Housing is Disappointing in Vancouver

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by sofia76

...Yes, wages are lower here, but it's largely a bedroom community of Portland. That's to be expected. Apart from some of the high tech and medical jobs (and possibly teaching), Vancouver doesn't have a whole lot of high paying industry. But it's a town of less than 100K people ... is that a big surprise? How is that any different than 20 years ago?
... East Vancouver is NOT low-income, by the way. I don't think those engineers at Wafer Tech (sp?) and Hewlett Packard are barely getting by.

There is a BIG difference in the economic / social trajectory of east Vancouver from 20 yrs ago... These companies were in GROWTH mode and the employment was providing more % of housing $. These companies are now 'declining' and have been for quite awhile (HP once employed over 3000, and supported over 10000 jobs in Vancouver Portland, and they will be GONE soon). The $$ boom in Real Estate and in wages has gone, and service level jobs will not sustain or grow an un(under)employed and non-productive region. Vancouver will not dry up () and blow away, BUT it is a transitioning community and will have some significant pains in the process. Our leadership is not cognizant of this and they are leading us to the slaughter (tax and infrastructure). In the next 25 yrs Vancouver will look quite different (in the realm of 'quality of life'). Much to the contrary view of city planners, Vancouver will not be the 'next Pearl'. (nor will Camas or Washougal). If the planners would instead clearly identify the benefits of each region, and build a unique personality and economy and social structure to capitalize on that personality, they might have something. BUT.... it won't happen the way they are selling it to taxpayers. (But they don't care, as they will keep getting paid, for rev B, C, D ...)

[hml1976]

janb is right. While we LOVE it here, my husband works for a large corporation that may or may not be here in a few years. We would love to stay but doubt that we'll be able to. My neighbors are all in the same boat, a lot of us won't be here in 5-10yrs.

[KOCMOC]

<<There is a BIG difference in the economic / social trajectory of east Vancouver from 20 yrs ago... These companies were in GROWTH mode and the employment was providing more % of housing $. These companies are now 'declining' and have been for quite awhile (HP once employed over 3000, and supported over 10000 jobs in Vancouver Portland, and they will be GONE soon). The $$ boom in Real Estate and in wages has gone, and service level jobs will not sustain or grow an un(under)employed and non-productive region. Vancouver will not dry up () and blow away, BUT it is a transitioning community and will have some significant pains in the process. Our leadership is not cognizant of this and they are leading us to the slaughter (tax and infrastructure). In the next 25 yrs Vancouver will look quite different (in the realm of 'quality of life'). Much to the contrary view of city planners, Vancouver will not be the 'next Pearl'. (nor will Camas or Washougal). If the planners would instead clearly identify the benefits of each region, and build a unique personality and economy and social structure to capitalize on that personality, they might have something. BUT.... it won't happen the way they are selling it to taxpayers. (But they don't care, as they will keep getting paid, for rev B, C, D ...)>>

So what is your prediciton for the East Vancouver? Armed gangs will be imposing taxes and liens against property owners? I'm thinking about a buying a house in Fisher Landings. Should I?

If it is too harsh for this board, please send me a private message.