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Whether in search of new work opportunities or just for a change of scenery, several Americans can be found moving to Melbourne every year. When it comes to finding a new home, the suburb of Merritt Island can serve as an excellent choice. As a region in the“Sunshine State” of Florida, Merritt Island is a wonderfully sunny, beach-filled suburb located along the Space Coast. If that sounds like your ideal new home, moving to Merritt Island might just be the city you have been looking for.

This guide will provide you with everything you need to know about moving to Melbourne and life after settling down in Merritt Island. Also included is information about Merritt Island’s history, geography, climate, and local attractions. Moreover, to help you out, this guide contains a host of information about moving to Merritt Island, the various moving companies in Melbourne, and the storage solutions you and your family can make the most of during your move.

Before moving to Melbourne, and the Merritt Island suburb, in particular, it might be worth knowing more about its local history. The history of the region now known as Merritt Island can be traced as far back as 12,000 years ago. The first people in the region, now referred to as Paleo Indians, had arrived in the area after crossing the Siberian land bridge and migrating across the North American region.

It is estimated that the Florida peninsular region would have been more than twice its size at the time. According to archaeological findings in the Merritt Island area, the early Paleo Indians would have shared this land with several ancient animals such as mastodons, mammoths, and glyptodonts. Fossils of other wildlife such as bison, camels, peccaries, tapirs, giant tortoises, and giant armadillos have also been unearthed in the Merritt Island region.

It is theorized that this wildlife eventually went extinct due to factors such as global warming and the arrival of the prehistoric Clovis people, who were proficient hunters. Beyond that period, the region’s earliest inhabitants were believed to be Native Americans residing in this area from about 800 to 900 AD. In particular, the Ais and Timucuans tribes have left behind mounds along the river shores of Merritt Island, offering various clues about their culture and ways of life. The earliest contact between these Native American tribes and European travelers can be traced back to the early 16th century. At the time, this region became a refuge for many shipwrecked Spanish explorers, including Alvaro Mexia. He became the first person to draw and record the Merritt Island area on a map. Over the next few centuries, as more European explorers began moving to Merritt Island, the native cultures of the land were wiped away due to the illnesses that the explorers had unknowingly brought overseas.

Some of Merritt Island’s highlights over the next few centuries were the Elliott plantation of the 1760s, the travels and recordings of French Botanist André Michaux in the 1780s, and most importantly, the construction of Fort Ann in 1837. However, the richest stories about Merritt Island from this time revolve around its establishment as a leading citrus plantation in the early 19th century. A prominent pioneer of this era in Merritt Island history was a man named Douglass Dummitt, who cultivated oranges in the region and made a fortune shipping them north in the late 1920s. He is a local legend in the area and is often referred to as the “father of the Indian River Citrus industry.”

The next significant period in Merritt Island history came about as a result of President John F. Kennedy’s ambitious plans regarding space and moon missions in the early 1960s. With the country being a part of a fervent Space Race and the resultant expansion of NASA, this region became a veritable hub for action. In 1963, the US government acquired more than 100,000 acres to the north and west of the Cape on Merritt Island as the development site for the John F. Kennedy Space Center. Due to this, several families started moving to Merritt Island and settling down in this region.

After an agreement in 1963, the US Fish and Wildlife Service managed tracts of land in Merritt Island that NASA is not utilizing. This land is now known as the Merritt National Island Wildlife Refuge and is home to hundreds of flora and fauna species.

It is always fascinating to know more about the geographical significance of the town you’re moving to. Catching up on the geography of the suburb of Merritt Island before moving to Melbourne should be no different. Merritt Island is located in Brevard County, on the East Floridian coast, and along the Atlantic Ocean. Merritt Island is a Census Designated Place or CDP, and according to the 2010 Census, it was recorded to have a population of almost 35,000.

Overall, Merritt Island covers about 47.20 square miles, with 17.50 square miles being land and 29.70 square miles being bodies of water. Although named Merritt Island, the region is a peninsula; it is connected to the Floridan mainland – causeways connect it to Brevard County mainland to the north and Melbourne to the south.

If you are moving to Melbourne with kids, Merritt Island might quickly become a family favorite due to the opportunities for beach trips. In terms of bodies of water, the entire western shoreline of Merritt Island is entirely formed by the Indian River Lagoon, while the eastern shoreline is formed by the Banana River and the Mosquito Lagoon. An essential structure in the city that essentially divides it into two parts is the 12 ft deep Canaveral Barge Canal, which connects the Indian River to the Banana River. Another significant body of water is the slow-moving Sykes Creek, which flows right down the center of Merritt Island.

One of the first things to know before moving to Merritt Island is its location relative to the city of Melbourne. Merritt Island is located at a distance of 28 miles, or 45 kilometers, northwest of Melbourne. Most travelers prefer to commute between the two locations by car, which takes about 45 minutes, but you can also make the journey by bus.

If you are moving to Melbourne and settling down in Merritt Island for good, one of the most important things you should know about the region is its climate.

