I can PM you about it, it’s kind of airing the dirty laundry. But essentially there’s been some issues with developers, the state, and some key individuals in the horse community there.
I live in the Fair Hill area in MD- if you think MD is congested and expensive, I would cross anywhere in New Castle County Delaware off your list for sure.
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Thank you all for your thoughts and recommendations, this has been really helpful to read through. I grew up trailering in to Fair Hill, but lived around the DC area, I would almost say FH is a bit more rural than we are looking for. And cold 
I’ve hunted with Wicomico a few times, they have always been very welcoming.
We are hoping to buy a farmette, and have a very decent budget so that isn’t a determining factor. Also open to boarding if I can’t find something I love. I’ve just been in a horse desert for so many years I feel like a kid in a candy shop, actually getting to choose where we settle.
Fire ants are definitely something to keep in mind. I still have nightmares of getting them in my tall boots in Florida.
Looks like I need to add Tryon to the list, I didn’t realize it was that built up.
Really appreciate everyone’s thoughts, this has been very helpful.
Southern Pines, Aiken, and Tryon I think I am going to go out and visit. Can definitely get more bang for your buck in Aiken, there are a lot of adorable farmettes in our price range. I’ll look into the locations you all have mentioned when I go to visit, very helpful to have some knowledgeable help instead of going in completely blind.
Thanks again, I am sure I will be back with more questions once I go exploring.
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You know, also, if you don’t mind the heat and only getting mildly cold weather (like, maybe 30 degrees a few nights a year) Ocala would fit everything you want.
Major town, multiple hospitals (including, if you plan your home right, being in between Ocala and Gainesville)
Extremely strong horse community of pretty much every sport.
Ocala is a true small city, but several of the outlying towns are smaller and the whole area doesn’t feel huge like Baltimore or DC.
50 minutes to the ocean, less to a boat ramp for the interconnected waterways to the ocean or lake Roussaeu. Or go to one of the many springs or lakes in the area.
Property and such is still cheaper than Maryland. Horse keeping isn’t. Hay is expensive, but it is in Aiken or SP too.
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I can help - I’m horsey and have a husband also in the medical field that likes water. I don’t do cold weather at all.
Skip Myrtle Beach. Not horsey enough.
Charleston could be an option. There is a small equestrian scene and I have one horse there currently. Have access to vet/farrier/trainers but it’s limited. The restaurants/shopping/amenities are the best you will find in SC and stunning water views everywhere, plus beaches and ocean. Easy access to hospitals. However the population has exploded over the past 10 years or so. It is very busy and land is very expensive. The land in the low country is also not ideal for horse keeping. For those reasons we chose not to live there full time.
Aiken is an eventers paradise. The equestrian amenities can’t be beat. Excellent show grounds, trainers, vets, etc. Land is still affordable and great for horse keeping. My husband would not be happy with the hospitals and lack of water though. I also don’t love the actual town of Aiken but the equestrian property and Hitchcock woods may make up for it. I enjoy showing there and love to stay/eat at the Wilcox. Worth a visit.
Tryon is beautiful but too cold for me, however may be mild compared to what you are used to. Easy commute to Greenville/Spartanburg for hospitals. Top notch vets, trainers, farriers. Also worth a visit.
Consider Camden SC. Great fox hunting community. Access to vets, farriers & trainers that are good but not quite to the level as Aiken/Tryon. Cheap land good for horses and low COL. Access to Lake Wateree. Husband would have to commute to Columbia or Florence for good hospitals (about 45 minutes). Charming but VERY small town. Ultimately too small town for me but worth a visit, if only to visit The Tack Room (trust me on this).
In the end, my husband and I ended up settling in a mid size town that isn’t horsey but with a good hospital system. I am just close enough to Camden that the vets/farriers will come to me but I have to commute to train there. We are close enough to Lake Wateree and the beach which satisfies my husband. We still enjoy low cost of living, no traffic, and very mild winters. We all compromised a bit but it worked out well for us. Good Luck!
*an edit to say don’t underestimate the heat and humidity in Camden/Aiken/Charleston. Make sure you ok trading a mild winter in exchange for a brutal summer (I love heat so it’s not a problem for me, but some do not do well in it). If that’s an issue, look more at Tryon and Southern Pines.
