McMaster Graduate Student Residence | ? | 31 & 10 fl | Complete

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by TheHonestMaple

Most students pay their rent on a line of credit or OSAP loans, and other grants. So actually university students have quite a bit of money to spend.

Or debt to add.

I haven't driven past this project in a few weeks. It looks Uuuuge.

[Hawrylyshyn]

Needing to take out a huge line of credit and going deep into debt just to be able to have roof over their heads doesn't really scream affordable or "quite a bit of money to spend"

Not sure what you're demographic is, but anecdotally, none of my colleagues in grad/professional schools did what you described and none of them can afford $2000/month, even with OSAP.

[TheHonestMaple]

Originally Posted by Hawrylyshyn

Needing to take out a huge line of credit and going deep into debt just to be able to have roof over their heads doesn't really scream affordable or "quite a bit of money to spend"

Not sure what you're demographic is, but anecdotally, none of my colleagues in grad/professional schools did what you described and none of them can afford $2000/month, even with OSAP.

Literally all of my friends and colleagues paid their rent using OSAP, PLOC, or NSERC grants. How else would you pay for it, you're not working when you're a student. Sure, some income is made in the summer but not enough to pay rent for a year.

[TheRitsman]

I suspect the students living here will be international graduate students who often have deep pockets. Residences on campus are around $1000-$1250/month for undergrad students. Most move outside campus after first year to save money though.

Side note more cladding going up:

[ScreamingViking]

Mac could also sell the building. Can they do that?

[TheRitsman]

Originally Posted by ScreamingViking

Mac could also sell the building. Can they do that?

I don't see why they'd do that. Unlike Darko who will eventually die or whose company will end, McMaster will likely be here long after we all are, so it makes more sense for continued revenue from rents, and to remain as a central institution in the core. I suspect this will be held for a long time. Also adds a property asset to their budget, which allows them to borrow against it for future projects.

[TheRitsman]

A strike like has appeared blocking access to the site. May slow down some work.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamil...rike-1.6676972

[Hawrylyshyn]

From the article ...

"In reality, it works out to about $300 a week. Just going to the grocery store costs more than that per person."

Lol $300/week in groceries for one person?!?!?! Someone needs a more realistic standard of living

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by Hawrylyshyn

Not sure what you're implying by this, but university (including grad) students tend to have very little money -- low income, high debt, high tuition, etc.

As a current grad student, I can confirm I would never be able to afford a $2000 rent on my stipend

what I am implying is that mac students either take out tuition loans or their parents foot the bill for them to stay in residence, and those tho tend to go to mac have money in some form, whether it from tuition OSAP, scholarships, or parents who have saved up to send their kids to university.

Versus those who go to say regular college, which is still pricy, but imo not AS pricy.

But yes I echo the sentiments above - most will most likely come from rich parents either abroad or locally.

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by Hawrylyshyn

From the article ...

"In reality, it works out to about $300 a week. Just going to the grocery store costs more than that per person."

Lol $300/week in groceries for one person?!?!?! Someone needs a more realistic standard of living

I actually do spend this amt when I get groceries but that may last me a couple weeks to a month and that's generally for 2 people. I also shop at metro though because places like no frills and giant tiger freak me out.. that and metro is just around the corner from me lol..

[TheRitsman]

More cladding and windows being installed today:

[Hawrylyshyn]

Originally Posted by SaraKindred

About "a more realistic standard of living" - it's personal for everyone. $300/week in groceries is plenty for me. And it is not so reasonable to look for a student who has much higher standards, while the parents are the ones who financially support most things. This is the reality.

I get that -- but not spending $300/week on one person's groceries is VERY doable. The TAs are not going to get any sympathy by using an argument like this.

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by Hawrylyshyn

I get that -- but not spending $300/week on one person's groceries is VERY doable. The TAs are not going to get any sympathy by using an argument like this.

I thought residence people all ate mr noodles and hot dogs lol

[Innsertnamehere]

We spend like $150 a week for two people lol. $300 for one is a lot for sure.

[HamiltonBoyInToronto]

Depends where you shop and what you get ! A trip to goodness me is easily $200 for a couple of bags and that's not a lot of produce

[ScreamingViking]

There's also a LOT of food waste. I think if people really thought about that when they shopped they'd spend less, and focus on things they will actually eat.

I don't know if many people plan ahead these days either... I remember my grandparents (and my mom too, though not as much) cutting coupons and stocking up on things that were on sale that could be frozen for future use.

[Fruitloops]

lower levels right at King and Bay a few panels of the final angled cladding has been installed. Not gold, more a flat beige, unless there is some type of protective coating on them.

[Fruitloops]

my bad, previously posted a ways back

[HamiltonBoyInToronto]

Originally Posted by Fruitloops

lower levels right at King and Bay a few panels of the final angled cladding has been installed. Not gold, more a flat beige, unless there is some type of protective coating on them.

When the light hits them they glow ! It's pretty cool actually... I think this building will be like a beacon on the skyline

[TheRitsman]

Crane on the west side is coming down