Vancouver's Real Estate Market

[EvoFire]

Setting reasonable stretch goals help for me.

When I set the goal for $60k in 2014, I was making 30k in 2012.
I actually missed one, I set a goal for 100k in 2019 after hitting 60k. I cracked 100k in 2018 but that was because I was laid off from Paypal and got a decent severance. I cracked it in 2019 again because of bonus and a very generous RRSP matching at that time (iirc it was $100,5XX gross).
I set for a goal of 180k for 2023. That didn't happen cause the tech scene went to shit. It'll probably be 2025 before I see a raise.

[sonick]

I never set financial goals for myself but have been fortunate with the job and company that really accelerated my career growth that I didn't really need to. The only thing I really had were ideas around things like cars and what I could comfortably afford. They were pretty low bars too lol.

My first one was a Miata. I've owned two. My next one is a Porsche Cayman or Boxster, not even a new one just like an early gen something around $40k. My "grail watch" was a Speedmaster Pro, which I got for like $3k pre COVID.

I am pretty content now. It's weird to be taking in $250k+ HHI yet feel like I have the oldest / least valuable cars in the garage compared to those around me even when they probably make less, but I also am happy my wife and I don't have the urge to "keep up" by having to carry on a lease or financing something newer every few years.

Content to drive my RAV4 into the ground, or trade my e82 into an early Cayman at some point.

We only upgraded from a condo to a house coz my wife wanted some outdoor space for the dogs and also coz of COVID. We were in a spacious 3 bedroom with a significant chunk paid off and plenty of cashflow. I joke with her that if we were still in the condo I would have a Porsche by now. But I don't regret the house, I really do love it.

Besides those who had parental help to buy, few in my friend group or even from high school own a sfh, so I'm pretty proud to have been able to do so with relatively minimal parental support (only a small amount on our first condo to get to 20%.) The house was entirely self funded.

+1 on the thanks for sharing Evo, $2m house on a $200k HHI is scary honestly but good on you for hanging in there. Sounds like you went all in on what you could borrow. I would not have the balls for that.

[Tapioca]

Originally Posted by Gerbs

The biggest debate I had recently with some high earners not rich yet guys that thinking about wifing their gf or looking for a wife. We concluded we rather have a nice wife with a $50-80K+ job than one that nags more but makes $120K+ lol. At a certain point that extra $40-70K extra income doesn't contribute to a better financial life. Choosing a partner with similar values is wayyyy better than min/maxing income as a couple.

How many high earning women do you know?

Beside the obvious of having more money, a high earning wife does keep you motivated to do more and also can help unlock more opportunities through their own networks. Two professional networks is always better than one.

[JDMDreams]

Falls back to my thoughts of is it worth it though? Pretty much $10000 a month just to pay for house, tax, insurance maintenance. What am I getting out of this $10000? Cuz there's damn sure a lot more I can get for $10000 a month if you got out of Van.

Get 3 houses in Calgary, rent two out and live in one and lots more $ + room for toys. Pretty much live semi retired rather than worry about grinding and how to pay for the mortgage payment.

[westopher]

That's the thing, if you want to make that decision, that's fine. It's easy for people to justify living here for the lifestyle it provides, or people wouldn't do it. I'd rather be doing fine in Vancouver than be wealthy in edmonton and not be able to drive my cars 6 months of the year, have to drive 4 hours to go snowboarding instead of 30 minutes, etc.
I'd rather be enjoying my whole life with a bit of financial stress than have financial freedom and have to forgo the things I enjoy almost daily here, but if someone doesn't want that, leaving is an option.

[supafamous]

Originally Posted by EvoFire

The tech sector has been rough the last year before this doom and gloom talk in the rest of the economy and salary expectations had to be tempered. That said, it seems to be turning. There's increasing headcounts at Amazon, MS, and Apple in the next financial year that I concretely know of. Many of the tech companies gutted their recruiting department but are starting to hire recruiters again.

As one falls another rise from the ashes.

If it's turning it's turning really slowly.

I just hired someone and when the job posting went up I was inundated with messages on LinkedIn in a way that I haven't seen in years. I'm used to being the one who has to do the recruiting but this time around I was buried in candidates (even though most of them were not good fits - they were just shotgunning applications).

