If you could move anywhere in the US...

[ccr0009]

Take me back to Middleburg, VA! Oh an hour/2 west from D.C. the entire Middleburg/Plains/Upperville area is beyond beautiful, but of course that comes at a steep price. It’s my dream to move back after I finish graduate school. You could get lost driving down windy roads just for fun, you’ll see foxes if you wake up really early, and there are always famous riders at the grocery stores and you can find the best restaurants. Not to mention, you may be lucky enough to have the hunt come right through your yard and have the Master of the Hunt ask if you’ve seen the “Charlie?!”

There are areas outside of the outer areas of Atlanta that may fit your description. I am located in East Alabama, where land prices are considerably lower and don’t feel too far from society. (We also have the lowest property taxes.) Agreed Chatt Hills and Poplar Place Farm is within an hour, and AIken is about 5.

[A3dayeventer2009]

[QUOTE=adapt+overcome;7631633]
I’ve spent some time in the south, and I’d be happy to elaborate further if anyone cares. As a fairly progressive/liberal gal (and honestly, I went in with a very realistic “people do not think the same way here” mentality) I found the South incredibly beautiful and with many perks. Unfortunately I couldn’t get over the violence that seems to surround -every- city down there, the rampant ignorance on every topic from food production to racism to global warming to school funding (of which there is NONE); I’m not sure who has spent any time in the south and emerges without feeling that there are immense racial issues which are much larger than personal bigotry, they are systematic. Repeat for wealth disparity- ask any black family about the wealth gap they will probably give you an earful, ask the upper-middle class white families (and YES, it IS that segregated) and they’ll ask “what problems?”. Bottom line even -before- you factor in the bugs (I’m from New England, I know ticks- they dont compare to the ones in the south! and don’t forget about the GIANT poison sumac, chiggers (tickXspider- have fun!), the giant mosquitos and huge array of other biting bugs and “things”). Bottom line I feel the south is a WONDERFUL place to visit, or even to winter- but full time living there is not all it’s cracked up to be.

I love New England, but unlike yourself I hate snow. If the winter weather doesn’t bother you there’s a lot of 15 acre opportunities- some land some already farm/barn. Budget obviously will dictate how far you farm would be from any of the larger cities, but if you just want the grocery/restaurants/shopping/movies etc that’s nearly anywhere.

Currently I’m in Northern California and intend to stay here for quite a while. The weather here is perfect year round for horses- it doesn’t get incredibly hot or cold here, and you can kind of tailor to your preference, inland (even just a tiny bit) will be warmer, coastal a bit rainier in the “wet” winter season. Generally temps in the winter tend to be in the 55-65 range and there’s a lot more rain- but no snow, ice, and just a covered outdoor is more than most people think you need, and did I mention no snow?! (though if you like winter sports you can drive an hour or two to the mountains and do all the skiing you want, drive home and go for a barefoot walk on the beach like my friend did last month). Summer here is turning out beautifully, and is a MUCH longer season than the rainy season, temps about 65-75 with plenty of 80 degree days too, and again you can go inland just a bit and get much warmer temps. But there’s no turning out overnight to avoid the heat, getting up at 4am to avoid the heat, not doing anything outside for most of the daylight to avoid the heat, etc. Also, and this does vary a lot- but where I am on the coast WE HAVE NO MOSQUITOS. The bugs are super minimal, especially the chewing on human flesh varieties. Although I was in the woods inland a bit the other day and there were a few.

The one downside I’ve encountered as an eventer is that the riding styles tend to definitely gravitate towards western disciplines. I’m finding more and more folks who do dressage or jump, but in terms of trainers for english disciplines and event and show accessibility we are lacking. If you only care about going to an event or two a season there are several in Oregon and further inland- neither would be something I’d do in a single day, but for someone who doesn’t need to be campaigning their young up and comer at a ton of USEA rec events I don’t think it’s a huge issue. I think a lot of this is because land is affordable and it’s such a great climate for keeping horses that there aren’t a ton of large boarding barns, for the most part everyone keeps their horses at home. And the boarding facilities that do exist are pretty darn cheap- the farm I ride at has a few options but for $80 a month you can get a good sized paddock w a shed, 2x daily feeding of whatever you choose to supply; the facility has two outdoors, a roundpen, 180X60 indoor, trail/obstacle course, wash area, tack room w lock, is ten minutes to the beach and just off the river with hundreds of acres of trails right off the back. No one cares about bringing outside trainers and the rings are always open because most of the boarders just hack anyway.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for all the info. Where in Northern California are you? Is it terribly expensive? I have not looked much there because all I keep hearing is $$$$$$$$$.

