NYC/NJ Barns & Towns (maybe!)

[tiramisu]

Longtime lurker, first time poster, please be kind!

Contemplating a move from my current east coast state to the area around NYC. I’m applying for several jobs in my field, the most exciting of which are in Manhattan. The problem is that, since getting back into riding and showing a year ago, I’m totally hooked and don’t want to live without at least a half lease. I’m an adult amateur and would have to ride outside of normal business hours. The dream is to find a trainer I love as much as my current trainer, buy a horse within a couple years, and show 1-3 times a year (think Saugerties or VSF, probably not Florida).

Can anyone who lives outside the city speak to any of the three below options (or better yet, recommend a barn)? Westchester is out for a few reasons.

1. Living in Monmouth County (Atlantic Highlands, Belford, etc.) and taking the ferry into the city, and riding somewhere near Colts Neck
2. Living in suburban NJ and commuting into NYC, and going west for a good barn
3. Living in Nyack, NY — are there good H/J barns on that side of the Hudson?

Price is also an issue/consideration — probably $2.5k to spend on horses on average before showing.

Thank you!!!

[Impractical_Horsewoman]

I’m a Monmouth County resident, and while it’s been many years since I even dabbled in hunter/jumpers (I could tell you more about the dressage scene), I can definitely vouch for there being many upscale h/j show barns in the area. Nevergreen Farm is a barn where a distant friend of mine rode in the area and is still open; the place where I rode at is closed and is under new management. Victory Stables and Sandstone Stables I’ve also heard good things about. Beacon Hill, of course, is famous for being a pipeline for young, well-off riders; I don’t know much of what an adult’s perspective of it would be.

Monmouth County also has the Monmouth County Hunt and the CJL Horse Show series, so lots of horsey hunter-jumper stuff in the area.

My big concern with living in Highlands and commuting to the city is that does leave a big chunk your day up to commuting, not riding, which can get wearying over time. Maybe not the first few months, but it does add up.

[Tini_Sea_Soldier1]

Hi! I did this.

Ok, so commuting… in a few words… just sucks.
The ferry is WILDLY expensive from Highlands and Belford. Do your research. It’s a relaxing ride, but it’s LONG. So if you’re leaving the office at 6, you’re not getting home in time to ride.

Do you have any idea what the hours of your new role are? I’d say you’re probably looking at a weekend warrior or finding a barn that’s ok with you riding at 730-8pm, which is SUPER challenging to find.

Also, NJ Transit trains and buses are habitually tempermental. I can’t speak much about Metro North, but I can tell you that the NJ side has its fair share of delays and disappointments.

If you go that route, my suggestion is to angle towards an area that has an express train. Summit and Red Bank would be options if you find housing that suits your needs.

I lived close to the city and kept a car in a garage, so I could drive out on the weekends. I was mostly riding and lessoning at that point bc showing just wasn’t in the cards with the time commitment of living and working in the city.

[Impractical_Horsewoman]

All this-and NJ Transit from Red Bank to Penn Station is usually around a 1:40 hour trip one way (not express, but they run fairly infrequently). Factor in waiting for the train, as well as commuting within the city in addition to that.

[alar24]

Would you ever consider Long Island? If you’re looking for a h/j barn, there’s quite a few within 40 minutes of NYC on the LIRR. Gold Coast Equestrian is one that comes to mind, and Old Westbury is a hotbed for horsiness (relatively for the area). Also, the LIRR is significantly more reliable than NJ Transit… which is pretty bad.

While not a H/J barn, a few friends ride at Penwick Sporthorses in NJ and really love it. Definitely about 1.5 hours from the city – too far for me.

Connecticut is another option! Going to be more expensive, but the Stamford area is a 50 minute train ride with horses about 15 minutes from the train stop. Metro North is super, super reliable and safe. Head and shoulders a better commuting experience than the LIRR and NJ Transit! (and you don’t have to walk through Penn Station every day… blergh).