I also volunteer with a non-profit training org that's nation wide and every chapter we have is reporting that we're having a really hard time getting companies to participate b/c they all say they've either laid off all the people that would make for good students (the program is for entry level folks) and/or they cut their training budgets so can't afford it (it's $2-5k for the program).

The valuation for privately funded tech companies is also in the gutter - the multiples are less than half what it was during the COVID peak - there are companies who are gonna run out of money soon or who have to take a big markdown on their valuation in order to raise money again.

[Traum]

Originally Posted by sonick

My first one was a Miata. I've owned two. My next one is a Porsche Cayman or Boxster, not even a new one just like an early gen something around $40k. My "grail watch" was a Speedmaster Pro, which I got for like $3k pre COVID.

Don't go for an early gen -- ie. 987.1 -- Cayman unless you are OK with the possibility to spend $30k on an engine rebuilt. Engine bore scoring is supposed to be an eventuality with those cars, and it isn't until the 2009+ cars -- aka the 987.2 -- when the issue is addressed. The 987 generation is also front camber challenged -- I think the most you can get in stock form is around -0.5º. To get more, you'd be looking at camber plates or LCAs with the Porsche tax.

Additionally, IMO the 987.2 cars have been priced far too close to the newer 981 cars in the used market. For me, the updates and improvements with the 981 make them far more attractive than the 987.2. But that is an entirely subjective opinion on my part.

You do get a more raw experience with the 987, and the hydraulic steering has better feel and feedback than the later cars.

[sonick]

Originally Posted by Traum

Don't go for an early gen -- ie. 987.1 -- Cayman unless you are OK with the possibility to spend $30k on an engine rebuilt. Engine bore scoring is supposed to be an eventuality with those cars, and it isn't until the 2009+ cars -- aka the 987.2 -- when the issue is addressed. The 987 generation is also front camber challenged -- I think the most you can get in stock form is around -0.5º. To get more, you'd be looking at camber plates or LCAs with the Porsche tax.

Additionally, IMO the 987.2 cars have been priced far too close to the newer 981 cars in the used market. For me, the updates and improvements with the 981 make them far more attractive than the 987.2. But that is an entirely subjective opinion on my part.

You do get a more raw experience with the 987, and the hydraulic steering has better feel and feedback than the later cars.

Thanks for that. I'm a few years out from even considering shopping for one, so haven't done any research yet. But this is a helpful start!

[RevYouUp]

$10k+ a month for housing is insane, might as well rent somewhere for less and invest the rest

[RabidRat]

Originally Posted by Badhobz

It’s amazing you guys set dates to your goals. To be honest I’ve never had a date associated to a goal. I just had this mental image of my fat ass self doing something or not doing something.

For example when I was a little shit I always wanted a corner office with a view. I didn’t know what my job was but I pictured myself sitting there and starring out into my little empire. Weird kinda shit like this.

But kudos to you guys who actually set dates and specific goals.

Badhobz: "guys. I don't know why you gotta be so deliberate with goal-setting. I just sit here and succeed. give it a try!"

Btw I like to imagine that when your Shanghainese aunties heard you work at the Port Authority, they thought you're Tommy from that Bon Jovi song, workin' on the docks:
https://youtu.be/QiatP_4Vct4?si=lavVnmkPbglitn2x

Originally Posted by EvoFire

With California everything else is expensive. I love San Diego, but it turns out San Diego has the absolute highest cost of living in US. Heck California takes the cake at 7/10 top spots for highest cost of living.

At the same time though, at a glance it looks like 160k CAD base in Vancouver is equivalent to about 210k USD base in San Diego. And at least in the Bay Area, at that level it's at about +20% bonus & +100% in RSUs. Which means your the total comp would be near 500k USD.

Spoiler!

totally unscientific comparison: looked for two SW engineer roles as a proxy for your "tech job" description, and took the average of the published base salary ranges in each location.

Vancouver:
https://jobs.apple.com/en-us/details...ork?team=SFTWR

San Diego:
https://jobs.apple.com/en-us/details...eer?team=SFTWR

Just saying: don't write off San Diego just because of the high cost of living !

Originally Posted by EvoFire

(Euro delivery M3 Sept 2018)

Dude, how was the euro delivery experience?! We came so close to doing a Volvo Overseas Delivery for an XC40 Recharge* last year. Would've been flippin sweet to fly to Sweden for free, and tour around in Scandinavia as our last big trip before our kiddo came along.

