So, which place would you choose? Wellington: So many great shows and an Amazing atmosphere. I spent quite a bit of time down there several years ago and have a small friend group.
I love the area. Also hay and feed is expensive. And, hurricane insurance. Ocala: I drove through once! I can get a acre property for k about min from the new WEC. One is actually even riding distance to the showgrounds. However, is WEC going to be all we think it will be? And I have heard they plan on doing summer shows only, which is the exact opposite of when I would plan to be there.
Cons: I might be able to do the trip in a day but it would be rough. Again, insurance might be a pain. I am also within a days drive of there. Cons: not as much horse events going on, and possibility for cold weather. When I was doing cost comparisons it made more financial sense to have a place to have the horses and me than to rent stalls and a place to live. However, it would be nice to be able to rent out stalls for others to use extra income so that is one factor I am thinking about.
I have a nice RV that I will bring down with me when I am there. The cost of buying the property is a fraction of the overall expense. You will, for example, need a caretaker to maintain the property in your absence. Acreage in Florida takes a lot of vegetation management during the growing season. The fact that you can drive there in one day is a huge factor in its favor, as is the lower cost of property.
Definitely include practical things. I definitely will need someone to mow at least once a month, maybe twice depending on the weather. I may leave part of the property alone and just bush hog it once a year. TooManyBays there was a recent post re: Wellington vs Aiken Ocala was brought up as well that has some good information in it you might find helpful. Im have a second home in ocala with 13 acres. There are so many services here that cater to horses as well as absentee homeowners.
