What is the best place for a TS to live?

[Keira]

Tink, this comes from FORBES, supposedly reliable, who knows where they take the number.
The $1700 average includes studio and appartment in the south eastern part of the city,
which is not as expensive. Also, SFO, many people have been in appartments
a long time and I think there is a restriction to how much you can raise the rents of
existing appartment. So, in fact, rents of appartments that are offered on the market could be
significantly higher than this. Also, contrary to NYC, the variance in rent is not as high
in SFO. The low end especially is not as far from the average than in New-York City (the
average rent in NYC is about $3000).

[tinkerbell]

Oh if it is an average, then it makes sense.  But some people pay way more than that on a monthly basis.  I guess location makes a big difference.  Apartments in the Pacific Heights for new tenants are just outrageous these days.  Some of us are incredibly lucky to be old tenants, for our rent is not that high considering the neighborhood and all....nothing you can do about that; that's how life works....(unfortunately)

tink

[joannatsf]

San Francisco sits at the tip of a peninsula.  It has water on 3 sides.  It's not getting any bigger.  I said it was expensive in my first post but for me it's manageable.  I value aesthetics more than property ownership.  We have huge opportunities for arts and cultural experience.  My apartment isn't so big but I'm not in it all that much.  If you aspire to a bourgeois existence, this isn't the best place for you.

That said, what upset me was was your disparaging comments about the City and California.  This is my home, my place in the world.  I would never say in a public forum that Montreal was a cesspool unless I knew for sure that no one from there would ever see it. 

[tinkerbell]

Oh if it is an average, then it makes sense.  But some people pay way more than that on a monthly basis.  I guess location makes a big difference.  Apartments in the Pacific Heights for new tenants are just outrageous these days.  Some of us are incredibly lucky to be old tenants, for our rent is not that high considering the neighborhood and all....nothing you can do about that; that's how life works....(unfortunately)

tink

and of course, having said this...I would be totally out of my mind to move.  I think I will die in this apartment.  Perhaps I am being biased, but there's no place like home, San Francisco rocks! 

tink

[Keira]

Hey, Tink, if you've got a cheap appartment is Pacific Height (though you were in Berkeley?)
then that's different. We are talking about people moving there; they have
to get apparments on the open market.

Though, I preferred Telegraph Hill (where I lived)
to Pacific height. North Beach, Broadway, Chinatown, Fisherman's Warf, Downtown
area is much more animated and all within a mile.

Claire, I didn't say California was a cesspool, or anything like that. Reread.
Said it was overpriced. Which I'm not the only one to say so. Its
growth has been much slower in the last 20 years than places like Texas
or even Georgia.
(I wouldn't want to move to Georgia or Texas either...
But they are a better value. I'm talking practical here. Affairs of the heart
are something else. I loved living on top of my little hill too till I had to
leave the country (because my work permit was tied to my company and it folded)).
Being forced to leave a place unwillingly is very hard and it was.

Around LA, people with a low salary have to buy houses in Riverside
or live in inner city overpriced dumps, the inland
empire is at the end of a dusty 2h freeway ride from the ocean. The California
dream is not for everyone.

[gothique11]

My rent for my two room downtown apartment is $1180 -- is a nice place, so a little more than some places. It's right in the middle of getting new carpets and paint and I don't know what else.

But yes, Montreal is much cheaper. According to some a recent survey by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)recently did, here are the averages for a two bedroom apartment in major cities in Canada:

One note about prices: they always change, where in a city you live will depend on the area. As well, economics tell us that the more demand there is to move to the city (reflected via vacancy rates) the higher the cost to rent will be. Also, the higher the average wage, the cost of inflation will reflect that.

Calgary: $1089
Vancouver: $1084
Toronto $1061
Edmonton: $958
Victoria: $907
Ottawa $866
Halifax: $815
Winnipeg: $740
Montreal: $647
Regina: $661

(There's more cities, but I'm too lazy to point them all out).


Okay, looking at the price list we see that at the moment, Calgary's average rental costs are the most expensive. There are several reasons for that: A) The amount of people moving to Calgary, there's a large demand to live in Calgary; more demand = more cost. B) Our economics. Alberta is by far the richest province in the Canada. We have a very strong economy vs the rest of Canada.

