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Things You Should Know Before Moving to Palm Bay, FL

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Thinking of becoming a resident of the Sunshine State's Space Coast? Read on, future Floridian! This guide will give you tips and information about Palm Bay, Florida - one of Brevard County's most populous cities located in the Melbourne-Titusville Metro area.

 

Palm Bay Climate

The city's climate has typical attributes of many southern cities, with hot and humid summers paired with mild winters. Between fall and winter, temperatures generally range from the high 60s to mid 70s, but can reach temperatures into the 80s. The coldest months are January and February, with lows dipping to the 50s and occasionally lower due to cold fronts.

The summer months in Palm Bay are warm to hot, with temperatures in the 80s and 90s. The annual precipitation in the city is just below 50 inches, so be prepared to see frequent afternoon showers. In addition, the area can be prone to hurricanes and tropical storms during hurricane season.

Palm Bay Neighborhoods

Being that Palm Bay and Melbourne are so close together, many residents live on the boarder of these two areas, including some areas of Malabar. Locals even suggest neighborhoods in Viera and Suntree for a more family-friendly option, with plenty of sidewalks, shopping, and even a zoo.

In terms of living within the limits of Palm Bay itself, residents suggest living in the Southeast Palm Bay or Southwest Palm Bay, as the northern areas of the city are known for having high crime rates.

Registering Your Car

If you're making a permanent move to Florida, you have 10 days to register your car from the date you begin working in the state, or register a child in a Florida school. You must have proof of ownership of your vehicle, verification of your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), and proof of Florida insurance requirements.

You have 30 days to transfer your existing out of state driver's license to a Florida driver's license. To do so, you will need your primary identification, proof of Social Security Number and two documents verifying your Florida address. The Florida DMV issues over 400,000 new resident licenses per year, and advises you to know your requirements and have your documents ready prior to going to the office.

Palm Bay Schools

Brevard County Public Schools serves Palm Bay in regards to public education, and it is based in neighboring Viera, Florida. The system enrolls over 70,000 students in almost 100 schools including 16 high schools and two year-round schools.

Brevard Community College houses a campus in the city, and there are many notable schools for higher education located in the surrounding areas of Palm Bay. Some of these schools include: Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Indian River State College in Fort Pierce, University of Central Florida, Valencia College, Seminole State College of Florida, Nova Southeastern University and Full Sail University (all in the Orlando area).

Palm Bay Employment

Many corporations are located in Palm Bay, including Harris Corporation, which has close to 4,000 employees on its payroll. Other notable corporations are: Intersil, DRS Technologies and Palm Bay Hospital. The unemployment rate as of April 2013 was just around 7.7 percent, which was a slight decrease from the previous month and just slightly higher than the national average, which was 7.5 percent as of March 2013.

Living Costs in the City

Living in Palm Bay may just relax your wallet a little, since the overall cost of living is over 10 percent lower than the national average - miscellaneous expenses and utilities are also lower, while food costs are approximately 6 percent higher.

Homes in the area are moderately priced in comparison with other areas of the country, and the average listing price is approximately $117,000. The median sales price for homes in the city is just under $85,000, but you can find homes in more upscale subdivisions for over $200,000. Apartments typically start at approximately $550 per month for a one-bedroom.

The city's consistent weather will allow for better energy conservation, and you can end up reducing your monthly utility bills to anywhere from $50 to $150 a month, depending on the time of year and the size of your home.

Palm Bay Moving Resources

Moving and storage companies are ready and willing to help you with your move to Palm Bay, whether you're moving from out of state or from another county in Florida. Make sure you get estimates from multiple moving services before you commit to hiring any (at least three estimates). Check back to our guides for tips on how to choose your moving service wisely with important questions to ask, differentiating between types of estimates, and mistakes to avoid. Visit the following pages at Movers.com to get quotes for the following services:

Palm Bay Transportation

With fuel prices increasing throughout the country, more residents in the area have been relying on public transportation than they had been in the past. Space Coast Area Transit (SCAT) serves the city when it comes to bus routes, van/carpool matching and an employer parking incentive program.

For those who rely on single occupant vehicles for daily travel, you will use Interstate 95, U.S.1 and County Road 516 (Palm Bay Road) for the most part. Other traveled roads in the area include Babcock Street (507) and Malabar Road (514).

Culture & Contemporary Life

From airboat rides to a visit to the Kennedy Space Center, Palm Bay and its surrounding areas have it covered when it comes to entertainment. Go on an Eco-Safari in St. Cloud, or enjoy a game of golf at various country clubs in Palm Bay, as well as in Cocoa Beach, Viera and Malabar.

You can soak up the sun and the Atlantic Ocean at nearby beaches, shop at Melbourne's historic downtown shopping district and farmers market, or you can even embark on a casino cruise out of Port Canaveral. Space Coast River Tours out of Merritt Island offers a closer look at dolphins, manatees, birds and more on two-hour boat tours.

Palm Bay Relocation Tips

  • The sun can be intense in any southern state, so make sure you protect your skin properly and schedule regular visits to the dermatologist.

     

  • Florida residents are eligible for various in-state scholarships for attending college. If you're thinking about a higher education, you might want to become a resident of Florida before making any decision on what school to attend.

     

  • For the new Florida resident, hurricane preparedness should be a priority. Stock up on plenty of bottled water, canned goods, flashlights, batteries, blankets and waterproof items.

Jenna Farmer  Posted by Jenna Farmer on June 4, 2013

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