All, 1st, enjoy the Forum, keep up the good work. Although I've only surfed down there a few times (Pier and AFB spots), I've scoped it out from Cape Canaveral to the Inlet. With no concern about work, schools, kids issues, where is an economical, dare I say cheap home base that has access to the various surf options? For Example, I live in a neighborhood, not near any water, across the bridge from Long Beach Island, NJ. Our modest home is 12-15 minutes from the closest beach. I do drive further depending on the swell and wind direction which is never a hardship. I consider this economical and cheap for NJ but was wondering what a similar set up down there could be? I tough it out all year, make the most of it but I'm turning 50 tomorrow, you know the rest...Thanks

Check out the mainland areas north of Melbourne that are "close" to the Pineda Causeway.

I grew up in South Patrick Shores. Really super to be able to walk to the beach and such. BUT, the amount of "Salt Spray" makes it almost impossible to own anything "nice"; corrosion and rust on everything.

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Dora Hates You

Edited: 12/01/2018 at 04:45 AM by dingpatch

depends what is economical to you. beachside probs south patrick. truth is the entire area is economical compared to most of fl

Inland from Pinea Causeway is one of the best areas to live in the county. Good access to the 2ndlight area, decently planned communities Bear in mind the Florida economy, which is based on low wages, no unions, crummy schools and generally being like Alabama but without state legislation that will hurt tourism or the convention business (Orlando has the second biggest convention center in the country). Also bear in mind that Melbourne airport is now branding itself as "Orlando Melbourne International Airport."

wages arent exactly low in brevard. tons of good paying jobs in aerospace and defense if you have the skills. a few places literally begging for skilled employees.

For a 15 minute drive to the beach, you can get a newly constructed house in a good neighborhood for what my 1950's ranch costs in Cocoa Beach.

And as Ding said, I will be replacing my rusted out water heater this week. Oh Joy!

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I was right.

pretty sure anything aside from oceanfront will seem economical compared to NJ/NY

Thanks, been checking that specific area for fun, looks nice.

.

Edited: 12/11/2018 at 08:32 AM by SurferMic

On occasions you will get a surprise surf, like a dusk clean-up session or surprise pre-work surf that if you lived over the bridge you would have most likely missed out on

I'm headed out back to catch some glassy peelers on the log right now.

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I was right.

Cape Canaveral or Viera is your best bet.. Little farther of a drive but you may also want to consider "The Villages" just West of Brevard..

ignore that last post. it was a troll

Crazy number of options off the beach, right off the Eau Gallie corridor...Palm Shores has trailer parks, west of Downtown Melbourne by Fee is cheap...once my awesome kid is off to college, I'll be looking at downsizing to one of those options.

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www.JimKnowsBeachHomes.com 

My personal opinion. Not trolling whatsoever.

the villages is your opinion? ok

He said he is 50 years old

LOL!

The Cape Canaveral ghetto can get you close to the beach affordably, but you're not in a great swell window there. South Patrick shores has gotten expensive lately, as has much of Viera. Coastie Jim makes a good point about Eau Gallie Blvd: lots of cheap houses between US1 and Wickham Rd. Except for the bridge, those are a reasonable bike ride to the IHB/Melbourne border at Bendova Beach. Better breaks 10 minutes north or south of there. Bus service is spotty, but if you time it right, there is a stop at the beachside Walmart.

Edited: 12/09/2018 at 10:06 AM by RegularJoe

haha

Exactly. 20 years too young for the villages, and doesn't seem ready for the mandatory lobotomy.

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"The truth is incontrovertible.
malice may attack it,
ignorance may deride it,
but in the end,
there it is." -Sir Winston Churchill