Tuesday, May 17, 2011

You Live Where...?

As of today, May 17, 2011, Vancouver has become the most expensive city in the world in which to own real estate, ahead of London and New York. Although I knew Vancouver was an expensive city, I had no idea it had become that expensive.  Mostly the price of owning a home has been driven up by off-shore purchasers, leaving us poor Vancouverites on the outside looking in.  There is one neighbourhood in particular that I love to stroll through and admire the wonderful old Edwardian homes. The neighbourhood is called Shaughnessy, and it is the center of Vancouver’s old money. The homes were built by people who made their fortune in British Columbia’s timber, sugar, mining, and other industries. A few years ago Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell lived in one of these homes while their son was playing hockey here in Vancouver. Here are some of the other gorgeous homes. *sigh*













And yes, people actually live in these homes; can you even imagine? If you’re ever in Vancouver, be sure to take a tour of this wonderful neighbourhood. And then be sure to look for me, I’m the one living in the shopping cart under the Granville Bridge.

Kidding ... kidding ...

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

How much is it to buy a shopping cart in your neighborhood?

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Mmmmm yes, I know this happening well. We live in a nicely kept up old Victorian [small] city. Locals have been smart enough to preserve old Victorian ambiance. Great!

But the big, beautiful homes, which the rich built as "summer cottages," have been purchased by "carpet-baggers." And more "carpet-baggers" have come and built themselves new *McMansions* and... Locals can hardly afford to live here, now.

I've see it called "The Aspen Effect." Same thing happened to little ol' Aspen, as here and Vancouver. -sigh-

~♥~

Jennifer D said...

Wow! Sounds just like what happened in my town, Mammoth Lakes, CA. Most people who live here and work here can't afford to buy a house, rent is too high for the wages we make and to top it all off the big old mansions are vacant, nearly all of them.Too expensive to rent or sell, all lined up around a golf course too expensive for locals to use.Our fanciest area called "Starwood" is a ghost town, the homes...no, houses are all owned by wealthy people who don't live here, work here, or spend their money here. They hire contractors from L.A. because they are cheaper and buy their appliances in the city instead of our local guy. I understand why, but it hurts our struggling little town.

Jo said...

lgsquirrel....very funny comment!

We can dream, can't we, Jo?

My favorite is the one third from the bottom. I looks like it belongs in the English countryside, or maybe the hills of Ireland.

I had no idea Vancouver was so expensive! Thanks for the tour of your neighborhood, Jo.

Alicia said...

Wow...no! No, I can't even imagine living in a home like those. Beautiful tho!

Tom said...

Those sure are some nice homes. But just come on over here to New York. Our houses all sell at a 25% discount (at least compared to the 2007 top).

DJan said...

Well, when we moved up here to B-Ham we did consider maybe living in Vancouver because we love it so much. That didn't last long. Two retired Seniors living on a fixed income? Hah! But I can visit the neighborhood, just like you, Jo. :-)

heartinsanfrancisco said...

Ah, but it's a very pricey shopping cart, eh Josie?

Katy said...

My tiny apartment is on the edge of a neighborhood filled with houses like those. They are homes. I've been in a few of them.

I still can't imagine living in a place so big you loose track of your family members.

Paula Slade said...

I'd take anyone one of those houses! :)

PinkPanthress said...

I always wanted to live in Canada, particularly Vancouver... but I guess, that will always remain a dream. :)

But I am really sorry to read, that the local residents have to suffer because of this. :/

@ly said...

Nice homes....and a nice added bonus would be getting a glimpse of Kurt Russell. :-)

Malinda said...

Wow! Those houses make the McMansions in the new "gated communities" look really silly. Thanks for the tour.

Russell said...

Reminds me of those Extreme Makeover houses they build for people on TV.

I wonder if anyone has ever gone back to some of those houses after, say, 5 or 6 years to see what kind of condition they are in?!

But, yes, these houses (and to me they are houses since "home" means something different) are very ... big. Heh!

JustBreathe said...

It's like touring Uplands in Victoria! I drive through several times a month just to drool! People in my age range (forever 29) are not going to be able to purchase a first home until their 50s with the prices the way they are. So sad.