[annikak]

Okay- I feel like I have a LOT to offer here!

I lived in the A2 area, and it was great for ease of getting to great schooling- 2 terrific venues within 20 min and Hunters Run, as well as Richland park in the state. FAB! And nice people, too.

I then moved to horsie Mecca, Tryon, NC. I only lived there for a year full time, but was there a lot, and lived right, and i mean RIGHT on the FETA trails. The town itself, however, lacks a bit of immediate cultural gratification if your spouse is not horsey. Great biking (albeit quite hilly sometimes) and hot (sometimes) and buggy (a lot of the sometimes) and poison ivy is the state flower so if you are sensitive to that, eh…its prednisone time. The riding, ah the riding…trails galore, very horse minded community, great instruction on every discipline as well as levels. FENCE has something going a lot of the time. It is really a horse persons dream. It is somewhat expensive, though.

Greenville is a hop, skip and jump away, and Asheville is too. Love both of those towns a lot. Lots to do, see and nice people. You get your music, theatre and other stimuliation from those area. Or having the great friends that I had there…I miss that part MOST of all.

I then moved to Laramie, WY…Nope. Its AWFUL for horses, even though there is an event course right in town and a great trainer, who seems to have a heart of gold as well as being pretty fantastic at her job. Boarding is awful, trailriding across the praries is great but only a few months out of the year and my horses hated every second. I actually sent my awesome horse back to live with my best friend in Tryon, as he hated it THAT much.

We then moved to Fort Collins, and I have found my home. I love it here- and for the first time ever do not have a horse in the back yard and don’t fret every two minutes about Reason. Board is rather expensive and turn out is non-existant, but that is more the norm than not. There is SO much to do in FTC, and the town itself is still a town, but has everything, (including a Trader Joes as well as Costco :winkgrin: coming soon!) There is miles and miles of bike trails that, yes, you CAN ride your horse on and we ride our bikes on safe paths to town at night for dinner and music and then ride home- its blissful.

There are xc jumps at Lory State Park I have not been there yet… and the CO Horse park is about 2 hrs away I have not been there yet. I ride my young horse down a very busy road for about 1/2 mile to get to a nice park with pretty nice trails, with killer views. Right next to the state vet hospital, so an abundence of vets everywhere. I board at a great barn, with great owners and have had minimal barn drama (one incident was with someone from out of town and she was from MI of all places and part of the hunter jumper world!) It is not an event barn, but there are a few of us there.

I really love it here; it fits everything that we are, since now I am not just a “horse” person, but have a pretty intense career, as well as enjoy everything else that FTC has to offer. Can’t say enough good things about it.

[A3dayeventer2009]

[QUOTE=ccr0009;7631647]
Take me back to Middleburg, VA! Oh an hour/2 west from D.C. the entire Middleburg/Plains/Upperville area is beyond beautiful, but of course that comes at a steep price. It’s my dream to move back after I finish graduate school. You could get lost driving down windy roads just for fun, you’ll see foxes if you wake up really early, and there are always famous riders at the grocery stores and you can find the best restaurants. Not to mention, you may be lucky enough to have the hunt come right through your yard and have the Master of the Hunt ask if you’ve seen the “Charlie?!”

There are areas outside of the outer areas of Atlanta that may fit your description. I am located in East Alabama, where land prices are considerably lower and don’t feel too far from society. (We also have the lowest property taxes.) Agreed Chatt Hills and Poplar Place Farm is within an hour, and AIken is about 5.[/QUOTE]

Oh, how I would love to live in Middleburg, but I think it is out of our price range.
I can look into Alabama too, though it may be a bit farther from “society”, as you say, than we want.

