Badger - looking forward to meeting you when we finally arrive for good! We are hoping that Bridle Creek will flourish as more year round people build. Yes, the people there are nice! The house next to our lot sold to full time people, and the other two full timers will be much happier campers when there are more of us there full time, Trying hard to get there- anyone want a nice 17 acre horse property near the VA Horse Center in Lexington, VA? I know where you can get one :winkgrin:
[QUOTE=bkkone;7977724]
I think Aiken is great! My place is 20 minutes from Aiken out in horse country on the 302. [/QUOTE]
I love it here so far too!! I am on the south part of 302 / Silver Bluff ! Very excited to have trainers, shows, & feed options I didn’t have in MS.
[QUOTE=Badger;7978403]
I was at a party in Steeplechase recently and the hostess said there are hardly any horses in the development. She boards hers out despite having room at home. I think she said three homes have horses there. Really didn’t end up being a success story as an equestrian community.
You hear a lot about the heat and humidity in the summers here…because there isn’t much else to bitch about. .[/QUOTE]
That’s true, there aren’t tons of horses in Steeplechase. I just closed on a house there and will have my ponies at home. It is definately not as chocked full of horses as Three Runs, but it was more affordable to me.
CBC has really high HOA (think it’s like $2000/year) and the sq ft requirement is 2500 min.
I’m not too worried about the heat, but the folks coming from the North will think it’s pretty brutal. There is so much to do here, who has time to worry about heat? LOL.
[QUOTE=Boomer;7979576]
I love it here so far too!! I am on the south part of 302 / Silver Bluff ! Very excited to have trainers, shows, & feed options I didn’t have in MS.[/QUOTE]
You’re going to love it Boomer! There are so many options and things to do every weekend. It’s a wonderful place for horse mad ladies like me. LOL!
Maybe you should check Camden, SC? They have a large area of trails and have foxhunting groups, hunter paces all the time. Hot summers but lovely the rest of the year!
[QUOTE=bkkone;7977724]
I think Aiken is great! My place is 20 minutes from Aiken out in horse country on the 302. It’s an easy drive into town through all the fabulous horse venues like Full Gallop, Paradise Farm etc. I love seeing all the horse trailers coming and going to events.
I think there are more year round people now. I don’t think the summers are bad at all. To me they are the same as in NC.
I just moved due to hubby’s work (I’m still mourning the move!) so you can see an example of what your $$ will get you for a 10 acre place with horse facilities and a home 20 minutes from downtown Aiken. http://www.hiddencreekaiken.com[/QUOTE]
I really must stop opening these threads in January. I am actually a little depressed! It’s a lot easier to look at something I can’t afford vs. something I can.
Are the areas similar tax-wise and what about schools, hospitals, etc.?
Oh wait…I’m stuck here. Nevermind.
TrotTrotP, I can totally relate…
Wait, what? Someone said there are no mosquitoes in Aiken?
As someone who lives in the northeast and likes most new England weather, but gets frustrated with the limited options for good boarding facilities with lots of turnout and yet within realistic driving distance of good jobs/good schools for the kids … We read about these places with year-round good footing and no bugs and that cost 1/3 what they would in this area and… we just… I mean… we just… it’s just… just… Oh, forget it. 
Wait, what? Someone said there are no mosquitoes in Aiken?
Ya read about these places with year-round good footing and no bugs and that cost 1/3 what they would in my area of the country and… we just… I mean… we just… it’s just… just… Oh, forget it.
After living in the South for 12+ years, then moved North due to my job. Consider what you want to do with your horse, if it’s competition, don’t move to the rural areas, you’ll have trouble finding a good blacksmith(corrective work), veterinarians who specialize, the vets will be more shotgun type. Any serious illness/injury and you will be hauling to a university vet school or large vet clinic (think long drive). The feed store, will be just that, not a lot real nutrition or product knowledge. Limited instruction and training; consider how long you will travel to horse shows. Where I lived the closest horse show venue was 2 1/2 hours which is why highly trained instructors were in short supply. If you’re a pleasure rider with a easy keeper, trouble-free type horse, the rural areas with their cheap land prices will be fine.
