ramshorn,
Ft. Pierce town itself is nothing special, it has a small pleasant downtown area with some nice bars and a passable marina. Vero Beach is nicer, but quiet. West Palm Beach is 50 miles south, and a good night out. Ft Lauderdale and Miami are a 2 hour drive away, but well worth it.
Road Runner resort has a pool, the housing in Vero does not, but you are very close to very nice beach.
Ft Pierce Inlet state park has a good surfing beach, and several instructors and students are regulars. Sebastian inlet (20 miles north) is famous for surfing (and sharks).
However, if I'm your CPL instructor, you wont have time for any of that
M.