From ‘Vancouver’ at greaterfool.ca 11 May 2011 10:03pm – “I sold a Vancouver residence and have invested the money in the market, the investments (mostly Canadian dividend stocks) are yielding me enough money to live off. I’m also in the process of trying to get “permanent residency” in the U.S., ultimately I want to live somewhere cheaper and warmer than Vancouver. I won’t work in the states, I’ll just be living off my dividend income and probably just renting.”
The ability to sell a property in Vancouver and as a consequence retire comfortably elsewhere is a bizarre phenomenon in its own right. This is likely already tempting some to sell, and thus putting some downward pressure on Vancouver prices. So far, that pressure continues to be overwhelmed by the upward pressure of ongoing speculative buying. When prices turn and start dropping, many owners who feel they are then watching their comfortable retirements evaporate before their eyes, will rush to market. They will add to supply in a falling market. – vreaa
Vancouver Real Estate Anecdote Archive 
I call bullish**t
how do you get a green card unless you have a solid job offer ? I dont believe you, it is not easy to get a green card, otherwise half of canada will be living in the US.
sounds like a bear crying sour grapes! =)
I find this anecdote more believable than do the three commenters above.
If you are a Canadian with money, you can swing it to spend most of your retirement in the US.
As it was recently said: it is now possible to sell your Vanc home, buy three or four or five similar homes in FLA or CA, live in one, live off the rent from the others.
And how does a retiree get a green card to the US?
I’m not saying if I think this is BS or not, but I have noticed that vreaa tends to not question bearish anecdotes like this one, while unsubstantiated bullish comments are always questioned with a raised eyebrow.
Big E -> I welcome being called out on any perceived irrational biases, so please do that in specific instances, when you see fit.
Note that I’m not saying that I necessarily believe every single anecdote I come across, but I do tend to believe that the vast majority of the personal stories that people post are genuine. As a for instance, I suspect that the story above is true.
The guy says he is “trying to get” permanent residency in the US.
Do you think that the author of this anecdote fabricated it?
If so, for what purpose?
Also, note that we attempt to archive bullish anecdotes here, too. In fact, we look out for them ardently, it’s just that there are surprisingly few. I’m talking here about stories like: “My five properties have trebled in value, I’m buying more, I’m set for life”. Perhaps those protagonists don’t frequent the web.
We’d particularly LOVE to hear (and post) personal stories from bullish buyers; if you know any please send them along. What is motivating people to buy in Vancouver? What percent of their net-worth is in RE? You’ll note that there are very, very few such stories anywhere on the web.
Regarding bullish opinion (which is different from anecdote), you’ll note we occasionally headline a bullish opinion (other than ‘limitless demand’ there really aren’t very many bull arguments at present). Obviously we retain the right to take those arguments to task because, well, we disagree with them.
Moving to Van later this summer/early fall from Calgary. Already bought condo there in 2010. I am well established in Cowtown with a number of properties here and a thriving business. Moving because I have had enough of winter. Give me rain over snow. My net worth is probably disproportionately in RE. But I am 34 and have decent cash flow. Bullish because my father has 30 doors and this was his M.O. My wife and I love Vancouver. I read your blog often and enjoy it.