The weather in the summer is hot don’t let any one tell you different, it’s a hot moist environment which means bugs galore and every fungus/mold known to earth. When some tells you, “It gets just as hot in Michigan as South Carolina”, what they forget to mention it’s 24 hours a day, no cooling off at night (the sun intensity is less in the am/pm) from late May until the end of October. Trail riding in the summer - not so much - unless you like riding through big spiderwebs stretched across the trail and bugs swarming all over your sweaty self and horse. On the positive side, most people become accustomed to the hot summers. Naturally, the winters are glorious, never ride in another indoor arena again, or bulky downs coats.
Sorry, this is so long, wish I had time to go into the all the positives, didn’t want this post to be a downer. Many of the things mentioned should be considered when moving South. I think sometimes everyone gets focused on never, ever, EVER, shoveling snow again, or dressing in 5 layers to ride, or thinking 'if I have to ride in this indoor one more time". There are trade offs when switching lifestyles.
Lastly, take a honest assessment of yourself and lifestyle. In many of the mid-sized southern towns, the sidewalks roll up at 9pm. Maybe there is one movie theatre, no organic or foodie lovers grocery stores, a true shopping mall - not. The airport might be an hour drive. The closest medical hospital with trained trauma or cancer specialists could be an hour away; this goes with finding medical care. If you’re a girly-girl, not a lot of day spas, or hair salons cutting the latest greatest hairstyles. Since department stores may be non existent, no Bobbie Brown cosmetics counters, but there’s always the Internet.
Just moved into the Silver Bluff Road area, Boyd Pond Road to be exact, of Aiken, onto a 7 acre place with 3 horses. Lived about an hour away off 39 acres in a beautiful area, but was so rural that it felt like nothing was happening. Had to transport everywhere. Am so looking forward to having so many options of vets, farriers, feed stores and riding friends!! And coaches and places to ride and compete. Just minutes away!! So far loving it!!
[QUOTE=Calhoun;7985709]
After living in the South for 12+ years, then moved North due to my job. Consider what you want to do with your horse, if it’s competition, don’t move to the rural areas, you’ll have trouble finding a good blacksmith(corrective work), veterinarians who specialize, the vets will be more shotgun type. Any serious illness/injury and you will be hauling to a university vet school or large vet clinic (think long drive). The feed store, will be just that, not a lot real nutrition or product knowledge. Limited instruction and training; consider how long you will travel to horse shows. Where I lived the closest horse show venue was 2 1/2 hours which is why highly trained instructors were in short supply. If you’re a pleasure rider with a easy keeper, trouble-free type horse, the rural areas with their cheap land prices will be fine.
The weather in the summer is hot don’t let any one tell you different, it’s a hot moist environment which means bugs galore and every fungus/mold known to earth. When some tells you, “It gets just as hot in Michigan as South Carolina”, what they forget to mention it’s 24 hours a day, no cooling off at night (the sun intensity is less in the am/pm) from late May until the end of October. Trail riding in the summer - not so much - unless you like riding through big spiderwebs stretched across the trail and bugs swarming all over your sweaty self and horse. On the positive side, most people become accustomed to the hot summers. Naturally, the winters are glorious, never ride in another indoor arena again, or bulky downs coats.
Sorry, this is so long, wish I had time to go into the all the positives, didn’t want this post to be a downer. Many of the things mentioned should be considered when moving South. I think sometimes everyone gets focused on never, ever, EVER, shoveling snow again, or dressing in 5 layers to ride, or thinking 'if I have to ride in this indoor one more time". There are trade offs when switching lifestyles.
Lastly, take a honest assessment of yourself and lifestyle. In many of the mid-sized southern towns, the sidewalks roll up at 9pm. Maybe there is one movie theatre, no organic or foodie lovers grocery stores, a true shopping mall - not. The airport might be an hour drive. The closest medical hospital with trained trauma or cancer specialists could be an hour away; this goes with finding medical care. If you’re a girly-girl, not a lot of day spas, or hair salons cutting the latest greatest hairstyles. Since department stores may be non existent, no Bobbie Brown cosmetics counters, but there’s always the Internet.[/QUOTE]
I agree with this completely and why I moved to the area I live. I have great health care with UNC and Duke, great culture within 30 minutes drive with UNC Chapel Hill, Duke University, RTP, great trails within 40 minutes with the Moss Foundation, Uhwarrie National Forest, great vets, farriers and feed stores, great trainers and I can go to a show every 2-4 weeks within 1-2 hours drive. It really is a perfect mix if rural living with culture close by and affordable (but probably not for long).
