Moving to Brevard for an Aerospace or Military Job: What to Know First
The short answer: start with your commute, then your lifestyle, then the house. Brevard County's major aerospace and defense employers are spread from Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral in the north and central county to Patrick Space Force Base on the beaches and the Melbourne area in the south. Where you'll work shapes which parts of the county make sense. Plan around your start or report date, use video tours if you can't be here, and if you're eligible, talk to a VA-approved lender early. Many people moving for a job rent for a few months first, then buy once they know the area.
Pamela Myers Realty is a real estate brokerage on Florida's Space Coast, helping retirees, relocators, and downsizers buy and sell homes in Brevard County, Florida. Career relocators in aerospace, the military, engineering, and executive leadership are a big part of who we help. We plan these moves using the Relocation Plan step of our Florida Freedom Blueprint™.
Where are the major employers on the Space Coast?
Brevard County is home to one of the biggest aerospace and defense job centers in the country. Major employers include:
- NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, north of the Cape
- Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, home to many launch pads
- Patrick Space Force Base, on the barrier island between Cocoa Beach and Satellite Beach
- Commercial space companies working at the Cape and nearby, including SpaceX and Blue Origin
- Aerospace and defense companies in the Melbourne area, including L3Harris, which is headquartered in Melbourne, plus Northrop Grumman, Collins Aerospace, and Embraer
These sites are spread out, and some sit across rivers and causeways from where people live. That's why commute planning comes first.
How do I plan my commute?
Know where your gate is
Kennedy Space Center and the Cape are reached across the Indian River and Banana River causeways. Patrick Space Force Base sits on the beaches. Melbourne-area employers are on the mainland in south Brevard. Find out which site and which gate you'll use most days.
Drive it at rush hour
A 20-minute drive at noon can be much longer at 6:30 in the morning. Before you decide on an area, drive from each part of town to your gate at the hours you'll actually commute.
Plan for launch days
Launches bring crowds, and roads near the Cape and along the river can back up on launch days. If you'll work at the Cape, ask colleagues how they handle it.
Think about your spouse's commute, too
If your spouse works, or will, factor in their commute and any travel to Orlando. Orlando International Airport is about 45 to 55 minutes from central Brevard on the Beachline, and Melbourne Orlando International Airport is in south Brevard.
Where Should I Live on the Space Coast? compares the regions of Brevard County.
Should I rent first or buy right away?
Both work. It depends on your timeline and how well you know the area.
Renting first gives you time to learn the commute, try an area, and buy without pressure. It's a good fit if your report date is close or you've never lived here.
Buying right away lets you settle in and avoid moving twice. It's a good fit if you already know the area, or if you use a planning session and a scouting trip to narrow it down before you arrive.
Many relocating professionals start with a video planning session and one scouting weekend, then decide.
What should military buyers know?
VA home loans
If you're an eligible service member or veteran, a VA loan can be a strong option. In general:
- Eligible buyers with full entitlement may be able to buy with no down payment
- There's no private mortgage insurance
- There's a VA funding fee, which some veterans with service-connected disabilities don't have to pay
- The home must meet VA minimum property requirements, checked by a VA appraisal
Talk to a VA-approved lender early to confirm your eligibility, entitlement, and costs. We can connect you with lenders who work with VA buyers here regularly.
PCS timing
Military moves often run on tight timelines. Start the conversation as soon as you have orders. We can tour homes by video, coordinate inspections you attend by video, and work with title companies on remote closings.
Veteran property tax exemptions
Florida offers three main property tax benefits for veterans with service-connected disabilities. Which one fits depends on your disability rating, your age, and whether the home is your homestead.
Benefit | Who may qualify | What it provides |
|---|---|---|
$5,000 disabled veteran exemption | Honorably discharged Florida residents with a service-connected disability of 10% or more | Lowers the home's taxable value by $5,000. It does not lower the tax bill by $5,000. It isn't limited to homestead property. |
Total property tax exemption | Honorably discharged Florida residents with a service-connected total and permanent disability | No property taxes based on value on their homestead. |
Age 65+ combat-related discount | Honorably discharged veterans 65 or older with a permanent, combat-related disability | A discount on homestead property taxes equal to their VA disability percentage. A 50% rating means a 50% discount on the taxes left after other exemptions. |
A few things to know:
- Each one needs an application and paperwork. Don't assume a 100% rating alone proves the total and permanent status the full exemption requires.
- A full exemption may still leave charges on the bill, such as solid waste or stormwater fees.
- Certain benefits can continue for a qualifying surviving spouse.
