freeflir29 0 #1 February 20, 2006 I have an evil plan devised. Is Vancouver a cool town and what would it cost to buy a small apartment there? How about a place to store a car? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squink 0 #2 February 20, 2006 The cost of living in Vancouver is pretty high. ...the door was open SKYDIVERGIRLS.COM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelel01 1 #3 February 20, 2006 Vancouver is the shiznit and a half. However, I do think it's quite expensive. But since I've never lived there, I can't really say. If I could have a house in Vancouver, one in South Beach, and one somewhere low-key and suburban, life would be PERFECT. I wouldn't even need sex. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #4 February 20, 2006 I'm new to the Vancouver area and may or may not have an accurate view of this town (I was in the Denver area before I came here). When the sun does shine, it is a very very scenic town. But in the winter months, it rains a lot. There are worse places when it comes to the cost of living, but Vancouver is not a cheap place to live. Not even factoring in the exchange rate, I was forced to take a 20k cut in pay and I have to pay way more for virtually everything here (high taxation being the worst culprit). The streets are not as clean as one would expect and there is a real pety crime problem and depending on you view of things there is also a drug problem and the asian gangs like killing each other in order to control this drug trade. Finally (on my negative rant) getting around in a car can be a pain in the ass ass, but this problem isn't unique to Vancouver. On a positive note though, there is a lot of culture in this town, many many different people from different parts of the world for the most part peacefully coexisitng with each other. And there are tons and tons of small businesses (the Wal-Mart culture hasn't taken over here yet and fingers crossed lets hope it never does). And because of the small business environment there are tons and tons of restuarants, coffee shops and clubs to explore. I've had to endure the worst (the rainy weather) before I get to experience the best (the sunshine) so I'm trying to hold off on whether or not I decide to stay here. But I kind of had to leave Colorado involuntarily instead of coming to BC under my own free will. So you'll need more than just my opinion as to what life is like in this town. There are a few DZ.COMers in this town who may or may not chime in here. Let's hope they do. Steve ... Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arai 0 #5 February 20, 2006 great city if you like the outdoors. granted it does rain a lot in the winter, but when the weather gets better it really is great. when the conditions are right I can snowboard, mountainbike, kayak, kiteboard, mountain climb, skydive, surf, etc etc all in the same week. It isnt cheap though, I dont really know the surrounding area prices so I cant really comment on that, but downtown appartments I think are around the 250ish for a 1 bedroom and over 300-350ish for a two bedroom. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warpedskydiver 0 #6 February 20, 2006 damn thats cheap! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheAnvil 0 #7 February 20, 2006 The city is badass but a bit expensive, dude. Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #8 February 20, 2006 QuoteIt isnt cheap though, I dont really know the surrounding area prices so I cant really comment on that, but downtown appartments I think are around the 250ish for a 1 bedroom and over 300-350ish for a two bedroom. I assume you mean 250ish THOUSAND to buy, not $250ish/month to rent, correct? Cuz if it's that cheap, I'm moving up across the border. But I don't think it is. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
narcimund 0 #9 February 20, 2006 QuoteI assume you mean 250ish THOUSAND to buy, not $250ish/month to rent, correct? In the core of the city, for CA$250k dollars (which is about US$220k) you can buy a 600 sq. ft. apartment outfitted in Home Depot's finest. In other words, fragile walls, laminate cabinets, beige paint, no particular view, and oddly, walls everywhere! The apartments here are built with way too many walls so they can claim that 600 sq ft apartment is 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and a den. Of course that means each room is 6 ft square. Hope you have small beds! For $500,000 you can get 1000 sq ft or for $750,000 you can get a view. A million Canadian dollars buys you a view AND a fairly roomy apartment, although nothing fancy. Two million starts to get fancy. First Class Citizen Twice Over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #10 February 20, 2006 Yeah, I figured that was even a bit low for purchasing a place. I didn't think I'd be able to rent something for $250 a month (except maybe the futon in your house , and that's only because I get the friends-and-family-wine-mule discount. ) Speaking of which ... you guys around this weekend? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
