Come to Vancouver, it’s right as rain

[puckedoff]

Originally Posted by blankall

People on fixed incomes, like policemen, teachers, nurses, etc...

Doesn't 'fixed incomes' mean people like seniors, retirees or people on disability who are living on pensions (ie. incomes from fixed income securities or something similar)? Not meaning to take this off topic, but most policeman, nurses, teachers make more than your average joe.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by puckedoff

Doesn't 'fixed incomes' mean people like seniors, retirees or people on disability who are living on pensions (ie. incomes from fixed income securities or something similar)? Not meaning to take this off topic, but most policeman, nurses, teachers make more than your average joe.

I was referring to people on fixed salaries (although I guess nurses can work overtime, but there are limits to that). But yes I'd agree that nurses, teachers, and policemen make far more than average, but also work hard, and are nowhere near anywhere what it takes to afford a home in Vancouver or even the suburbs at this point.

[Galakanokis]

Originally Posted by Locke

Have you ever considered a life of crime?

Since day damn one.

[afc wimbledon]

I couldn't afford to live in London where I was born in the 80's so I came to Vancouver and bought a house here16 years ago.
As long as the powers that be keep interest rates at near zero any where in the world that is mildly nice will be over priced, if I was in my late 20's now Id be looking to Montreal or Halifax as places to move to and buy a house at a reasonable price, I doubt they will stay cheap forever.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

I couldn't afford to live in London where I was born in the 80's so I came to Vancouver and bought a house here16 years ago.
As long as the powers that be keep interest rates at near zero any where in the world that is mildly nice will be over priced, if I was in my late 20's now Id be looking to Montreal or Halifax as places to move to and buy a house at a reasonable price, I doubt they will stay cheap forever.

It does seem odd that Montreal is so cheap in comparison to Toronto and Vancouver. I've visited there once, and the city seemed to have a lot to offer. I did not ice that many of the outlying areas North of the main city centre weren't especially nice though. Maybe someone who's lived there can commend on that.

[Flamenspiel]

I have lived in all three, Montreal does not have the political stability offered by the other provinces. Thats why it has always lagged behind, essentially the threat of separation and a net population loss because it presents such a language challenge to newcomers. On top of that it has some of the highest taxes in the country, i think only the Maritimes is higher. Other then that, Montreal can be great fun and has many fun places to go within reasonable driving distance(New York, Boston, all of New England..etc)

Even though Montreal is doing well now, If the PQ gets back in next year, count on another drop in real estate prices.

Toronto does well because of jobs, easiest place to get the best jobs, other then that it is not a very attractive place or climate. A sort of Canadian version of Philadelphia. Calgary is simply a much better place to live, just have a chat with all the Leaf fans at the game on Tuesday. They will say they love the Leafs but will never move back.

I'll leave Vancouver out and stay out of that debate, it has good things it has bad things, certainly would not move there from Calgary unless I had to(and I can afford it).

[afc wimbledon]

My daughter moved out to Halifax, it just makes no sense to buy anything in Vancouver unless prices drop about 35 to 40%, even then it is still a case of buying high, that said such is life, I cant afford to live in West Van or buy a penthouse in Coal Harbour, so what?

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by squiggs96

I did not come from money. I don't think I grew up poor, but whatever is one rung above that is where my family was. I moved to Calgary 20 years ago with literally $20.

I moved to Vancouver in 2008. Three years ago I bought a house in Vancouver near the children's hospital, and have since knocked it down. Hopefully next month I'll be able to move into it once construction is complete. I did not inherit money, win a lottery, or anything out of the ordinary. If you work hard, make wise choices, sacrifice certain things, have some good luck on your side, you can accomplish a lot. Obviously it's harder to buy a house in Vancouver than in Calgary. A lot of that is the supply of houses is shrinking in Vancouver, and there aren't any other locations to put them. Some of it is the weather, and some of it is the location. To say you need to be born into money to own a house is patently false.

Bravo to you. Children's hospital is pretty much Shaughnessy area which is among the most expensive real estate in Vancouver proper, so definitely great discipline on your part to be able to do that. 2014 prices in that general area for a house must've been at minimum $2M and it sounds like you've also thrown in a substantial amount after purchasing it to knock it down and rebuild a new home.

One of my favorite areas but I don't think I'd ever want to drop that kind of coin on a house!