Looking to retire with horses (Phoenix, Prescott: homes, services, traffic)

[ridemhorseygirl]

What a great forum! Thanks to all who take the time to help.
My husband and I have a home in Seattle, small ranch in the Methow Valley (eastern WA) and want to have a winter home in AZ with room for horses, ideally a community which provides boarding. We like to golf, too, so golf with horses (not polo!) would be great! We're sick of the rain and mud.

We do primarily trail rides, active in Mounted Search and Rescue and emergency radio communications. Don't want to live more than 30 minutes from services.

Thanks so much!
Heidi

[CareFreeAZ]

Originally Posted by ridemhorseygirl

What a great forum! Thanks to all who take the time to help.
My husband and I have a home in Seattle, small ranch in the Methow Valley (eastern WA) and want to have a winter home in AZ with room for horses, ideally a community which provides boarding. We like to golf, too, so golf with horses (not polo!) would be great! We're sick of the rain and mud.

We do primarily trail rides, active in Mounted Search and Rescue and emergency radio communications. Don't want to live more than 30 minutes from services.

Thanks so much!
Heidi

Hi ridemhorseygirl:Two good area's are the Rio Verde area or Desert Hills. Rio Verde is Located East of Pima Road and Dynamite road. Most properties are custom built homes on acre plus lots with some nice new boarding places/ranches that have sprouted up. I have seen many people on horses riding through the area. Desert Hills which is located North of the Carefree Highway between 7th street and 7th Avenue is another. I know how you feel about the rain and the mud as I am originally from the northwest myself(Portland)

[Gretchen B]

Another suggestion would be Wickenburg. It's a little further away from the metro Phoenix area (although you're still only 30 to 45 min away). Wickenburg used to be known as the Dude Ranch Capital of the world, so lots of interest there in trial rides, etc.

[ridemhorseygirl]

We go to Wickenburg yearly and stay at Los Caballeros- I heard there are some planned communities such as American Ranch and Monte Vista, but haven't seen them until we go again next month. Not trying to limit options, but like the idea of more open space to ride, especially with the Flying M across the way going for sale. Horsepitality is not an option!!

[Gretchen B]

Originally Posted by ridemhorseygirl

We go to Wickenburg yearly and stay at Los Caballeros- I heard there are some planned communities such as American Ranch and Monte Vista, but haven't seen them until we go again next month. Not trying to limit options, but like the idea of more open space to ride, especially with the Flying M across the way going for sale. Horsepitality is not an option!!

So a little more wide open spaces, huh? And golf? And warm in the winter? Well I can come up with 2 out of 3 I was thinking about some of the ranchettes out Williamson Valley Road NW of Prescott. Horse property, homes on 36-acre parcels, some of which back to National Forest land, so you could ride for miles and miles. Only problem, we've got great spring, summer, fall weather but it does get chilly in the winter.

[Nice Nice Baby!]

Most places have horse services nearby. Queen Creek has everything you're asking. Rush hour traffic is high, but land in the foothills of the San Tan is spectacular and peaceful! When it does rain we many times get more rain than the metro area as is the case around most mountain chains. Very pretty, yet growing extremely fast.

[ridemhorseygirl]

I will check out Queen Creek and Williamson Valley, thanks much! Snow isn't a huge deal, unless it's the average eight feet we live with for five months in the Methow Valley. Lost a horse last winter to slipping on the ice and breaking his leg. Not a lot of fun to dig a grave in that weather!!