Finding an apartment

Mike K. · #1 Posted **May 13, 2014, 2:49 PM**

I have a friend who is currently living in Marpole and she's looking to move to a much more central location (i.e. downtown, Mt Pleasant, Kits, Broadway, etc, basically somewhere with ample public transit as she doesn't have a car).

Does anyone have any leads on apartment vacancies in the urban core of Vancouver? Kijiji and craigslist are not turning up very much. Her budget can go as high as $1600.

Thanks!

Klazu · #2 Posted **May 13, 2014, 4:22 PM**

$1600 will likely get you nothing in Downtown itself (very borderline case). I personally found Craigslist to be the best source for rental apartments. Advent and Bruce Ward Realty are good companies to work with, if you are not looking to rent from an individual.

CameronT120 · #3 Posted **May 13, 2014, 5:04 PM**

Maybe consider the Lower Lonsdale area of North Vancouver as well. The sea bus is right there for quick access to downtown.

204 · #4 Posted **May 13, 2014, 5:05 PM**

Padmapper works really well:

Downtown units $1600 and under

quobobo · #5 Posted **May 13, 2014, 6:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klazu

$1600 will likely get you nothing in Downtown itself (very borderline case).

That's not my experience at all - most of the people I know living downtown pay $1400-$1600 for relatively new studios or 1BRs. Often less for older buildings.

And yeah, Padmapper/Craigslist/Kijiji are her best bet.

Mike K. · #6 Posted **May 13, 2014, 6:26 PM**

Thanks everyone. I'll pass on this info.

Klazu · #7 Posted **May 13, 2014, 6:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by quobobo

That's not my experience at all - most of the people I know living downtown pay $1400-$1600 for relatively new studios or 1BRs. Often less for older buildings.

I stand corrected then. I did my searching mainly on the sizable 2BR side and there the prices were much higher. Good to know that you can still find small apartments in that price point.

excel · #8 Posted **May 13, 2014, 7:24 PM**

I am in The Mark. 465 sq. ft 1 bedroom with big balcony and a nice view. Amenities include lap pool and hot tub, full sized gym, sauna and steam room, various bookable amenity rooms including pool table, foosball table and large kitchen and dining areas, bookable visitor rooms for overnight stays, outdoor public BBQ with seating area beside outdoor garden areas available for purchase.

For comparison sake I pay $1450 a month plus $100 a month to a separate renter for a parking spot. It's small and relatively pricey but is brand new and is in a great location. It also has in suite air conditioning.

logan5 · #9 Posted **May 13, 2014, 7:26 PM**

For Mt. Pleasant, I think a lot of apartments are advertised just by a sign on the front lawn so you have to drive around looking for for rent signs.

Mike K. · #10 Posted **May 13, 2014, 8:02 PM**

^right that's what I've been hearing about Mount Pleasant.

sacrifice333 · #11 Posted **May 13, 2014, 8:32 PM**

Have her call, and get on a waitlist, for C-side in Coal Harbour:
604-691-6585. First 13 floors are subsidized based on income levels, next 17 are "market" but in my experience are below-market.

Bcasey25raptor · #12 Posted **May 13, 2014, 9:31 PM**

You can find 2 bedrooms in the west end for as low as $1500. Define downtown core.

The west end is relatively affordable, 1 bedrooms go for $1000 - $1400 on average near english bay beach, studios can be had for as low as $800 and average around $950.

McPaul · #13 Posted **May 14, 2014, 12:56 AM**

And I thought if was getting a good deal. I'm in plaza @ new west station @$1150. It's about 650sft, nice amenities and newish building but I face north on a lower floor. Perhaps I'll look myself.

Regardless, i still did ok considering my company gave me half a day to search for a place upon moving from Calgary and all of the others I had put on "hold" had been rented.