Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

Didn't have enough money. Its $40-$45 for a taxi from East Vancouver to Richmond.

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

Didn't have enough money. It is what it is, not the end of the world.

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

That's too bad. What happened to everyone else who couldn't get their vehicles out of the garage? Will they be compensated or is it just tough luck? I'd be furious if I missed a job interview because a garage door didn't open. I hope they reschedule it for you.

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

Basically tough luck according to the strata, last time it happened someone complained on the strata's facebook page, and one of the strata members replied back telling everyone who needed their car to walk to work or ride a bike and save the planet, they don't care. lol

We rent so have no say in the strata but if I owned a unit, this strata would tick me off so much, probably best I never own a condo lol

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

Correct. My condo fees include water, garbage pick up, snow removal, landscaping if required as very little or no grass to cut. Have you ever seen what elevators cost to maintain? Many new build condos now have the owners maintain their own hot water tanks.

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

Funnily enough I once worked as a manager for a small company who installed / replaced / repaired OTIS lifts in the UK. The owners both drove Porsche's and offered me one to go back and work with them after I moved away, lol. So yes, I know how much they can cost... it's a profitable industry :)

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

Good money in BC for the workers in BC who fix elevators, very hard industry to get into, closed union so basically need to know someone in the union to get into the industry.

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

One thing I wish I had done more of when I had flight benefits, travelling more of the world and not just around the US/Mexico.

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

Provided I get a score of 24/40 on the English test next month, I might be able to get some job training in the fall for a better job, all hinges on the English test. If I don't get a 24/40 back to the drawing board.

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

Are there any sample tests available to see how you do before you take the test.

Best of luck

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

I found some free samples, the samples are tricky, on some I didn't even spot the errors, so yeah seems like a tricky test and English as a subject has never been my strong suit, but I'll do the best I can and see what happens.

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

Going back to condos ............... it is also important to remember that there might suddenly be an added assessment to cover an unexpectedly large repair that will be very expensive.

Many condo buildings in Vancouver and some other areas of Metro were bui8lt under new building regulations back in the late 80s and 90s ...... regulations that were based on a code from California (!!!) that said there would be no overhang of the roof. It turned out that is not the way to build in what is essentially a rain forest!

For years, one saw condos all over the place surrounded by blue wrapping as the rotted outside layers had to removed, repairs done, and new cladding put on. It also happened to highrises built of concrete, as well as low rise wooden buildings.

New assessments were sent to each owner within the condo, often in 6 figures, $200,00 or $300,000 was not unusual.

We have one friend who was lucky enough not to have bought into one of those building, but then a new roof was needed, her assessment was around $50,000, and she had to continue working until she was 68 so she could attempt to bring her savings (= her pension) back to what they had been before that. Now they have been faced with having to have a ramp put in at the front door to accommodate a wheelchair user (who bought into the building before falling and breaking her hip) ......... city bylaws keep changing, but one estimate was for almost $100,000 with everything that they said had to be done.

Condo stratas all have a slush fund derived from the monthly payments, but not that large ........... so our friend is facing the possibility of another assessment to cover the cost.

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

That happened to my wife's mom, special assessment on a condo she owned, luckily it was not her residence and a unit she rented it out so she didn't end up without a home, she sold it to an investor for cheap who was able to pay the special assessment. It wasn't 6 figures but 70,000 is no small amount.

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

Good attitude. Your written english is quite good on this forum.

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

I wish Mcdonalds in Canada has the breakfast biscuit sandwiches the US ones have. For a fast food breakfast sandwich they are pretty good. Have never been able to find anything comparable in Vancouver/BC.