As for Regina way at the bottom, there's a few reasons why no one would want to live there. So, of course, it's cheaper!

And Montreal is on the list, too... I was sure to include that.

--natalie  >


And yes, Canada has a West vs East rivalry. And Quebec (where Montreal is) has a Quebec vs Canada rivalry, so of course we need to have some fun with this. But seriously, all of Canada is great and awesome. Live where you wanna live, and let live where others wanna live. 

Posted on: January 16, 2008, 11:16:30 PMSan Fran sounds like a cool place, I wanna visit some day! I don't know about living, because the idea of earth quakes scares me more than rent prices.   When I lived in Vegas, we had an uber small earth quake, but it was enough for me to feel freaky about it...

[tinkerbell]

Hey, Tink, if you've got a cheap appartment is Pacific Height (though you were in Berkeley?)

Hold your horses my dear    I didn't say "cheap"  are you kidding?  affordable! (that's different) Berkeley?  No!  where did you hear that?  rumors, rumors, rumors. *sighs*

tink

[tekla]

The southeast part of SF Bay View / Hunters Point is a place where I can assure you that any writer for Forbes who got out of a car, would not be getting back into it.

There are so many factors that go into such a decision.  Many like cali for the life, as well as they lifestyle - after all, its not a state, its a state of mind.  I know a couple people out here who are here because they surf.  Hard to do that in Alberta or Montreal, or Denver.  I like the cultural stuff, but if you don't do that, what would it matter?  I love the fact that I can be outside all year long, ride my bike without too much heat or cold - but if your not into the physical stuff, perhaps that does not matter.

I know people from everywhere, and also people who come from everwhere.  Some people love LA, others hate it, and for those in the industry, its the only place - so like or dislike doesn't enter into it.  I know people who love Texas, others who got out at the first chance.  So SF is not for everyone.  And SF is just one part of the Bay Area, which has about 10 million people in total in it.  There is Marin and Sonoma, different from Contra Costa, which is not Richmond, or Las Gatos (home of the second highest volume Ferrari dealership in the US after Miami, so, not cheap)  And, for the vegans, dreadlock crowd, there is Santa Cruz.

[Keira]

The reason rents are cheap in Montreal is simple, there are zillions
of appartments, so a shortage is rare. Home ownership is lower
in the province of Quebec, probably because of low rental.

In Calgary, the city is spread out and people
want to own their home. The rental pool is smaller thus higher rents.

[gothique11]

The reason rents are cheap in Montreal is simple, there are zillions
of appartments, so a shortage is rare. Home ownership is lower
in the province of Quebec, probably because of low rental.

In Calgary, the city is spread out and people
want to own their home. The rental pool is smaller thus higher rents.

Yep, economics. Although, what about GID programs, and etc? It's my understanding that in Montreal you must first pay for the surgery and then get it reimbursed or something like that.

There's more to a city than just the cost of rent. Like, for instance, people go to SF even if it costs more because they enjoy the benefits that that city offers, etc. So, each city has it's plus and minuses. Each city has something a little different to offer, and rent is only one factor into the reasons why someone moves to a city. Other wise we wouldn't have a large francophone/Quebecor population in Alberta.  But it's cool that we have diversity here and that people are coming to Alberta and finding out that it's pretty cool. I have a few friends from Montreal, I've worked with a few people from Montreal -- at my last place it was confusing because I was Natalie and the other girl was Nathalie (h is silent in French). I have a ton of friends from Ontario who've moved out here, and seem to like it a lot better.

[Berliegh]

Oh man. I was planning on moving to the UK England area in a year or so. Why is it a bad area for TS? My ftm boyfriend lives over there and he's never mentioned it being particularily bad...I know the NHS has a long waiting list for surgery, though...

Don't do it..

