Want to advertise here or want a featured listing? Email us

About Merritt Island

If you have spent any time reading about Florida's early history (especially the east coast), you will not be surprised to hear that the community of Merritt Island can trace its origin back to agriculture and livestock (cattle, pineapple and citrus). Currently, Merritt Island is an unincorporated area of Brevard County.

A distinction must be made between the town of Merritt Island and the actual landmass which takes the same name. Titusville is the official location of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Reserve, which is located 15 miles to the north of the Merritt Island community. In addition, this area is home to Kennedy Space Center and is the heart of Florida's "Space Coast". Residents of Merritt Island are able to enjoy these local attractions along with the natural beauty surrounding the community's site.

Commercial development has been increasing in the area, though much care has been taken to preserve the wildlife that frequents the Banana and Indian River lagoons. Residents will enjoy shopping at the Merritt Square Mall, playing golf at the Savannahs Golf Course, or taking in the many nuances of Merritt Island. Access to Orlando is made easy by the Beach Line Expressway and is just under an hour away, and the beachfront at Cocoa Beach is less than 20 minutes away.

The Merritt Island NWR must be mentioned along with its namesake, for its 140,000 acres are inundated with marshland and estuaries teeming with over 500 species of wildlife. The park's 500,000 visitors per year enjoy the spectacle of osprey and bald eagles flying overhead and the gentle existence of the threatened manatees.

Merritt Island is situated among the most natural and undisturbed areas in the country and plays host to the nation's most fascinating technology as displayed in the awe of NASA rocket launches. This is a community where nature and technology meet, and successfully co-exist. It is a community of many wonders.

ERA Alladin Real Estate

Simon Realtors

Services and Local Information

Utilities

If you want an idea about the cost of utilities for a particular home or apartment, call the utility company. They should be able to give you a monthly average. The power companies require deposits based on your credit history and they will accept MasterCard or Visa payment, if you wish.

Power
Florida Power and Light requires a deposit that varies according to a customer's credit rating. To sign up for FPL service, call 723-7795. One day notification is required to provide service.

Cable Television
Time Warner Cable handles all of Central Florida's cable needs. To order service, please call 1-877-TWC-EASY.

Gas
The City Gas Co. of Florida supplies natural gas to most of Brevard. To begin gas service call 800-993-7546; for new homes call 632-1734.

Telephone
Contact Bell South at 780-2355 at any hour to set up service. Deposit will be determined by the customer's credit report.

Water
Charges for sewer, water and deposit rates vary. Cocoa provides service for much of Central Brevard. Charges vary. All customers pay a $20 administration fee, paid on the first bill. Residents who want water and sewer connections must go to Cocoa City Hall, located at 603 Brevard Ave., between 7 am and 5:30 pm weekdays. Call 639-7500.

Automobile Tags/Driver's Licenses

New residents must apply for Florida tags and car titles within ten days after they begin work, apply for a homestead exemption or enroll their children in school. Proof of Florida insurance is also required before tags can be issued.

In Merritt Island:
Central Brevard Service Complex
2575 N. Courtenay Parkway.
Call 455-1412

In Melbourne:
South Brevard Service Complex
1515 Sarno Rd
Call 255-4410

In Palm Bay:
Interchange Square
1155 Malabar Rd NE
Call 952-4540

In Rockledge:
Rockledge Village Green Shopping Center
(corner of Fiske Blvd and Barton Blvd)
Call 633-1897

In Titusville:
North Brevard Service Complex
700 Park Ave.
Call 264-5224

New residents must obtain a Florida driver's license within 30 days of beginning work, establishing residency, claiming a homestead exemption, registering to vote or registering a child in the public school system. For information on requirements, or to make an appointment in the Merritt Island Office, call 449-5002 (closed on Mondays).

In Melbourne:
3442 N Harbor City Blvd
Call 984-4931

In Merritt Island:
1450 N Courtenay Pkwy
Call 453-3388

In N. Melbourne:
601 E. University Blvd
Call 255-2228

In Titusville:
2290 Columbia Blvd
Call 383-2763

Homestead Tax Exemption

Eligible Florida residents may apply for year-round homestead exemption by March 1. Brevard County and some cities give residents older than 65 an additional homestead exemption if they earn less than $20,000 per year.

To apply, you need the following documents for all people on the title and the property deed or tax bill in your name: Florida driver's license, Florida vehicle registration, and Florida's voter and Social Security cards.

In Merritt Island:
Central Brevard Service Complex
2575 N. Courtenay Parkway.
Call 455-1444.

Voter's Registration

Voter registration is available at the locations listed below. Supervisor of Elections offices in:

Titusville
North Office
400 South Street Suite 1F
321-264-6740

Merritt Island
2575 North Courtney Parkway
Merritt Island, FL 32953
321-455-1400

Melbourne
1515 Sarno Road
Melbourne, Fl 32935
321-255-4455

Viera
2725 Judge James Way - Bld. C
Viera, FL 32940
321-633-2124

Palm Bay
1155 Malabar Road, NE Suite 8
Palm Bay, FL 32907
321-952-6328

Cocoa
345 Wenner Way
Cocoa, FL 32926
321-633-1851

Armed Forces Recruiting Offices:

Rockledge Square
1856 Rockledge Blvd

2233 W New Haven Ave
Melbourne

Public Libraries (a few of which are listed below):

2121 S Hopkins Ave, Titusville
308 Forest Ave, Cocoa
1195 N Courtenay Pkwy, Merritt Island
7400 Poinsettia Ave, Cape Canaveral
751 Jamaica Blvd, Satellite Beach
1521 Pineapple Ave, Melbourne
540 E New Haven Ave, Melbourne
6475 Minton Rd SW, Palm Bay