[QUOTE=Kachina;7975064]
We looked long and hard in the Tryon area. Could not find an affordable to us horse property. Found a to us great place in Aiken for at least 1/2 what the same property would have cost us in the Tryon area. Still close enough into town to get to the tack and feed stores, Publix, Fresh Market, Target, restaurants etc., in under 20 minutes. We’re not in a development, but have friends in Three Runs and Chime Bell that love it. We were disappointed to find Virginia property costs in Tryon area pricing us out, but are very happy in Aiken. We run fans in the summer for the horses which seem to keep them quite comfortable. There are no mosquitos and we use fly boots to keep stomping to a minimum. Tracey Turner with Meybohm Realty is a horse person and very nice to deal with if you want to give a quick call to see what might be available. She often knows of horse properties coming onto the market that aren’t listed yet. Good luck![/QUOTE]
THANKS - helps SOOOOO much
[QUOTE=Calhoun;7985709]
After living in the South for 12+ years, then moved North due to my job. Consider what you want to do with your horse, if it’s competition, don’t move to the rural areas, you’ll have trouble finding a good blacksmith(corrective work), veterinarians who specialize, the vets will be more shotgun type. Any serious illness/injury and you will be hauling to a university vet school or large vet clinic (think long drive). The feed store, will be just that, not a lot real nutrition or product knowledge. Limited instruction and training; consider how long you will travel to horse shows. Where I lived the closest horse show venue was 2 1/2 hours which is why highly trained instructors were in short supply. If you’re a pleasure rider with a easy keeper, trouble-free type horse, the rural areas with their cheap land prices will be fine.
The weather in the summer is hot don’t let any one tell you different, it’s a hot moist environment which means bugs galore and every fungus/mold known to earth. When some tells you, “It gets just as hot in Michigan as South Carolina”, what they forget to mention it’s 24 hours a day, no cooling off at night (the sun intensity is less in the am/pm) from late May until the end of October. Trail riding in the summer - not so much - unless you like riding through big spiderwebs stretched across the trail and bugs swarming all over your sweaty self and horse. On the positive side, most people become accustomed to the hot summers. Naturally, the winters are glorious, never ride in another indoor arena again, or bulky downs coats.
Sorry, this is so long, wish I had time to go into the all the positives, didn’t want this post to be a downer. Many of the things mentioned should be considered when moving South. I think sometimes everyone gets focused on never, ever, EVER, shoveling snow again, or dressing in 5 layers to ride, or thinking 'if I have to ride in this indoor one more time". There are trade offs when switching lifestyles.
Lastly, take a honest assessment of yourself and lifestyle. In many of the mid-sized southern towns, the sidewalks roll up at 9pm. Maybe there is one movie theatre, no organic or foodie lovers grocery stores, a true shopping mall - not. The airport might be an hour drive. The closest medical hospital with trained trauma or cancer specialists could be an hour away; this goes with finding medical care. If you’re a girly-girl, not a lot of day spas, or hair salons cutting the latest greatest hairstyles. Since department stores may be non existent, no Bobbie Brown cosmetics counters, but there’s always the Internet.[/QUOTE]
Made me smile - A LOT - very helpful … we are more laid back riders, no more shows for us … but organic food would be nice … and some “live souls” after 9 pm … still … MI winters are terrible … no outdoor riding due to icy footing right now, bored horses, impatient humans LOL …
[QUOTE=PSD;7986522]
Just moved into the Silver Bluff Road area, Boyd Pond Road to be exact, of Aiken, onto a 7 acre place with 3 horses. Lived about an hour away off 39 acres in a beautiful area, but was so rural that it felt like nothing was happening. Had to transport everywhere. Am so looking forward to having so many options of vets, farriers, feed stores and riding friends!! And coaches and places to ride and compete. Just minutes away!! So far loving it!![/QUOTE]
We’re neighbors!! I’m in Steeplechase just up the road from Boyd Pond Rd! Drop me a PM sometime! My horses are coming this week - I can’t wait!!
