Va.-where's cheapest area to live + most dressage + trail areas??

[Judi A]

Have option of moving to Va. Where's the cheapest areas as far as cost of living--perfer SW part of Va. Also where is the mst dressage concentrated area + where are the most ride to trail systems? I was in a small town above Lynchburg before but there were no trails or not much goings on as far as dressage shows, trainers, etc. Also looking for a rent---house, out buidings, barn, 20 + acres. Thanks

[Cougar85]

SW VA is going to be an awful lot like NW NC, no dressage, tons of trail riding, lots of western and saddlebreds and TW's.

[HollysHobbies]

Orange, VA
Scottsville, VA
(aka, satellite Charlottesville area)

[murphyluv]

I think there's either going to be a cluster of nice dressage barns and the price of living is high, or vice versa. Lynn Jendrowski is outside of Roanoke, there are other dressage trainers in or around Roanoke, but if you are really looking for upper level not a lot of other options around here.
www.theeducatedequestrian.com Lynn's website.

[paintlady]

Well, Northern Virginia has a big concentration of dressage. Plus, we have several public trail systems (Manassas Battlefield, Bull Run Regional Park, Fountainhead Regional Park, Conway Robison Forest, etc....). However, cost of living is very high.

[BaroqueLady]

SW VA has a very low cost of living. There are at least 3 FEI level trainers in
a 25 mile radius of Roanoke. The local dressage group SWVADA holds a
recognized show and half a dozen schooling shows each year at Green Hill
Park's equestrian facility (even has a cross country course). Check out
www.swvada.org

The Virginia Horse Center in Lexington is home to several recognized shows
each year and the GAIG championships too. It is an easy haul up I-81.

Oh and there are miles of trails in the New River Trail system..an old railway bed that is open to horses...lovely for gallops!

[oldenmare]

Richmond is fabulous area to live and ride in - pretty much all directions.

Fredericksburg - south of area is great horse country and affordable.

Northern Neck - affordable but hard to find good trainers.

Charlottesville area - plethora of trainers and depending on area - can be ultra expensive or more reasonable.

Northern VA - plethora of trainers, expensive to live.

Tidewater - many trainers, expensive to live (depending on area)

[cutemudhorse]

I live on the Middle Peninsula. It's near the aforementioned Northern Neck. Fairly reasonable if you look but you won't find a large selection, some trails, good weather. The middle of the state around Farmville is nice. That's where we wanted to be but found things worked out easier here. You wouldn't be in the thick of things either place but there are a few instructors within driving distance, of about an hour, of either area. You'll probably have to find a happy medium that you can live with; reasonable cost of living does not = big horse country! :)

[LexInVA]

You basically need to be close to Northern VA but not "inside" it. SW VA isn't really an option for what you are really looking for.

[YankeeLawyer]

You basically need to be close to Northern VA but not "inside" it. SW VA isn't really an option for what you are really looking for.

Ditto. Once you are more than approx. 1 hour / 50 miles outside DC, the cost of living in general goes down. You did not mention whether you also plan to work. One factor driving living costs is proximity to well paid jobs (hence, the closer to major cities and large towns, the higher the cost of living in general).

[Trying]

I have a 16 acre farm in Purcellville ( near Leesburg) but no indoor and I can't get boarders being too small and rustic. It is safe and horses are happy . Sand out dor and big round pen are availavle most of the year. There are several here but the BIG barns have the advertising.

[akrogirl]

SW VA has a very low cost of living. There are at least 3 FEI level trainers in
a 25 mile radius of Roanoke. The local dressage group SWVADA holds a
recognized show and half a dozen schooling shows each year at Green Hill
Park's equestrian facility (even has a cross country course). Check out
www.swvada.org


Roanoke doesn't even come close to being the real SW VA ;-) My in-laws live in Pound (Wise County). Extremely low cost of living, but absolutely nothing there - nada, zilch, zippo! SWVADA doesn't even bother to include Wise County in the areas it covers. However, my sister-in-law has great job security - she is a social worker!

[kip]

I live near Ronaoke around Smith Mountain Lake. The dressage scene is really small and finding a good trainer is a big challenge. We end up driving to Charlottsville (2.5hr) in order to have lessons with our trainer. Boarding is also really limited. Our facility is fantastic but the board is up there. As far as showing there are a lot of great opportunities. The shows in N. Carolina and the VA horsepark are close and easy to get to. We also drive up to N. VA and show there as well but it is a little bit more of a drive.

[YankeeLawyer]

I have a 16 acre farm in Purcellville ( near Leesburg) but no indoor and I can't get boarders being too small and rustic. It is safe and horses are happy . Sand out dor and big round pen are availavle most of the year. There are several here but the BIG barns have the advertising.

Just a tip - there is a real need for reasonably priced places to raise youngsters, and as these are not yet under saddle, it is generally irrelevant whether the farm has an indoor (or at least, generally a low priority). You might look into boarding weanlings if you have experience with babies.

[KarenRO]

I was raised in southwestern VA (Virginia Tech area) and my parents still live there. Beautiful area, especially the New River Valley. Properties around the university areas (VA Tech and Radford) can be pricey but if you are willing to live a little further out, the prices are much better. When I was growing up, everyone rode hunt seat and I recall knowing only a few people who rode Western. I have heard that the southwestern chapter of VADA is very active and encourage you to check out their website. I now live in the Fredericksburg area and commute to DC. Lots of good trainers in this area but property and boarding can be pricey. Hope you find a nice place in the Commonwealth! KarenRO

[Judi A]

Thanks for all the great info. I'm from Conn. so I know about the high cost of living. I'm looking to RENT long term not buy. I'm looking for a place qwhere I can keep my horses at home. I have 5. Two youngsters need to be started soon, so I like acess to trails for the exposure + also conditioning.
I as in Va. for a few months right on Smith Mt. Lake in a small town called Huddelston. Way out in the country + beautiful. Then the guy deided he wanted to sell, so that was the end of that. Any suggestions on where to look for FOR RENT ads online?? Thanks, Judy

[lilypondlane]

Try looking on www.virginiaequestrian.com (http://www.virginiaequestrian.com). Or contact a Realtor. What's your budget? What are your priorities?

[YankeeLawyer]

Thanks for all the great info. I'm from Conn. so I know about the high cost of living. I'm looking to RENT long term not buy. I'm looking for a place qwhere I can keep my horses at home. I have 5. Two youngsters need to be started soon, so I like acess to trails for the exposure + also conditioning.
I as in Va. for a few months right on Smith Mt. Lake in a small town called Huddelston. Way out in the country + beautiful. Then the guy deided he wanted to sell, so that was the end of that. Any suggestions on where to look for FOR RENT ads online?? Thanks, Judy

I like to look at the MLS listings on the Long and Foster website because it has a good search function. I believe you can search for rentals (go to advanced search). Longandfoster.com
I would also contact realtors in the areas you are interested in as they may know of rental possibilities that are not advertised - e.g., in cases where a property has not sold and the owner is interested in rental income.