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Personally, I agree the concept of European townhouse style living with community spaces has considerable merits. I haven’t actually stated my personal opinion, in my previous posts I’m just asking questions to see why things always seem to fall in two camps. For example, renting versus buying, or condo versus house, etc.

We have a very complex society that involves value choices in social, economic and environmental considerations. In any choice, we have a value position at some point on the spectrum. I think for people to make informed decisions (ie. be informed voters, citizens, participants in development) they need to spend some time asking questions, and being critical thinkers.

I’ve been reading this blog lately because there is a lot of passionate expression of opinion, but also, good information shared about economics, in the debate between renting versus buying. I am learning a lot about world financial markets, in this sharing. In general I think society needs more healthy debate, and the internet seems to have created the opportunity for an open and accessible forum. I may have an opinion or a value position, but it can be changed when I am exposed to new sources of information, or thoughtful analysis and synthesis of related information pieces.

I don’t know why, but I find the conversation coming out of this recent real estate bubble fascinating.

You need to boost your condo fees though. Usually, they are at least between $300 – $500 @ month. They are extra expensive because there is a premium land tax that you have to pay (for your common property) for living here.

Also you should add in a fee for parking ($50 -100 @ month) – although some places give you one slot with your apartment purchase. To buy a slot – the going rate is $20,000.

Wow … there are going to be a couple unfilled holes in the ground all over Canada.

When people talk about a tight rental market in Vancouver they usually “ignore” a few things:

- Vancouver itself is “small”, there is West Van, Burnaby etc. From the East it looks all the same, in reality is isn’t. If you live in North Vancouver you are in all likelyhood only a Seabus ride away from downtown but the rental prices drop quite a bit.

Also, “no affordable renting properties” in Vancouver for most people mean $800/month for a one bedroom, obviously cost since the early 90s have gone up, but two years ago a 600sqft apartment with fireplace (one bedroom) was available for $800 in a well maintained building.

I pay a bit more, but I do have a look over English Bay, can see the fireworks from my living room and the sun set every night.

Vancouver is not such a bad place to rent, especially if you look at what becoming the owner of a Mortgage costs, but Garth pointed that one out quite nicely

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=By03WbJxwUg

There ALWAYS will be health care. Im in health care. The only way health care will exist if we live in an post nuclear holocaust with nothing. I may not get paid as much, but I’ll have a job.