narcimund 0 #11 February 20, 2006 Quotedidn't think I'd be able to rent something for $250 a month Actually, I've seen rentals for $350/month but they're a little sketchy. Ok, they're a LOT sketchy. These roach motels near Main and Hastings (just google "Main and Hastings" to get an idea) proudly proclaim "Clean and safe". That's not a good sign. The good news is they're conveniently near the Safe Injection Site and other social services. QuoteSpeaking of which ... you guys around this weekend? This weekend's already booked up but next weekend is good! First Class Citizen Twice Over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites riggerrob 643 #12 February 20, 2006 Seven years ago I voluntarily moved from Perris, Califronia to the outskirts of Vancouver and found a good job at the Pitt Meadows DZ. Housing prices can be obscene in downtown Vancouver, but if you don't work downtown, you don't have to pay those ridiculous rates. If you are willing to live an hour from downtown, housing prices drop $100,000. If you are willing to live 90 minutes from downtown, housing prices drop by $150,000, etc. That is one of the reasons that Abbotsford (more than an hour from downtown Vanocuver) is one of the fastest growing cities in B.C. Oh! And the Porter in Abbottsford (Jerry Harper's DZ) just got a honking big engine! Most of the people who jump at Pitt Meadows emigrated here from colder parts of Canada (read, anything East of Hope). Whenever they whine about the cold (i.e. temperatures hovered around the freezing mark yesterday, so we only flew 3 loads in the King Air), I just remind them that anywhere else in Canada, they would be knee-deep in snow. The only place in Canada - with better weather is Victoria - but Victoria is struggling to re-start their DZ. As for the crime .... it is easy to avoid gang problems and certain neighborhoods. To the original poster: don't even THINK about smuggling drugs across the border! US Customs and Immigration, DEA, FBI, NSA, etc. know that B.C. is the largest supplier of recreational drugs to the USA and routinely arrest smugglers at the border. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites narcimund 0 #13 February 20, 2006 QuoteAs for the crime .... it is easy to avoid gang problems and certain neighborhoods. If you're going to point out that Vancouver's weather is mild compared to the rest of Canada, then I'm going to point out that the crime is mild compared to all of the US. I live in the worst neighborhood in Vancouver (often called the worst neighborhood in Canada!) yet it's really not that bad. I often forget to lock my door and have absolutely no worries about walking around in the middle of the night. It's harmless! On the other hand I do admit it's a little scrungy. There are bums and junkies doing their thing on the sidewalk two blocks from my apartment, but that's nothing more than a visual nuisance. They keep to themselves and so do I. And by living here in bum-land, I get a 2000 sq ft apartment with 18 foot ceilings, four parking spaces, two fireplaces, and tons of privacy. You're not going to find that anywhere else in Vancouver for less than $2million! First Class Citizen Twice Over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites freeflir29 0 #14 February 21, 2006 Thanks for all the info. What I mostly need is some way to store a car that is both convenient to the airport and won't cost a fortune. Any good ideas on that? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites GrumpySmurf 0 #15 February 22, 2006 Aye, leave the meth heads and smack junkies alone and they leave you alone. And I do have to admit, most of the pan handlers are rather polite when you tell them you don't have any change. "I live in the worst neighborhood in Vancouver" Main and E. Hastings? As the lads say, tis not a cheap city to live in. Rent runs between 1K and 2K a month, and with the highest rate of property crime in North America aside from Miami, insurance is not cheap. But....if the dollar was on par with the US - I'd actually be taking home more than I did with the place I worked at in the US at the same salary - simply because health care is alot cheaper here (yeah, it's not private care, but at least everyone gets some degree of coverage). Then's there's partying - not uncommon for the 2 drinking buddies and I to run up a $3 to $4 hundred bar tab in a night. Not for the small of pocket book, this city. But worth the price of admission. And yep, not all that uncommon to see people coming out of the bathrooms in the bars wiping some white powder from thier noses, or the smell weed being smoked outside on the patios, but that comes with the turf too - they like to party hard here. And if you are half aggressive chasing women, you will have a field day here - the local gents are very timid in the dating scene, it appears to be a consistent lament of the ladies - it's open season and you don't need to wear flare orange. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Dr.Freedom 0 #16 February 22, 2006 Dude if your looking for a spot to leave a car why not leave it in one of those storage places? if people want to really know what its like to live in the Vancouver area hows this 14% sales tax on everything and to boot the amount of tax that comes off our checks is discustingly high to that of the States that of about 10% more on average. But dont forget about the finer things we have here, oh yeah only 70cnd for a half once of some chronic damb near the only reason i stay here. aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites narcimund 0 #17 February 22, 2006 QuoteWhat I mostly need is some way to store a car that is both convenient to the airport and won't cost a fortune. Any good ideas on that? Planning on living in an apartment? Most come with a parking space or two. Mine comes with four -- room for the car, the truck, the boat, and one for guests. First Class Citizen Twice Over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites narcimund 0 #18 February 22, 2006 Quote"I live in the worst neighborhood in Vancouver" Main and E. Hastings? Yup. About 3 blocks from there. I walk past through that intersection almost every day on my way to shopping in Chinatown. First Class Citizen Twice Over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites CanuckInUSA 0 #19 February 22, 2006 QuoteQuote"I live in the worst neighborhood in Vancouver" Main and E. Hastings? Yup. About 3 blocks from there. I walk past through that intersection almost every day on my way to shopping in Chinatown. I haven't seen your place, but everytime I visit Jaap I wonder if my Jeep will be stolen or broken into. It's amazing to have so much affluence and poverty so close to each other. Also, there's no way I would want to pay the rent that Jaap pays, but his place is five star compared to my rat hole in north Burnaby. I own a very nice modest 4 bedroom house in a Calgary suburb. But if I was to sell it and try to buy something in Vancouver (I'm not talking about the distant burbs like Abbotsford), the 300k or so that I'd have at my finger tips would only get me another rat hole in Vancouver. But this time I'd own the rat hole versus renting the hole I currently reside in. This is one of the discouraging things I find in this city. I have no desire to buy property here. Now if it would only stop raining. It is a very scenic city when it's not ###### raining. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites narcimund 0 #20 February 22, 2006 QuoteI haven't seen your place, but everytime I visit Jaap I wonder if my Jeep will be stolen or broken into. It's amazing to have so much affuence and poverty so close to each other. Also, there's no way I would want to pay the rent that Jaap pays, but his place is five star compared to my rat hole in north Burnaby. Our place is 5 blocks deeper into hell and 6-star compared to Jaap's (at least in terms of roominess and modern comforts.) I say that in complete confidence 'cause he's drinking beer and relating a VERY interesting story in my living room right now. I wouldn't recommend you park outside though. We'll let you park in the courtyard behind the locked steel door. It's a safe neighborhood as long as you're not a car stereo. Well, back to the story. First Class Citizen Twice Over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites caress 0 #21 February 22, 2006 Well Clay, Vancouver is 34 miles from my house and I would say why not come up and bring your passport or birth cert and look at it before you make a big move like that. I have been there twice. I enjoy living state side with access. REnt is about $900 a month for a 3 bdrm 2 bath duplex. Aslo ther is storage here for a vehicle. I've learned.... That being kind is more important than being right. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites freeflir29 0 #22 February 22, 2006 Quotewhy not come up and bring your passport or birth cert Is that what is required to cross the border? A copy of my birth cert is fine but what I am trying to avoid is using my passport. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites JaapSuter 0 #23 March 3, 2006 QuoteOur place is 5 blocks deeper into hell and 6-star compared to Jaap's (at least in terms of roominess and modern comforts.) I say that in complete confidence 'cause he's drinking beer and relating a VERY interesting story in my living room right now. Hahaha, I'm being talked about online even when I'm not around. Scary! Anyway, my place just got an extra star last weekend because I bought a dinner table and what not! Raistlin and you should come over on Sunday to enjoy my lasagna. Give me a call! Hey GrumpySmurf, how's EA treating you? Cheers, Jaap Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites narcimund 0 #24 March 3, 2006 QuoteHahaha, I'm being talked about online even when I'm not around. Scary! What are you talking about? You were in my living room when I wrote that. First Class Citizen Twice Over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites smiles 0 #25 March 3, 2006 I live in Abbotsford, Fraser Valley. d.z. is 5 min. from my home http://www.vancouver-skydiving.bc.ca/ --luv the new engine in our porter --otter/porter boogie in Aug. Abbotsford International Airport is Vancouver's hassle free alternative. http://www.abbotsfordairport.ca/ 45 min. from Vancouver and way-way-way cheaper to buy a place here/store a car.... SMileseustress. : a positive form of stress having a beneficial effect on health, motivation, performance, and emotional well-being. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. 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riggerrob 643 #12 February 20, 2006 Seven years ago I voluntarily moved from Perris, Califronia to the outskirts of Vancouver and found a good job at the Pitt Meadows DZ. Housing prices can be obscene in downtown Vancouver, but if you don't work downtown, you don't have to pay those ridiculous rates. If you are willing to live an hour from downtown, housing prices drop $100,000. If you are willing to live 90 minutes from downtown, housing prices drop by $150,000, etc. That is one of the reasons that Abbotsford (more than an hour from downtown Vanocuver) is one of the fastest growing cities in B.C. Oh! And the Porter in Abbottsford (Jerry Harper's DZ) just got a honking big engine! Most of the people who jump at Pitt Meadows emigrated here from colder parts of Canada (read, anything East of Hope). Whenever they whine about the cold (i.e. temperatures hovered around the freezing mark yesterday, so we only flew 3 loads in the King Air), I just remind them that anywhere else in Canada, they would be knee-deep in snow. The only place in Canada - with better weather is Victoria - but Victoria is struggling to re-start their DZ. As for the crime .... it is easy to avoid gang problems and certain neighborhoods. To the original poster: don't even THINK about smuggling drugs across the border! US Customs and Immigration, DEA, FBI, NSA, etc. know that B.C. is the largest supplier of recreational drugs to the USA and routinely arrest smugglers at the border. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
narcimund 0 #13 February 20, 2006 QuoteAs for the crime .... it is easy to avoid gang problems and certain neighborhoods. If you're going to point out that Vancouver's weather is mild compared to the rest of Canada, then I'm going to point out that the crime is mild compared to all of the US. I live in the worst neighborhood in Vancouver (often called the worst neighborhood in Canada!) yet it's really not that bad. I often forget to lock my door and have absolutely no worries about walking around in the middle of the night. It's harmless! On the other hand I do admit it's a little scrungy. There are bums and junkies doing their thing on the sidewalk two blocks from my apartment, but that's nothing more than a visual nuisance. They keep to themselves and so do I. And by living here in bum-land, I get a 2000 sq ft apartment with 18 foot ceilings, four parking spaces, two fireplaces, and tons of privacy. You're not going to find that anywhere else in Vancouver for less than $2million! First Class Citizen Twice Over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #14 February 21, 2006 Thanks for all the info. What I mostly need is some way to store a car that is both convenient to the airport and won't cost a fortune. Any good ideas on that? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GrumpySmurf 0 #15 February 22, 2006 Aye, leave the meth heads and smack junkies alone and they leave you alone. And I do have to admit, most of the pan handlers are rather polite when you tell them you don't have any change. "I live in the worst neighborhood in Vancouver" Main and E. Hastings? As the lads say, tis not a cheap city to live in. Rent runs between 1K and 2K a month, and with the highest rate of property crime in North America aside from Miami, insurance is not cheap. But....if the dollar was on par with the US - I'd actually be taking home more than I did with the place I worked at in the US at the same salary - simply because health care is alot cheaper here (yeah, it's not private care, but at least everyone gets some degree of coverage). Then's there's partying - not uncommon for the 2 drinking buddies and I to run up a $3 to $4 hundred bar tab in a night. Not for the small of pocket book, this city. But worth the price of admission. And yep, not all that uncommon to see people coming out of the bathrooms in the bars wiping some white powder from thier noses, or the smell weed being smoked outside on the patios, but that comes with the turf too - they like to party hard here. And if you are half aggressive chasing women, you will have a field day here - the local gents are very timid in the dating scene, it appears to be a consistent lament of the ladies - it's open season and you don't need to wear flare orange. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr.Freedom 0 #16 February 22, 2006 Dude if your looking for a spot to leave a car why not leave it in one of those storage places? if people want to really know what its like to live in the Vancouver area hows this 14% sales tax on everything and to boot the amount of tax that comes off our checks is discustingly high to that of the States that of about 10% more on average. But dont forget about the finer things we have here, oh yeah only 70cnd for a half once of some chronic damb near the only reason i stay here. aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