[tiramisu]

Thank you so much for this! I think it will ultimately depend on how many days I have to go into the office, but that’s all helpful to know. Agree that a long commute can be soul-sucking…

[tiramisu]

Thank you! I’ve looked into the ferry since you posted this and agree that it’s SO expensive – maybe doable depending on how many days I’ll have to be in the office. I’ll also look up the express trains – I’ve heard good things about summit. Living in the city unfortunately isn’t an option for us…

[tiramisu]

Long Island and Connecticut are less preferable for us because they’re not as close to friends and family, but that’s great information to know. I’ll definitely look in this barns. I agree that the LIRR is way better than NJ Transit (which has wronged me many times). Thank you!

[mika0116]

I grew up in Hunterdon County - very very horsey surrounding area. My parents commuted into NYC for work at various times – bit long of a commute though tbh - about 1 hr 40 door to door and at that time they didn’t go into the NYC office 5 days a week, 2x a week was more normal. They were exec level so their lateness was never an issue bc often they’d leave before 630 to allow for buffer time.

I have never commuted from Monmouth County via ferry but that sounds like a hellacious commute - and I lived in LA for 7 years.

Would recommend living somewhere with NJ transit into the city under 60 mins and commuting more west for a barn. That is you have a more flexible workplace that is okay with commuter delays or you get the 6am train and go to a gym in the city before work, shower, and change for work in the city.

I love NJ - I’ve lived in NJ, DC, CA, and WA … if I could afford a 2nd home I’d have one in NJ, lol.

If you’re under 30, 1 or 2 might be fine. If you’re over 30… I would not do 1.

I know little on 3 so no comment there.

[adultammylife]

Connecticut is another option! Going to be more expensive, but the Stamford area is a 50 minute train ride with horses about 15 minutes from the train stop. Metro North is super, super reliable and safe. Head and shoulders a better commuting experience than the LIRR and NJ Transit! (and you don’t have to walk through Penn Station every day… blergh).

Connecticut is definitely great commute-wise to the city! The only thing to note is that barns are considerably more expensive in that area. Anything in the Westchester area is likely going to be in the $4k range (sometimes higher) for board. There may be some exceptions, but it can be a bit of a sticker shock

[alar24]

If you’re definitely thinking New Jersey/Orange County, it might be worth reaching out to the Windy Hollow Hunt and Essex Fox Hounds to see if they recommend barns in the area?

[1111]

If you look into Nyack area there is really only 1 barn, Saddle River Equestrian in Chestnut Ridge, NY about a 20 minute drive from Nyack. They show competitively, have an indoor & horses to lease.
Good Luck!

[tiramisu]

Thank you for this! Maybe I’m crazy but I think I would rather spend an hour on the (wildly overpriced but semi-bougie) ferry than NJ Transit… but I hear you that it’s probably nicer to live west of the city and commute farther for a barn. Not an easy road either way :’)

[tiramisu]

Totally – that’s definitely one reason I’m avoiding Westchester, Long Island, CT, etc… I definitely will not be making the kind of money to stomach $4k board/training.

[tiramisu]

Thank you! I’ve heard of this place and that’s probably where I would go if I lived in this area.

[tiramisu]

Thank you, I will do this if I wind up there!

[skip99]

You may want to look around Summit, NJ. The public transit into the city should be pretty direct (depending on where you need to go) at 45min-1 hr, but then you should be able to get out to horsey areas without too much issue - 78W can be a little trafficky sometimes.

I am out in Hunterdon County and can take public transit all the way into Penn Station where my office is just a block away, but it’s a long commute. I only go in for a short day (9am-2:30pm) every couple months and couldn’t do that regularly without being exhausted. Summit is the halfway point

Good luck!

[ComingAttraction]

Monmouth county is where I grew up and it’s a beautiful area. Atlantic Highlands over Belford for me. Navesink is even better. So many horse farms in that area. Hope you found an awesome new place.

[ComingAttraction]

In addition the ferry or train from that area is easy.

[ComingAttraction]

Nevergreen is exceptional but a good 45-1hr drive from the highlands. Still worth it imo.