[A3dayeventer2009]

[QUOTE=annikak;7631667]
Okay- I feel like I have a LOT to offer here!

I lived in the A2 area, and it was great for ease of getting to great schooling- 2 terrific venues within 20 min and Hunters Run, as well as Richland park in the state. FAB! And nice people, too.

I then moved to horsie Mecca, Tryon, NC. I only lived there for a year full time, but was there a lot, and lived right, and i mean RIGHT on the FETA trails. The town itself, however, lacks a bit of immediate cultural gratification if your spouse is not horsey. Great biking (albeit quite hilly sometimes) and hot (sometimes) and buggy (a lot of the sometimes) and poison ivy is the state flower so if you are sensitive to that, eh…its prednisone time. The riding, ah the riding…trails galore, very horse minded community, great instruction on every discipline as well as levels. FENCE has something going a lot of the time. It is really a horse persons dream. It is somewhat expensive, though.

Greenville is a hop, skip and jump away, and Asheville is too. Love both of those towns a lot. Lots to do, see and nice people. You get your music, theatre and other stimuliation from those area. Or having the great friends that I had there…I miss that part MOST of all.

I then moved to Laramie, WY…Nope. Its AWFUL for horses, even though there is an event course right in town and a great trainer, who seems to have a heart of gold as well as being pretty fantastic at her job. Boarding is awful, trailriding across the praries is great but only a few months out of the year and my horses hated every second. I actually sent my awesome horse back to live with my best friend in Tryon, as he hated it THAT much.

We then moved to Fort Collins, and I have found my home. I love it here- and for the first time ever do not have a horse in the back yard and don’t fret every two minutes about Reason. Board is rather expensive and turn out is non-existant, but that is more the norm than not. There is SO much to do in FTC, and the town itself is still a town, but has everything, (including a Trader Joes as well as Costco :winkgrin: coming soon!) There is miles and miles of bike trails that, yes, you CAN ride your horse on and we ride our bikes on safe paths to town at night for dinner and music and then ride home- its blissful.

There are xc jumps at Lory State Park I have not been there yet… and the CO Horse park is about 2 hrs away I have not been there yet. I ride my young horse down a very busy road for about 1/2 mile to get to a nice park with pretty nice trails, with killer views. Right next to the state vet hospital, so an abundence of vets everywhere. I board at a great barn, with great owners and have had minimal barn drama (one incident was with someone from out of town and she was from MI of all places and part of the hunter jumper world!) It is not an event barn, but there are a few of us there.

I really love it here; it fits everything that we are, since now I am not just a “horse” person, but have a pretty intense career, as well as enjoy everything else that FTC has to offer. Can’t say enough good things about it.[/QUOTE]

Yes, a lot to offer! Thanks so much for all of the info. Fort Collins and Tryon are in the same neck of the woods as our current top two, so that’s really helpful. I am glad to hear you really like the Colorado horse world. I haven’t heard much about it, mostly I’ve just heard about the “regular world” :P. I feel like it will give the best of both worlds as far as what I want, great trail riding and enough of an eventing and general horse show presence to suit my needs.

Or… with Greenville being so close to Tryon…

Thanks for all of the info everyone, this is really helping a lot!

[adapt_overcome]

[QUOTE=A3dayeventer2009;7631651]
Thanks for all the info. Where in Northern California are you? Is it terribly expensive? I have not looked much there because all I keep hearing is $$$$$$$$$.[/QUOTE]

I am in Humboldt County, which is several hours north of San Francisco- which IS very very expensive. Once you get above SanFran there’s not a whole hell of anything other than grapes until you get to northern Humboldt- Eureka and Arcata are the “big” cities w populations of 30,000 and 20,000 as well as a couple towns 10-15,000. And four casinos. From there there is once again not a whole hell of a lot until you get to Portland. So our prices are very realistic and IMHO the value for the dollar here is absolutely fantastic. We also get a lot of really cool musical acts and speakers etc who are on their way to/from San Francisco and Portland that many towns this size would never see, as well as the usual State University speakers and such visiting HSU.

