Tell Me Where To Go . . .

[noname]

This is another property finding question . . .

We're currently in NE Ohio, smack in the snow belt. I've lived in the snow belt all my life, in 3 different states, and it's beginning to lose its thrill. I don't want to go somewhere that has no winter, I'd just like a little less of it. Off the top of my head I'm thinking KY, TN, NC - east of the Mississippi, because we have family back here - but I'm open to all possibilities. I just don't want to go too far south.

My dd would be going with me. She would like to own a boarding stable (manages one now, so she has experience). I'm in the medical field, so I can get a job anwhere. In order to have a boarding stable, we'd have to be reasonably close to a town, since anyone out in the boonies who wants a horse wouldn't need to board it. The average income of the area would have to be enough that people could afford to have a horse boarded somewhere. I wouldn't want any less than 10 acres, although I'd certainly take more. I'm thinking we could afford $150K, although we might have to fine tune that a bit depending on salaries in the area.

Anyone who lives in these areas have some ideas about where to start looking?

[agmantoo]

Here in NC there exists a number horse boarding and trail riding combinations that are prospering. Actually I own a horsebarn that I lease. The only problem is that it will take more of a financial investment than you stated. The land would be more in the $12,000 per acre range, if you can find it, and the barn large enough to stable enough horses and to have the other ammenities required will set you back another $125,000 up.

[spam4einstein]

north georgia mountains! I escaped from CT to Blairsville, GA. It only got above 90 two days this summer. Winters are mild with minor snow. Weather is a dream here compared to the hot and humid/freezing cold of N.E. Im about 10 miles from the NC border. I paid 22k an acre including a nice 32x20 barn nice level land with mountain views. ( I could only afford 7 acres) I know its expensive, but with the beauty, weather and quality of life there is a huge demand for land in these parts. Just over the NC border in Cherokee county, NC land is less. It can be had starting at around 8k an acre for hilly but decent land but ist going up rapidly as retirees with large budgets are moving in. Good news is there is tons of health care services here so many jobs for you. Even with high prices you will see huge gains as deand for acreage here is growing at multiple rates every year.

[Gary in ohio]

Dont even have to go that far. Southern ohio weather is MUCH different than the NE snow belt.

[noname]

Southern OH is definitely a possibility . . . I guess I was thinking that what I want around Cinci would be more than I could afford, but I haven't really looked.

I guess what I don't know is how far out you could be and still expect to make a go at a boarding stable. If it were up to me I'd be in the middle of nowhere, halfway between the boonies and the sticks, but I've noted that city people don't usually want to drive that far.

We might be able to afford more than $150K - I'm just being on the conservative side.

[Gary in ohio]

Like much of ohio, Once you get 20 miles outside of town the prices drop quite a bit. I do think 150K for a home and land is going to be low. You might find it in SE ohio, but I doubt the cinci/dayton area you will find it without comming away from the city a bit.

[Danaus29]

There's a plot of land (43+/- acres) down by the Wayne Nat'l forest for sale. Last I checked it was around $50,000. Too far from any big cities for hubby to find work but if you want to live in the boonies... Also lots of land cheap in south east Ohio. I don't usually recomend them but the Sunday edition of the Columbus Dispatch has loads of out of town or acreage for sale ads. Not in the daily papers, just the Sunday edition.

How's the snowfall up there? Hubby's family lives near Warren and they usually call to brag about how much snow they have.

[ellebeaux]

Hey there,

I grew up in Shaker Heights but now live outside of Charlottesville, Virginia.

This is a great area and TONS of horsepeople. I'd look around Waynesboro or Staunton. You are far enough away from DC and the commuters but there are lots of people that have second homes that might want to board a horse to ride on the weekends.

Maybe Blacksburg, too?

I also think that $150K is going to be low. You can buy a nice brand new 3 BR 2BA house on a couple acres for that in Stanton but land and a barn etc is going to be a good deal more.

[oz in SC]

Upstate SC/western NC is horse country...but as has been said IS expensive.

Tryon NC is fox-hunt country but of course you could live in a neighboring county...

Rutherford County is close and cheaper,that is where we have land.

Asheville has a hospital as does Rutherfordton.
Asheville is about 35 miles away on good roads from Rutherfordton so a commute is possible from the area.

As to the cost-our bare land(well driveway/homesite roughed in) was $2700/acre last year for 17 acres.Had been cut over a while back and is overgrown in brush.

Good luck.

