Walkingthroughforest
I got the worst ******* attorneys
- Aug 19, 2007
- 7,678
- 1,953
OT: Apartment hunting in Vancouver
- Thread starter Walkingthroughforest
- Start date
LiquidSnake
Registered User
Ill bump this. You better not be one of those Flames fans that bashes the city and says he wants back to CGy!!!
But welcome
But welcome
Walkingthroughforest
I got the worst ******* attorneys
- Aug 19, 2007
- 7,678
- 1,953
Eddy Punch Clock
Jack Adams 2028
No rioting either.
I'm still so pissed at all of those Albertans that came here to riot in 2011 just to make our city and fans look bad.
RandV
It's a wolf v2.0
For the price you're looking for avoid Coal Harbour and Yaletown, and look around the West End or Kits. Even then the price may be tough, but the West End has a lot of older apartment buildings so you may be able to find something. One of my cousins moved here recently and I think she got a 400-500 square foot bachelor suite for $1000 a month. It's pricey and you don't get a lot but the trade off is you're in a great place, right next to Denman street and English Bay Beach/Stanley Park.
I think Kits is more of a basement suite place, though there should be a few apartments over there... not really sure what they go for. From the people I know it also seems to be more of a 'roommate' area. Depending on where you're working Downtown Kits will be a bit farther since you'll be crossing the Burrard street bridge everyday. A bike would probably be useful here.
One more place that may be worth looking into, the DTES/Chinatown is the sketchy part of Vancouver but there are a few area's that are being 'reclaimed' for comfortable urban living. I say it's the sketchy area but it really isn't dangerous, and you might be able to find some cheaper accommodations over there.
I think Kits is more of a basement suite place, though there should be a few apartments over there... not really sure what they go for. From the people I know it also seems to be more of a 'roommate' area. Depending on where you're working Downtown Kits will be a bit farther since you'll be crossing the Burrard street bridge everyday. A bike would probably be useful here.
One more place that may be worth looking into, the DTES/Chinatown is the sketchy part of Vancouver but there are a few area's that are being 'reclaimed' for comfortable urban living. I say it's the sketchy area but it really isn't dangerous, and you might be able to find some cheaper accommodations over there.
ProstheticConscience
Check dein Limit
Hmm...cutting out the basement suites and dumpy places will eliminate a very, very large part of what $700-$1000 a month will get you in kits. That's basically enough for about a closet downtown. Something you might consider is living further away, but along the skytrain route. I'm near Edmonds station and take the train downtown every day. It's only about...what, 20-25 minutes to the downtown core on the train from here. You might consider looking around the Patterson or Metrotown skytrain areas. There's lots of decent high rises around there for a hell of a lot cheaper than you'd get in kits. Downside of course is that you're in Burnaby. Also, the commercial drive area is very popular. Lots of eclectic little funky restaurants and cafes and stuff in that neighbourhood.
Just an idea.
RTN
Be Kind, Rewind
- Aug 28, 2008
- 2,054
- 3
I second the idea of looking farther away, given the OP's budget. But I would personally recommend North Burnaby over South Burnaby.
CascadiaPuck
Proud Canucks investor.
If you are working downtown and considering transit, I suggest somewhere along the Canada Line. From the South end of the bridge all the way up to King Edward, there are many rental buildings (typically 1-2 bedroom or studios). AMS rentsline, Advent, Sunstar Realty, BCAOMA rentals are other sites worth checking for vacancies (some pricier than others). The area between Granville and Oak - and North of 16th has a bunch of rental units as well. If you are near Granville, it's a straight shot to downtown by bus. Good luck with the move!
Mr. Canucklehead
Kitimat Canuck
Hope you enjoy the transition to Vancouver!
One area you may want to try is Lonsdale in North Vancouver. There are lots of apartments in the sub-$1100 per month range, and the Seabus will have you across to the downtown area in 15 minutes.
https://www.padmapper.com/search/apartments/British-Columbia/North-Vancouver/
I used to live on East 3rd and commuted to Burrard and Dunsmuir every day. It took less than 30 minutes to get to and from work.
Hope this helps!
Carl Carlson
Registered User
- Jan 7, 2009
- 2,066
- 365
604
Registered User
- Nov 1, 2011
- 7,389
- 1,617
Look into the West End as well.
FWIW, there are lots of nice basement/garden suites in Vancouver. We need them to pay for $1M houses.
ZKass The Bass
Registered User
Hope you enjoy the transition to Vancouver!
One area you may want to try is Lonsdale in North Vancouver. There are lots of apartments in the sub-$1100 per month range, and the Seabus will have you across to the downtown area in 15 minutes.
https://www.padmapper.com/search/apartments/British-Columbia/North-Vancouver/
I used to live on East 3rd and commuted to Burrard and Dunsmuir every day. It took less than 30 minutes to get to and from work.
I suggest this as well. Apartments in downtown are ourategously expensive, anywhere in the range of $1000/sq.ft +.
The commute from North Van via seabus IS the most effective way to reach downtown without actually having to live in Downtown.
Timmy
Registered User
- Feb 2, 2005
- 10,691
- 26
...and we don't have a SkyTrain.
I'll use transit when I have a meeting in Vancouver's downtown core because it's much faster than driving solo, but you're still on a bus until you get to the Bridgeport station.
Anything outside the downtown core I drive to...I'm not a huge fan of the general public.
CascadiaPuck
Proud Canucks investor.
That's a price-to-rent ratio of 500-to-1. Those ratios (or higher) absolutely do exist here, though they are more commonly seen in detached houses. As a quick example, here's a place that was listed for $3.38M a few years back (http://www.gracehwo.com/Properties.php/Details/6) and, if you search the address there in CL, you'll find it asking for rent at $5500.
A lot of times you can search the address of a place listed for rent and find a corresponding MLS listing. It's really informative to see how big those ratios can grow. But that brings me another point for the OP (one he/she may already know): there is a lot of up side to avoiding amateur landlords around here. Some people buying in this market lately 1) have negative cash-flow on the place they're renting out (they're just trying to recoup some of their monthly nut until they can flip the unit out from under you) and 2) have no experience with being a landlord (i.e. they fail to realize that tenants are customers they are providing a service to). A multi-unit rental building or professionally managed individual unit can save you a lot of headaches and might be worth a bit of extra money.
Again, good luck with everything.
Last edited:
n00bxQb
Registered User
- Jul 26, 2010
- 3,178
- 524
Agreed. I used to live near Edmonds station, nice neighbourhood and cheap mortgage (wasn't going to rent). 5-minute walk to the station, 25-minute ride downtown with no transfers.
We probably saw each other a few times if you were riding between 2006 and 2010.
I'll second this. Have spent a lot of time in Lower Lonsdale, and the commute to downtown is a snap.
Reverend Mayhem
Tell me all your thoughts on God
Don't look for anything in the Vancouver area. Greater/Metro Van is what you should be shooting for. Vancouver, even a 1-bed/bath you'll be paying out the arse for.