Honestly I have never been anywhere as beautiful as this area, and for anyone who enjoys outdoor activities you can’t beat the kayaking, boating, hiking, rock climbing, surfing, biking, SUPing, riding on the beach, and for the weirdos who like cold things you can get to some amazing ski/snowboarding resorts pretty quickly as well. SanFran is 4 hours away, but it’s a pretty easy drive- literally 101 the entire way, very hard to mess up And there is a bus for those not wanting to drive themselves.

Facebook links, hopefully they work.
https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t1.0-9/1619248_10152351559534697_3345227225731561093_n.jpg
https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t1.0-9/10171130_10152351559349697_7473532042479763520_n.jpg
https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t1.0-9/10169290_10152351558954697_1480548391085380389_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t1.0-9/10246301_10152351558159697_8359091517547707881_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t1.0-9/10001581_10152351557449697_8794866624642284034_n.jpg
https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t1.0-9/1012144_10152349581624697_2498189483234655434_n.jpg

[A3dayeventer2009]

[QUOTE=adapt+overcome;7631889]
I am in Humboldt County, which is several hours north of San Francisco- which IS very very expensive. Once you get above SanFran there’s not a whole hell of anything other than grapes until you get to northern Humboldt- Eureka and Arcata are the “big” cities w populations of 30,000 and 20,000 as well as a couple towns 10-15,000. And four casinos. From there there is once again not a whole hell of a lot until you get to Portland. So our prices are very realistic and IMHO the value for the dollar here is absolutely fantastic. We also get a lot of really cool musical acts and speakers etc who are on their way to/from San Francisco and Portland that many towns this size would never see, as well as the usual State University speakers and such visiting HSU.

Honestly I have never been anywhere as beautiful as this area, and for anyone who enjoys outdoor activities you can’t beat the kayaking, boating, hiking, rock climbing, surfing, biking, SUPing, riding on the beach, and for the weirdos who like cold things you can get to some amazing ski/snowboarding resorts pretty quickly as well. SanFran is 4 hours away, but it’s a pretty easy drive- literally 101 the entire way, very hard to mess up And there is a bus for those not wanting to drive themselves.

Facebook links, hopefully they work.
https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t1.0-9/1619248_10152351559534697_3345227225731561093_n.jpg
https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t1.0-9/10171130_10152351559349697_7473532042479763520_n.jpg
https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t1.0-9/10169290_10152351558954697_1480548391085380389_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t1.0-9/10246301_10152351558159697_8359091517547707881_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t1.0-9/10001581_10152351557449697_8794866624642284034_n.jpg
https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t1.0-9/1012144_10152349581624697_2498189483234655434_n.jpg[/QUOTE]

Thank you! Another place I can look into. Beautiful pics!

[JER]

What about Nashville? You can live 20-30 minutes from downtown and have enough land for horses. Countryside is lovely, city is really booming and fun.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

Nashville is a really neat city. Damn, all these great places to choose from. I don’t envy making a choice but you guys are so lucky to have the opportunity to find and experience such places.

I have lived in N. CA as well. It is pretty. I left more because of job opportunities and I wanted to be in a better area for training and competing with the horses.

There are pros and cons to everywhere you look. Make a list as to priorities for you. Including thinking whether you are looking long term or just a new experience. I’ve lived far away from family and close. Pros and cons to that too!!!

[asterix]

I lived in Denver for a year and really liked it - but I was not really riding at the time, so no input on horsey scene.
The weather is awesome - out of the mountains, yes it snows all the time and then is bright and warm and sunny the next day. Everyone takes the day off and goes skiing. It’s VERY outdoorsy but even 10 years ago had enough of a “city” to enjoy.
My sister lives in Portland and although the rain does wear on her in the winter it is a super fun city.
I will say that the “political” climate, if you will, of these places varies wildly, and it might be useful to spend some time in your top two or three choices.
In the city of Portland, for example, it is almost comically earthy crunchy groovy lefty (and I am a liberal so…). Denver was more middle of the road, but drive to Boulder and it’s the People’s Republic of…drive south to Colorado Springs and it is conservative city. This sort of thing does really affect how you feel you fit in to a life in a place, so is worth considering.

