A Move to TN with our dogs and horses is our dream, North or South of Knox?

[Kitties of Domination]

Originally Posted by CountryGal1289

It's freaking raining again here in FL. I live in a sauna, wish we could move tomorrow. although at least it cools off a little when it rains. How much snow does TN get in the winter? Are there fire ants, wild pigs or armadillo's? What's the soil like, can you grow a nice garden there? Here it's sand, shells, fire ants, and sand spurs. Also lots of grubs and snails. I can't wait to actually have seasons. Would you believe I even miss raking leaves? When I was a kid, my brother used to make a leaf dummy, stuffing his old clothes with leaves. He'd tie the dummy onto his bicycle and when a car came down the road he'd roll the bike with the dummy on it in front of the car. We lived in a small boring town in Ohio, and my brother was bad. But anyway, I don't know what made me remember that, but I do miss the leaves.
I'll be back with some more useless information.......Hope everyone is having a nice day!

Let's see...we have fire ants now (just recently moved in), wild boars are mainly confined to the mountains, armadillos have reached west TN (though there are unconfirmed reports here in the east). The most dangerous new transplant to a farmer is probably coyotes. It snows occasionally, though usually only a dusting (quite a bit more in the mountains). We do from time to time get a big snow that hangs around for several days, though its been probably 5 or 6 years since we've seen one. The soil is red clay, which can present drainage problems. You will definitely need to amend the soil for gardening. Btw, we've had an unusually mild week with lows in the low 60's and highs in the mid 80's and low humidity

[CountryGal1289]

I'm in southwest Sarasota county. Actually the next street over is Charlotte county. I'm about two miles from the beach, so the traffic, tourists and snowbirds are awful here in the winter. Joy.
Hey I'm from Ohio too! What part are you from? That is what's wrong, most Ohioans are very nice, down-to-earth people. We definitely don't fit in here with all these fake, plastic surgery recipients. I was used to big farm houses, corn fields and apple orchards in Ohio. I never seen so many pool cages, lanai's, and fancy shmancy things. (by the way, that screened in porch is called a lanai? Never heard of that in Ohio) Very different world down here. A world I don't want to be part of.

[kbuild]

That is so funny I live of Toledo Blade in North Port, small world. I was born in Bowling Green, Ohio home of the Fighting Falcons! I have lived in Sarasota County for most of my life. It is time for a change. I am a remodeling contractor and plan to take the test up in Tenn. Hope to see you around Knoxville in a couple years...

[MrsMtnsOnTheMind]

Originally Posted by CountryGal1289

Thanks so much Hiknapster, nice to hear that you never regretted moving there. You give me hope! It's a little scary, making a huge change and big move like this. So much to consider. All I know is I HATE it here!!! Plus owning a home and having a business here is a huge weight on our shoulders. So much to consider. Now that the economy sucks here and business is slow, there's absolutely nothing positive about this area at all.
Sounds like you are in a great area, that's exactly what we want, no touristy places, no transplant area's, just a nice town with really nice Happy people. If I had a dime for every nasty look, rude comment or total cuss out I've gotten here, I'd be a very rich person. It's a daily thing. Sweet old people? Come to Florida, there's nothing sweet about them. I need to get out of here before it rubs off on me.

We have been planning our move to TN from N. Florida for about 2 years now and it is getting closer and closer. We make our move to Knoxville on the 29th of August and I can tell you that it is both scary and exciting all at the same time. We have been in the Panhandle for 15 years and like you have had enough. If you are moving within the next year, start planning now! Find the area that suits your needs, visit often, scout out the job market and then stay focused because there will be a thousand things that try and change your mind and discourage you from making the change. Don't let your fear of the unknown be one of them. If you need some emotional support, you are in the right place. Check back daily and read, read, read.

[kbuild]

Originally Posted by MrsMtnsOnTheMind

We have been planning our move to TN from N. Florida for about 2 years now and it is getting closer and closer. We make our move to Knoxville on the 29th of August and I can tell you that it is both scary and exciting all at the same time. We have been in the Panhandle for 15 years and like you have had enough. If you are moving within the next year, start planning now! Find the area that suits your needs, visit often, scout out the job market and then stay focused because there will be a thousand things that try and change your mind and discourage you from making the change. Don't let your fear of the unknown be one of them. If you need some emotional support, you are in the right place. Check back daily and read, read, read.

