Choosing a place to live based on hunts, land But! not going broke?

[Belmont]

Lynn Lloyd of Red Rock Hounds has a certain way of talking people into moving to Nevada and out near her… The years I hunted with her I saw many people leave LA and other parts of the country to come live in BFE Reno to hunt with Lynn, and they loved it.

Economy in Nevada? Recovering.
Houses? Cheap. Cheap. Because the economy isn’t great.

Hunting? Amazing. Lynn is amazing. And she travels to many different areas. They are in Montana right now, I believe hunting. It’s a great experience and a fun place to associate yourself with. There is always something going on at RRH. They also hunt 3 days a week during hunting season, and once a month they go on an “away trip”. During the summer months, she does a ton of lessons and training, and she will take a group of kids and adults to local shows. Red Rock is a little town within it’s own (minus a gas station and grocery store, gotta drive into town for that) but it really is an amazing place to live. I lived a couple miles from Red Rock Hounds for years and would ride my horses to the barn to go work.

Reno itself? It’s okay. RRH is in the outskits, in the high desert away from the hustle and bustle of the city. There are a lot of restraunts (many different kinds) and there is shopping. Of course there are not so great parts of the city, but there is nothing that I would be absolutely terrified of going into.

I don’t make a very good bid for Reno itself, but if you are looking to move onto cheap land where a hunt never cancels, then look no further than Red Rock Hounds.

[rivenoak]

Belmont’s right on with moving to Red Rock…I mean, Reno.

Michigan?

You’d have three hunting areas to choose from:

Metamora’s territory is gorgeous. Check out their site http://www.metamorahunt.com/

I used to live near Battle Creek & showed at their hunt kennels. Hunted with a nearby farmer pack. http://www.battlecreekhunt.com/

I don’t know Waterloo’s territory well, but it’s probably super rural although you wouldn’t be too far from Ann Arbor & all the fun of a college town. http://www.waterloohunt.com/

I miss “home” (about 45 min from Metamora), but there are things like the weather which keep me away. DH is back there right now & it was 36 degrees and grey nasty skies when he first texted me. 15 minutes later, it was snowing.

[mvp]

[QUOTE=chunky munky;6955746]
I admit to being biased toward Charlottesville. Many hunts to choose from, near mountains, UVA, good schools, wineries, hiking, great music scene and local arts scene. Pretty highly evolved population. Great restaurants, two large hospitals and the city consistantly makes everbody’s top 10 places to live.[/QUOTE]

Does that mean it is the California of Virginia? That is to say, a bunch of people with alotta money already figured this out and jacked up the price of real estate?

I hate being last to the party with no wallet.

[FitToBeTied]

In the Charlottesville area if you get into Greene, Madison, Orange or Culpeper the land prices are dramatically lower than Albemarle County. In Madison, land is about 6k and acre these days.

[chunky_munky]

Not anywhere near California prices. What type of place would you like to own?

[pAin_t_Misbehavin]

You might also look at the Landrum/Inman area of Upstate South Carolina. I haven’t been there in about five years, but the last time I was there it gave me the sense of being poised to become at least a minor equestrian mecca. Then of course the economy tanked - so it might still be on the cusp and not yet over-priced.

It’s fairly close to Greenville - maybe an hour or so - where there’s a decent economy and civilization. Symphony, theater, restaurants, etc. And industry. Michelin, BMW, etc. Which actually pay people a living wage.

Close to Tryon, where there’s a hunt, and not real far from Aiken (2.5 hrs?) where there are five hunts, and maybe three hours or so from Camden, which also has a hunt.

[mvp]

[QUOTE=chunky munky;6956745]
Not anywhere near California prices. What type of place would you like to own?[/QUOTE]

Good question!

The must-haves for the place as it stands now are 15-20 acres and some land-- national forests or friendly farmers within hacking distance. The acreage is meant to keep a lid on the number of horses I own. I can do “good enough” care for 5 or so in a day, and I’d need enough land to rotate fields so that they can be on grass. Remember that I am looking for the Opposite of Los Angeles.

This places is going to be the repository for horses that are retired from showing, chilling from showing (if I just.can’t.stop), or hunting and staying legged up.

Please don’t make that land marshy or deserty or flat-flat-flat. Think like a horse: If you were going to live out with a run-in, where would you want to be?

Otherwise, I need those elements of a horse mecca we talked about: The depth of knowledge/tradition that gives you good farriers, some kind of access to sophisticated lameness vets, a trainer or two who knows enough to help me from time to time. So long as they have made some correct hunters and jumpers or dressage horses, that’ll be fine.

