I have heard Merritt Island is nice but overall the area is very depressed and 1000's are loosing their jobs at NASA which is the biggest employer in the area. lot of crime and not much to do.

Don't know who you are talking to, but have never had or heard of any problems with crime. Maybe in Titusville or Cocoa, but not in MI. Businesses aren't closing, people are buying up waterfront homes again. Where do you get your facts??

Viera?
 

Do you guys know anything about Viera?

Viera is very nice. Lots of retirees, but they don't bite. Watch out for their golf carts! Viera has the Washington Nationals spring training facility there. I make sure I make the drive from Orlando a few times per year for games. I recommend Viera as well because it's in Northern (for the most part) Brevard County and easy access to the 528 which takes you to MCO.

Lots of shops/restaurants/things to do. Very NEW area as well.

Viera is nice too...just depends on what you are looking for. We wanted waterfront and easy access to the airport. Viera is a little farther to the airport and no real water access. As Lear stated, there are some real nice newer communities there though. Actually my realtor just showed another pilot friend of mine some homes there and said they were very reasonably priced.

The OP asked about Brevard county in general. I did say Mi is nice. If you want the facts try reading the newspaper.

Stbloc, are you always an A** or do you just play one on tv?? Where do you live by the way? I live in MI and read the paper, hmm...let's see one possible B&E in the last week. No murders or violent crime in forever....wow, it's like Detroit here. Maybe due to YOUR insight, me, my neighobors, and all our friends will start locking our doors now. Thank God I can get the straight scoop from you!!

By the way, just looked up crime rates on Neighborhood Scout and MI is safer than Melbourne, Titusville, Cocoa, Cocoa Beach, just about anywhere in Brevard except the Rockledge/Viera area. Just the facts:)
BTW, MI and Cocoa Beach also have some of the highest rated schools in the state...from the Florida Department of Education Website.

i live in palm bay. the drive to mco is not bad, one hour. viera is a great place. in general i like brevard, is quiet an d the schools are really good.

How about the Ocala or Gainsville area. Anyone live up there and commute to mco?