[David A]

Vancouver has been a tech darling for years now (although pausing) and highly desirable for both employers and employees.

Desirable yes, but the problem is a many employers there pay Edmonton level salaries and the employer has to pay Vancouver level housing costs, which are more than double ours.

So, it is desirable for employees, but not always doable.

 

[soupcrate]

Desirable yes, but the problem is a many employers there pay Edmonton level salaries and the employer has to pay Vancouver level housing costs, which are more than double ours.

So, it is desirable for employees, but not always doable.

Vancouver has a very sizeable big tech presence with Amazon and Microsoft though, and those firms pay way way more than you could possibly earn in Edmonton.

New grads at Amazon Vancouver make 170k (including relocation). That is far above what senior developers top out at in Edmonton.

 

[IanO]

Desirable yes, but the problem is a many employers there pay Edmonton level salaries and the employer has to pay Vancouver level housing costs, which are more than double ours.

So, it is desirable for employees, but not always doable.

Housing is $1000 higher, but you don't need a car = 500+, more walkable amenities, climate and depending on industry higher incomes.

It works for many and the reason why many of my friends have moved there over the years. They don't dislike Edmonton, but Vancouver is a more attractive overall package in their sectors.

 

[Gronk!]

Vancouver is a great place to visit but I don't wanna live there. Their high cost of living, miserable rainy weather and their humongous never-ending homeless population will ensure that Edmonton remains my home for the foreseeable future.

Anyway - any more news of ECC?

 

[ChazYEG]

Housing is $1000 higher, but you don't need a car = 500+, more walkable amenities, climate and depending on industry higher incomes.

It works for many and the reason why many of my friends have moved there over the years. They don't dislike Edmonton, but Vancouver is a more attractive overall package in their sectors.

$1000 higher on the lower end, and mostly for studios/1bdrm. $1500 higher would make more sense for anyone who has a family. That, and higher taxes (PST and higher income tax on higher incomes) that pretty much nullify the lack of need for a car.

Climate is very subjective. I know A LOT of people who left Vancouver for other places in Canada (Edmonton included) due to the miserable rainy weather, that can take a massive toll on mental health, as much as the cold.

That is not even considering that, if you want to buy a condo/house, these costs will baloon!

 

[David A]

Vancouver has a very sizeable big tech presence with Amazon and Microsoft though, and those firms pay way way more than you could possibly earn in Edmonton.

New grads at Amazon Vancouver make 170k (including relocation). That is far above what senior developers top out at in Edmonton.

I was thinking about employees in general, not just limited to tech. Oddly, average wages in Vancouver are lower than here.

 

[David A]

Housing is $1000 higher, but you don't need a car = 500+, more walkable amenities, climate and depending on industry higher incomes.

It works for many and the reason why many of my friends have moved there over the years. They don't dislike Edmonton, but Vancouver is a more attractive overall package in their sectors.

Oh, it can work if you have a decent income but you can't live quite as well or the same if you don't. I recall visiting a friend of a friend who had a small bachelor apartment there (it was kind of sad and he ended up moving back here) and someone I know who had a nice house here, but retired and got what would be considered a fairly modest condo here.

It's probably more doable for a single person or a couple with no kids, but it doesn't work so well if you have a family unless you have a high income.

 

[David A]

Vancouver is a great place to visit but I don't wanna live there. Their high cost of living, miserable rainy weather and their humongous never-ending homeless population will ensure that Edmonton remains my home for the foreseeable future.

Anyway - any more news of ECC?

I think we just needed a break from the bad news, so we took a mental vacation to Vancouver!

This isn't about City Centre, specifically but closer back on to the topic of mall vacancies - its not just an issue here.

Nordstrom closing at CF Chinook will leave big hole in retail landscape

The U.S. retailer has announced it is winding down its Canadian operations; two Calgary locations are affected

calgaryherald.com

 

[cmd uw]

Housing is $1000 higher, but you don't need a car = 500+, more walkable amenities, climate and depending on industry higher incomes.

It works for many and the reason why many of my friends have moved there over the years. They don't dislike Edmonton, but Vancouver is a more attractive overall package in their sectors.

But that's no different then lots of 'west coast' cities compared to inland cities in the US. Sure people might be able to afford more house and almost everything living in Edmonton or Denver but that doesn't stop people from moving to SFO, Seattle, etc.

 

[David A]

Last I heard they were leaving SF in droves and Seattle wasn't doing as well any more either. Maybe the news hasn't fully reached here yet, but the great tech boom is paused or ending.

Back to the topic of the mall, I just went through there a few minutes ago, unless I missed something, for better or worse nothing seems to have changed from the last time I was there a few days ago.

 

[cmd uw]

Last I heard they were leaving SF in droves and Seattle wasn't doing as well any more either. Maybe the news hasn't fully reached here yet, but the great tech boom is paused or ending.

Back to the topic of the mall, I just went through there a few minutes ago, unless I missed something, for better or worse nothing seems to have changed from the last time I was there a few days ago.

Yes, San Fran proper lost population last year, however, historically it hasn't experienced rapid population growth over the past decade either. I would say the bulk of the population loss is highly correlated to people who moved out of city as remote work took off. It will be interesting to see how it bounces back. But I suspect it will take awhile.

 

[David A]

Back to the topic at hand, went through City Centre today and noticed there is recently what seems to be a construction wall in front of the space next to Talbots.

Not sure what this is, I haven't heard anything. Some good news would be nice.

 

[Gronk!]

Crema is now closed while Just Cozy is closing.

 

[archited]

All in the aid of a master-plan redo?

 

[David A]

All in the aid of a master-plan redo?

Who know, maybe they will turn the third level into parking and move the food court to the main floor. I assume leased are not being renewed as they end, so they can clear out the space for (hopefully) something.