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Look up Newnan, GA. Great small town feel but with city amenities. There are wonderful restaurants, shopping and a good horse community. You can fox hunt with Bear Creek hounds, several hunter paces. Chattahoochee Hills eventing is minutes and Poplar Place is an hour or hour and a half. You can find land but it is getting pricey, similar to other areas. Good vets and you are an hour from Auburn Vet school. Plenty of alfalfa, orchard, or Timothy is shipped in.
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Maybe too cold in the winter, but what about Charlottesville VA for the rest of your list (rivers instead of ocean)?
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Heartily second all of this, especially the visit to The Tack Room
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Exactly. I was in Aiken in mid-late Sept and it was bloody hot and humid. I had thought if I moved to Aiken (before visiting,) I’d probably not ride for the summer. When I found out summer was at least 4 months long, it was a no.
I’m still working on moving to Roanoke, VA; my horses will actually be in Blacksburg. The farm manager told me it’s windy there, which sounds good for the summer to me. I looked at last winter in Roanoke and saw it rarely stays below freezing in the daytime. Some snow, but how long can it last? Though, go up in the mountains a bit and the story may change. Within 3-4 hours of Roanoke, there are USEA events March to November; Aiken is 5 hours away if I want to event in January.
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To cut off some travel time, I would look in Salem for a place to live. The prices seem better anyway. I really miss that area, I went to college near there. If I ever moved back to Virginia, then Salem/Roanoke would be the only place I’d live.
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I don’t live in Roanoke, but my family does. Yes, they get some snow and ice but it doesn’t usually last more than a few days. Winter there lasts about 2 months. I’d move there in a heartbeat if I could.
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This isn’t a great area for jumpers. I think northern VA or NC, SC are much better for that. You can get to several recognized events in two hours or less from here, but I’m scratching my head trying to think of where the closest rated jumper show may be. NoVA? PA?
We have several schooling show series, and sometimes they have jumper classes. But if you’re serious about competing, I think you’d find them a bit lacking.
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I was hunting for housing in SW Roanoke due to where most of the barns are. The Blacksburg barn was my 2nd choice and yes, Salem would be closer. But someone tipped me off to a 2BR apartment for $925/month; that’ll save $200-300 a month at least. Not the biggest apt, but I’ll probably need a storage unit no matter what moving from house with 3 car garage and stable at home.
If I end up buying a place I know I’d rather be near I-81 access or off 220 rather than the twisty 116 or 221.
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Aiken is probably your best bet. I think southern pines and tryon are cold. Also Raleigh- there’s a lot of money there and a strong horse community there too and the populous to support horse business, and Charlotte- nice barns that honestly go to aiken to show every weekend. If you want water - Charleston.
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I would avoid anywhere that might have a hurricane evacuation required. Even if you have your own trailer that’s big enough to haul your horse, feed, and equipment, the roads can get clogged.
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Aiken is definitely my top pick at the moment. Southern Pines and Tryon are on the list as well. I have added Charlette NC, Greensboro, Newnan GA, the eastern shore of MD, and possibly Ocala.
I’ll have to investigate Raleigh, that one didn’t come up in my search, thanks!
Definitely attempting to avoid hurricane and/or swampland.
Really appreciate everyone’s help with my ever-changing list!
Northeast Georgia would fit your requirements. Not stinking/sweaty/buggy hot, and not too cold. Fantastic Hospital in Gainesville. UGA vet school in Athens. Shakerag Hounds in Hull. There is still some reasonably priced property available too. Take you pick between mountains, lakes and flatland. Eventer-H/J-Dressage people all over the place.
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I have linked an article from Army Times, talking about the VA hospitals slated for closure, and Salem is on the list. So, if anyone moves there for a VA job, renting might be a good option.
However, a clinic in Roanoke is slated to be either built, or remodeled.
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Take a look at the north side of Columbus, GA. There are two hospitals near each other in town. There is a foxhunt (Midland Foxhounds) with an active Pony Club, and lots of eventing with Poplar Place Farm (Hamilton) and Training Center at Big Bear (Pine Mountain). And Auburn University is close by for veterinary help.
