Crossposted from the eventing forum. I’m contemplating a job offer in Norfolk, VA and was wondering what the boarding situation there looks like. I don’t need fancy, just safe with good turnout and a ring. Could be interested in a co-op situation as that’s what I currently do. Trying to get an idea on pricing as this will play a huge roll in whether I accept the job or not. Does not have to be eventing or jumper specific but I do not want to be locked into having to take lessons from the resident trainer. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Well, the bad news is there is no boarding in Norfolk. There are no horses in Norfolk at all. The good news is, there are plenty of options outside of Norfolk in VA Beach, Chesapeake, and on the Peninsula in Hampton, Newport News, Smithfield, etc. The bad news is the traffic here is crazy, so getting to and from all these places can be excruciating. I work in Norfolk, live in Newport News, and have horses in Carrollton, thus I have a car that is a year and a half old with 35K miles on it and I spend a LOT of time in it. A lot will depend on where you decide to live. I live on the Peninsula (Newport News) and my horses are on the Peninsula, but still about 15 miles away. It is cheaper to live over here, but then you have to deal with Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel traffic each day.
There are a lot of options in the area, but like already mentioned traffic can be bad. A good friend of mine (Kate Mason, Dark Horse Eventing) has a beautiful facility in windsor with board that is about $850/month I believe and she is an eventing rider/trainer. There is a hampton roads boarding facility group on fb you can check out too
There’s plenty of options in the area ranging from 250-850, it’s just what you want and how far you are willing to drive.
Thanks so much for the thoughts! Lots to think about.
There are plenty of option down here. Board price will depend on amenities, location and what is included in board. There are plenty of options that do not require lessons with resident trainers and allow you to bring your own. A lighted bluestone arena, 12x12 stalls and small group turnout will cost you more than a grass arena with larger group turnout (7-9). Best thing is to decide where you would live (make sure it is fairly accessible to your place of employment) and how far you are willing to travel for your horses. Do you want to ride nightly or a handful of days?
If we have another winter like we did last year, I would HIGHLY recommend a farm with either an indoor/covered arena or bluestone. Last winter was wet and sloppy!
Thanks! I’m still trying to figure out where everything is in relation to each other - for some reason I get so turned around! I’d be working downtown and not entirely sure where I would live (thinking Ghent but am keeping my options open). When I interviewed, folks told me my best bets would be Chesapeake and Suffolk. I’d prefer a small, private facility as that’s what I’m coming from and I am more than willing/capable of helping out. I’m pretty excited about the potential move but the horse thing is stressing me out as I know I will be leaving an amazing facility. Thanks much!
I haven’t lived down there in quite a while. When I did I worked in Norfolk (Navy Base) lived in Chesapeake & boarded WTH out in VaBeach.
When you decide keep a couple things in mind - tolls, tunnels & drawbridges. 
There are more little drawbridges than you think down there. I had a dinky one between home & the barn, that was a PITA during the summer. A 20 minute drive could quickly become 40 minutes if there was a lot of boat traffic. Sometimes they get stuck (up) too.
The Downtown & Midtown tunnels are both tolled now. If you board in Suffolk, it will add up ($1.50 or more round trip). It’s that or added time (15-30 min maybe) to out to the bridges (on 64 or Military Hwy) in Chesapeake to get over the river.
Just in case you didn’t have enough things to think about. 
Smithfield and Carrollton are on the Southside, although because of their proximity to the James River Bridge, they are convenient to the Peninsula.
Geography can be confusing in this area.
