May be moving to Phoenix area with Horses (Scottsdale, Chandler: for sale, travel)

[DosMoose]

My husband and I originally lived in North Idaho and loved it. My husband was offered a job north of Seattle, WA. He accepted and we moved. We originally moved with 7 horses and found that property and keeping horses here was extremely expensive. (yes, we knew that before we moved) We also found it difficult to get into horse activities or horse groups unless you belonged to a barn. Now, My husband's employer may transfer him to the Phoenix area. We were wondering what house and property prices were like in the area. What are other peoples experience with keeping horses there? Do most people board their horses, or do they keep them at home? What are hay prices like? Are there any other special things that need to be considered keeping horses in the area? I have owned horses my entire life and am fairly knowlegeable. I currently show AQHA western pleasure and halter. Any insights, comments - good or bad, suggestions, etc. are appreciated. Thanks.

[gigi927]

If you're limited to Phoenix metro, you'll want to take a look at both Cave Creek and the Rio Verde area if you want to keep your horses on property. There are some other options in the valley, but these are well known "horse" areas with many lots zones for horses. Many many people in both areas keep their horses on property and build extensive facilities.

Both areas are expensive, though. Check zip codes 85263 (Rio Verde), 85262 (parts of this zip code are Scottsdale zip code but unincorporated Maricopa County that borders Rio Verde), 85331 and 85327 for Cave Creek.

[DosMoose]

Thanks gigi927 for the info. My husband will be working at or near the airport (I honestly have no idea where that is in relation to Phoenix.) We were hoping to be on the outskirts somewhere and not have to live very close to the city. We would rather have to commute (within reason, of course) if it allows us to be in a more rural horse-friendly area. I will definately look into the zip codes you suggested.

[Ponderosa]

Airport is in south central Phoenix near downtown. It's a tough commute from Cave Creek to the airport. You might do better to look at Maricopa. Many 3.3 acre horse properties just south of the new subdivisions. Lots of public land (BLM and Sonoran Desert National Monument) right next door. Another and close-in horse place about 15 minutes from the airport is called "Holly Acres" generally along and north of Broadway Rd between 99th and 115th Avenue. Not a great part of town, but they have irrigation and horses everywhere. Horse properties around here are not the rolling grass with white rail fence thing. They tend to be a little rough around the edges with old cars, sofas, and at least one busted down and unused travel trailer on the grounds.

[Coyote_Blond]

As UPS Airline employees that move around I can tell you ouch $$$$$$$$! I ADORE the Phoenix metro area! LOVE ITTTTTTT!(lived there 14 yrs) But admittedly it is very pricey. I paid $2000 an acre in Southern Indiana & out in the Phonix area BAM!! Some areas over $60,000 an acrea with zero irrigation or out buildings. Any commute will be long to the airport as traffic is intense. If he's on an odd shift it may be less hectic. In 1999 it was on average $150 to board a single horse. We've got Boise on our bid list (one of 9 possibilities) & it's alot less expensive to live there with or without property. AZ tries to keep up with California & the cost of living reflects it. In order to place 7 horses(?) on property you'll be looking at an enormous commute. IF you found in-town property (try Gilbert or Chandler area) I cringe at the cost. Plus you'd need to load up to go ride elsewhere. Superstition area has property but again. Money & distance. You're in a hard situation. I'd do some heavy online house searches & maybe contact a realitor ASAP! I love my 3 horses & 1 mule but if we head west or to Fl we're selling them. Good Luck! BTW, average home starts at around $300,000 w/out property & 2000 sq ft or less. Hay not being grown locally will probably be 2 to 3 times as much as you pay now. For a good Timothy or orchard grass I'm ball parking $6 for a sq. bale or more. I pay $2.75 to $3.00 in IN. Alot of people use store bought cubes (I personally dislike those). Due to the cost of livestock keep in the area it is not probably a simple task to meet other horseman. I'd look that up online as well. Search horse clubs etc in Phoenix area. Who knows.

[gigi927]

I agree with Ponderosa that if you're working at airport...Cave Creek is a bad commute, Rio Verde is worse. He had some good suggestions as well. Best of luck in your search!