[gypsymare]

[QUOTE=wateryglen;6939765]
I’m about 70 miles west of DC. It’s VERY expensive here. Yes it’s horsie but you need to be prepared for the high expense. Not a rural lifestyle but what I call “landed gentry”. Land $10K/acre. [/QUOTE]
I wish I could find pasture land for 10k an acre here! I’ve been looking for 2 years for a small farm 5-20 acres within an hour around Thurmont and commutable to Columbia. Anything cleared and dry is going for 20k+ an acre. I thought I found a couple of bargain lots but they ended up being either marshy, partly forestry reserve or had access problems. Finally under contract on a short sale between Hampstead and Westminster.

[Melissa.Van_Doren]

The Foothills fits your wish list. Tryon and Columbus, NC… Landrum and Campobello, SC.

Extensive trail systems, rolling terrain with lots of conservation easement, good pasture, plenty of knowledgable professionals (including some excellent farriers and a top-notch vet clinic), two decent horse show grounds with a third big-time facility in the planning stages, two hunts (one fairly formal and one fairly casual), awesome weather, decent real estate prices (some $$$$, for sure, but also some great bargains here and there), very active and horse-friendly community, 40 minutes to one city (Greenville, SC) 1 hour to another (Asheville, NC) with all the bells and whistles, 3 hours to Aiken and its 5 hunts and wonderful Hitchcock Woods (but much more tolerable weather in the summer), field board from $200, full board from $400, a huge range of disciplines (though h/j, dressage xc and hunting are most prevalent), good supply stores, friendly folk. :yes:

[Martha_Drum]

I had a blast out at Red Rock when the MFHA staff seminar was held there, I believe in 2008. I remember thinking, “What a great idea, let’s get a bunch of foxhunters together in a place where gambling and prostitution are legal! What could possibly go wrong?” :eek: (I realize the prostitution is limited to certain counties)

OP, you do realize, that those of us happy with where we are living due to affordability, access to several quality, friendly, fun hunt clubs, beautiful open land, within reach of cultured civilization… we wish you well, but are keeping quiet because we actually don’t want any more people moving here?

Stupid signature line

[vineyridge]

You really ought to look at the Nashville area. Land is not expensive compared to many other places. And horses are huge there. Good vets, good hunts, good show grounds, and within a reasonable drive to Lexington.

If I were going to move, it would be a toss up between Nashville and Lexington.

[mvp]

[QUOTE=Melissa.Hare.Jones;6976894]
The Foothills fits your wish list. Tryon and Columbus, NC… Landrum and Campobello, SC.

Extensive trail systems, rolling terrain with lots of conservation easement, good pasture, plenty of knowledgable professionals (including some excellent farriers and a top-notch vet clinic), two decent horse show grounds with a third big-time facility in the planning stages, two hunts (one fairly formal and one fairly casual), awesome weather, decent real estate prices (some $$$$, for sure, but also some great bargains here and there), very active and horse-friendly community, 40 minutes to one city (Greenville, SC) 1 hour to another (Asheville, NC) with all the bells and whistles, 3 hours to Aiken and its 5 hunts and wonderful Hitchcock Woods (but much more tolerable weather in the summer), field board from $200, full board from $400, a huge range of disciplines (though h/j, dressage xc and hunting are most prevalent), good supply stores, friendly folk. :yes:[/QUOTE]

Wow, that sounds good. Thanks so much for the suggestion! I’ll put it on the “check it out” list. Given others’ wariness of new, imported neighbors, what do you think the locals would want in a new neighbor that might not be obvious?

[mvp]

[QUOTE=Melissa.Hare.Jones;6976894]
The Foothills fits your wish list. Tryon and Columbus, NC… Landrum and Campobello, SC.

Extensive trail systems, rolling terrain with lots of conservation easement, good pasture, plenty of knowledgable professionals (including some excellent farriers and a top-notch vet clinic), two decent horse show grounds with a third big-time facility in the planning stages, two hunts (one fairly formal and one fairly casual), awesome weather, decent real estate prices (some $$$$, for sure, but also some great bargains here and there), very active and horse-friendly community, 40 minutes to one city (Greenville, SC) 1 hour to another (Asheville, NC) with all the bells and whistles, 3 hours to Aiken and its 5 hunts and wonderful Hitchcock Woods (but much more tolerable weather in the summer), field board from $200, full board from $400, a huge range of disciplines (though h/j, dressage xc and hunting are most prevalent), good supply stores, friendly folk. :yes:[/QUOTE]

Wow, that sounds good. Thanks so much for the suggestion! I’ll put it on the “check it out” list. Given others’ wariness of new, imported neighbors, what do you think the locals would want in a new neighbor that might not be obvious?

[GotMyPony]

Wow, that sounds good. Thanks so much for the suggestion! I’ll put it on the “check it out” list. Given others’ wariness of new, imported neighbors, what do you think the locals would want in a new neighbor that might not be obvious?

I also live in the Tryon/Landrum area. We have horse people and horse farms all over the place here and many riders are from “outside” (everywhere from Texas to UK to Michigan, California, Canada, etc.) We horse people are very much pro-farm and pro-farmer so generally get along with the neighbors. Like everywhere else the worst thing you can do is tell everyone how it used to be done in XYZ-land. Nobody likes that.

