horse area (Philadelphia, Harrisburg, York: employment, school, to live)

[palgal]

I am thinking of relocating from NJ to Pennsylvania. I am interested in Southern Pa. I have a horse and would like to be near good riding trails (would love to be right next to them). Any suggestion? What is Hanover like.

[BevoInPA]

You should check out the DCNR web site.

Pennsylvania State Parks - Horseback Riding - PA DCNR

[GinaMomof4]

Chester County is a nice area to live. Lots of horse trails / farms ect.

[msfarab]

That is a huge question. We used to live at the river in Riegelsville, PA, also Riegelsville, NJ on the other side of the bridge. Bucks County Horse Park is right there, so you don't have to go FAR over the NJ river boundary to find lots of horse activities ALL over with State Land to ride on with trailer access for trail riding, Competitive Trail/Endurance rides, or other horse activities.
\The closer you get to PHILA, down the river, as you mention "southern PA" the more expensive it will be to get the small HORSE property you want. Chester County, which borders Phila. County to the west, is one of the most expensive horse areas, I would bet. I lived in Montgomery County, north of Phila. County and it is very expensive there for horse property. Do a search on realtor websites for the counties or towns that interest you, so you can make a comparison. PA is a very "horsey state" with many State Parks, State Forest lands and the Appalachain Trail, as well as Phila. Parks or National Parks & Battlefields open to horseback riding. We are 35 miles from Gettysburg, PA Battlefield now and love to ride there and grew up riding in Phila. area, riding in Valley Forge, Fairmount Park, & Valley Green, among other places. If employment were not an issue or staying CLOSE to NJ were an issue I would tell you to move out west of Harrisburg, where we are, in Franklin County.

[msfarab]

Pennsylvania State Parks - Horseback Riding - PA DCNR

[lialleycat]

Does anyone know what the requirements are for a property to be considered available for horses? Where I am in NY, you're allowed 2 horses per acre as long as there is no manure storage within 50 feet of any property lines (in other words if you property were only 100' wide, you'd be SOL not matter how many acres you had).

I'd love to have a property where I can have a couple of horses and a few chickens. But I don't need a large horse farm, which seems to be all I find when I search. Just want a little backyard barn for two horses, mini-horses at that! I still don't have a job in the area yet, so I'm not looking with an agent yet. Hopefully soon.

[HorsePropertyPA]

Southern PA including Chester County & Berks County provides alot of Riding Trails, Open Space, Horse Farms large and small, great school systems and a fine lifestyle. Prices for a small farmette range from $300,000 to $850,000 depending on the exact location. Closer to Phila. is more expensive and as you travel west and Northwest from Philadelphia, you'll find more open space and more opportunities to find what you are looking for. Anytime I can be of assistance, just drop me a line and we'll navigate through these counties to familiarize you with the areas. Any specific questions can also be answered. Happy Trails, JustineVigilante@Gmail.com

[BevoInPA]

I am pretty sure the zoning will vary between the municipalities. There are small towns in the area that allow chickens on quarter acre lots! I am not kidding! This is going to be a major research undertaking for you. Some townships has NO zoning.

I have lived in 7 states and NEVER encountered anything like this. I am coming from this from a developer's perspective but I think this will be helpful to you. Be really careful before you make an offer, research the zoning ordinance, and don't make the mistake my brother made. In Glen Rock, PA (near York) they would not even allow him to have beehives!