[DosMoose]

Originally Posted by Coyote_Blond

As UPS Airline employees that move around I can tell you ouch $$$$$$$$! I ADORE the Phoenix metro area! LOVE ITTTTTTT!(lived there 14 yrs) But admittedly it is very pricey. I paid $2000 an acre in Southern Indiana & out in the Phonix area BAM!! Some areas over $60,000 an acrea with zero irrigation or out buildings. Any commute will be long to the airport as traffic is intense. If he's on an odd shift it may be less hectic. In 1999 it was on average $150 to board a single horse. We've got Boise on our bid list (one of 9 possibilities) & it's alot less expensive to live there with or without property. AZ tries to keep up with California & the cost of living reflects it. In order to place 7 horses(?) on property you'll be looking at an enormous commute. IF you found in-town property (try Gilbert or Chandler area) I cringe at the cost. Plus you'd need to load up to go ride elsewhere. Superstition area has property but again. Money & distance. You're in a hard situation. I'd do some heavy online house searches & maybe contact a realitor ASAP! I love my 3 horses & 1 mule but if we head west or to Fl we're selling them. Good Luck! BTW, average home starts at around $300,000 w/out property & 2000 sq ft or less. Hay not being grown locally will probably be 2 to 3 times as much as you pay now. For a good Timothy or orchard grass I'm ball parking $6 for a sq. bale or more. I pay $2.75 to $3.00 in IN. Alot of people use store bought cubes (I personally dislike those). Due to the cost of livestock keep in the area it is not probably a simple task to meet other horseman. I'd look that up online as well. Search horse clubs etc in Phoenix area. Who knows.

Yeah, that is pretty much what I was afraid of. I have read a lot of the posts on here saying how nice the area is and I am sure that it is. But I am afraid that being a horse owner is going to make things difficult. Thankfully we do not have to make any decisions right away. My husband's employer has just started discussing the option and probably won't make any moves for at least a year or so.

When we moved over here (Everett area). We definately had sticker shock - not only house/land prices, but Hay here is about $8 a bale for either alfalfa or timothy and $225-$250 a ton. Boarding horses at a decent barn averages $400 for one horse. We bought a house on just over 3 acres and keep the horses at home. I have boarded one or two horses while they were in training, which was costing me an average of $800-900 a month for board and training. We have to haul somewhere to ride over here, so that isn't an issue. We have cut down our herd to just four horses. It is the fewest amount we have had in about 12 years, but just cant afford to have as many here. We refuse to give up our horses entirely, they are a part of our lives. they help keep us sane

Boise is also an option for us, but it would mean changing employers. My husband has a great job and that would be a difficult decision. I would much rather move to Boise, just because I am an Idaho gal at heart. I would rather move back to North Idaho, but I would take what I can get.

[Coyote_Blond]

IF you HAD to sell do consider Horseville.com. I'm being ultra picky about placing mine. They'll need to prove pasture/shelter & intention first. I own a rare Perlino mule, Spotted Saddle bred gelding, Arabian/QH cross mare & reg AQH mare that threw the Perlino mare. It's SO cold here all winter (constant wind) & too humid & 'buggy' (gnats) in the summer to enjoy horses. Hate it lol! Good luck & take this time to research all you can!

[JMX]

The Desert Hills area has plenty of people who keep horses on their property or board them in the area. Desert Hills (zip code 85086) is the unincorporated area east of the town of Cave Creek. Still a long commute to Sky Harbor airport, though.


I believe I've seen some horse property south of Shea Blvd. between 32nd St. and 40th St., but don't hold me to that. The zip code is 85028 and it would be a fairly easy commute down the 51 to the airport.

[ablex21]

My first post here, we have horses, 3 at the moment and live in Apache Jct, very quiet out here, low crime, beautiful views. They live with us on our 1.25 acre property. My husband works near the airport and has a 45 minute commute each way, he's done it since 1991. Anyway, you can buy a home out here, typical AZ home 3/2 tile stucco with 1.25 acre horse property for about $340,000, there's one for sale right across the dirt road from me. Yes, we still have dirt roads which I love, many people have horses, lots of places to ride, National Forest Land is an easy ride. The western part of AJ in some places isn't so nice, but out here by the mountain, we love it and wouldn't live anywhere else. Hope this helps.