Vero Beach

Located just north of Vero Beach, Gifford is a historically Black community with a rich artistic history. It was home to several members of the Florida Highwaymen, a group of Black artists whose sold their landscape art door-to-door or out of the trunks of cars from the 1950s to the 1980s. Though a long-standing community, Gifford saw development stall while the rest of Sebastian and Vero Beach grew. Only since 2010 has the community seen new advancements and resources. "I've been here for 20 years, and Gifford has gone through a lot of transformation in the last decade," says Eric Attio, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty of VB. "From US 1 to around 43rd Street, it tends to still be what it was and is under works for improvements. Going west is all revitalization, with new construction." On the east side of Gifford, open lots, small bungalows and ranch-style homes are mostly what is on the market, while the west side has undergone significant development. Prices for lots and older homes range between $55,000 and $200,000. "If someone wants to buy now and fix up the property, it'll probably be worth a lot of money in a few years," Attio says. "The market is moving crazy fast. Most buyers are first-time owners, and I notice a lot of doctors moving in because they're so close to the [Cleveland Clinic Indian River] Hospital." Many original homes in Gifford were built between 1970 and 1985, while new construction began around 2005. Contemporary homes follow Spanish eclectic and Mediterranean architectural styles, with stucco exteriors and domed archways. Price tags for new, modern properties are between $350,000 and $550,000. "All the gated communities tend to make a halo around the center of these areas where there was originally less development," says Chris Junker, a Realtor with Re/Max Crown Realty with a decade of experience selling in the area. Gifford relies heavily on Route 1, a major thoroughfare that runs directly up the East Coast. Ramps to Interstate 95 are just a few miles away, and residents mainly depend on cars for transportation. Most residents will catch flights at Vero Beach Regional Airport from Orlando Melbourne International Airport, 33 miles north. For health needs and emergencies, Gifford is next door to the Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital, the largest medical center in Vero Beach. Gifford is zoned to the Indian River County School District, which receives an A-minus grade from Niche as a district. Dodgertown Elementary gets a C-plus from Niche and is located within the community. Students can move on to Gifford Middle, which receives a B, before heading to A-minus-rated Vero Beach High. The high school offers dual enrollment with Indian River State College so students can take college-level classes at the college, online, or during the summer. Vero Beach High is also well-known for its extracurriculars, with its band having performed overseas in Europe and the VBHS Girls Lacrosse team winning each state championship for nearly 10 years straight. At the northside off Route 1 is the Harbor Point Shopping Center, anchored by a Publix and surrounded by stops such as Orange Theory Fitness and Walgreens. The Indian River Mall and several big-box stores, such as Walmart and Sam's Club, are 5 miles from the neighborhood. Gifford has several locally owned eateries, from the small front patio of Sir B Restaurant, known for traditional Jamaican food, to the bright, flavorful dishes at Janejira Thai. One of the neighborhood's highlights – both for outdoor recreation and a slice of history – is the Victor Hart Sr. Community Enhancement Complex. Victor Hart Sr. played a critical role in supporting his community, opening the first NAACP chapter in Indian River County, as well as the Progressive Civic League of Gifford. The park has a playground for local children, tennis and basketball courts, and baseball fields where the Gifford Youth Little Leagues plays. It connects to the Gifford Aquatic Center and Youth Achievement Center, which focuses on providing free youth and senior programs, from art classes to sports leagues. At The Gifford Community Cultural & Resource Center, Gifford’s rich history of art from the Florida Highwaymen and the efforts of Black pioneers are preserved, and volunteers brings free art and education programs to the area.