Two things you should do: sign up for the “This Week In Tryon Horse Country” email newsletter by going to tryonhorsecountry.org and find the “sign up” at the bottom right. Second, get in touch with the producer of “This Week,” who is also country economic development director. If you want to come visit she will set you up and personally take you all over the place. She can show you all the horsey areas, stores, show venues, trail systems, etc. Boots and breeches are literally welcome everywhere!

Also, one thing other poster forgot to mention: annual Hunter Pace series that has events every 2 weeks from September through May!

Well worth checking out.

[mvp]

[QUOTE=Martha Drum;6977130]
I had a blast out at Red Rock when the MFHA staff seminar was held there, I believe in 2008. I remember thinking, “What a great idea, let’s get a bunch of foxhunters together in a place where gambling and prostitution are legal! What could possibly go wrong?” :eek: (I realize the prostitution is limited to certain counties)

OP, you do realize, that those of us happy with where we are living due to affordability, access to several quality, friendly, fun hunt clubs, beautiful open land, within reach of cultured civilization… we wish you well, but are keeping quiet because we actually don’t want any more people moving here?

Stupid signature line ;)[/QUOTE]

Did you just roll out the welcome mat and then take it back in?!?

And I have been to Red Rock’s country once. It was deserty dry, but I could be persuaded to re-open my mind.

[mvp]

[QUOTE=vineyridge;6977594]
You really ought to look at the Nashville area. Land is not expensive compared to many other places. And horses are huge there. Good vets, good hunts, good show grounds, and within a reasonable drive to Lexington.

If I were going to move, it would be a toss up between Nashville and Lexington.[/QUOTE]

Oooh, Nashville aka The Athens of the South. I have been there and up into the Cumberland Mountains a bit. Those were the short trips (and some Southerner friends I have really liked) that put the South of the Mason-Dixon line idea in my head.

I’m old California stock, so I think I can do The South, so far as culture goes… unless Californians count as Yankees who should go home after a minute.

Oh, and I got to wander around Bedford Tack’s warehouse. An important stop on the Nashville tour.

[mvp]

[QUOTE=GotMyPony;6978215]
I also live in the Tryon/Landrum area. We have horse people and horse farms all over the place here and many riders are from “outside” (everywhere from Texas to UK to Michigan, California, Canada, etc.) We horse people are very much pro-farm and pro-farmer so generally get along with the neighbors. Like everywhere else the worst thing you can do is tell everyone how it used to be done in XYZ-land. Nobody likes that.

Two things you should do: sign up for the “This Week In Tryon Horse Country” email newsletter by going to tryonhorsecountry.org and find the “sign up” at the bottom right. Second, get in touch with the producer of “This Week,” who is also country economic development director. If you want to come visit she will set you up and personally take you all over the place. She can show you all the horsey areas, stores, show venues, trail systems, etc. Boots and breeches are literally welcome everywhere!

Also, one thing other poster forgot to mention: annual Hunter Pace series that has events every 2 weeks from September through May!

Well worth checking out.[/QUOTE]

That was so helpful and such a nice welcome. Thank you! I’ll do as you say.

Oh, and I won’t be telling locals how to do it… I’ll be asking them how things go in an area new to me.

[Melissa.Van_Doren]

As GotMyPony said… many (most?) of us here are from somewhere else (Ft. Lauderdale, for me… though I’ve also spent a lot of time in PA and the midwest). We’re always happy to have more horsepeople come to town. The thing everyone wants, if you buy on one of the trail systems, is for you to keep your section open!

Can’t believe I forgot to point you to This Week in Tryon Horse Country and Libby Johnson. She’s a peach and will certainly bend over backwards to help you any way she can.

And, yes… the Western Carolina Hunter Pace and Trail Ride series is FUN! :yes:

[Martha_Drum]

[QUOTE=mvp;6978228]
Did you just roll out the welcome mat and then take it back in?!?[/QUOTE]

My Louisa County, Virginia neighbors have been wonderfully welcoming and friendly to me, I certainly aspire to be the same to future newcomers.

As a New England native, though, I did take note of this bumper sticker the first time I saw it: “We don’t give a damn how you did back up North.” :lol:

[mvp]

[QUOTE=Melissa.Hare.Jones;6978422]
We’re always happy to have more horsepeople come to town. The thing everyone wants, if you buy on one of the trail systems, is for you to keep your section open!

Can’t believe I forgot to point you to This Week in Tryon Horse Country and Libby Johnson. She’s a peach and will certainly bend over backwards to help you any way she can.

And, yes… the Western Carolina Hunter Pace and Trail Ride series is FUN! :yes:[/QUOTE]

Oh, baby, a trail system. That was the best part of Woodside, CA and Bedford, NY. And bet yer butt I’d keep my section open if I were a land owner. I benefited so much from the older, landed generation before me.