My husband and I have lived in the country the whole of our married lives -- 30 plus years now. Both my husband and I used to work in the City. We were able to commute together from our property about 17 miles out from the City. The rural life is very much a personal choice that suits us. We wouldn't have it any other way but, as you recognize, there's trade offs to consider.

Here's a list of the "worst" things you'll have to deal with if you get your acreage (in no particular order) in addition to what you already recognize:

1. You'll be responsible for your own infrastructure -- water, sewer, road, drainage issues (be on the look out for flood prone properties) plus building and fence repairs. If you can't fix it yourself, then its a call to plumber, trencher, etc.

2. You'll be responsible for your own snow clearing. You'll need to right size equipment (typically tractor with bucket and/or snow thrower) and those don't necessarily come cheap. If you can't afford one off the hop then you'll need to set up a contract with someone who does have the equipment. You will also have to be prepared to be storm stayed which means missing a day or two of work -- check with the municipality you're looking at moving into to see what their road clearing policy is for the winter months.

3. You'll be responsible for your own horse feed. The safest way to do it is to find a supplier who will sell you hay each and every year; also (by way of guarantee of availability and best price) buy your entire supply of hay for the year when its available after harvest. It's great if the supplier will deliver and if they can't then you'll need a truck and/or trailer to haul it home yourself.

4. Not all acreages are secluded or isolated (a lot has to do with planning policies - and that's a whole different discussion) so you may still find you have neighbours to deal with at some point. Check with the local municipality again to confirm development policies and plans in that area. Acreages typically happen two ways - someone breaks off an old farm yard site or less than desirable piece of productive land (subdivides) and sells as an acreage or a developer turns a chunk of land to turn into a cluster of acreages. The former is more peaceful, the latter not so much.

5. If you're not techy or experienced, it's best to find someone knowledgeable that can help point out deficiencies in the location, buildings, etc.

5. This one is a biggy: If you'll working in the city (someone's got to pay to mortgage, right?), you'll probably find you don't have any more time for riding and perhaps even less. Free time is spent on the likes of building fence, mending fence, mucking out, general yard care and maintenance plus handling other mysteries.

Get over the above hurdles, and life is great in the country. Good luck.

 

Thank you! This has been incredibly insightful.

Luckily both my spouse and father work in the snow removal industry! We have the appropriate equipment to do the job and then some. They also do landscaping and grading in the summer months, so I've got access to more than a few handymen.

I think #1 is what scares me the most. I know how to pound posts and fix fencing, and again my spouse and father do those types of things for a living, but I don't have much faith in MYSELF. I'm a very DIY type of person, but it's hard to DIY if you don't have extensive knowledge.

One good thing, is I am finally at a confidence level where I can manage the horse care, riding, and training on my own without help. I mean I don't think I could start a colt by any means but broke, spoiled horses? I'll be fine.

 

No brainier for me. It has to be country.

 

I vote for country.

But, if you do move to the country and keep your mare on your own property, could you afford another to buy and keep a companion for her? Sorry if that one was already mentioned, I just skimmed the other responses =)
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We do plan on getting a companion for her, but probably not another horse. We are thinking a donkey, to keep away coyotes and wandering dogs.

The boyfriend doesn't really ride much so this will do for now.

 

I was going to mention the companion horse issue as well.

Another thing that comes to mind is that you pay $600 for board which presumably includes amenities such as arenas to ride in. Your potential property may not have that installed, and if it doesn't, it can be quite costly to put in, and if it does, it can be costly to maintain.

It also likely means you can take off for a weekend or a week without worrying about your horse being fed, checked on, watered, cleaned up after. If you have your horse(s) at your own place you will need to arrange for care.

 

I think life in the country is far better.

It's not even about the space. It's about the culture. Cities are transient, they're large and they're anonymous. They might be exciting and easy, with everything close by, but is that what you want?

Often people who live in more rural areas aren't all that isolated from amenities. Most rural towns act little regional centres and you'd be surprised how many services they have. I know where I live has visiting medical specialists, and pretty much all services.

The question I guess is how far from the city you live, and how far you are from any town? I wouldn't live more than an hour commute to work.

Also, I doub't you'll save the board money, it will be spend on transport costs, horse feed, fence maintenance, weed spraying etc.

 

Back when hubby and I worked in the city we always lived in the burbs where we could have our horses (even before we met) so I always drove to work and didn't think much of it. I can't imagine living downtown in any city, I would hate it. After he retired we moved very rural and we both love it here although it would have been hard to find a good paying job without having to drive at least an hour each way if we had still needed to work. So, if you can't tell from my ramblings, I vote COUNTRY!

 

How old are you? The reason I ask is because, at 20, 30 and even 50, it was country . I'd never been a city person and I'm still not really a city person. But at closer to 60 now, the chores take longer and that leaves you with less time to ride and play with horses.

Little tip = If you get 6 acres and you're rated for 12 horses, that what you'll end up with. Promise.

 

I have not read any of the other replies.

judging from the way you worded your post, your heart already wants the country locale. I always wanted to live in the country, and never have, and likely never will. I am married to a city boy. such is life.


But, getting back to buying real estate. remember the old adage: Location, location , location.

when it comes to investing so much money into a mortgage, and this being your first home, be sure that the property you choose is ALSO a wise investment.

and, will you be starting a family? consider that, meaning good play yard, location of schools, things like that.

also, just boarding your horse ON your property does not mean you will have a lot of options for riding. a lot of people have their horses on their proerty, but since they are 'landlocked', with no arena or trails to ride in, the end up riding their horse LESS.

 

OP, are you married, or is this purchase going to be with a boyfreind?

 

We are not married. We are common law. We also do not plan to get married now, or any time in the future due to personal preferences. The mortgage will be in both our names. We have signed a legal document stating that if we are ever to split (like in marriage, how a divorce would happen) that we have 60 days to either:
- buy each other out of our shares
- list the property for sale, profits being split 60/40 (60 for me, because the initial 20% down comes from my pocket).

We are in our mid-twenties, but we both have good careers. I already own one property, mortgage paid in full, which we rent out for $$$$. This house is however in a town we do not want to move back to, so are looking at buying a new place.

 

Ok. you sound like you are experienced and competent to do this. I asked because a person buying with a non-married partner should consider the consequences of a split, legally. as you have.

 

I am allergic to cities, but if I were not and in your position, there are a few "pro's" to add to the live in town and board column. One is travel. If you need to somewhere for a few days while BF is gone, you just go. The other is somewhat dependent on the barn, but I have had to board when between moves, and some have really nice facilities as well as "activities" and show, "networking", yada, yada. That aspect is nice.

 

In your twenties, I'd go for the acreage. It's so fun putting together a property.

The downside is that, like a horse, the purchase price is the cheap part. The improvements and maintenance is constantly digging into your budget.

And then there are the unexpected repairs.

The only other consideration is that you are tied to the property in a way you are never tied to a house. If you have animals at home, you have to have a trust-worthy caretaker for when you are gone. If you can ever afford to go anywhere.

But, the experience and memories are worth it, IMO.