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Should I move to CT?; job
Topic Started: Aug 1 2011, 10:44 AM (657 Views)
MAR
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Thomas H. Cruise!
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By way of a thoroughly unlikely set of cicumstances I have a job offer to be the trainer at Westbrook Hunt Club in CT. I had given up on finding a good h/j job and was just going to keep struggling along down here.
The money is not great and the cost of living in the northeast...Yikes!
But it has the potential to turn into something quite good I believe.
Will I be able to adjust to New England winters being a lifelong southerner?
I will have to sell my 2wd truck. no?
How do you guys do the no turnout thing?
Ack...I hate making big decisions for myself!!!
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RHowell
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First, Congrats.

2nd, yes, you will need a4WD vehicle.

On the turnout, I can't help you there--I didn't realize they had none in CT--may just be that part of CT.
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FlashGordon
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Congrats on the opportunity, MAR.

I have a FWD SUV and it does fine even with all the lake effect snow here. I do put snow tires on it, tho. If you are towing and doing a lot of farm work yes you will definitely want 4WD.

As far as turnout, I can't speak for what it is like in CT... but we have pretty brutal winters here with extreme wind and snow sometimes. Indoors are really a necessity, unless your horses can handle being stalled sometimes for weeks on end! And even a lot of boarding barns with indoors won't necessarily turn horses out in them. One reason I stay at the place I'm at is because they will put horses out in the indoor every single day, and they also have two pretty well protected outdoor paddocks that are usable 95% of the time. It can be hard. When horse shopping you do learn to look for a horse that doesn't mind a stall!!

A few more things... silk long underwear is your friend. Dressing in layers is a must. I own loads of fleece vests and things that can be layered underneath a heavier winter coat. Mountain Horse is my favorite for winter riding gear. Full chaps come in handy too.

OH and lots of Vitamin D tablets!!

It can be depressing at times.... but I do think CT's weather might be a bit milder than here in Western NY.
Edited by FlashGordon, Aug 1 2011, 12:55 PM.
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MayaTy02
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westbrook hunt club is a nice facility, a little off the beaten path as far as the normal show circuit in the area which is more concentrated on the NY/CT border, but it's the best place in the area for sure. I've been there for shows so I don't recall their turnout situation but likely there is a lack of space, I would doubt the horses get no turnout at all? is that really true? That would be surprising. There are not always going to be big grassy paddocks though, and usually they have to rotate turnout.

As for the weather, the winter is definitely longer and colder, with regular snows. You will need 4wd for sure.

We are seeking a barn manager in Northern Virginia...not sure if that's something you are looking for, but it's definitely in the south :) with all day turnout.
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MAR
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Thomas H. Cruise!
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I saw your BM post..but no, I would rather train than manage. Thanks for asking!
They do turnout, some in the indoor, some in small round pen dry lots. Its just that I come ffom GA/SC where we have lots of turnout..lol.
Its a huge opportunity, just want to make sure I can handle the changes!
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MayaTy02
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MAR
Aug 1 2011, 02:22 PM
I saw your BM post..but no, I would rather train than manage. Thanks for asking!
They do turnout, some in the indoor, some in small round pen dry lots. Its just that I come ffom GA/SC where we have lots of turnout..lol.
Its a huge opportunity, just want to make sure I can handle the changes!
well good luck to you! It is a very big change...we moved from CT to VA and it was a huge change, it is a very different cultural climate as well as weather :) it's a great facility so a wonderful opportunity!
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JanM
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I would definitely factor in the cost of a new vehicle, the cost of housing, tax differences (you can look at state taxes at retirementliving.com and state taxes) to see the real cost of living including income tax, sales tax, etc, and a full winter wardrobe or long johns, heavy coats, winter snow boots, and things like winter riding boots, etc. Don't forget your horse's winter wardrobe too. I would think long and hard on such a drastic change, since there may be limited chances to move back south without great financial hardship in case the job and entire situation doesn't work for you.
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Kassandra
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I don't know that anyone can help you with this decision, it's such a personal thing. I would just say to really look at your long term goals and what you want in your life right now, and make the decision that truly feels right.