*Volvo wouldn't do it in the end: said the plugs weren't compatible and we weren't allowed to just "figure it out" ourselves...

Originally Posted by westopher

I find the set dates help things, as long as the goals are reasonable. I had owning a home in van and being a head chef at 30, e30 m3 by 35 and now it's possible "forever home" by 40 which is in 2 years. Doesn't actually need to be the forever place, but more of something that is enough to last us forever space wise if we need it. Goals help keep things in line, and if they are reasonable they help keep that feeling of accomplishment some people need to stay motivated. If I can't check some things off my list I get very discouraged.

Whoa, head chef, nice!

Is it anything like Hell's Kitchen where your people shout back "Yes Chef!" as you call out your directives during service?

Do you go around the kitchen with a spoon and taste their progress and if it's no good you tell them to get the hell out?

Are you ever inspired to modify a recipe mid-service, and go make changes on the fly, or is it always strictly locked in for the day?

Are you given a heads up when a newspaper critic shows up, and do you then take over to cook it yourself so their dish is guaranteed perfection?

What's your signature dish?!

[Badhobz]

Fucking aunties. They think I pile manure or something at the docks.

[EvoFire]

Originally Posted by RabidRat

At the same time though, at a glance it looks like 160k CAD base in Vancouver is equivalent to about 210k USD base in San Diego. And at least in the Bay Area, at that level it's at about +20% bonus & +100% in RSUs. Which means your the total comp would be near 500k USD.

Spoiler!

totally unscientific comparison: looked for two SW engineer roles as a proxy for your "tech job" description, and took the average of the published base salary ranges in each location.

Vancouver:
https://jobs.apple.com/en-us/details...ork?team=SFTWR

San Diego:
https://jobs.apple.com/en-us/details...eer?team=SFTWR

Just saying: don't write off San Diego just because of the high cost of living !



Dude, how was the euro delivery experience?! We came so close to doing a Volvo Overseas Delivery for an XC40 Recharge* last year. Would've been flippin sweet to fly to Sweden for free, and tour around in Scandinavia as our last big trip before our kiddo came along.

*Volvo wouldn't do it in the end: said the plugs weren't compatible and we weren't allowed to just "figure it out" ourselves...

I understand "comparables" but just because it's comparable doesn't mean I can get that, plus the hassle of moving with two kids, and my parents living in my basement, and renting my upstairs living space out doesn't cover my house costs. It gets messy and I don't want to deal with it.

Euro delivery was amazing. BMW treated us like VIP and made things happen for us. Driving the M3 in Europe was amazing. F80 M3 is a very rare car in Europe. The only places I saw the same saturation of them was around the Munich factory and the Nurburgring. Even in the French Riviera I only saw one other one. Got a thumbs up from a hot chick in a Ford Focus in Avignon.

Only Volvo and Porsche does it now so my goal is to Euro delivery a Cayenne with the whole family. I was thinking of doing it with a 911, but $270k for a new 992GTS seems a little insane.

I just remembered a conversation I had with my wife last week about moving. How our parents took a huge plunge by moving to Canada whereas we can't even stomach a move to San Diego when it's much more similar to Vancouver than Vancouver is to HK/Shanghai. But she reflect on the fact that they were looking for a better life whereas we are actually quite content here in Vancouver. Vancouver is a clear upgrade for our parents where SD is not a guaranteed win for us.

[yray]

went ev car shopping today

lease rates actually lower than expected 3.49 and 4.49 respectively...

don't know why but I just don't want another monthly payment, we can afford it... but just doesn't feel right

[PeanutButter]

Originally Posted by yray

went ev car shopping today

lease rates actually lower than expected 3.49 and 4.49 respectively...

don't know why but I just don't want another monthly payment, we can afford it... but just doesn't feel right

What EV's are you looking at?

From my research getting a Tesla seems like the only option. It's the only car that can actually be updated over time and get better. All of the OEM's can't over the air update their cars.

The technology is the best in the industry. Price to performance is the best. Also the charging network as well.

We don't need a second vehicle yet, but soon enough. When we do it'll be the Model Y for sure.

