I'm really close to quitting my job and moving...just don't know where yet. It's too expensive to have land and horses here, but I need to be in commuting distance to a big city for work. WHere in the US is the best place to be able to have a few horses but a reasonable commute to work?

I think even with california being so over populated, it is not that bad if you can get up to Northern california, or Top of the central mark. It is really nice trails into the footills, and you have the Major Metropolitian areas for corporate work.

Board Rips your wallet open though.. Good stables.. 325.00-500.00, and some aren't worth it for the feed guality and maintanance.

I would like to move a little higher up in California.. but we will see, I need a ranch.. my wife hates her stable, and I am getting to where I need to be able to stretch my arms without punching my neighbor!

Does that mean I am getting Crauchety? <--don't know how to spell it?

But you have to be super rich to really enjoy this area. Long Island is beautiful and the proximity to Manhattan is great while still enjoying the east end's natural beauty and nice people. The rich horse people really have it made in LI with the best of all worlds.

Unfortunately, board is $750 to $2200 per month here. And $750 - $850 doesn't mean high end either, though it does mean an indoor arena. Land is at a premium and hay has to be shipped in -- that's where much of the cost is. My friend says that in keeping her horses in her own backyard, she still spends about $400 per horse in feed, hay, water, electric. Her $425 rough board helps her to break even when her boarders clean their own stalls.

Which is why I'll be looking for a new place to live sometime...hopefully before I retire...

Oh spud...I think it's "crotchety."

I think it would have to be Idaho Falls, I would love to live there right next to the snake river, Good home town people. Just have to make sure I could shift down gears.
There is a definte lifestyle change. But I would love to be able to Pack up and move from California.
The people are getting meaner. And the agendas against family values and core foundation principles are being trashed.
Maybe that is why it will be an island some day?