I truly cannot believe it has been almost five years since my husband and I moved from Newport, Rhode Island to Merritt Island, Florida.

It feels like yesterday, but at the same time, it feels like this has always been home.

If you are thinking about moving to Merritt Island or anywhere along Florida’s Space Coast, I wanted to share our full story. The real version. What surprised us. What felt different. What we love. And what I honestly miss.

If you are new here, my name is Rachel Langley. I’m a local real estate agent here on the Space Coast, and I help people relocate to Merritt Island, Viera, Cocoa Beach, Melbourne, and the surrounding areas every single week. Many of my clients are coming from the Northeast, just like we did.

This was our experience.

Why We Decided to Leave Rhode Island

My husband grew up in Rhode Island. I grew up in Connecticut and went to school in Rhode Island. We met there. We built our early careers there. It was home.

But like so many people I talk to now, we were just done with the cold.

I am not someone who enjoys winter sports. I don’t snowboard. I don’t ski. Winter felt like months of working, eating, and waiting for it to be over. I remember thinking, I’m not waiting until retirement to live somewhere warmer.

At the end of 2021, my husband received an internal message through his company about an opening in Florida near Patrick Space Force Base. We had never been to the Space Coast before. But I encouraged him to apply.

He did. He interviewed. They wanted him.

And suddenly we were flying down to look at homes.

Why We Chose Merritt Island

When we came down, I immediately fell in love with Merritt Island.

It made sense for his commute to Patrick Space Force Base. It also felt familiar in a way I didn’t expect. We were used to living near water in Newport, surrounded by it. Merritt Island is surrounded by the Indian River and Banana River, so even though it’s not directly on the beach, it still gives you that waterfront lifestyle feel.

I loved downtown Cocoa Beach. I loved downtown Cocoa Village. But at the time, we couldn’t comfortably afford Cocoa Beach, and I didn’t want to overspend in an area we weren’t sure about yet. Merritt Island felt like the right balance. Close to the beach, close to work, and we found a home that fit our budget.

It was $315,000 at the time.

We put an offer in that weekend. Interest rates were rising, and homes were still getting multiple offers. I didn’t want to rent because we had pets, and I prefer owning property. So we secured the house.

Today, that home is now an investment property for us.

How Fast Our Move Happened

Our relocation happened quickly.

We closed in 30 days. We sold most of our furniture because it didn’t fit the Florida house. We packed a U-Haul trailer with personal items, drove down, and then I flew back to bring our dogs and my car.

By mid-June, we were fully moved in.

Every relocation looks different. Some people rent first. Some build new construction in Viera. Some explore neighborhoods like Merritt Island, Satellite Beach, or Melbourne over several months before deciding. We moved fast because that’s just how it unfolded.

Starting Over in a New Market

Starting real estate in a completely new area was hard.

I had no database here. No referral network. No history.

That’s actually why I started creating relocation content. I needed a way to connect with people moving to Florida’s Space Coast. And what happened next surprised me. I began attracting people who were motivated by the same reasons we were. Tired of winter. Looking for a lifestyle shift. Wanting more balance.

Now, years later, helping relocation buyers move to Merritt Island, Viera, Cocoa Beach, and beyond is one of my favorite parts of what I do.

Cost of Living: What Felt Different

One of the biggest questions I get is about cost.

For us, utilities felt cheaper than Rhode Island. Property taxes felt more manageable, especially in Merritt Island under county jurisdiction. Groceries felt slightly less expensive overall.

Insurance is always the hot topic. Yes, you can absolutely get homeowners insurance in Florida. Flood insurance is something I strongly recommend. Ours is around $800 per year. Some newer homes can be even lower.

One surprise cost was registering our cars in Florida. That first-time registration fee can catch people off guard.

Overall, for our situation, living in Merritt Island felt more affordable than Rhode Island.

Adjusting to the Florida Heat

We moved in the summer.

At first, I didn’t care how hot it was. I was just happy to be out of the snow. Over time, you realize yes, it gets hot. But life is built for it here. Homes have central air. Stores are air conditioned. Restaurants are air conditioned. Sometimes you even bring a jacket inside because the AC is so strong.

One thing I noticed is the breeze. When you fly into Orlando and drive toward Merritt Island and the coast, you can feel the difference. The ocean and river breeze help a lot compared to inland areas.

I will take humidity over snow every time.

