Will you guys relocate somewhere else because of the crazy house price lately? somewhere, price, crazy, else, guys

utopia

I've been going to different open houses or show home with my brother lately and I'm totally sick of the price and the quality of the houses in Vancouver...

Especially, after I viewed the overall housing market in US; I'm thinking should I have an alternate plan in mind.

Would you guys pick China  or US?

I have been discussing with caveman about moving to somewhere else; we both love Vancouver but the living cost is very expensive. If an EA programmer (supervisor level) cannot afford to buy a house, then what about us???

I totally not interested in GZ except the $$$. Probably Seattle??  But I also worry about safety, is it really that bad to live in the state? How about Texas?
or the small towns in the states?

Basically, I'm not so worry about my own career as I confirmed with the GM, I can trasfer to other offices if I wanted. They have offices around the world, so either I picked HK, GZ or the states; I can easily be transfer but I just worry about the living condition and overall safety (since it seems like everybody have a gun with them in the states and people are more aggressive)

winkyl

When I was in Chicago for my business trip approx 3months ago, I had a good talk with my fellows co-workers over there. In Chicago downtown area, the housing is similar to Vancouver DT's price. But then when living a little more south away from the downtown area (I guess it's similar situation like living in poco, langley area instead), it's much cheaper and actually affordable. Consider my job working in Vancouver getting the exact same amount (I get paid in cdn, and they get paid in usd), income is pretty much the same (before tax that's it). But the living cost down there are just way cheaper compare to Vancouver. E.G. gas down there $3.19usd/gallon, while vancouver was at $1.2cdn/L, car insurance for full coverage 07 corvette down there cost my co-worker $1200/yr with 30% discount, while my POS miata here cost almost $1500 for 43% discount here. Not to mention a 07 corvette insurance in BC will cost probly like over $2k even with 43% discount? Housing, the area that I stay (approx 45min away from downtown) cost around 300k usd (average size house), I doubt anyone in Vancouver and in bby can find a average size house for 300k cdn? (I'm talking about a house that's ready to move in and live without lots of work needed to be done)

Seriously, I did thought about moving/relocated myself somewhere before. But like Lik said, Vancouver probably is the best city to live in the world (beside the living cost)

I think chobit (Eddy) probably can tell you more about his life down in the states much better than myself here.

utopia

I dunno, the house price in Vancouver is absolutely over-price way too much.  

The high rise 1 bedroom + den at my complex is asking for $498,500.00..... cannot imagine if I ask for a two bedroom + den...

Well, we want a house because of caveman's mom.  If she lives with us in the future, we want out own privacy. The only solution is to buy a small house.

But the average price within Burnaby is 710,000 + for a
crappy house that can move in. The lowest would be 699,900 for a super crappy house that you need to throw in 100,000.00 to renovated it into a livable condition.............  

So in average, it will cost at least 800,000 for a decent house.

And house average price will raise to 950,000 in 2009....................

Alcoholic

Twin,
we are eye-ing some townhouses in ditchmond. the first phase is sold out 95%, but we will wait for the 2nd phase to start selling...
1300 sq ft starts 450K
1600 sq ft about 580K
we like the floor plan, it's nice. & it's new. wouldn't it be better for you to get a NEW small townhome rather than a small OLD crappy house?
let's find time to go look at display homes together! maybe we can be neighbours in the future too! hahaha

[ 本帖最後由 Alcoholic 於 2008-5-15 12:26 編輯 ]

kaimui22

I think it really depends on what you're asking for...if you want a decent house with 2+ bedrooms and 2+ washrooms close to the city centre, it will cost you for sure. But are you willing to travel a bit and away from Vancouver/Burnaby? You can still get large houses in Surrey for a lot less than the prices in Richmond/BBY/Van.

Another thing to consider is...if you are thinking of moving to the states, have you considered how much healthcare will cost you? Here, most employers cover MSP..even if they don't, it only costs about $100 a month for a family of 3. In the states, if you have to go to the hospital or doctors for any reason, the fees are astonishing. I think the average price of having a baby in a hospital in the states of anywhere from $5000USD to $20000USD. Not to mention any administrative fees, document fees..etc

Although the cost of living might be high in Vancouver, you also have to consider if you are will to sacrifice your own standard of living to adjust to your income. If you are not willing to lower your standards or move a bit further or get an older house...then of course Vancouver is not the place for you.

utopia

hey you~~

So you figure out how to display Chinese probably on your comp??
hahaha

That's feel so funny, we are in the same office and both on LYK ~~

utopia

原帖由 Alcoholic 於 2008-5-15 12:23 發表
Twin,
we are eye-ing some townhouses in ditchmond. the first phase is sold out 95%, but we will wait for the 2nd phase to start selling...
1300 sq ft starts 450K
1600 sq ft about 580K
we like the flo ...

Ditchmond??

shutterbug

I doubt anyone in Vancouver and in bby can find a average size house for 300k cdn?

LOL...for 300k you can't even buy a decent 2 bedroom condo here...

And 300k for a house, you're looking at maybe Sunshine Coast, Prince George, etc....LOL

Sometimes I question myself if Vancouver is really worth the living cost!!!  Yes, it's a very nice city, but I think there are major political views that will get us in trouble in the long run, in addition to the insane affordability.  Even with high health care cost in US, I think they're more "wealthy" than we are!