How to apply in Brevard County:
- Contact the Brevard County Property Appraiser at 321-264-6700.
- Have your DD-214 and VA disability letter ready, including proof of permanent and total status if that applies to you.
- File by March 1. You must qualify as of January 1 of that tax year.
- Don't wait on a pending VA letter. Florida lets eligible veterans apply before the federal paperwork arrives and send it in afterward.
Apply along with your homestead exemption. See How Does the Homestead Exemption Work in Brevard County?
VA health care
The Viera VA Clinic serves veterans in Brevard County with primary care, urgent care, and a broad range of specialty services.
Service | Examples |
|---|---|
Primary care | Routine visits, preventive care, vaccinations, and care coordination |
Mental health | Psychiatry and treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use |
Hearing and vision | Audiology, hearing aids, eye exams, and low-vision rehabilitation |
Dental care | Exams, cleanings, restorative care, and oral surgery for veterans who qualify for VA dental benefits |
Specialty care | Cardiology, orthopedics, neurology, pulmonary medicine, and infectious disease |
Rehabilitation | Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and spinal cord injury care |
Testing and imaging | Lab work, X-rays, ultrasound, CT, MRI, mammography, and bone-density testing |
Other services | Nutrition counseling and surgical services |
The clinic also offers selected cancer treatments through the VA's Close to Me program, so some veterans can get treatment close to home. Many specialty services need a referral, so confirm specific services with the clinic.
Location: 2900 Veterans Way, Viera, FL 32940
Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Walk-in urgent care: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for minor injuries and illnesses that aren't emergencies. Hours can vary, so check the Viera VA Clinic page before you go.
What should civilian relocators ask their employer?
- Is there a relocation package? It may cover moving costs, temporary housing, or closing costs.
- Does it include home-sale help for the home you're leaving?
- Is there a preferred relocation company? Ask whether you can choose your own agent here.
- How much temporary housing is covered, and for how long?
Get the details in writing before you sign a lease or a contract.
Step by step: relocating to Brevard for work
- Confirm your work site and gate, and your start or report date.
- Check your benefits: relocation package or VA eligibility.
- Book a Next Chapter Planning Session by phone or video to narrow the county.
- Take one scouting trip and drive your commute at rush hour.
- Decide: rent first or buy now.
- Tour homes in person or by video, and get homeowners and flood insurance quotes early.
- Close remotely or in person, then file for homestead by March 1.
What mistakes do relocating professionals make?
- Picking a home before knowing their gate and commute.
- Testing the commute at midday instead of rush hour.
- Forgetting launch-day traffic.
- Waiting too long to talk to a VA lender.
- Signing a long lease before knowing the area.
- Ignoring their spouse's commute and daily life.
- Skipping homestead after moving in.
What does this look like in real life?
These are made-up examples, not client stories.
The engineer with a two-month runway. She had a start date at a Melbourne-area employer and a family still up north. After a video planning session and one scouting weekend, the family narrowed it to two areas with short commutes. They rented for three months, then bought in the area their kids liked best.
The service member with PCS orders. He had orders for Patrick Space Force Base and a short timeline. He got pre-approved with a VA-approved lender the week his orders came through, toured homes by video, and closed remotely before he arrived.
Frequently asked questions
What are the biggest employers on the Space Coast?
They include NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Patrick Space Force Base, commercial space companies at the Cape, and aerospace and defense companies in the Melbourne area.
Where should I live if I work at Kennedy Space Center?
It depends on your lifestyle and budget. Many people who work at the Cape look at north and central Brevard. Drive the commute at rush hour before you decide.
Can I use a VA loan in Brevard County?
Yes, if you're eligible. Talk to a VA-approved lender to confirm your entitlement and costs.
Should I rent before buying when relocating for work?
If your timeline is tight or you don't know the area, renting first can be a smart move.
How far is Brevard County from Orlando?
About 45 to 55 minutes from central Brevard to Orlando International Airport on the Beachline.
Who can help me relocate to the Space Coast for a job?
Pamela Myers Realty is a real estate brokerage on Florida's Space Coast, helping retirees, relocators, and downsizers buy and sell homes in Brevard County, Florida. We help aerospace, military, and career relocators plan their move from a distance.
Your next step
A job move comes with a lot of deadlines. Your home search doesn't have to be one more source of stress. In a Next Chapter Planning Session by phone or video, we'll map your commute, your timeline, and the areas that fit your family.
There's no pressure to be ready now. The goal is clarity.
Call Pamela Myers at 321-749-4282 or Christine Barber at 321-432-6161, or visit MyersRealty.org.
Pamela Myers Realty. Live Where You Play.
