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heleu · 08-08-2014, 08:26 AM

Such an interesting last few pages in the thread.

NKC One, I also grew up in the Seafair area, and went to school at Hugh Boyd. I'm probably about the same age as you, but I stayed in Vancouver after university.

My family income is over $100K. We're comfortable and happy. I own (lol, well the bank owns mostly) a 3 bedroom townhouse, and we have two older cars. Is it a good life? Well, depends on how you define it. We can eat out pretty much anywhere we want, take overseas vacations every year, and have fun with friends. But we definitely don't buy very many luxuries and don't drive new cars. I'm always shocked by how many friends drive luxury cars and make $1K lease payments; they must not be saving any money or are powered by parents.

So for once I actually agree with multicultural; if you want to live luxuriously in Vancouver, you need to make more than $100K. But as NKCOne put it, money does not equal happiness. I had some friends from Australia come over and they were shocked how cheap BMWs were here. In Australia, they have huge import tarriffs on import cars, and a mid level 3 series is easily 100K. They asked why everyone doesn't drive a 3 series - well, a lot of people do drive them here, but it doesn't make people any happier.

In terms of jobs, I don't fully agree that you can't be successful owning your own business here. I know some plumbers and dentists making $300K+ a year here, but they definitely work hard. I do agree that there is far less opportunity for employees because of the lack of head offices and industry. We can't all work for lululemon, lol. The way I see it, if you want to earn well north of six figures, you need to be either in high end sales (be it recruiting, engineering, real estate, wine or whatever), or be rich and connected enough to be part of the old boys club here.

Occasionally, I do dream of working overseas, or even in Calgary, to make waaay more money and have more job satisfaction. But then I ride my bike, smell the air, see the trees, and I realize I have it pretty good in Vancouver, even with all the costs.

08-08-2014, 08:26 AM	#2571
heleu RS.net, where our google ads make absolutely no sense! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Rmd Posts: 923 Thanked 435 Times in 194 Posts Failed 16 Times in 13 Posts	Such an interesting last few pages in the thread. NKC One, I also grew up in the Seafair area, and went to school at Hugh Boyd. I'm probably about the same age as you, but I stayed in Vancouver after university. My family income is over $100K. We're comfortable and happy. I own (lol, well the bank owns mostly) a 3 bedroom townhouse, and we have two older cars. Is it a good life? Well, depends on how you define it. We can eat out pretty much anywhere we want, take overseas vacations every year, and have fun with friends. But we definitely don't buy very many luxuries and don't drive new cars. I'm always shocked by how many friends drive luxury cars and make $1K lease payments; they must not be saving any money or are powered by parents. So for once I actually agree with multicultural; if you want to live luxuriously in Vancouver, you need to make more than $100K. But as NKCOne put it, money does not equal happiness. I had some friends from Australia come over and they were shocked how cheap BMWs were here. In Australia, they have huge import tarriffs on import cars, and a mid level 3 series is easily 100K. They asked why everyone doesn't drive a 3 series - well, a lot of people do drive them here, but it doesn't make people any happier. In terms of jobs, I don't fully agree that you can't be successful owning your own business here. I know some plumbers and dentists making $300K+ a year here, but they definitely work hard. I do agree that there is far less opportunity for employees because of the lack of head offices and industry. We can't all work for lululemon, lol. The way I see it, if you want to earn well north of six figures, you need to be either in high end sales (be it recruiting, engineering, real estate, wine or whatever), or be rich and connected enough to be part of the old boys club here. Occasionally, I do dream of working overseas, or even in Calgary, to make waaay more money and have more job satisfaction. But then I ride my bike, smell the air, see the trees, and I realize I have it pretty good in Vancouver, even with all the costs.