Looking to move out west-any ideas, or has anyone done this??

I currently live in Maine, and have been looking to move out west for the past few years. Had made plans to move to Kansas last year, but that fell through due to family difficulties. I am still interested in moving, mid-west or further. Going to put my house up for sale again, and trying to get down on horses. Looking for a horse-friendly state, that is not overly expensive to live in. Looked into Texas, but couldn't afford to buy there. Would like to get out of maine, as it really isn't a horse friendly state, taxes are rediculous, people are horrible and nasty, and just plain don't like it here. Just looking for some good ideas, or opinions. I work at both a hospital and horse farm, so I would like to continue at either one of those. Looking for places that might happen to have houses with land for under 100,000. (keeping fingers crossed lol)

Also, for anyone that moved a long distance with horses, what's the best way to do it, with the least amount of stress on the horses. I imagine stopping at horse type hotels, etc. Just looking for any good ideas, or thoughts. Anything anyone might have would be great.

Thanks
Jessica

Well Az is really expensive, so that's out for you ;)

But as far as traveling with the horses, for the driving during the day, best to keep them in the trailer, but give them rests every so often, like 20 mins or so so they can rest their legs. It's a good time for potty breaks, eating, gasing up, ect :) Offer them water at each stop as well. Then when it comes to overnighting, what will you be doing: hotel, camping, ect? If you have a way to sleep in your vehicle or camp, you can stay at fairgrounds, then your horses can have a stall there inexpensively. There are also boarding places that will do layover stays. I think there's a website listing some, but you'd have to try googling for it as I dont' recall what it's called.

Well I am from Texas and if you look in the right places it is actually very cheap. I once almost bought a 2 story ranch house on 30 acres with a gorgeous red barn for $80,000, but met my now husband and he is from California and so that is where I now reside and let me tell you what, I would NEVER recommend California to anyone. This is actually a very poor state and VERY expensive. Horse friendly, yes, but nothing is cheap here at all.

I was from the north eastern part of Texas, about an hour and a half north of Dallas, lots of country and lots of green grass and a ton of hay delivered was $35, lol. Here in California a ton of hay delivered is $165 where I am at. If you look from Sulpher Springs, Tx towards Wichita Falls, there is some really nice and pretty property and if you are lucky you will find something really nice. What is the price range you are looking into and I can definitely help you out if you are interested. Texas is a very very friendly state all around, but mostly very very western. I don't see too many English riders there so I don't know what you are into, but if it is rodeos and stuff, that is your place, ;)

What kind of climate do you want? Do you want to get away from having "winter" or are you okay with still having to deal with the snow, etc? Do you like mountains or flat? Do you want trees or desert? What about summers - do you mind hot/humid or would you prefer cooler/drier?

I live in NE Texas and we bought 8 acres with a 2000 sqft new home for $150k. It's only 1 mile out of town too so we aren't out in the backwoods. We looked at other properties where we could get more land for cheaper farther out but I wanted to stay close to town. I'm 2 hours from three major English riding centers Texas Rose Park of Tyler, Pine Hill in Houston, GSWEC of Houston and with plenty of shows to keep me busy and 4 hours from Holly Hill in Shreveport which has FANTASTIC shows and clinics and Dallas which has great shows also.

North Texas Hunter Jumper Club (NTHJC)
Horse Trials
GHHJA
Horseback Riding in Dallas TX Horse Boarding
Calendar
Texas Rose Horse Park

I also forgot to add that I have several friends who work in hospitals...seems like they are always hiring down here and make pretty good money. One is in dialysis and she actually works in 3 different hospitals because she's so needed, two are hospital admin, and one is an emergency room tech type person...he works in two different hospitals.

I am in SW Missouri and it is cheaper to live here than a lot of other places. We actually work in Arkansas as the pay is better but only a 20 mile drive.