narcimund 0 #17 February 22, 2006 QuoteWhat I mostly need is some way to store a car that is both convenient to the airport and won't cost a fortune. Any good ideas on that? Planning on living in an apartment? Most come with a parking space or two. Mine comes with four -- room for the car, the truck, the boat, and one for guests. First Class Citizen Twice Over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
narcimund 0 #18 February 22, 2006 Quote"I live in the worst neighborhood in Vancouver" Main and E. Hastings? Yup. About 3 blocks from there. I walk past through that intersection almost every day on my way to shopping in Chinatown. First Class Citizen Twice Over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #19 February 22, 2006 QuoteQuote"I live in the worst neighborhood in Vancouver" Main and E. Hastings? Yup. About 3 blocks from there. I walk past through that intersection almost every day on my way to shopping in Chinatown. I haven't seen your place, but everytime I visit Jaap I wonder if my Jeep will be stolen or broken into. It's amazing to have so much affluence and poverty so close to each other. Also, there's no way I would want to pay the rent that Jaap pays, but his place is five star compared to my rat hole in north Burnaby. I own a very nice modest 4 bedroom house in a Calgary suburb. But if I was to sell it and try to buy something in Vancouver (I'm not talking about the distant burbs like Abbotsford), the 300k or so that I'd have at my finger tips would only get me another rat hole in Vancouver. But this time I'd own the rat hole versus renting the hole I currently reside in. This is one of the discouraging things I find in this city. I have no desire to buy property here. Now if it would only stop raining. It is a very scenic city when it's not ###### raining. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
narcimund 0 #20 February 22, 2006 QuoteI haven't seen your place, but everytime I visit Jaap I wonder if my Jeep will be stolen or broken into. It's amazing to have so much affuence and poverty so close to each other. Also, there's no way I would want to pay the rent that Jaap pays, but his place is five star compared to my rat hole in north Burnaby. Our place is 5 blocks deeper into hell and 6-star compared to Jaap's (at least in terms of roominess and modern comforts.) I say that in complete confidence 'cause he's drinking beer and relating a VERY interesting story in my living room right now. I wouldn't recommend you park outside though. We'll let you park in the courtyard behind the locked steel door. It's a safe neighborhood as long as you're not a car stereo. Well, back to the story. First Class Citizen Twice Over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
caress 0 #21 February 22, 2006 Well Clay, Vancouver is 34 miles from my house and I would say why not come up and bring your passport or birth cert and look at it before you make a big move like that. I have been there twice. I enjoy living state side with access. REnt is about $900 a month for a 3 bdrm 2 bath duplex. Aslo ther is storage here for a vehicle. I've learned.... That being kind is more important than being right. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #22 February 22, 2006 Quotewhy not come up and bring your passport or birth cert Is that what is required to cross the border? A copy of my birth cert is fine but what I am trying to avoid is using my passport. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JaapSuter 0 #23 March 3, 2006 QuoteOur place is 5 blocks deeper into hell and 6-star compared to Jaap's (at least in terms of roominess and modern comforts.) I say that in complete confidence 'cause he's drinking beer and relating a VERY interesting story in my living room right now. Hahaha, I'm being talked about online even when I'm not around. Scary! Anyway, my place just got an extra star last weekend because I bought a dinner table and what not! Raistlin and you should come over on Sunday to enjoy my lasagna. Give me a call! Hey GrumpySmurf, how's EA treating you? Cheers, Jaap Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
narcimund 0 #24 March 3, 2006 QuoteHahaha, I'm being talked about online even when I'm not around. Scary! What are you talking about? You were in my living room when I wrote that. First Class Citizen Twice Over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smiles 0 #25 March 3, 2006 I live in Abbotsford, Fraser Valley. d.z. is 5 min. from my home http://www.vancouver-skydiving.bc.ca/ --luv the new engine in our porter --otter/porter boogie in Aug. Abbotsford International Airport is Vancouver's hassle free alternative. http://www.abbotsfordairport.ca/ 45 min. from Vancouver and way-way-way cheaper to buy a place here/store a car.... SMileseustress. : a positive form of stress having a beneficial effect on health, motivation, performance, and emotional well-being. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
