大C姐

yup, u will need both partner to make more than 50k to afford that.  Need to wish that neither of  ...
MSN04 發表於 2010-9-28 14:15

    OK wor... many nice 2 bedroom condo (800SF+) are selling for less than $500K around Vancouver (including downtown).

Many of us (hongers) grew up in concrete boxes, it's not that bad to raise a family in a condo.

大C姐

OK... so people living in downtown should just stay there... or take bus/skytrain if wanting to go ...
MSN04 發表於 2010-9-28 14:05

    Huh? Are you implying that someone making $60K is too high-class to take public transportation in Vancouver??? hmm....... (not even going to comment on that)


As i said, if you work and live in downtown, you only need a car on the weekend, you can use zip car/ car co-op (if you don't want to take public transportation). i genuinely believe a second hand car (let's say <$10,000) is an option for someone making $60K....

大C姐

Based on what you said about limiting budget.  I wouldn't say that 60k is in a good position to bu ...
MSN04 發表於 2010-9-28 14:23

    again, i don't think it's a tight budget... first of all, i dont think 60K is a lot of money (that you can afford a luxurious lifestyle to start with), but i do think $1700 of spare money a month can make a comfortable lifestyle.

if you want more space you can live elsewhere (surrey/ new west) and spend more $$ on transportation, or you can even get a roommate!

if you can't live within a budget, you can't really be happy no matter how you spend your $60K.....

大C姐

yes... talking about almost 2 times the average income to live in some sh1t hole in east vancouver ...
MSN04 發表於 2010-9-28 14:18

    Perhaps you have very high expectation jeh...



but i won't live in east vancouver either... i'd rather live in new west or surrey (at least it's cheaper)

大C姐

500k 2 beds condo... Vancouver, yes!  downtown?  hmm... very old ones?

800sf in HK is not bad, 80 ...
MSN04 發表於 2010-9-28 14:31

    nope, my friend just bought one for $465K on Richards street (built in 2005 i think), aroud 815SF, 2 BR, 2 Bath.

There are quite a few to choose from in downtown actually, it's not as expensive as many people think!

a 800SF apartment in hk with gym+sauna, etc in Central would be A LOT more expensive (that would be truly unaffordable for most people)....

大C姐

No! read above.  I am saying that if someone needs to sacrifice or live on tight budget.  He/she i ...
MSN04 發表於 2010-9-28 14:33

    you have to live on a "tight" budget no matter what you do with $60K... -_-"

大C姐

Fibbi: For a 700k house, Can your couple handle a 2% rate increase? ($800/mo).  During the 80's Mort ...
Look4chrisng 發表於 2010-9-28 14:34

    if you have 700K, you don't have to buy in East Van, you can buy in Burnaby or Coquitlam, in better residential neighbourhoods.

otherwise you can easily afford a condo.

again, your example of interest rate is just one of the things people have to consider before buying a place, it's not about how expensive the properties are.

大C姐

$1700 is not really spare money... that is only money after housing.  There are also other basic n ...
MSN04 發表於 2010-9-28 14:42

    i said you can choose to buy elsewhere (in new west or surrey) for more space and perhaps even get a roommate... not in a 500SF studio of course!

I think iphone is quite extravagant and unncessary.. that's practically one of the MOST expensive phones in the market (i dont' think Vancouver sells Vertu yet). i think a starbucks here and there and dining out can fit into the $1700 budget (perhaps not everyday) but then again, some people are very comfortable with taking transit... so i guess your comfort level is a bit higher than some.

大C姐

Have you tried to run for office?  Gordon really needs someone for push for HST in the next 1 ...
Look4chrisng 發表於 2010-9-28 14:46

    i honestly think some people exaggerate the situation... okay, if you ask me, of course i think Vancouver is expensive, but is it unaffordable?? i don't think so.

I think a lot of people read these articles/ statistics and freak out! Some people set VERY HIGH expectation on their lifestyles, they want the best products and gadgets on regular/ average salary, that's NOT realistic!

Since when iphone is a must? since when a car is a must (in downtown vancovuer)? since when cable TV is a must? if you can't afford a place to live, you can't afford these entertainment/ luxury goods. People put these other things as piority over their accomodation becuase asian parents ALMOST ALWAYS provide shelter to their kids for as long as they can. That's why many asian kids have this false sense of reality.

FORGET ALL STATISTICS AND NEWSPAPER ARTICLE. If you REALLY cannot afford $500K house/condo, you can still buy a brand new apartment in Surrey for less than $200K!! Is that realy unaffordable?? Do you have to LIVE in city of Vancouver?? But of course, people whine about having to take public transit and being too far and the ghetto neighbourhood while they line up to buy $800 iphone and $5 starbucks frappucino....

if you don't have the money, stop bitching and work harder... otherwise take what you have and make it work!

大C姐

You are confusing me... so u think 60k is gonna yield  a comfortable budget or tight budget?
MSN04 發表於 2010-9-28 14:55

    it's a "tight" budget with your spending habits.. but probably very comfortable for many others (myself included)...

if i only have 1700 to spare i wouldn't dare buy a luxury car, i'll just get a 2nd hand japanese car or take public transit... but i'll still be happy with my life, i don't think i would be deprived!