These two stories at Max Fawcett’s site, in response to his recent account of leaving Vancouver -
Derek 16 May 2010 6:12 am – “My wife and I recently left Vancouver, we went to Yellowknife. Born and raised in Vancouver, it was hard to leave at first and people certainly didn’t understand why we would leave “the best city on Earth.” But these people also don’t seem to mind being locked into crippling mortgage debt and maxing out credit cards to eat at grossly overpriced restaurants that now have an additional tax on them. All the while earning less than other, cheaper places. Housing AND cost of living are just too high for the “middle class.” For the first time, we actually feel we are getting ahead in our financial goals. Good luck in your move and welcome to the new Canadian diaspora.”
Jen 17 May 2010 3:31 am – “There were four of us in an approximately 500 square-foot basement suite. It was in a great area, but we knew it was just nuts and could not possible be sustainable. We made the move from Vancouver to Saskatoon about three years ago, and our standard of living has improved immensely. We’ve got a beautiful home (at less that 2x annual household income, natch), we live in a great neighborhood, and we’re able to save, plan for the future, and not continually stress about money.”
I dont really understand why people leave because of costs. Vancouver really isnt that expensive to live in. It is expensive to OWN in.
I rent a 2 bedroom in east van close to a skytrain. Includes heat and hot water, has a dishwasher and washer/dryer, underground parking and its only 15 years old. 1200/month. Less than 700 each between my and my roommate after everything.
Dont want a roommate? The place would easily be 200-300 bucks cheaper without the 2nd bedroom. Move out of Vancouver proper and its cheaper still.
As long as you make over $15 an hour you shouldnt feel the pinch for money unless you have other debts.
And I dont think the second one is true. She cant even spell neighbourhood.
@Davers – Totally anecdote based: Where my husband works there are some employees who come from places in the States (LA, San Fran) and Canada (Calgary, Montreal) for six month work stays. The company puts them up: they pay food etc. And common water cooler talk is how expensive stuff is in Vancouver. The Americans are flabbergasted by groceries and gas, but the Canucks are more amazed by the less necessary items – coffee, lunch out, etc.
I know that the stats say we’re about the same re: cost of living, but the last time I went to Montreal it really did seem like the small things were cheaper; like tickets, etc. Plus, ha, the Shoppers (under a different name there) gave more Optimum points out per dollar.
I think Toronto’s more expensive. On the other hand, they have better paying jobs. *g*
… Oh, and from my experience, it is easier to live more cheaply if you have room for storage/freezing/etc.
500 square feet makes it hard to stack up on t.p. when there’s a sale on!
It’s not, food is actually cheaper than it is in Vancouver and so are a lot of restaurants. Why? More choice.
The time of “holes in the wall” in Vancouver is hard to find, it’s all “upper class” as areas that were less desirable are being gentrified (think Gastown).
So, Toronto you can make more money AND live cheaper (even if you decide to mortgage your life to a house) than in Vancouver.
But of course they don’t have the Ocean or the Mountains, so I guess someone has to pay for those.
You can add me to the list of people considering leaving Vancouver. Moved here 3 years ago, have a good middle class job, partner has the same (together manage to hit 6 figures), currently renting a nice condo withviews of the North Shore mountains and False Creek. However, seems so many people we meet are struggling so it’s hard to find people to do anything with, nobody talks to you (unless it’s to ask for money), and even with 80,000 saved for a down payment, not seeing anything for sale at a price we’re comfortable paying. As beautiful as aspects of Vancouver can be, we’re starting to think other cities can offer us a much better quality of life.
Although Vancouver seems expensive now, I for one, have hope that it will be a different situation after the RE bubble collapses. That’s why I sit and wait…and hear people tell me stories how houses in my lovely neighborhood were $225k in 2001. Now they are $700k plus. I will sit and wait for the $225k days to return…though it is extremely frustrating!!!!
I hope that house prices collapse at least 70%. What happened in the past 5 to 7 years is not normal. I give it maybe one or two more years. If the collapse does not happen, I will leave.
Davers,
EVERYTHING is more expensive in Vancouver. If you don’t believe so, you either do not pay for your own groceries, or have not traveled much. It’s just the greatest-place-on-earth premium. Family and friends from all over Canada visit me all the time here too, and it’s the first thing they comment on.
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misleading vancouver:
For those who have never travelled it is easy to adhere to what people want you to believe in order to get your money. “Vancouver the best place on earth” yah we’ve all heard it, there is commercial that plays on loops during our news program, it’s not a fact its a slogan to make us believe its worth paying 500K for a crawl space 30 floors in the air. Well if we all weren’t such smucks ( and I do mean that in the nicest way, me included) we would look around a little more before we gave away our money. Example Scotland Best small country in the world, sure say what you want to tourists coming to spend money but we are selling it to our own people! I grew up in Vancouver and have had the opportunity to live and work abroad, and every time I return I have a clearer indication as to why I am leaving. I love Vancouver but Vancouver you have got to be kidding! Take your slogan and stick it. Vancouver the most unsustainable smoke and mirrors city on earth. See how many condo’s you sell then!!! Then we might think twice about tipping our over priced latte for good karma too!
misleading vancouver:
For those who have never travelled it is easy to adhere to what people want you to believe in order to get your money. “Vancouver the best place on earth” yah we’ve all heard it, there is commercial that plays on loops during our news program, it’s not a fact its a slogan to make us believe its worth paying 500K for a crawl space 30 floors in the air. Well if we all weren’t such smucks ( and I do mean that in the nicest way, me included) we would look around a little more before we gave away our money. Example Scotland Best small country in the world, sure say what you want to tourists coming to spend money but we are selling it to our own people! I grew up in Vancouver and have had the opportunity to live and work abroad, and every time I return I have a clearer indication as to why I am leaving. I love Vancouver but Vancouver you have got to be kidding! Take your slogan and stick it. Vancouver the most unsustainable smoke and mirrors city on earth. See how many condo’s you sell then!!! Then we might think twice about tipping our over priced latte for good karma too!