Life as an equestrian in NYC

[skykingismybaby1]

I live in central NJ and commuted to lower Manhattan to work on the World Trade Center restoration, I mention that because other wise I would not have done the commute. When I worked Mid Town my commute by NJTransit was optimally about an hour (I live near Hamilton Train Station, just south of Princeton) . Downtown took an hour and half or on bad days two hours. The difference was one train and a two block walk versus NJTransit train, Path ttrain and a mile walk. One missed connection and the day sucked.

Board in Central NJ is somewhere between $650 and $2000 depending on what you want. Rent for you may be between 1500 and 2500. Commuting is going to be about 500.

The message is that it takes careful planning to make it doable, but on that salary you may be living check to check.

[Lorde413]

If any NYC hunter riders would be interested in sharing a Zipcar to lesson/know of any farms close to the city with solid lesson horses with adult groups please PM me!

[Irish_Ei_s]

Lifelong Long Islander here
Getting on or off this Island…beastly.Train is easiest, but you’d still need a way to get from the station to the barn.
Horse board in Nassau County approaches $2000/month.
Do NOT board or ride near Hempstead Lake Park, very violent gang territory.,

Look at New Jersey, near the tunnels and ferries

I’d come without Pony for 6 months first and get the lay of the land and your new lifestyle and schedule.

[Irish_Ei_s]

@danacat

It’s not actually right in the city, but close – 2 miles north of the island of Manhattan – just below Yonkers. You can see it from the Henry Hudson Parkway. I was there once, years ago (to look at a horse a friend of mine was interested in buying) and the place was pretty run down. But according to their website rennovations have been done and/or are in the works.

Riverdale is the Bronx

[zakattack]

I’ve lived in NYC (actually Northern Brooklyn, and now Queens) for almost a decade now and have ridden on and off recreationally - I now have one of the few horsey jobs right in the city, and feel very lucky!

Some things:

There is only one stable I would even come close to recommending for boarding in the five boroughs and that is Riverdale Equestrian Center in the Bronx. It will cost you close to 2k per month.

Even with a 70k salary, and especially if you want to accommodate riding, I would not look for an apartment in Manhattan unless it is very far uptown, which would actually put you in a good place for commuting to a stable in NJ or upstate NY.

I currently live in Queens and commute to Long Island to ride (also an expensive area to board). And traffic can be heavy, but IMO, doable. Had been riding in NJ but the commute across Manhattan to get there was just not worth it, and all the tolls and gas only added to the expense (but worked for me when I was living closer to the city in BK).

I guess what I’m trying to say is that it’s difficult but can be done! A friend of mine boards about an hour and a half in upstate NY and lives in Harlem. I have successfully commuted to both NJ and LI for riding from the outer boroughs. Just be prepared for a time and monetary commitment.

You could also live somewhere that’s convenient for riding and commute to the city for work. Metro North, NJ transit, Amtrak, LIRR all are viable commuting options to forego traffic.

[Chall]

My rule of thumb, westchester board= a studio apt. in Manhattan. Field board (in say PA) = monthly cost of a parking space in a garage.
Almost all public stables (leased on county grounds) are still run by Rusty, even if someone else’s name is on the lease.

When considering riding after work, take into account how much your commute and work will take out of you energy wise.

Horses live like their owners, nothing natural in the accommodations, food, space, social interactions. However like humans they can adjust.