[RabidRat]

Originally Posted by EvoFire

I understand "comparables" but just because it's comparable doesn't mean I can get that, plus the hassle of moving with two kids, and my parents living in my basement, and renting my upstairs living space out doesn't cover my house costs. It gets messy and I don't want to deal with it.

[...]

I just remembered a conversation I had with my wife last week about moving. How our parents took a huge plunge by moving to Canada whereas we can't even stomach a move to San Diego when it's much more similar to Vancouver than Vancouver is to HK/Shanghai. But she reflect on the fact that they were looking for a better life whereas we are actually quite content here in Vancouver. Vancouver is a clear upgrade for our parents where SD is not a guaranteed win for us.

For sure. I was only trying to say that the cost of living is manageable in California, and for the many great reasons you wouldn't make that move, that shouldn't be one of them .

In fact, my wife and I are talking about moving back to Toronto where my wife has lots of family. It's been hard enough out here on our own with one kid. If we're lucky enough to get a second, we're gonna need some help or they're gonna sink us lol.

We're not considering Vancouver - despite my side of the family being there, and how objectively nice it is - only because we know the career prospects for both of us would make the affordability of living there bleak. Congrats to all you RS ballers for making it work in one of the hardest places to afford in the world.

Originally Posted by JDMDreams

Falls back to my thoughts of is it worth it though? Pretty much $10000 a month just to pay for house, tax, insurance maintenance. What am I getting out of this $10000? Cuz there's damn sure a lot more I can get for $10000 a month if you got out of Van.

Get 3 houses in Calgary, rent two out and live in one and lots more $ + room for toys. Pretty much live semi retired rather than worry about grinding and how to pay for the mortgage payment.

You can spend a lot less, and/or make a lot more, by moving somewhere else. But there's only one Vancouver: you do have to ask yourself if it's worth it for you

[Gerbs]

Originally Posted by Badhobz

It’s amazing you guys set dates to your goals. To be honest I’ve never had a date associated to a goal. I just had this mental image of my fat ass self doing something or not doing something.

For example when I was a little shit I always wanted a corner office with a view. I didn’t know what my job was but I pictured myself sitting there and starring out into my little empire. Weird kinda shit like this.

But kudos to you guys who actually set dates and specific goals.

I've kept goals secretly online somewhere since 2018 when I was in my last year of Uni. It was simple fitness goals, skills and education, and career. But each year passed I added important categories that I such as Happiness, Hobbies, Financial/Lifestyle.

2019
- Invest $25K
- Increase income $42K - > $50-60K?
- Update Resume + Find Mentor
- Make it through the last year working F/T and School F/T
- Buy a CR Lip
- Autocross for first time
- Buy a daily watch, ended up being a Seiko
- Hit all the local courses for pitch and putt
- Finish CFA level I
- Backpack South America
- Hit 225 Close Grip Bench for 1, 315+ squat, 90lb db rows, 155 OHP for 1
- Cut from 216 - > 202lbs

It's crazy to see every goal get exceeded for so much more than I would've thought in 2024 vs 2019. Even the fitness goals, I recall how satisfied I'd feel after hitting those weightlifting goals for one rep. Now 4 years later I can probably hit them for 5 -8 reps.

[EvoFire]

Originally Posted by Gerbs

I've kept goals secretly online somewhere since 2018 when I was in my last year of Uni. It was simple fitness goals, skills and education, and career. But each year passed I added important categories that I such as Happiness, Hobbies, Financial/Lifestyle.

2019
- Invest $25K
- Increase income $42K - > $50-60K?
- Update Resume + Find Mentor
- Make it through the last year working F/T and School F/T
- Buy a CR Lip
- Autocross for first time
- Buy a daily watch, ended up being a Seiko
- Hit all the local courses for pitch and putt
- Finish CFA level I
- Backpack South America
- Hit 225 Close Grip Bench for 1, 315+ squat, 90lb db rows, 155 OHP for 1
- Cut from 216 - > 202lbs

It's crazy to see every goal get exceeded for so much more than I would've thought in 2024 vs 2019. Even the fitness goals, I recall how satisfied I'd feel after hitting those weightlifting goals for one rep. Now 4 years later I can probably hit them for 5 -8 reps.

The weight lifting goals are amazing.