I was born and raised on a beach in Southern California. The winter I spent in Scotland was the best time of my life, but it was the right thing for me at the time and I knew it deep inside. The little things wont matter IMO (like the weather, etc) if the big picture is right.
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MAR
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Thomas H. Cruise!
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Thanks...I have thought about all of these thing quite a bit in the last few days. I teach riding...it is who I am....and frankly there arent that many trainer jobs out there. Have you looked at Y&G lately?? Seems like all thats out there are non or low paying jobs that want 60-80 hours a week in exchange for reduced rent...LOL.
I am just not sure where else I could walk in and build my own program without renting/buying a farm (neither of which is possible right now).
Just wanted to hear from others who had made a south north move and survived (or not)
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JanM
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I grew up in snow country, and then lived in New Mexico for ten years. We did have winter weather there, and occasionally snow, but it wasn't constant. Then I moved to Colorado Springs, and it was very different from Northern VA winters. Everywhere is different, and if you're prepared with the right gear, an emergency kit for the car, and have the car prepared properly it's not so bad. Humans are very adaptable, and I imagine most horses are fairly adaptable too. If it's your dream job then go for it, and if it's not right then change situations in a year after you've given it a good try.
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Trialbyfire
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FlashGordon
Aug 1 2011, 12:54 PM
It can be depressing at times.... but I do think CT's weather might be a bit milder than here in Western NY.
Western/Central NY weather is worse than anywhere else -- isn't Syracuse the least sunny city in the country? ;)

MAR, you will find CT cold in comparison, but it does have fairly mild winters for a northern climate. I don't believe they typically get a lot of snow (as in measured by the foot, v measured in inches), but of course it will depend on exactly where you are. In trade, though, you will get beautiful green summers and spectacular autumns....a good trade in my book!

I drive a Honda Odyssey in upstate NY and have been only kept off the roads a few times over the last several years. Mainly because we live on a road that only has a handful of houses on it and goes between two main thoroughfares. If I can get to one of those, I'm all set, but my road is often plowed last.

If you need a truck, you will want a 4WD because a 2WD truck is usually rear-wheel drive (I think?) and rear-wheel drive is your worst enemy on icy roads. And an empty truck bed. If you don't NEED a truck (to haul tailers, etc.), I'd consider getting a Suburu, or something that is all-wheel drive and more economical than a 4WD truck. I drive a mini-van because with two adults, two kids & two dogs, the size is perfect. But I've rarely wished I had 4WD (we do have a 4WD truck, by my dh takes it to work in the winter which leaves me stuck w/ the van). But as I say, most times it is not a problem. Driving in snow is a learning experience, though, so you'll want to take it slow for a while!!

As far as the job....I agree that only you can decide. The cost of living is high in CT, so you'll want to shop around for housing, etc., but it might be a great opportunity even if the budget is tight for a while.

Best of luck in your decision-making!!!!!!! :luck: :luck: :luck:

(And congrats, of course, on the offer!! :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: )
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MAR
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Thomas H. Cruise!
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westbrook is on the coast, so I think a bit milder than central NY..lol. The job comes with housing (although that has its own issue...its a duplex, and I havent shared a wall with a neighbor in 20 years)

My truck is 11 years old and has some body damage that I am afraid will deteriorate much more quickly in New England. It is also 2WD so I am afraid once the snow starts I couldn't drive it anywhere...have you seen us southerners try to drive on snow?!?!
I will not need it for this job so I was thinking of selling it down here and getiing a used subaru or other AWD vehicle.

I appreciate all of your feedback...I turn 45 next week, and don't do change as well as I did when I was 25..LOL
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MayaTy02
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MAR
Aug 2 2011, 03:02 PM
westbrook is on the coast, so I think a bit milder than central NY..lol. The job comes with housing (although that has its own issue...its a duplex, and I havent shared a wall with a neighbor in 20 years)

My truck is 11 years old and has some body damage that I am afraid will deteriorate much more quickly in New England. It is also 2WD so I am afraid once the snow starts I couldn't drive it anywhere...have you seen us southerners try to drive on snow?!?!
I will not need it for this job so I was thinking of selling it down here and getiing a used subaru or other AWD vehicle.

I appreciate all of your feedback...I turn 45 next week, and don't do change as well as I did when I was 25..LOL
LOL yes it will be better than central NY, but it will still be worse than anywhere "south"... I think you should go for it!
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gunnar
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Do it Mar! At your age you will regret not trying! I am 53 so I understand the change thing but it won't get any easier!
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JanM
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The housing sounds fine, and you'll get used to neighbors. Everyone I know that lives in snow country loves their Subaru, (the Outback is cheaper than the Forester usually, and very similar), and it carries a lot of cargo-I think you made a wise choice.

Go for it! This may be your only chance, and if it doesn't work out you can move back south. I think you'll get used to the weather, and the only thing sadder than a dream that doesn't work out, is letting a chance pass you by, and always wondering what might have happened if you tried. You seem to have considered all of the factors, and seem to be well prepared, so why not?
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