Moving to lafayette, Am I going to hate it!? (Carencro: casino, camping)

[dragonfly_dore]

So I am pretty sure I am going to be relocating from southern Indiana to lafayette in the next year with my husband (he was born and raised there and moved here about 3 years ago)

Im terrified I wont like it.

I was born and raised in central FL and moved to Indiana 4 years ago but am ready for a change.

I am a huge outdoors person, I love to hike, horseback ride (I will be bringing my horse down with me!!) and just generally prefer being in nature.

I also love a more slow paced relaxed town setting.

Am I up for disappointment?

Anybody here know if there is much of a horse community in the area? Any barns or places to ride?

[sailordave]

Oh my god. There are trail riders all over the place. In Carencro, just north of Lafayette, there are plenty of horse ranches due to a horse race track that use to be located there. Carencro use to have a quarter horse track. In many of the small town parades there are horses in the parade. I grew up in Carencro watching people riding their horses in the parade. One guy rode his brahama bull in the parade. Not too far away is a horse race track/casino. There are several western stores that cater to horse riders. Some parts of central and north Louisiana is a forested area with state parks where people can go camping. Not positive if you can bring your horse. With a horse you'd probably better look for property north of Carencro just outside Lafayette Parish. Property prices are cheaper and more land available depending on your location. My cousins live on the Carenco/Lafayette border and they use to raise horses. They stopped due to family illness and bills.

[Owen08]

Originally Posted by dragonfly_dore

So I am pretty sure I am going to be relocating from southern Indiana to lafayette in the next year with my husband (he was born and raised there and moved here about 3 years ago)

Im terrified I wont like it.

I was born and raised in central FL and moved to Indiana 4 years ago but am ready for a change.

I am a huge outdoors person, I love to hike, horseback ride (I will be bringing my horse down with me!!) and just generally prefer being in nature.

I also love a more slow paced relaxed town setting.

Am I up for disappointment?

Anybody here know if there is much of a horse community in the area? Any barns or places to ride?

it is very possible on somethings but you can make the best out of it go there with a open mind and you may like it

[dragonfly_dore]

Originally Posted by sailordave

Oh my god. There are trail riders all over the place. In Carencro, just north of Lafayette, there are plenty of horse ranches due to a horse race track that use to be located there. Carencro use to have a quarter horse track. In many of the small town parades there are horses in the parade. I grew up in Carencro watching people riding their horses in the parade. One guy rode his brahama bull in the parade. Not too far away is a horse race track/casino. There are several western stores that cater to horse riders. Some parts of central and north Louisiana is a forested area with state parks where people can go camping. Not positive if you can bring your horse. With a horse you'd probably better look for property north of Carencro just outside Lafayette Parish. Property prices are cheaper and more land available depending on your location. My cousins live on the Carenco/Lafayette border and they use to raise horses. They stopped due to family illness and bills.

Its great to hear this, I was so worried that there would not be any horse culture there at all.

Is it mostly thoroughbred barns down there? Im not a huge racing fan but I can get over it. OTTB's make great hunter jumpers once they're track careersw end.

I trained Paso Finos and Friesians in Florida and now own a 5 year old TWH that I started under saddle myself.

[WendyW.]

Horse people are practically a dime a dozen in south Louisiana. You shouldn't be hard pressed to make like minded friends.

Like the other poster suggested, I would make sure to look at the zoning for any property you buy. You'll more than likely want to settle down in more of the rural areas. You'll livestock galore out there.

I'm from one of the very very tiny towns and it's a very laid back rural lifestyle we live out here. I personally find Lafayette proper to be too fast paced for me. lol I'm glad it's there for the shopping and what not but I'm always so glad to get back to the country!