I tried aiming for benching my body weight and squatting 1.5 in 2018. I plateaued and had a hard time. My body weight was 180lbs, I plateaued benching 155 and squatting 225. I actually lost weight along the way but I kept the goal measure at 180.

[Gerbs]

Originally Posted by westopher

Goals help keep things in line, and if they are reasonable they help keep that feeling of accomplishment some people need to stay motivated. If I can't check some things off my list I get very discouraged.

Completely feel that, during the early grinding stage in life, I desperately needed a timeline goal to know when the grind can end lol.

Originally Posted by Tapioca

How many high earning women do you know?

Beside the obvious of having more money, a high earning wife does keep you motivated to do more and also can help unlock more opportunities through their own networks. Two professional networks is always better than one.

Based off the last 5 girls I talked to this weekend. We're aged 24-27
- $50K - Admin / Marketing at start up
- $60K - Highschool Teacher
- $70K - Senior in Logistics
- $75K - Recruiting/HR @ Big 5 bank
- $120K - Pharmacy + OT
- $110K - Senior Bus Analyst in a F500

Listing it out made me realize the guys make so much more. All but 1, their partners make 1.5-4x them as SMB owner, amazon, dropbox, IB, manager in big 4.

At my current stage with my SO, our HHI is close to $220K, but I think we'll hit 300K+ when we are 30. I have 0 desire to grow via employment anymore because I don't think I want $8K/month payments to upgrade to a TH or Duplex. As bad as it sounds, rather work less hours and wait for sweet inheritance.

Originally Posted by EvoFire

The weight lifting goals are amazing.

I tried aiming for benching my body weight and squatting 1.5 in 2018. I plateaued and had a hard time. My body weight was 180lbs, I plateaued benching 155 and squatting 225. I actually lost weight along the way but I kept the goal measure at 180.

I'd say keep it up but man it must be so hard with kids lol. I fell on and off when my work became less remote. My motivation these days are discipline, seeing improvement to my sports, and recently approval from new peers. I feel like it's a disservice to be tall and not reach the pinnacle of what my body is capable of at least once in my life.

[RabidRat]

Reading your post reminds me: at what point is it appropriate to start referring to a "girl" as a "woman", vs a "lady"?

My wife is still referring to 30 year olds as "girls" and it weirds me out lol.

[Gerbs]

Ya, I have not heard Woman or Lady ever in my life yet, not even from my bosses in their 30's to 40's.

Maybe it's the new social trends with girl math and girl dinner.

[G]

Friend sent me this, any thoughts? I wonder if this will trickle through

[noclue]

Rumoured to be westbank which if true will be a shitshow with liens and trades being throw n everywhere

[sonick]

Originally Posted by EvoFire

Euro delivery was amazing. BMW treated us like VIP and made things happen for us. Driving the M3 in Europe was amazing. F80 M3 is a very rare car in Europe. The only places I saw the same saturation of them was around the Munich factory and the Nurburgring. Even in the French Riviera I only saw one other one. Got a thumbs up from a hot chick in a Ford Focus in Avignon.

Going back a bit in the discussion, and I don't expect you to lay out the details but I'm just trying to do the math in my head on how you're spending $8k on mortgage payments on a $2m house at $250k household income and still managing to take euro delivery on a new F80 M3.

[PeanutButter]

Originally Posted by Gerbs

At my current stage with my SO, our HHI is close to $220K, but I think we'll hit 300K+ when we are 30. I have 0 desire to grow via employment anymore because I don't think I want $8K/month payments to upgrade to a TH or Duplex. As bad as it sounds, rather work less hours and wait for sweet inheritance.

Things will likely change once you have kids. If you're 25 no kids and you're making $220k, you're loving life right now. Just wait until you have kids and need to get a bigger place...
Your inheritance is probably 30-40 years away, nothing wrong with waiting for it, but it's a long ways off.

[EvoFire]

Originally Posted by sonick

Going back a bit in the discussion, and I don't expect you to lay out the details but I'm just trying to do the math in my head on how you're spending $8k on mortgage payments on a $2m house at $250k household income and still managing to take euro delivery on a new F80 M3?

The M3 happened in 2018.
The house happened in 2021.

When I took delivery of the M3 our base payments for the house was 1100 and we had upped our payments to 1800/m plus pouring in both our annual bonuses when it came in. When we went for the house I had to buy out the M3 or sell it.