Hi all. Can anyone suggest affordable accomodation areas in Vancouver region. Have 4 children so need decent size house. I know it is expensive to rent. Any ideas/pros and cons on various areas. There was a thread a while back on this subject but I can no longer find it. Needs to be safe for children is important.

Thanks all. Clanickp

If it exists I'd like to know where too

Just got back from a recce trip - separate thread done.

Are you already there or not? If not then if you are going on a recce I would try to be there in the first week of the month, as that seems to be when there is greatest availability, the main problem unfortunately does seem to be with family housing which seems to be in very short supply when compared with 1 and 2 bed condo availability.

We spent 6 days of viewing dross and chasing properties that had already gone, which isn't much fun for kids Eventually we found a great (but not cheap) place on 2 June that had only been listed for 2 days, from what we were told by locals that tends to be the way it is, the good stuff gets snapped up at the start of each month.

Pitt Meadows and such areas (about 40 mins from downtown) offer some relatively good value rental for the size of your faimly.

Not a bad area too

$1800 per month for 4 beds + 2.5 baths etc etc
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/apa/1200899078.html

Also Port Coquitlam @ $1700 per month
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/apa/1207818337.html

Port Moody with water views for a tad more @ $3300 per month
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/apa/1183799024.html

Maple Ridge @ $2600 for 6 bedrooms
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/apa/1188693999.html

Or another in Maple Ridge with 4 acres of land and 4 bedrooms @ $1400 per month. BARGAIN!!!!!!
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/apa/1205696419.html

Just a few of examples.

I would recommend North Burnaby in the Vancouver Heights or Capitol Hill area (both in Burnaby). It's very close to downtown Vancouver - only 15 mins. Very safe area (i know I work there as a copper). Great area, very family orientated and a bit cheaper than Vancouver proper. Great transit to downtown.

http://www.burnabyheights.com/qs/page/1801/1788/-1

The further east you go, the more affordable it becomes. Where you are working will impact your choices. If you are looking for affordable, I'd discount the west side of Vancouver and the North Shore may be too high also. North Burnaby is the best as far as middle ground goes. Good Luck.

And not to mention where you live! Kitts prices look crazy compared to some parts of the west end, tho probably not to coal harbour.

Yes I looked at a 1300 sq foot townhouse today in Kits for 849,000 - crazy - you can get a half decent house for that in Burnaby - which is still too much. God knows when prices will come down.

Just looked in to your query,we've lived in the Vancouver area for
about 30 years,and yes it is very expensive.
You will find more affordable housing in the burbs. Places like Port
Coquitlam,Port Moody and even as far out as Pitt Meadows/Maple Ridge.
About $1500 a month.
These are all places on the North side of the Fraser river.Which in my
opinion is a better place to live.
Unfortunately these latter years, Vancouver area has taken on something
of a drug culture,along with the violent crime that is a part of it.So it
difficult to say where is a good place for children,good luck in your search.

I agree the 4 bells (carrie) just moved here from the UK - well a bit further into north burnaby, but still close.

I'm a major crime cop - I work gangs on a regular basis. Violent crime is my bread and butter - while we had a surge of shootings - its settled down and I would n't be an alarmist - yes there are drugs yes there are shootings - welcome to western urbanization.

With the exception of one shooting, all the shootings happened either in east vancouver and the most were dotted around metro vancouver.

I've lived here almost 17 years - been a cop and victim assistance counselor for the most of those - Vancouver is a safe city and is no worse than most other major urban areas. Yes there are bad areas - as with anywhere but lets not muddy the waters.

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/murder-map.html

I would put money on them being significantly cheaper in 12 months time than they are now. (very high/hyper inflation non-withstanding). So keep the faith

another vote for burnaby, i worked around that area for a year as a lanscape gardener and played for a rugby club there. if you are close to the sky train line then getting around (aside from driving) is very easy for you and your kids.