[michiganfarmer]

dont come to Michgan. The summers are humid. the winters are cold. land for $1500/acre is hard to find. most land starts at $2000-$3000/acre for vacant 40+ acres. 10 acre parcels with a house and horse barn are $150,000-$300,000. Prperty taxes are high, My place is assessed at $70,000, and the property taxes are $2,000 a year

[Mike in Ohio]

noname,

I would look in Carroll county and Coshocton County if you don't want to move to far from where you are at. Land (sometimes with an old farmhouse and outbuildings on it) can be found in the $2k to $3k an acre range if you look around. It is rural but still relatively close to urban areas.

If you are looking to board horses you will want to be close to or adjacent to an area that people can trail ride (parks/forests).

As usual, just my 2 cents.

Mike

[pickapeppa]

In agreement with the near trails that allow horses. If you go somewhere that attracts tourists bringing their horses across the country, they will need to board. You would probably need to advertise with the parks and trails. We wanted to trail ride in NC last year, but when we got there, the woman who boarded the horses was laid up with broken bones (horse accident). They mentioned they didn't know if they would be able to offer trail riding in the future. At that point it was uncertain if she would be returning or if they could even find someone to replace her if she didn't.

Maybe call all the state, county and national park services that allow horseback riding to see what their year round demand for this service would be. How exciting! Good luck to you, and have fun looking!

[oz in SC]

An area in KY/TN is aroung the Big South Fork Park....LOTS of horse trails there and quite pretty.

[oz in SC]

I was looking through a real estate magazine we picked up last time we were in NC and found this:

http://www.keeverrealestate.com/defa...ry_id=25970643



List Price : $179,900
Bedrooms : 3
Baths : 1
Half Baths : 1
Type & Style : Historical
Area : GrnHill-Gilkey-Ruthrfd-Union
City : RUTHERFORDTON
Year Built : 1909
Ttl SqFt : 1790
1st Flr SqFt : 1790
2nd Flr SqFt : 0
3rd Flr SqFt : 0
Fin SF Bsmt : 0000
Lot Size : 20.5 ACRES
Fireplace Bsmt :
Fireplace 1st : X
Fireplace 2nd :
Lake Info : None
Construction : Frame, Vinyl Siding
Foundation : Crawl Space
Basement : None
Roof/Age : Metal Roof, 1-5
Heating System : Butane-Propane, Gas Radiator
Air Conditioning : None
Water Heater : Electric
Water/Sewer : Public Water, Septic Tank
Attic : Access Only
Garage/Carport : Garage Double Detached
Appliances : None
Interior Features : Fireplace
Exterior Features : Double Pane Windows, Porch, Private Yard, Workshop, 10+ Acres, Gravel Drive, Horses Permitted,
Misc Features : Old Home 25+ Years Old

[sisterpine]

Geeze what a pretty place, and I love that porch!

[oz in SC]

We saw this place when we were up there last time and it looked okay although close to the road and not very private...we LIKE privacy...

It seems a good deal even though the house seems dated inside.

[3sunz]

Originally Posted by ellebeaux

Hey there,

I grew up in Shaker Heights but now live outside of Charlottesville, Virginia.

This is a great area and TONS of horsepeople. I'd look around Waynesboro or Staunton. You are far enough away from DC and the commuters but there are lots of people that have second homes that might want to board a horse to ride on the weekends.

Maybe Blacksburg, too?

I also think that $150K is going to be low. You can buy a nice brand new 3 BR 2BA house on a couple acres for that in Stanton but land and a barn etc is going to be a good deal more.

I am also in VA, near Charlottesville. What about the Keswick area? That is full of horse people and not too far from the city. And it is a gorgeous area! My mom also works for the postal service in Keswick and has lots of contacts. If you are interested, PM me and I will get her to get some info. for you. Also, I think $150k is low.

[Pigeon Lady]

http://www.jimlitten.com/home41.htm

This place in sw VA was for sale last year when we were looking, so they may come down even further on the price. We never went to see it as we wanted an older house.

We love sw VA!

P.

[ladycat]

I think Maine might be a nice place to live, remote areas, close to Canada, beautiful pine forests.

Biggest drawback might be all those Stephen King monsters running around there.

[Donna-6]

You wanted a place that had little snow. It would be scott co. va or hancock co tn. We get very little. Thank GOD! Three inches, five at most.some times. That,s it!!Lived here all my 53 years. Contact if want more info.