Apartment "Hunting"

The cost of living is high in Vancouver, but especially so for single people. Sometimes I peruse Craigslist for hours on end looking for a modest one bedroom apartment in the West End that I know I will only be able to afford if I have a partner to split the rent with. Being single is fun, but I dream of the day that I will not only feel love in my heart, but in my wallet as well. Am I the only one who thinks this way sometimes?

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Wages..

Sep 15, 2014 at 7:39am

..and housing costs are waaayyy outta whack in Vancouver. If you are older than 27, not from Vancouver, don't have a wealthy family and make a penny less than $70K my suggestion is to move. Its a trap. Lots of cities in N.America offer hiking etc.. and the money you safe on housing/living costs/taxes will enable you to purchase ski trips to Colorado etc.. oh and everywhere has Starbucks & Lululemon these days and more job opportunities. Just my opinion. Lovely city but too many people barely staying afloat and its not because they're fiscally irresponsible. 50K doesn't cut it here and sadly not even a lot of people make that much.

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Adapt or die

Sep 15, 2014 at 10:11am

Not sure why you have to insist living in the West End when it's beyond your price range. If you can't afford to live in your desired neighbourhood, you have to adjust your "checklist" and look for more wage-appropriate neighbourhoods.

The cost of living is high for everyone, single, couples and families.

If you want to keep your wallet fat for spending on yourself then do the sharesies with 4 roommates.

You will not find dirt-cheap rent in the epicenter of a world-class city.

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Ick

Sep 15, 2014 at 10:55am

If someone wanted to live with me just because it's cheaper, I would tell them to eff off. Thanks but no thanks. I'd rather live in a place outside of the "better" neighbourhoods than live with someone who's only doing it for financial reasons.

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face it

Sep 15, 2014 at 11:25am

Vancouver isn't for everyone. If you cant afford it leave. Not everywhere is for everyone, and you don't have any rights to have things you cant afford which includes housing.

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Made do with what you have

Sep 15, 2014 at 11:35am

what is your problem?

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love the west end.

Sep 15, 2014 at 12:00pm

get a studio, they are out there.. Not everything in the west end is lavishly expensive! Shop at the no frills store and produce stores and you can do it.. I for one am very happy not to be sharing rent with someone else. Don't think I could let go of my freedom for anything, even when it means being broke! Embrace being single and all the good that comes from that!

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@face it

Sep 15, 2014 at 12:04pm

Little negative and harsh don't you think?

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Here's the thing

Sep 15, 2014 at 1:16pm

It may be harsh but the people saying you shouldn't be looking for a place in the West End are right. I don't know any statistics but the people in Metro Vancouver live way beyond their means. They think that drinking Starbucks everyday, wearing 100$ yoga pants, driving an SUV, taking lavish vacations and living in the downtown core is their God-given right. Do you make the money to do that?

When I first started at my job, I couldn't afford to eat out once a week, so I told my friends I could only go out for dinner and drinks once a month. They respected that. When I started to make more money, I still didn't have enough to take two airplane vacations a year, but I could take one. I lived within my means. I didn't like how much I was making when I first started working so I switched jobs in the same industry and learned more as I went.

I'd love to live in New York but in order to do so, I'd have to make sacrifices - like not taking any expensive holidays. I'm not willing to do that, so I live here, eat out once a week, take two beach-bound vacations a year and buy my yoga pants at Joe Fresh. Compromise and sacrifice. It's what grown-ups do.

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@Here's the thing

Sep 16, 2014 at 9:17am

I agree with your post except for the rehashed argument that

"people in Metro Vancouver live way beyond their means. They think that drinking Starbucks everyday, wearing 100$ yoga pants, driving an SUV, taking lavish vacations and living in the downtown core is their God-given right. "

Reading this over and over and over makes me think YOU people have incredibly small social circles. I feel sorry for you.

Starbucks coffee is garbage. Tens of thousands of people take over-priced transit, drink Tim's, and shop at Joe Fucking Fresh EVERY SINGLE DAY. They are still struggling.

People like YOU are the a far bigger downer in this city than the high rent. You think "everyone is doing this" "everyone is doing that."

Seriously, get a grip. Are the buses empty? Are the line-ups in Superstore huge, or what? Yeah. We're all a bunch of hoity toity fucks.

I think not.

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hmmmm

Sep 16, 2014 at 9:38am

since when do Adults need room-mates??

grow up and learn to take care of yourself.

regardless what the rents are, it is your responsibility to fend for yourself, NOT needing a room mate (or partner) cause you want to live in a certain area but don't want to earn it.

If you seriously want to live there, work 2 or 3 jobs. if you need more money. lots of jobs out there if you want to get them.

I am single, self supporting (no trust-fund or money from my parents or partner or any one to help fund my rent). I work 2 jobs, have an active social life, and YES live in a 2 bedroom( though the bedrooms are small-its only 740 sq ft)in a high rise condo in the downtown core Vancouver...

when I find the right partner I will be with him because I want to be (heart, body and soul) NOT because he will split the rent.

Note: I'd never date a guy living with room mates, just shows me he is incapable of taking care of himself. How could he possibly handle a mature relationship?

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