scrubbedexpat091

True, but it beats the miserable traffic from the Fraser Valley.

The bridge and north shore and not really not that bad most of the time and beats coming from places like Abby or Maple Ridge or other highly congested places where the entire commute is congested...

scrubbedexpat091

Because downsizing means condo living, and condo living isn't for everyone and doesn't provide a good lifestyle in my view. Why live in Vancouver and be stuck in a condo with no yard, no outdoors but a balcony, in a small box?

All depends on what you want and if you wan't a house, that is out for most people except the highest of earners in Vancouver now if all you can afford for example if 500,000 or less, you really can't find a house in Vancouver (city of Vancouver) for that price, just condos really these days.

If I had the ability to buy, I'd rather commute then keep living in a tiny box.

Condo living is depressing and the pits, no space, no outdoors to garden in, just a box with limited space.

Not to mention is there really any huge difference between sitting in the car for an hour or sitting or standing on public transit for an hour? And many transit commutes within the city of Vancouver will take an hour or more.

If you can buy a house in Vancouver at today's prices your income is well above average and the OP hubby being a nurse, the salary is about average to slightly above average and not likely able to buy a million dollar house.

Vancouver = City of Vancouver not including the burbs like Burnaby, Richmond and the like.


Disclaimer: I have a huge hate for condo living, I had to live in them my entire adult life and frankly condo living sucks, they are small, no yard, no garden, stupid strata freaks who like to control your life. Just pure yuck.

Mikeypm

Condo living is not ideal but it really depends on your budget, for some a condo is all that can be afforded.

scrubbedexpat091

I know and that is why people choose to commute instead, so they can have a house which is what I was trying to say...lol

For commuters they have decided condo living isn't for them and commuting is worth it so they can have a house.


I'd consider a condo if it was directly downtown Vancouver which would never happen, but down town you can literally walk everywhere, and never need to use transit or a car. Otherwise I'd rather just live in another city that isn't Vancouver as Vancouver otherwise offers no real benefit over any other LM city.

withabix

If there are two of you in a vehicle, you can get from Abby to Downtown in under an hour at peak times....

withabix

If there are two of you in a vehicle, you can get from Abby to Downtown in under an hour at peak times....


I know people who commute from Chilliwack to Vancouver or Harrison to Langley every day.

Now they are mad...

MarkG

There's a reason God gave us helicopters...

Lychee

Because the seawall becomes your backyard. Stanley Park becomes your back yard. English Bay and Second Beach becomes your back yard. David Lam Park becomes your backyard. I lived in a rented condo in Yaletown for 5 years (1 bedroom, no balcony but a stunning view and a block from the seawall) and it was wonderful. It's a different mindset. It's not suburban living. You do not own a yard, but you have immediate access to beaches and public waterfront and all the outdoors you'd ever want. You learn that you do not need a yard when you are surrounded with all these public parks, gardens, and waterfront. I'm just saying, it's an option. It's not the right option for everywhere, but in the right place, it can be liberating. And everything you need is within walking distance. You can save serious money by not having a car. And if you need a car for the day, there is Modo or Zip Car or Car to Go.

MrHyperPants

IMO I think Vancouver is more expensive than London. May be renting is just slightly higher in London. But other things in Van are more expensive London. Such as food and alcohol. Plus excursions or activities are expensive to do here. Flights anywhere are a joke.

scrubbedexpat091

Most don't seem to commute n pairs though. It's still a less pleasant commute and if your going to buy, Squamish offers more for about the same cost, renting though Abby is better.

Even if we gave up the car, downtown Vancouver is out of our ability and the amount of the car would not be fully saved as we would still need to pay for some transportation. We looked into it, but I haven't seen much under 1,000 which would be the upper limit for us.

The whole point for a backyard is to relax in private, you can't do that at any public park, nor have a pond, or anything else in a public park.

And biggest of all, I want a backyard for the dog can have some outdoor time off a leash in a safe area.

The whole point of owning in my view is to have private space and a private yard to get away from other people and the public and just relax without having to go somewhere.

If we could afford the rents downtown, I'd rather rent a house in say Abbotsford and have space.

Now if I was a professional and had a high income, and worked downtown, it would be different, but working downtown is a long shot. That is when I would considering living downtown, but if I have to commute on transit, not worth it.

I just could never deal with transit again for a commute, it's too slow, crowded and not reliable. But working and living downtown would be a different story. Just not likely to happen at a wage that is high enough to afford the prices asked downtown.

ExKiwilass

Agree with Lychee, my DT friends seem to love it. I've never had an issue with transit myself.

dishwashing

Vote for brightest poster on this forum - eternally Lychee

dishwashing

Vancouver is nothing compared to London, not to mention the GBP is always stellar and the loonie is only going one way.

London salaries can be over 100K GBP, here you are looking at 75K average. Vancouver benefits from overseas investors, other than that, there is NO comparison between these cities IMO.

dishwashing

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dishwashing

+15

And if you are actually earning pounds, it's even cheaper. Vancouver is genuinely expensive.