Downtown Vancouver Updates

[Yume-sama]

Does anybody have any info on "Richards Living" (www.richardsliving.com), such as its actual address, etc. It sort of just sprung up out of nowhere.

[deasine]

on Richards? Wild guess... =P

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by deasine

on Richards? Wild guess... =P

You don't suppose...

[jlousa]

The old home of Richards on Richards. I posted the details ages ago, should come up if you do a search.

[Spring2008]

Hey guys, sorry this is off topic, but I'm about to graduate in spring 2009 with a bachelor of commerce degree and have been desperately waiting to move away from Edmonton. I've visited Vancouver a couple times and really like it, but my main concern being a fresh new grad without real work experience, is affordability as big an issue that people seem to be making of it? I'll be moving by myself, maybe look for a roommate to split rent with as well. How's the job market, is it suitable for business grads, how much would rent be for a typical one bedroom apartment in downtown? I'm not expecting to be making big bucks just enough to live comfortably. Although i know i could probably make more in Alberta, i really like what Vancouver has to offer and i absolutely cannot stand another Edmonton winter. If anybody could provide any kind of information it would be greatly appreciated. Thank-you!

[Yume-sama]

Plan on at least $2 per square foot, depending on which area in downtown. I've seen 600 sq. ft apartments on Denman St. for $2200 - $2500, significantly more than $2 per square foot.

I would think you should perhaps expect no less than $1500 depending on which area you like.

[jlousa]

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

Plan on at least $2 per square foot, depending on which area in downtown. I've seen 600 sq. ft apartments on Denman St. for $2200 - $2500, significantly more than $2 per square foot.

I would think you should perhaps expect no less than $1500 depending on which area you like.

While a 1bd in a new tower in Yaletown will set you back ~$1500/month, you can find a 2 bd in the same area in a building 3-4yrs old for ~$1900-$2000 without too much difficulty, splitting that with a roommate will save you some change.

[Spring2008]

Yeah it looks like I'll be needing a roommate, lol. I'm guessing Yaletown must be one of the most expensive areas in the core right now, or is there not much fluctuation in rent among the different downtown areas. I would of cried seeing numbers like that a few years ago, but the funny thing is nowadays rent is probably just as high in Edmonton and Calgary right now. BTW thanks guys and if anybody has any other feedback/tips to throw my way I'd really appreciate it. I'm just trying to collect as much info as possible and prefer getting actual resident opinions' rather than just solely relying on government websites and what not.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

Does anybody have any info on "Richards Living" (www.richardsliving.com), such as its actual address, etc. It sort of just sprung up out of nowhere.

Known as 1098 Richards on the City's website.

[entheosfog]

Originally Posted by Spring2008

Yeah it looks like I'll be needing a roommate, lol. I'm guessing Yaletown must be one of the most expensive areas in the core right now, or is there not much fluctuation in rent among the different downtown areas. I would of cried seeing numbers like that a few years ago, but the funny thing is nowadays rent is probably just as high in Edmonton and Calgary right now. BTW thanks guys and if anybody has any other feedback/tips to throw my way I'd really appreciate it. I'm just trying to collect as much info as possible and prefer getting actual resident opinions' rather than just solely relying on government websites and what not.

I moved to Van last summer from Calgary and my rent for a 1 bedroom in Van is quite comparable to Calgary. An advantage is that there are more apartments to chose from but they do go quick.
As for affordability, there's a huge misconception from nay-sayers back in Alberta that Vancouver is so much more expensive than Calgary but I've found Vancouver is very comparable to back home. Real estate prices, on the hand, are a different story...

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by entheosfog

I moved to Van last summer from Calgary and my rent for a 1 bedroom in Van is quite comparable to Calgary. An advantage is that there are more apartments to chose from but they do go quick.
As for affordability, there's a huge misconception from nay-sayers back in Alberta that Vancouver is so much more expensive than Calgary but I've found Vancouver is very comparable to back home. Real estate prices, on the hand, are a different story...

Yes, they are definitely around the same now. You just have to decide if you want a higher quality of life and ease of access to shopping, etc. or not.

[Canadian Mind]

nothing in the west end? I was under the impression that the area as cheaper than the actual downtown.

[amac]

Originally Posted by Canadian Mind

nothing in the west end? I was under the impression that the area as cheaper than the actual downtown.

Lots of apartments become available in the West End but you have to act fast. Watch out for buildings with bedbugs. http://bedbugregistry.com/location/bc/

[Canadian Mind]

now thats teh website he needed.

[vanman]

Originally Posted by Canadian Mind

nothing in the west end? I was under the impression that the area as cheaper than the actual downtown.

You can definitely still get an apartment in the West End for $900 and under. I know a few people with decent pads for that rate.

[vanman]

Originally Posted by jlousa

The old home of Richards on Richards. I posted the details ages ago, should come up if you do a search.

They should at least incorporate some sort of live music venue in the podium of the new lowrise. Even if it's as subtle as a cafe with a small stage.

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Known as 1098 Richards on the City's website.

Thanks.

[LeftCoaster]

Originally Posted by jlousa

The old home of Richards on Richards.

[officedweller]

Got a notice in the mail regarding 1050 Expo Blvd - the social housing project.

Here are the renders included:



And a site map - looks like a wide ROW for the City streetcar - double track on the Pacific Boulevard side (as opposed to one track on each of Pacific Blvd and Expo Blvd, which I think, was considered at one time (for the westbound track to be closer to Stadium Station).

[sacrifice333]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Got a notice in the mail regarding 1050 Expo Blvd - the social housing project.

So from reading on this site it seems that there are quite a few social housing projects either in the works or in the planning phases yet all I ever hear in the media and from activist groups is that there are fewer units than X number of years ago.

Anyone have any actual facts on how many social housing units were around in say 2000, how many are currently under construction, and how many are currently being permitted, etc.?

The best media report about the subject, well actually it was from the show 4Real on MTV Canada, showed the Woodwards Project when talking about how social housing at been replaced by market housing... doesn't the Woodwards project have a social housing component?!