. A two-story and roughly 3,800-square-foot home that’s right along the golf course and has features like a half-circle driveway can go for $725,000. Another two-story and three-bedroom Spanish revival style house build in 1925 can go for $395,000. Then a three-bedroom, brick ranch that’s right along the Indian River can go for $595,000. Visitors at the Space View Park near downtown can see monuments and fixtures dedicated to the workers and astronauts involved in historic programs like Mercury and Gemini. Although it’s not in Titusville, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is located about 13 to 17 miles south of the city on Merritt Island – depending on which route is taken. Visitors can explore attractions that cover periods ranging from the dawn of space exploration to current and ongoing missions. For recreation, residents can go to the Rotary Riverfront Park to fish on the pier, or just a little north to the La Cita Country Club to get in a few rounds of golf. Those yearning for soul food can go to Loyd Have Mercy on South Washington Avenue, where they can try specialties like slow braised oxtails served with sweet potato puree. A little farther north is Titus Landing, where residents can shop for cosmetics at Ulta Beauty or catch a new movie at EPIC Theatres. With the Kennedy Space Center located right across the Indian River, rocket launches can be well seen from almost anywhere in Titusville. Another well-known venue is the nonprofit Titusville Playhouse, which entertains showgoers at its two performance venues downtown. Schools that serve the area include Apollo Elementary School, Andrew Jackson Middle School and Titusville High School, all of which received a B grade from ratings site Niche. Each school is part of Brevard Public Schools, which received a B-plus grade and is among the top 10 best districts for athletes in the state. Interstate 95 passes through the western end of Central Titusville and runs all the way south to the Miami area. I-95 connects to Florida State Route 50, which provides a direct route west to Orlando. U.S. Highway 1 provides Central Titusville residents with a direct route to the Space Coast Regional Airport.

Southern Titusville is part of a small city that sits right along the Indian River lagoon, a location that provides both convenient waterfront access and an almost a front row seat to the many rocket launches that occur throughout the year due to the aerospace industry’s prominence in the region. Beyond the nearby Space Coast institutions, the southern end of the city in particular houses some other important sites. Among them is the Windover Archeological Site, located along Windover Way between Interstate 95 and Florida State Road 405. The historic landmark is the discovery site of prehistoric, yet well-preserved, human skeletal remains that had been buried in a pond cemetery for well over 7,000 years. The south end has historically been one of the more developed parts of Titusville when it comes to shopping. “It’s not really that big of a difference across the city, but the south is kind of the part where it’s easier to access the space center and an easier access to Orlando,” says Jimmy Mutter, a broker with Mutter Realty ERA Powered and who has made well over 100 sales across the city. “There’s more shopping down on the south end of Titusville, but the north end’s growing quite a bit, too.” A cluster of chain retailers – ranging from restaurants like Dunkin’ and Starbucks to big box stores like Walmart and Target - surround the crossing of Cheney Highway Columbia Boulevard. Residents in this part of the city can quickly get on Cheney Highway – also called Florida State Road 50 – to directly connect to Orlando to the west, where many Space Coast residents work. The development of the Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island in the 1960s led to a house building boom at the time. Much of the stock from that period remains, as seen in examples like a low-pitched roof ranch-style home that was built in 1963 and includes features like an attached metal-roofed carport. New housing communities have also popped up in recent years. Examples include more stylized ranch-style houses built within the last decade, with features like cross-gabled roofs and mixed stucco and stone veneer sidings. “We’ve got the best of both worlds,” Mutter says about residents being able to choose between a desirable stock of newer and older homes. The median price point in Southern Titusville is just under $390,000, making this side slightly more expensive than other parts of the city. But many, especially those who commute to Orlando to work, see the costs here as bargains. “The neat thing about Titusville is the prices are a lot better up this way. A lot of people will make that 30-minute drive to save them 20 to 30% on a home,” Mutter says. Southern Titusville residents are close to the NASA Causeway Bridge that goes over the Indian River to connect the city to Merritt Island. Peninsula visitors can visit the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, located about 10 miles east from the Hills neighborhood in Southern Titusville. Visitors to the complex can explore attractions covering periods ranging from the dawn of space exploration to current missions. Local anglers can hit the shoreline at Kennedy Point Park, while nature enthusiasts can travel to the Brevard County Enchanted Forest a little farther south to hike and spot wildlife like Florida scrub lizard, gopher tortoise and bobcat. Residents needing to do some shopping will find big box stores like Target and Walmart around Cheney Highway and Columbia Boulevard. They can then drive a short distance west on Cheney to Durango’s Steakhouse, where options also include pasta dishes and seafood like the Crunchy Cheese Haddock. Rocket launches can be well seen from almost anywhere in Titusville, but the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex does regularly host watch events throughout the year for those seeking even more unobstructed views. The Space Coast Regional Airport is located right along U.S. Highway 1. The facility provides general aviation, commercial and air travel, as well as helicopter flight training. Schools that serve Southern Titusville include Imperial Estates Elementary School, Space Coast Junior/Senior High School and Titusville High School, all of which received B grades from ratings site Niche. Families also have an alternative with the Sculptor Charter School, a kindergarten through 8 institution that received a B-plus grade from Niche.