Similar to most regions in this part of Florida, moving to Merritt Island means moving to a locale that experiences a humid subtropical climate. However, while this is the region’s official climate classification, its position in Florida’s southernmost region means that it lies in a transitional zone between subtropical and tropical climates. At the end of the day, what it amounts to is that Merritt Island residents experience two distinct seasons; a hot-wet season from May to October and a warm-dry season from November to April.

Through the year, the temperature in Merritt Island ranges from 90°F in July to 49°F in January. Keep in mind that moving to Merritt Island means bidding farewell to winters. The suburb rarely experiences freezing temperatures and does not experience any snowfall. If you have an extensive winter wardrobe and gear that you are not quite ready to say goodbye to, make sure to reach out to one of the many moving companies in Melbourne. They can easily arrange for various portable storage containers for rent and other forms of storage solutions to help you store your seasonal items when moving to Merritt Island.

According to Best Places’ analysis, the Comfort Index for Merritt Island is a 7 out of a possible 10. The most pleasant months in Merritt Island are considered to be March, April, and November, while the least comfortable is July and August.

Merritt Island lives up to its position in the “Sunshine State,” with the city experiencing more than 237 sunny days per year, compared to the national average of 205 days. While summers in Merritt Islands are pretty hot with average high temperatures ranging around 90°F, it is still cooler and more pleasant than most Florida regions.

Having said that, the climate in the region is still fairly humid. The muggiest part of Merritt Island’s climate can last for more than seven months, from April to November. The summers don’t have to be so miserable if you are carrying along a dehumidifier and other appliances to keep yourself comfortable. As for space, there are plenty of options for storage in Merritt Island. Just reach out to one of the moving companies in Merritt Island for suitable storage solutions to bring your appliances along. You can rent out a portable storage box or make use of the many self-storage options they offer.

Merritt Island also receives a considerable amount of rainfall. The city experiences 53 inches of rain every year, which is higher than the national average of 38 inches. The annual number of days with precipitation (115) is also higher than the national average (106). The wettest month of the year for Merritt Island is August when 40% of the annual precipitation occurs with about 8 inches of rain.

As mentioned before, Merritt Island does not experience a distinct winter season, and it is only during an average of 3 days where the temperature falls below freezing. Although the region does experience frost, there has been no record of snow for the past 150 years.

One of the important things to know before moving to Melbourne, and the Merritt Island area, is information regarding the people and communities that live here. Here’s all you need to know about the suburb’s population and demographics before moving to Merritt Island.

According to the 2010 US Census, Merritt Island has an overall population of more than 35,000 residents. Adjusted for the present time, this figure can be estimated to be about 36,380. Merritt Island has a population density of about 2,100 people per square mile.

If you are moving to Melbourne with kids, Merritt Island might just be the ideal suburb in which your family can lay down roots. As per the Census of 2000, the town of Merritt Island is home to more than 13,955 households occupied by 10,049 families. Out of these families, more than 49% are married, 24.2% are married with children, and 14.2% have children with single parents. 27% of the households in the suburb have children below the age of 18, while 53% are married couples living together. The average family size in the suburb is about 2.86, and the average household size is 2.4, which is on par with the national average of 2.6.

For those moving to Merritt Island alone, the suburb still offers plenty of opportunities to mingle with residents of similar backgrounds. 33% of the households in the suburb are non-families, and 27% of households are occupied by a single individual. Merritt Island is also a quiet place, ideal for people looking to retire in the near future. The median age in the city is about 48 years, with a significant senior and veteran population.

The suburb of Merritt Island largely houses a white population but is also home to various racially and linguistically diverse communities. According to the US Census, the racial composition of Merritt Island’s population is 82% white, 5% Black or African American, 8% Hispanic, 3% Asian, and 2% of two or more races. In terms of languages, 90% of the population speaks English as their native language, 6% of the population speaks Spanish, 2.3% speak various Indo-European languages, while 2% speak Asian and Pacific Island languages.

Every year, hundreds of Americans can be found moving to Melbourne and the Merritt Island region. To help them move and provide options for storage in Merritt Island, various moving companies in Melbourne have been established to give these families and individuals the storage solutions they need.

Many people moving to Melbourne for work opportunities often find it challenging to meet the city’s standards of cost of living. This is why moving to Merritt Island, one of Melbourne’s most popular suburbs with the cost of living parameters that are far more economical, serves as an excellent alternative.

The median income for a household in Sunset Valley is about $61,123, which is higher than the national average of $57,652. Merritt Island has a cost of living index of 103, on par with the national benchmark of 100. In almost all categories except housing, Merritt Island has a lower cost of living than the national average. This applies to essential services such as health, utilities, and transportation. As far as expenses related to moving go, you can reach out to one of the many moving companies in Melbourne and find efficient self-storage tools and storage solutions with lucrative deals.

Merritt Island does not have a municipal government though the local county government primarily handles its administrative responsibilities. All of the residential spaces in Merritt Island can only be accessed via causeways or drawbridges. The suburb also has its own Merritt Island Airport, a public general aviation airport operated by the Titusville-Cocoa Airport Authority.

