Eventing scene in RI/New England

[Jersey_Fresh]

While he was not looking, my hubby took a call from a recruiter about a position in RI that has now led to him flying up next week for an interview. We would like to be closer to family, and this company has offices in RI and in NJ where my parents are. I love KY, but the older my parents get and as kids are on the horizon, i would like to be closer to family. I went to school in MA, my dad grew up in VT and my heart will always be in New England, so we are strongly thinking about the move if he gets an offer.

We own a small farm here in KY, and I event my two horses. Area VIII is a mecca of eventing and I am hesitant to leave it. What is the scene like in RI/Boston area? Does it even hold a candle? And farm prices? We currently own about 12 acres and I would love the same.

[Vaeventer]

The Boston area actually has quite a lot of horse boarding farms and cross country schooling opportunities as well as events! It might be hard to find a farm to purchase in that area unless you’ve got a few million, real estate is very expensive in the Boston suburbs! As for RI, I have no experience there. There are no events held in RI not have I heard of an eventing barn. Coursebrook farm is around the Boston area, as well as ledyard farm and gathering farm in south Hamilton. South Hamilton lives and breathes eventing! Flatlands equestrian center is also close to RI I believe but in MA…big eventing barn too. Good luck

[beowulf]

Lots of eventers in/around Boston, you will not be disappointed. I actually think it’s becoming a mecca of its own as there are LOTS of destination events in Area 1. I love Scarlet Hill in Groton, Orchard Hill has a fun XC course to school, Emerald Isle has a beautiful new XC field and there’s also Water’s Edge in, IRRC, Concord? I am 30m outside of Boston (very close to Scarlet Hill) and in the summer there is no shortage of places to go and school. Really. I ship out every weekend in the summer (or try to, anyway) and there’s lots of places to XC school here.

VAeventer is right that there are not a lot of event barns in RI - Flatlands is in MA (Rehoboth) right on the border. I actually can’t think of a single event in RI either, I am in Area I and grew up here… There must be at least one.

There are lots of good dressage barns around here too - I like Elysium Farm in Harvard the most, there is also Settlement Farm in Townsend, there’s Highlands in Berlin (which has a GORGEOUS indoor), and quite a few others.

The price will shock you. Be prepared for $1000+ (at minimum) for full board at a decent facility in/around Boston. If you’re buying… you might want to consider renting a place as it is VERY expensive in this area. For a small farmette that cost you $300,000 in KY, expect it to be $1.5 million here.

If your husband is ok with a commute look in Western MA or even some parts of RI - the price drops SIGNIFICANTLY once you get past the satellite cities around Boston… I watched a farm in North Adams MA that had 100+ acres go for absolute pennies (IIRC, $280,000) and just wished we had the money – but the commute would suck!

[Jersey_Fresh]

Thanks guys. I went to school in Western MA its just been a while

The job is based in Providence so it would have to be a somewhat reasonable commute from there. I would be fine hauling to a trainer/schooling/shows I’m not sure I am willing to board my horses again, so we will focus on pricing out small farms within a reasonable commute. If I had to board, I think it would be a no go on the whole thing.

Several things would need to work out for us to move, namely career opportunities for me and a bit more on the table for him (they ball parked about 50% more than what he makes here, but we would need to be at about 75% to double for it to be worth moving). So thats a pretty slim chance, but I told him I would look into the horse scene and cost of land so that should he get an offer, we can make an educated decision.

[beowulf]

If his job is in Providence… boston might be a little far for you. I went to college in Providence, and that weekend commute home (town right outside of Boston) was an hour + 20 minutes each way. Not something I could do daily. Getting out of Providence was always a mess, right around the Pawtucket area especially coming into MA.

Look into places in RI then, Coventry maybe? Coventry is still fairly rural and last I checked land was fairly affordable there in terms of real estate in the metro area.

[tbchick84]

If you show training level or below, you will not be disappointed. Area I has tons of one day shows for the lower levels. RI has been getting their financial crap together lately and would not be a bad place to put down roots. I would look in the West Greenwich area. It’s about 20 minutes south of Providence and has a massive trail system, so very horsey. You could even back door it from eastern CT.

[Joan_from_Flatlands]

Joan from Flatlands here. I am in MA but about 15 min from Providence. It is certainly easy to event from this area. We have over 20 USEA events within a 4 hour drive in MA, CT, NY, NH and VT- including events that are good for the first time out to championship level. We also have a great selection of schooling events and farms with excellent XC schooling facilities within an hour ish. The area itself is much cheaper than the Boston area (for both boarding and cost of living). Providence does have some traffic during rush hour but only for 15 minutes or so (grin) vs Boston which is a completely different story! Be sure to check out the Area 1 Website and FB pages linked below. Personally I think we have a really awesome eventing community here in Area 1!

Area 1 website - http://www.area1usea.org/index.htm
Area 1 FB page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/area1usea/
Area 1 Adult Riders FB page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/448554621853475/

[scruffy_the_cat]

If you are thinking of having a family, Providence schools are simply terrible. It’s a fun place to have no kids though! Houses are affordable, there’s great arts and culture and food and easy access to travel. I loved living in Providence and riding in Rehoboth- best of all the worlds for me. If you are buying a farm- southeastern MA is much more affordable than the Boston area. I left the area when I was 35 and I’d move back in a heartbeat. Rehoboth is close and nice. Heading out Rt 44 and 195 E, you are still very close to Providence but have access to more space for horses.