[AmarachAcres]

Threads like these are a Chamber of Commerce’s dream. We sound like sales. Hehe.

Have fun on your search, I hope you find your place like we did!

[MeghanDACVA]

OP you have a PM.

[A3dayeventer2009]

Thank you all for your input, really helps!

[Heinz_57]

@adapt+overcome;7631889

I am in Humboldt County, which is several hours north of San Francisco- which IS very very expensive. Once you get above SanFran there’s not a whole hell of anything other than grapes until you get to northern Humboldt- Eureka and Arcata are the “big” cities w populations of 30,000 and 20,000 as well as a couple towns 10-15,000. And four casinos. From there there is once again not a whole hell of a lot until you get to Portland.

I have nothing to add except that I find this to be extremely funny. :lol: Between Eureka and Portland there is Ashland, Medford, Roseburg, Eugene, Corvallis, Albany, Salem, Woodburn, the whole Tigard/Wilsonville/Hillsboro/Beaverton suburb and a whole lot more, those are just the large, I5-centric cities. I grew up in the Willamette Valley and I wouldn’t recommend it if you don’t like a lot of rain. Drizzly, sprinkly, pretty much a constant supply of wet from October through May, and then it’s off and on through June and September, alternating with sunny days. It snows a couple times throughout the winter, and we have a few days/weeks of ~100 degree heat in the summer. South of Roseburg the weather is much different.

[bkkone]

I think Aiken, SC is great! Tons of events every weekend. Lots of horsey folks from all over the place. Many different venues to ride at. Nice restaurants and traffic that moves.

[ElementFarm]

we’re moving to Southern Pines, NC in about 2 weeks. We found a lovely ~10-acre farm with a 3-stall barn and room to add. The property is in an equestrian community, so we can hack down the road to school a jump course or use the dressage ring, which saves me $ building/maintaining an all-weather outdoor. There are tons of cross country courses and trail networks available within a 20-min hack or a short trailer ride. Raleigh is about an hour away, Charlotte just 2 hrs. Lots of horses in the area, in a multiple of disciplines, so there’s good access to top-level vets, etc.

[Carried_Away]

I lived in Louisville KY for 4 years and absolutely loved it. Weather not too bad on either end of the spectrum, really great quality of life, nice people, beautiful homes and farms for the $$, good economy and a surprisingly vibrant cultural scene. Barns and trainers everywhere and very close proximity to KY horse park and many other area 8 events. I’d move back in an instant if the opportunity presented itself.

[Fergs]

Our family relocated to Denver three years ago. We really love it! The weather is great all year (although it is dry, dry, dry, especially in comparison to the Mid-Atlantic), the scenery is to die for, and the people and culture can’t be beat.

Recently we bought a horse property in Douglas County, which is about 35 miles south of Denver. It’s probably the horsiest part of the state, and most of the events and trainers are in this area. I have never lived in Ft. Collins, but I hear from the folks who trailer 2+ hours to take lessons from my trainer that the horse scene is not as vibrant there, at least as far as eventing is concerned.

Colorado seems to be booming right now…the real estate market is super competitive, and the economy is humming. We definitely feel like it was the best decision we made for our family. (Although I do admit to missing the Area II eventing scene. It’s pretty hard to come close to it just about anywhere in the country!)

[Winding_Down]

I grew up and now live in a Washington Virginia, about an hour from Mburg, an hour from Charlottesville, an hour from DC, and about an hour from everywhere. It is beautiful and has a mix of newer come heres and older been heres that make for a lively balance. That being said, it is expensive and it is cold in the winter. This past winter about killed me…

My dream is to move to Southern Pines but two issues hold me back. One is that the summers are sooo hot and the other is that the crime rate is high. I didn’t realize the latter until last night when I was told this is so.

I’ve thought about Raleigh but really want to be in a horse community. So the potential move is still “up in the air.” The one requirement is that there be a strong local community of horse people and a good place to board two horses. And I am an Easterner at heart so am probably going to stay no further west than Kentucky…