Apt rental rip-offs

[avironneur]

The point is that Seattle's RENTAL housing for similarly appointed units in neighbourhoods of similar density is cheaper than Vancouver.

San Fran would be on par with Vancouver for rental costs - San Fran is also more expensive than Seattle.

This is a simple numbers game and the the number show that you get more for your money whether renting or buying in Seattle vs Vancouver.

Renters will also be more strained in Vancouver as average salaries are much lower in Vancouver vs Seattle but that is a different thread.

[movingwiththewind]

Originally Posted by avironneur

The point is that Seattle's RENTAL housing for similarly appointed units in neighbourhoods of similar density is cheaper than Vancouver.

San Fran would be on par with Vancouver for rental costs - San Fran is also more expensive than Seattle.

This is a simple numbers game and the the number show that you get more for your money whether renting or buying in Seattle vs Vancouver.

Renters will also be more strained in Vancouver as average salaries are much lower in Vancouver vs Seattle but that is a different thread.

Exactly: Although relevant, salaries, taxes, groceries costs and other expenses belong to a different thread. And once again, this thread was not started as a Seattle vs. Vancouver thread. I first mentioned Seattle just to show that comparing to other places, rentals in Vancouver are not necesserily a rip-off.

[1newyorkguy]

Okay, I'm living here now..and yes rentals are a rip off (so are groceries). People are charging 1400 for 450 square feet. I'm looking around with my girlfriend (with a dog doesn't make it easier), and there's nothing decent for less than $1800 plus utilities...and that price is hard to find.

[movingwiththewind]

Originally Posted by 1newyorkguy

Okay, I'm living here now..and yes rentals are a rip off (so are groceries). People are charging 1400 for 450 square feet. I'm looking around with my girlfriend (with a dog doesn't make it easier), and there's nothing decent for less than $1800 plus utilities...and that price is hard to find.

Welcome to Vancouver, the best place on Earth! All "best" places on Earth are expensive, unfortunately.

But, to be fair, you already knew what to expect before you even moved here, right?

[tarachii]

Originally Posted by 1newyorkguy

Okay, I'm living here now..and yes rentals are a rip off (so are groceries). People are charging 1400 for 450 square feet. I'm looking around with my girlfriend (with a dog doesn't make it easier), and there's nothing decent for less than $1800 plus utilities...and that price is hard to find.

$1400 for 450 sq. ft is certainly one of the crappier places you can rent in Vancouver, but thankfully you can do much better if you know when to begin looking I suggest using padmapper Apartments for Rent - PadMapper Apartment Search for Oodle, Apartments.com, Rent.com, Kijiji, and Craigslist Apartments in conjunction with craigslist and to start looking for places every new month, as new places are usually posted up for rent around the 2nd of each month by landlords (due to the Vancouver norm of only having to give one month's notice before opting out from signing a new lease). With enough perusing, you'll usually be able to spot plenty of apartments in the West End for $1500 offering 700+ sq ft. in space, or 650 sq ft+ one bedrooms in Yaletown going for between $1600 and $1800. One suggestion is that if you fall in love with a place or think you will, go view the place quick, and if it matches expectations, ask to sign a lease immediately. More than likely, there were half a dozen overs who viewed the apartment before you could but may not have committed to putting down a deposit yet, but will soon.

Good luck with the apartment hunting if you haven't found some place you like yet, and hope this helps!

PS Rent in Vancouver is also NOTHING compared to the exorbitant rent in Manhattan; my partner recently lived in a dingy 450 sq. ft bachelor pad near Union Square for $2400 a month...