One of the prime places of pride in the Merritt Island area is the Merritt Island Public Library, a state-designated special library district. The library has a wide selection of books with an extensive collection of kids’ literature and is also fully equipped with internet access on its public use computers.

If you are moving to Melbourne with kids, you will find comfort in knowing that the suburb of Merritt Island also has an excellent education system. The suburb falls under the Brevard Public School District and has several elementary, middle, and high schools. Among these are the Audubon Elementary School, the Edgewood Junior-Senior High, and the Merritt Island High School. The city also houses various prestigious private schools such as the Brevard Private Academy, the Christian Heritage Academy, and the Florida Learning Academy Private School.

The city’s standard of education is good, with as much as $8,466 per student spent by the city. As much as 94% of the population are at least high school graduates, 35% are college graduates, and a further 5% are currently attending college.

When discussing the many exciting things to know before moving to Melbourne, it would be remiss not to include the Merritt Island area’s many attractions. When it comes to finding new fun ways to spend your spare days and weekends after moving to Merritt Island, you will never run out of options. Apart from the natural attractions it offers due to its proximity to the sea, Merritt Island also has plenty to offer from its heyday during the Space Race.

First up, you and your family can have a fun-filled educational tour around the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The entire complex has been organized into ‘Mission Zones’ where attractions have been grouped chronologically. Tours around these Mission Zones can take you on an extended trip through space history, right from the first steps taken towards space explorations to all the current missions in development.

Moving to Merritt Island with kids will be a wonderful place that provides an educational experience for the whole family. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex houses several interactive space exhibits, simulations, and tours. You can visit the U.S. Astronaut Hall Of Fame, where American astronauts are remembered and celebrated, or go to the Heroes and Legends exhibit that portrays a detailed history of some of NASA’s earliest space missions and their technologies. You can even gain access to the historic launch sites for some of NASA’s missions and visit The Apollo/Saturn V Center to get a behind-the-scenes look at the Apollo Moon Landings. However, the highlight of these attractions might just be the Rocket Garden exhibit, where visitors can stand amidst the colossal rockets employed for NASA’s Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs.

Moving to Melbourne and anywhere in the Space Coast area means you have the chance to immerse yourself in the national history of space missions. Apart from these space-centric attractions, Merritt Island also offers a beautiful opportunity to explore nature at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. This expansive and untouched 140,000-acre refuge is a popular spot for nature lovers, birdwatchers, and wildlife watchers from around the state. The primary purpose of this Wildlife Refuge is to provide habitat to a variety of migratory birds, endangered and threatened species, and a wide range of natural wildlife diversity. If you are moving to Melbourne with kids, this attraction will also prove to be the perfect spot for wildlife recreation activities like fishing, wildlife watching, and photography. If you, too, are a lover of all things nature-related (hiking, biking, fishing, etc.), make sure to bring your gear and accessories along during your move to Merritt Island.

Even if the “island” in its name is quite the misnomer, Merritt Island sure lives up to its reputation as a Floridian beach suburb. It is home to the Canaveral National Seashore, a national park extending for up to 24 miles of beautiful shoreline along Florida’s east coast. One of the most popular beaches here is the 6-mile Apollo Beach, which is a popular spot for families and has boardwalk access and various hiking trails nearby. Another popular hangout is Klondike Beach, located far from city roads and only accessible on foot or by bike, making it a quiet and serene spot.

Are you thinking about moving to Melbourne for work? Well then, you will be pleased to know that residing in the nearby Merritt Island suburb might just be the right option for you. In recent years, Merritt Island has seen a steady rise in its employment rates, and its job market increased by 2% just last year.

A Merritt Island resident’s average income is about $32,000 a year, much higher than the national average of $28,555 a year. Moreover, future job growth in the Merritt Island region is predicted to increase by 42.2% across the next ten years. This significantly exceeds the national average of 33.5%. Therefore, over the next few years, you can expect people to move to Merritt Island in search of employment opportunities.

The residents of Merritt Island are employed in various sectors and industries. About 12% of the city’s residents are employed in health care and social assistance services, 9% in manufacturing, 12% in retail trade, 9.5% in professional, scientific, and technical services, 6.7% in administrative and waste management services, and 5% in transportation and warehousing.

Meanwhile, if you run your own home business, you might find yourself in good company. Nearly 8% of Merritt Island residents prefer to work from home. However, running a home business can mean that you run into issues with storage. These can be quickly resolved by reaching out to one of the many moving companies in Melbourne and getting a portable storage container for rent or other storage solutions that work better for you.

Whether you are moving to Melbourne for a couple of years or a lifetime, the suburb of Merritt Island can be the perfect place to start your new beginning. With its rich history in space missions and its sunny seaside locales, you can’t go wrong with moving to Merritt Island. In preparation for your transition to Merritt Island, make sure to do your research and reach out to moving companies that offer their services and storage solutions.