Lifestyle Differences: Northeast vs Space Coast

This is where the biggest shift happened for me.

In Rhode Island, winter felt limiting. Here, life feels open year-round.

There are playgrounds everywhere. Walking trails. Fishing. Boating. Kayaking. Paddleboarding. Schools even have surf teams, which still amazes me.

Disney is about an hour away. The cruise port at Port Canaveral is right here. Kennedy Space Center is part of everyday life. Orlando International Airport is under an hour.

It just feels active and outdoorsy in a way that makes everyday life feel lighter.

Even career-wise, things feel more laid back here. I work more now than I did in Rhode Island, and yet it feels less stressful. The inventory is better. The pricing structure is different. Buyers moving to Florida are excited to be here.

That energy matters.

Housing Differences You Should Know

If you are coming from the Northeast, there are some adjustments.

Most homes in Merritt Island and across the Space Coast do not have basements due to the water table. Storage shifts to garages. If you can get a three-car garage, do it.

Concrete block construction is common here, especially important in coastal areas like Merritt Island. Roof age matters more than it does up north. In Florida, a 15-year-old roof is considered older by insurance companies.

Impact-rated windows or hurricane protection are important considerations.

Plumbing type matters too. Cast iron piping can be an issue in Florida due to humidity and salt air exposure. PVC is preferable.

These are things I walk my relocation buyers through every single week.

Hurricanes: The Honest Perspective

Yes, hurricanes are part of life in Florida.

It can feel scary your first year. The wind is loud. You hear things banging around. It is different from a snowstorm.

But preparation is everything. Good insurance. Knowing your evacuation zone if you are on Merritt Island. Having a plan.

Some years are quiet. Some are more active. Since we’ve lived here, nothing catastrophic has happened to us. But you always want to be prepared.

What I Miss — And What I Don’t

I miss my family. I miss the food in Rhode Island. The consistency of restaurants up there is hard to beat. I miss seeing fall leaves.

But I do not miss snow. I do not miss freezing winters. I do not miss dark evenings at 4:30 p.m.

I love one-story living. I love having a pool. I love that we can be outside year-round. I love the relaxed pace of life in Merritt Island and across the Space Coast.

Would We Do It Again?

Without hesitation, yes.

Moving to Merritt Island, Florida changed our lifestyle in the best way. It allowed us to build community, grow our careers, invest in property, and enjoy everyday life more fully.

If you are considering relocating to Merritt Island, Viera, Cocoa Beach, or anywhere along Florida’s Space Coast, I would love to help you think through the decision.

This move can feel big. I get it. I was you five years ago.

My partner Nichole, a lifelong Merritt Island native, and I help relocation buyers navigate this process every single day. Between my experience moving here from the Northeast and her deep local roots, you get both perspectives.

If Florida’s Space Coast is on your radar, call, text, or email us anytime.

 

We’ve got your back.

Thinking About Moving to the Space Coast?

We're Rachel Langley and Nichole Barna, Florida REALTORS® based in Brevard County. Whether you're buying, selling, or relocating, we're here to guide you every step of the way.

We're available days, nights, and weekends — because a move this big doesn't wait for business hours.

Rachel Langley and Nichole Barna, REALTORS at Blue Marlin Real Estate

Merritt Island move?

Merritt Island is unlike any other Brevard town. Talk to someone who has actually lived it.

Nichole Barna is a Brevard County native and Rachel relocated to the Space Coast in 2022. We are your team at Blue Marlin Real Estate. We know the canal streets, the river access lots, the storm history, and the lots that go fast versus the ones that sit.

Space Coast Relocation Checklist

A printable buyer briefing on Brevard County life, including Merritt Island specifics on insurance, flood, evacuation, and what to budget beyond the sticker price.

Send Me the Checklist

Talk to Us About Your Merritt Island Move

A thirty minute call with Rachel and Nichole. No script, no pressure. Tell us your timeline, your budget, and what you actually want. We will tell you what we would do.

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Beware

Call us BEFORE you walk into a model home or open house.

The sales rep works for the builder, not for you. Builders let you have your own agent, but you HAVE to name us on your first visit. Walk in without us and you can lose the right to bring us in on that purchase.

Text us at 321-212-7676 first. We meet you there. You still get the new construction. You also get two REALTORS who negotiate pricing, contract terms, inspections, and repairs every week.

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