China's Millionaire Migration

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by peter12

Yeah, rents are awful. Commutes are awful. There is a bit of a talent dearth in the city that results from all of this. There is a phenomenon in this city that I call "hot girl with nice little dog." People are almost entirely single. You do not see many children in the inner-city neighbourhoods. It is a lifestyle city, and a darn nice one, but it does not have long-term prospects.

Again, it's not a NYC or a London or a Singapore or a San Francisco as there is no significant industry that will keep attracting a high turnover of young, talented people.

It's a one-stop shop for luxury living, and that can only go on for so long.

But hey, let's build more condos.

if your population is nice girl with a dog then you should build more condos.
the long-term prospect could be, it's a city for single people and certain posh single people will move there. Like Lower Manhattan.

[Galakanokis]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I recently turned down a job in Vancouver that was going to give me a 10% raise, but after everything, it just wasn't worth it. The mountains and ocean are only nice to look at for so long.

I can count on two hands how many times I have been to the mountains and ocean in my 15 years here. Once kids activities start there is no time for stuff like that. For the amount of time I see the ocean I might as well be in the middle of the prairies.


We are already seeing bigger tech companies pick up stakes and move east. Bardel Entertainment has reduced their footprint in Van and set up shop in Kelowna. They are not the first nor the last to do this.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I recently turned down a job in Vancouver that was going to give me a 10% raise, but after everything, it just wasn't worth it. The mountains and ocean are only nice to look at for so long.

Through the window of your car because you spend your life commuting.

It often gets either ignored or trivialized but commuting is one of people's Top 3 Stressors.

And it makes a lot of sense, some of us spend more time driving to and from work every day than we do cooking our meals or exercising.

Take myself for instance, I know all this and I have what amounts to a fairly easy 10-15 minute commute and I still hate it. I hate it with a passion. I cant imagine tripling it.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Galakanokis

I can count on two hands how many times I have been to the mountains and ocean in my 15 years here. Once kids activities start there is no time for stuff like that. For the amount of time I see the ocean I might as well be in the middle of the prairies.

We are already seeing bigger tech companies pick up stakes and move east. Bardel Entertainment has reduced their footprint in Van and set up shop in Kelowna. They are not the first nor the last to do this.

Oh no...Kelownafornia is becoming a real thing.

[nik-]

If I had #### you money I'd have a part time place in Vancouver. Was there this weekend and it's just a great place to hang out. However, actually making a go of it working out there? I just don't see how one does it. Where is all the money to fill those condos and those restaurants coming from?

[Galakanokis]

Originally Posted by Locke

Oh no...Kelownafornia is becoming a real thing.

Indeed. Free flat brimmed hat and white sunglasses upon your completed relocation.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by nik-

If I had #### you money I'd have a part time place in Vancouver. Was there this weekend and it's just a great place to hang out. However, actually making a go of it working out there? I just don't see how one does it. Where is all the money to fill those condos and those restaurants coming from?

My wife and I have made a decent go of it, but we have special circumstances, and had some help with relocating/finding housing through my job.

I also occupy a pretty specific niche in the job market, and have never had trouble finding work. We live right by the ocean, but in a more secluded part of town. We never spend money in the downtown.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by peter12

My wife and I have made a decent go of it, but we have special circumstances, and had some help with relocating/finding housing through my job.

I also occupy a pretty specific niche in the job market, and have never had trouble finding work. We live right by the ocean, but in a more secluded part of town. We never spend money in the downtown.

If you're up by point grey it's almost not worth it to go downtown. Kits has enough and it's not worth the time it takes to get there by bus.

Last time I was up at UBC though I almost didn't recognize it for how desolate and antiseptic it felt. Like a hollywood idea of an advanced campus.

UBC is also now having trouble finding and retaining staff. It's impacting the prestige of the university and the quality of education the students receive.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

If you're up by point grey it's almost not worth it to go downtown. Kits has enough and it's not worth the time it takes to get there by bus.

Last time I was up at UBC though I almost didn't recognize it for how desolate and antiseptic it felt. Like a hollywood idea of an advanced campus.

UBC is also now having trouble finding and retaining staff. It's impacting the prestige of the university and the quality of education the students receive.

It's not that bad, but I agree, it is pretty awful compared to what it used to be. That old granola feel has pretty much disappeared in the wave of new chrome and glass constructions popping up over campus.

Staff retention is kind of a problem, but I don't think it is as big as you are making it out to be. It is still a top of class university, and it still attracts genuinely good faculty. Not sure about administrative staff, but I know that their salary packages are competitive enough to bring in people from throughout the city.

[Galakanokis]

Where about's are you Peter? I live in Burnaby and work right by Science World, I never really travel any farther west than that. There are whole parts of this city I forget even exist. I go downtown only for the odd work related event like wrap parties or sales dinners.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Galakanokis

Where about's are you Peter? I live in Burnaby and work right by Science World, I never really travel any farther west than that. There are whole parts of this city I forget even exist. I go downtown only for the odd work related event like wrap parties or sales dinners.

I'm in Kitsilano.

[peter12]

And yeah, I have no reason to go downtown. Too many homeless people/addicts. It's super expensive. I really like where we live though.

[nik-]

All you GVA people should go eat at Bodega on Main, if you like tapas, it's awesome.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by peter12

And yeah, I have no reason to go downtown. Too many homeless people/addicts. It's super expensive. I really like where we live though.

I love that about Vancouver and Victoria. Street kids that probably should be in a higher tax bracket than me. Nothing like a person with thousands of dollars in tattoos and $500 boots asking you for spare change.

[nik-]

You need those Wolverines to handle that harsh street climate homie.

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by peter12

None. Vancouver is at the beginning of a demographic death spiral due to economic and political bungling. It is like Singapore but without the actual economic productivity.

There won't be a Vancouver in 80 years at this pace. Why would anyone with family or professional ambitions want to slog it out in this market? They leave.

That's been the history of Vancouver since the 1880's though, boom and bust, the market will implode in the fullness of time, lose 40 or 50 percent. At that point rents generally go down as well, the benefits start to look pretty good compared to the cost again.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by nik-

All you GVA people should go eat at Bodega on Main, if you like tapas, it's awesome.

If we ever settle down in this city, I would live in the Main Street/Commercial Drive area. Best part of the city by far.

[Galakanokis]

Originally Posted by peter12

I'm in Kitsilano.

Yeah, it's pretty nice down that way and really no reason to leave that area. I use to pop into Las Margaritas every now and then but it has been a few years.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

if your population is nice girl with a dog then you should build more condos.
the long-term prospect could be, it's a city for single people and certain posh single people will move there. Like Lower Manhattan.

Condos are mainly filled by hot girls with dogs. Very rare for professional couples with family prospects to take up life in a condo.

[nik-]

The Boston Terrier ratio is way out of wack there too. I guess because it's like the biggest small dog that doesn't look ridiculous.