If you’re an avid equestrian thinking about making a move to somewhere new, you might be worried about what kind of spaces are available for your horses at your new location. Lucky for you, many new communities have started to open up all over the United States that cater to horse owners and their four-legged companions, but the price of these communities is often a bit higher than you’d pay for a typical neighborhood.
If you’ve ever wondered whether or not it’s worth it to move to one of these communities, have a look at this article, where we’ll explore the average cost differences for living in an equestrian community.
What Are the Differences Between a Horse Community and a Regular City?
If you’ve ever driven through a community that is all about equestrian life, then it will be pretty obvious right away. Horses need quite a few things to be happy, but one of the most important things they need is space; large pastures that give them room to roam freely. This means that most horse communities are located in more rural areas and out of the way of expansive urban sprawling.
These areas typically have a wide variety of equestrian centers, different stores dedicated to farm supplies, and various trails or even roadside paths that have been designed for those that want to spend some time in the woods or on the road with their horses.
Many new developments in rural areas have started to lean into this, and they have done an excellent job of designing specific neighborhoods that cater to those who own horses. The developments usually have homes that are placed in one area and a large shared equine center nearby where residents can board their horses. This allows them to live near the horses and visit them often without worrying about paying extra for a large property.
What Kinds of Horse Communities Are Available in America?
Some horse communities are similar to the subdivision style we mentioned above, but there are other communities that lean a bit more toward the overall aspects of farm life instead of focusing just on horses. These communities often have homes that are slightly further away, and their horse accommodations typically don’t include all the bells and whistles that you would find at a luxury stable. In this case, you would be buying your home separately and paying a fee for the use of the barn and sometimes an extra cost to make sure the staff on-site regularly maintains your horse.
A developed community is typically built to keep your equine companions within walking distance, so you can visit them and do any essential maintenance whenever you’d like. The stables are usually very modern, with many different amenities that members can use, plus most of them have both indoor and outdoor facilities to train in, so you never have to miss a day.
Many of these communities have also taken riding into consideration when it comes to the design of the neighborhood, so you can often find plenty of trails and great spots outdoors that are regularly maintained; no worrying about anything that could injure your horse!
What is the Cost Difference Between a Typical Home and a Home in an Equine Community?
This can be hard to compare as there are many different factors that could determine the pricing, so let’s go over what the averages are.
The average cost of purchasing a home in an equestrian community is about $1 million, but you are paying for more than just a home for yourself, so take that into consideration when it comes to the price. However, in the exclusive Lake Worth horse community, known as Homeland, home prices can soar up to $5 million. This is due to its luxurious equestrian amenities, beautiful location, and exclusive lifestyle offered to horse enthusiasts.
The average home price in America is currently in the mid $400K range, so you’ll be paying more for an equestrian property, but you will likely end up saving money down the line when it comes to all of the additional costs that come with owning a horse.
Owning a horse will typically cost about $6,000-10,000 per year per horse, but these costs can vary quite a bit if you start to factor in training and any extra care your horse might need. That means over a ten-year period, you could end up spending about $100,000 just on upkeep for one horse, and you likely won’t be able to spend as much time with it as you would in an equestrian community.
Are There Other Communities That Are Good For Horses?
We mentioned, the two most popular types of equestrian communities, but let’s take a look at a third option if neither of these choices seems suitable for your needs.
America is full of beautiful cities and towns that are perfect for horse owners to consider but aren’t necessarily horse-based communities. Cities like Lake Worth (Florida), Boise (Idaho), and Lexington (Kentucky) are great for horse owners that are looking to find a great stable to board their horse in a more affordable neighborhood. These spots have started to become popular with horse owners, and they have started to cater to the crowd a bit more by offering great equestrian facilities.
Should I Consider a Horse Community if I Don’t Ride Horses?
Of course! People have started to choose these communities for many different reasons, and one of them is the calm and serenity you get when you are living in a rural area. If you don’t ride horses, you don’t need to worry about it, as most of the neighborhoods only charge horse owners for their care.
Many seniors and retirees have started looking at luxury equestrian communities because they are closer to nature and they enjoy being around the horses without the worry about their everyday care. There are also many studies showing the therapeutic effect of being around animals, and some of the communities offer riding lessons, so you can still get all of the great benefits without the responsibility of being a horse owner.
Owning a horse can be an expensive hobby or it can be a lucrative investment if you keep the horses healthy and happy. Choosing a luxury equestrian community is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for the best home for you and your animals. Have a look at some of the great communities we mentioned here to see which ones suit your needs the best!
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