Thank you for the encouragement, have a safe move on hope to be in contact with you, let us know how everything goes with the move.

[hiknapster]

Hey kbuild! I always see you down in the southwest Florida forums. Oh, your buddies are going to be mad. They think that area is the best thing since sliced bread!

I hope you will get up here soon.

[Aquagoogly]

Hi,
just thought I'd relay horse boarding areas to you. In Corryton, it's NE from Knoxville. I drive about 30 min. into the Central Business District for work, so you can get the best of both worlds if you need city access and country living. House prices cost more in the West near Farragut (and traffic is heavier in that direction!). Maybe I shouldn't let you know of Corryton, so I can keep the population low (LOL!). Anyways, about potential places to live and board...there's plenty of prospects in this area.

The Stables at River Ranch
522 River Ranch Rd
Blaine, TN 37709-2031
(865) 933-2680

This is a nice possibility for you. Covered arena, Nice 12x12 stabling, knowledgable barn crew, gorgeous landscape to ride through, I just wish that the website was working so you could see it for yourself. They are also selling homesites in the area around the facility to create an equestrian community so there are plenty of other houses going up with barns on individual properties. Full Board fees (incl. stable, pasture, full feed) run aprox. $480 or so per horse the last time I checked.

House Mountain Farm
Horseback Riding Horse Boarding and Riding Lessons in Knoxville Tennessee | House Mountain Farm
This place is owned by a very knowledgable (I believe BHS certified) horsewoman named Liz Green. She prefers doing pasture board for all boarders but stalls are available. It's a low key barn located on a rolling terrain that has plentiful trail access. If you're at all interested in Foxhunting, she's the one to contact. If you ride western, they do that at House Mt. too. Board prices on the website - $400 (they feed).

Kimberden Farm
I thought I'd just list this one in case you do the hunter jumper scene. It's located about 5 minutes from me. However, this is a show/training barn so board costs are above $500.00/mo. Probably not what you're interested in, but they've got a wonderful barn imo in a superb quiet location. They have a facility in Florida too.
Kimberden Farms

Here's one I pulled off of the web that's located here.
Cross Creek Farm
Horse Boarding and Training
I've heard of it, but never have been out there.
In my opinion, their pictures of the place look nice.
I'm guessing board at this place is probably below 480.00/mo. for stall/pasture and feed. I'm pulling that figure out of my mind based on the fact that I've heard of them before and I'v\e seen ads for their barn listed at feed stores etc...

Here's a tack shop (they cater to the hunter jumper crowd) located in Knoxville (on the West side) that you may want to contact for more boarding ideas. They can be very helpful, and may be able to fax you a huge list of barns here. Equinox Tack Shop 423 - 691 - 7787

Another tack shop (caters to more of the western crowd) is located just south of the central city in Knoxville could probably give you a list of barns as well. The Horse Emporium 865 - 577 - 5712

Just to let you know, that is only a few barns I've listed. There are PLENTY of them! And finding small acerage for horses is no doubt easy to find here. I have neighbors that have horses on their land. In fact, you could probably find a private farm to board at a much lower cost than what I've listed. I've seen people offering stabling at their farms at rates under $250.00/mo. easily. There is also a high probability of finding someone with a place that would allow free board as long as you're paying for your horse's feed/supplies and what not.

Just thought I'd pass this information along :-)

[kbuild]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Hey kbuild! I always see you down in the southwest Florida forums. Oh, your buddies are going to be mad. They think that area is the best thing since sliced bread!

I hope you will get up here soon.

SHHHH!

[kbuild]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Hey kbuild! I always see you down in the southwest Florida forums. Oh, your buddies are going to be mad. They think that area is the best thing since sliced bread!

I hope you will get up here soon.

Hipnapster, I am following you up! I have lived in Florida for all my life and is definetly time for a change. P.S. I am busted!

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by kbuild

Hipnapster, I am following you up! I have lived in Florida for all my life and is definetly time for a change. P.S. I am busted!

Your secret is safe with me. C'mon up!