[SugarRush]

I grew up in MA just over the RI line (and still live one town over). There is a great lower level scene developing around here (as above posters have mentioned). After 2 good years of searching for my own farmette in a reasonable (sub 500k) price range, DH and I have given up. Unless you want to buy a property that needs an additional $100k in repairs and work, there is nothing here. The move in ready farms are starting at $600k, and if you want decent turnout it’ll be $800k+. You may be able to find something in that range in some of the Northern CT towns, or Western MA (but they will all be at least an hour from Providence).

I rough board my horses, but full board at a barn with an indoor in the Providence area will start at $750 (with lesson requirements not included in price) and run up to $1000+ depending on amenities.

[Jersey_Fresh]

@Joan from Flatlands

Joan from Flatlands here. I am in MA but about 15 min from Providence. It is certainly easy to event from this area. We have over 20 USEA events within a 4 hour drive in MA, CT, NY, NH and VT- including events that are good for the first time out to championship level. We also have a great selection of schooling events and farms with excellent XC schooling facilities within an hour ish. The area itself is much cheaper than the Boston area (for both boarding and cost of living). Providence does have some traffic during rush hour but only for 15 minutes or so (grin) vs Boston which is a completely different story! Be sure to check out the Area 1 Website and FB pages linked below. Personally I think we have a really awesome eventing community here in Area 1!

Area 1 website - http://www.area1usea.org/index.htm
Area 1 FB page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/area1usea/
Area 1 Adult Riders FB page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/448554621853475/

Thank you. This helps a ton!

[Jersey_Fresh]

Sorry, when I typed Boston, I meant more eastern MA for the horse scene not for living.

[Jersey_Fresh]

@SugarRush

I grew up in MA just over the RI line (and still live one town over). There is a great lower level scene developing around here (as above posters have mentioned). After 2 good years of searching for my own farmette in a reasonable (sub 500k) price range, DH and I have given up. Unless you want to buy a property that needs an additional $100k in repairs and work, there is nothing here. The move in ready farms are starting at $600k, and if you want decent turnout it’ll be $800k+. You may be able to find something in that range in some of the Northern CT towns, or Western MA (but they will all be at least an hour from Providence).

I rough board my horses, but full board at a barn with an indoor in the Providence area will start at $750 (with lesson requirements not included in price) and run up to $1000+ depending on amenities.

Thank you. We were thinking the $700k to 800k range. I would be happy if we could find something that works for my two horses even if its further out.

[SugarRush]

I do know of a 14 acre property for sale in Seekonk MA (very close to the RI line) for $850k and a 27ish acre one in Norton for the same price, if that helps you

[Jersey_Fresh]

@SugarRush

I do know of a 14 acre property for sale in Seekonk MA (very close to the RI line) for $850k and a 27ish acre one in Norton for the same price, if that helps you

Do you mind posting the links?

[IFG]

I also live in Rehoboth. I no longer event (horse is 25 and I am coming back from being broken). I used to event with Flatlands. You will not get a farm like the one you have below $500K, but if you adjust your expectations, you can do OK. I keep my horses at home. We own 5 acres, but about 2 acres are dry. I have 1/4 acre dry lot that doubles as a ring. There are limited trails and fields in a hackable distance. I really like it. I LOVE Providence (I work there). Commute is easy. Lots to do. Very active arts scene due to Brown and RISD. My horses are happy. Live in/out 24/7. There are some farms that need major work on the market now. There is one on Read Street in Seekonk. I cannot find the listing right now. My horse would like green fields, but he is happy with his non-stop hay and plentiful carrots.

[SugarRush]

@Jersey Fresh

Do you mind posting the links?

PM’d you

[IFG]

Here is the house in Seekonk. Needs major work, buthas nearly 6 usable (from what I can see from the road) acres: http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/675-Read-St_Seekonk_MA_02771_M46618-03756

[Joan_from_Flatlands]

This just popped up un my facebook feed this morning. Literally just down the road from us so would be a very easy commute to PVD. Wouldnt even need to get on the highway!

Bah link didnt work! Was in the group Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island Equine Sell and Swap Group. Let me see if I can find the link elsewhere. Description

7+ acres
3 Appaloosa CT. Seekonk
Equestrians Dream Property
Impeccable Contemporary Style Home
3200 sq. ft. spacious living
$5999000

[Starhouse]

I’m 20 minutes south of Providence. There are no events or dedicated eventing barns in the entire state. I kid you not. You need to travel into MA or CT for events. Flatlands and Apple Knoll are two barns I’d look at if I were you. Apple Knoll has a great xc course and also does weekly jumper nights through the summer.

[Jersey_Fresh]

@Starhouse

I’m 20 minutes south of Providence. There are no events or dedicated eventing barns in the entire state. I kid you not. You need to travel into MA or CT for events. Flatlands and Apple Knoll are two barns I’d look at if I were you. Apple Knoll has a great xc course and also does weekly jumper nights through the summer.

Thanks. Not looking to board my horses and I already haul to my trainer down here so traveling to MA/CT/etc is not really a big deal to me. Thanks for the info.