Which Barn?

[Debi]

I decided to find a new stable, primarily bc the one I currently ride at is just too far away and it's getting increasingly difficult to get there for my lessons bc the latest lesson they offer is at 6 pm (and this was a slot the instructor opened for me, previously it was 5 pm and they can't do any later than that) and I just can't leave work early enough to get there. Anyway, I am not questioning that decision, but which barn to go to next?

I visited at least a dozen barns in the area and have been talking to people as well and have narrowed it down to 2 barns but I need help making the final decision.

Barn 1
is brand new,
10 minutes from my house
has access to 300 acres of trails
no indoor arena (though they plan to build one next year)
2 lit jumping arenas
are going to build a cross country course
do only stall board
have a trainer there
lessons are $55/hr private and $35/hr group (grooups are 2 or more people but since they just opened there is no group I can join right now)
do leases (but again are new and have no lease horses at this time)
board is $675/month!
THey have a boarder lounge with microwave, nice large a/c tack room, patio to watch the rings, plan to have shows there
It's beautiful and clean and new

Barn 2
is 10-15 minutes from my house
has access to the same 300 acres of trails
has one lighted jumping arena (not as nice as barn 1)
has one round pen
have some cross country jumps in the field and are going to build more (any future plans at either place make me leery bc you never know)
lessons are $35-45/hr depending on instructor but if you lease a horse only $25 (and only private which I prefer)
they do leases and actually have 2 possibilities for me
Stall board is $350/month and pasture board is $250 (month) and you can do pasture in warm weather with a stall in the winter
This place is not so clean and new or organized at the other and is much smaller
the trainer said they regularly take the students to a nearby equestrian center to school cross country and sometimes on weekends she does adult cmaps with wine and cheese after - that really appeals to me

I took a lesson at each place and like both the trainers and horses.

What I want is to do a lease this summer and to continue jumping and do cross country.

So which barn should I pick? (and cost is a concern! otherwise, I would pick barn 1)

[Jessey]

Personally I would proably go for barn 2, just because if it been there a while it is likely to be OK, a new barn you would never have heard the bad things about (if there were any) and things can go very wrong when setting up a new venture, like it goes under, then you would be stuck.

They both sound really good but I just think 'better the devil you know', OK so it's not as clean and tidy, but how will the new one be in a year? and at least barn 2 already has a routien, knows the horses and is settled.

Thats just my point of view, J x

[Debi]

That's a good point. The new barn was built by the parents of a 10 year old at my old barn for her and her friend. They know nothing about horses or running a stable (and i dont' think they looked at the market when they priced their fees!- there is only one other place that charges that much). They did here an instructor who is good and are buying good horses but it their inexpereince gives me pause.

[kedwards]

From the sound of it, you like the less-expensive place just as much (if not more) than the other. Why pay double the price, if it isn't clearly your preference?