[ShepherdsDog]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-c ... ments.html

$1:

The suites, which range in size from 226 to 291 square feet, go for an average of $850 per month, including cable and internet.

"I was looking for an affordable living space ... and the suite was perfect," said Lia Cosco, one of the building's tenants. "The unique allocation of space and the design concepts make the small space very inviting and comfortable to live in."

While the suites may seem microscopic to some, the developer says the units maximize the square footage by using built-in pull-down wall beds, folding tables and compact appliances.

I guess if you're a single person, or a couple, and are only home to eat and sleep. it would be acceptable for a few years. Me personally, I don't think it would be that appealing. One of the reasons I chose a job in Winnipeg over Vancouver. I have a house in a nice neighbourhood in Winnipeg, and we also have a nice acreage(currently a half section) along Duck Mountain Provincial forest. I'm getting sick of apartment living. Sure winter can suck if you don't get into winter activities but, for what we paid in total, I'd still be paying for if I bought a comparitively decent family home, with a tiny yard, in the Lower Mainland. You goes where the jobs be going, and you buys what you can afford....arrrr.

[CDN_PATRIOT]

How can someone live in that small space???

My living/dining/kitchen in my apartment are almost 390 square feet combined. I haven't even added the two bedrooms, bathroom, and hallways yet.

-J.

[ShepherdsDog]

Our apartment here is almost 1600 sq. ft. and that doesn't count the roof we have access to for a garden/patio/clothes line space. So, i guess you could double that and we pay $500 a month plus utilities...another hundred (depending on the season with A/C). Should add that we're the top florr of an older apartment building. The newer ones are quite a bit smaller. What they call a bedroom in the newer buildings is smaller than the laundry room we have in our apartment.

[saturn_656]

Thank god I live in the bush. 2000 square feet,stones throw from one of the best fishing lakes in Ontario, and I pay half of what they want for those glorified closets.

[Khar]

I live in less than 455 square feet, and I pay slightly more than these folks in downtown Edmonton including utilities except for cable and internet. It indeed does work for me because I don't need much to live on -- the building has about everything I need in it otherwise, from a place to work out and so forth. The only thing I would like is easier garbage removal, and I would gladly give up another 50 square feet for it -- as it stands, I barely use half of this apartment.

I would not call this low income housing, however -- most people living here are young professionals who already make more than three or four thousand a month and want quick access to where they work. I really do challenge this Vancouver strategy being low-income housing for folks as is advertised since people would have to spend at least 250 bucks a month above what I'd consider the cut off for that. I would have to wonder if this is because of the actual costs of the program, or because they are aiming it at people who want the lifestyle. These are pretty nice and updated units for something to be truly aimed at low income folks -- generally, you'd want to use energy efficient and slightly older stuff for that, and not flashy built-in stuff throughout.

I think it is commendable that they are trying to find strategies to both lower costs and use abandoned or older buildings, however. I seriously considered outright buying one a few years ago in another city since I liked the idea and concept enough to live it, but unfortunately, having to move to another city put a kink in that plan, and renting seemed like a better idea in the short term. Given the market tanked shortly afterwards I think I made a sound decision.

I actually lived in 560 square feet before and downgraded because I felt it a waste. Plus, I got tired of living on the ground floor of a large building.

[raydan]

I've got a 924 sq feet apartment and pay less than that.

[westmanguy]

Its only expensive if you want to live in the downtown core.

My parents are currently renting an apartment in Richmond, B.C. right near the ocean in area of Steveston. Its a One bedroom + den bit under 700 square feet, balcony, underground parking etc. for $1,050.

Vancouver is ridiculous though. I live in a dorm room at UBC that is 150 square feet and its $560/month.

I love this city, its culture, and its climate and its going to remain my home for a long time to come, but I know as a 19 year old undergraduate student that there's no hope in hell I'll ever be able to enter the market, unless a career someday goes really well. Renting all the way baby! Gives you the choice of living where you want to. Given how much you pay in interest on mortgages anyways its all the same.

[westmanguy]

Its only expensive if you want to live in the downtown core.

My parents are currently renting an apartment in Richmond, B.C. right near the ocean in area of Steveston. Its a One bedroom + den bit under 700 square feet, balcony, underground parking etc. for $1,050.

Vancouver is ridiculous though. I live in a dorm room at UBC that is 150 square feet and its $560/month.

I love this city, its culture, and its climate and its going to remain my home for a long time to come, but I know as a 19 year old undergraduate student that there's no hope in hell I'll ever be able to enter the market, unless a career someday goes really well. Renting all the way baby! Gives you the choice of living where you want to. Given how much you pay in interest on mortgages anyways its all the same.

[Strutz]

I live in a loft apartment ("bedroom" is in the upper part, but is open to the downstairs) that is just under 700 sqft total and actually find it almost too big for me. I guess if I eventually finish furnishing it it won't seem that way but it is more space than I really need but I like the openess of it, especially the vaulted ceiling in the centre and having the big skylight windows. No need to put any lights on, except in the bathroom, during the late spring/summer months.

[Tricks]

Welcome back WMG

[BRAH]

westmanguy westmanguy:

Its only expensive if you want to live in the downtown core.

My parents are currently renting an apartment in Richmond, B.C. right near the ocean in area of Steveston. Its a One bedroom + den bit under 700 square feet, balcony, underground parking etc. for $1,050.

Vancouver is ridiculous though. I live in a dorm room at UBC that is 150 square feet and its $560/month.

I love this city, its culture, and its climate and its going to remain my home for a long time to come, but I know as a 19 year old undergraduate student that there's no hope in hell I'll ever be able to enter the market, unless a career someday goes really well. Renting all the way baby! Gives you the choice of living where you want to. Given how much you pay in interest on mortgages anyways its all the same.

That's right if you want to live in the downtown core you're going to have to pay. Currently living in a garden suite in Kits with a Gas stove, washer & dryer all utilities included for $1150 a month. I know a CEO who rents a townhouse near Kits beach for $3000 a month because he doesn't think it's worth buying in Vancouver and as you pointed out when you rent you have the option to live anywhere you want.

[dino_bobba_renno]

When I was in college my apartment wasn't much larger than that 350 sq feet at a cost of $750 a month. The best part was that I was right above the door to the parking lot, a big heavy metal door that had no spring to stop it from slamming shut every time someone entered or exited the building. Imagine being woken up by a loud bang and your room shaking all night long

[2Cdo]

My shed is bigger than those lofts!

[BRAH]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4yJGTPUR_0
You can live anywhere you want all it takes is some imagination.

[BartSimpson]

2Cdo 2Cdo:

My shed is bigger than those lofts!

My garage is bigger than those lofts!