[Rachael]

I say the best place is in a house
(gets her coat)

Actually, the UK isnt that bad, Berligh is being a drama llama, to live, its fine, for treatment? dont bloody bother.
R

[Ember Lewis]

I love the Uk but I've heard it's crummy too, they say it's hard to make a half decent living and the gap between rich and poor is really high. I'm with Canada too but I love Toronto I find it's a good place to live overall. There are so many programs for Trans persons most are free, lot's of doctors good healthcare overall. But ya there's no GRS coverage anymore and for that reason I'm considering moving to Alberta but it may not be worth it to wait 2-3 years to get covered cuz in that time I should be able to make that money anyway. I can't believe theres a year wait to see a GID Doc that's crazy, right now Toronto is my home I love the city theres so much to do here. GRS is important but so is living where I feel comfortable, I have never seen any predigest towards me here. From my point of view I can't decide myself if I should move to Alberta just for the GRS..."and to meet Natalie in person or stay in Toronto......I'm sure I'll figure it out.

[shanetastic]

I enjoy Cali, but I mean, people don't pay for anything here for you.  It's more so ever just a sort of cool place to live because of the weather.  Expensive for sure though.  I've always wanted to go to Canada to check it out for fun, but unfortunately no one wants to take a trip there in my family.

[annajasmine]

Of course finding a job and being able to afford to live someplace is important, and a given.  Beyond that, what exactly are you looking for?  What kind of life?  What kind of lifestyle?  What kind of services or access to services are you looking for.

I won't live in a slum. Apartments would be fine as long as don't have paper thin walls and sunlight is a must. I have never felt to comfortable in Tennessee and even less in Alabama. I'm looking for a place that is not too intense I am kind of laid back. I would like to go the city and have of some fun without taking hours to get there. I hate cold weather with a passion. Only things I do around here for enjoyment is to walk in the park, I use to ride my mountain bike but got tried of being bitten by dogs, and taking pictures, which most of these can be done anywhere. I would like to have these things near me a gender therapist, a MD that is ts friendly, and endo. It is a horrible feeling to go to a doctor tell them what your on and they flip. Oh high speed internet connection would be nice. I  just feel kind of isolated here.



Oh Natalie Albetra, Canada sounds nice. Only thing that sounds bad is the weather to me.

Nashville might work for you.

My sister I lived up in Nashville in an apartment with about 950 dollars rent for 4 months. It was gated until someone drove through it. The policemen across street had his shotgun stolen out of his police car. A crazy person down the street was firing a gun in multiple directions. All this was going on in her 4 months stay in Nashville. I think Nashville is ok but don't like the south much.


Anna

[Rachael]

the uk is miles more tollerant than the US,
and i dont know where you heard it, but the gap between rich and poor is not that big, in the US, its huge, in the uk, theres a LOT of variance, and no clear divide...
R

[gothique11]

I love the Uk but I've heard it's crummy too, they say it's hard to make a half decent living and the gap between rich and poor is really high. I'm with Canada too but I love Toronto I find it's a good place to live overall. There are so many programs for Trans persons most are free, lot's of doctors good healthcare overall. But ya there's no GRS coverage anymore and for that reason I'm considering moving to Alberta but it may not be worth it to wait 2-3 years to get covered cuz in that time I should be able to make that money anyway. I can't believe theres a year wait to see a GID Doc that's crazy, right now Toronto is my home I love the city theres so much to do here. GRS is important but so is living where I feel comfortable, I have never seen any predigest towards me here. From my point of view I can't decide myself if I should move to Alberta just for the GRS..."and to meet Natalie in person or stay in Toronto......I'm sure I'll figure it out.

Well, if you can sum up the cash in 2-3 years, then you wouldn't have to move out here, etc. And of course, if you don't, by that time hopefully we have another GID doctor (one of ours retired, so now we only have one -- apparently they are looking for a possible two more GID certified doctors, cutting the wait list way down).

Or, you can just come and visit sometime -- or I'll visit you. I think it would be fun to go to Toronto. I've only been to the airport, so it would be interesting to see what Toronto is all about.

--natalie

[buttercup]

Crazy, everyone's competing for their city. LOL

So true. 

Canada sounds lovely and liberal, parts of America is pretty cool too(NYC, SF, Seattle), though the South scares me, 'Deliverence' and 'My Cousin Vinny' left a lasting impression on me!

The UK rocks, I've been there and I love the people, they like complaining (especially bout the weather LOL) but they are very open to differences and acceptance was my impression.  So many eccentrics there too and they're my kinda crowd.

Here in Australia, Sydney and Melbourne are great places to live.  Sydney is expensive now unfortunately, and Melbourne is arty and with it, but still affordable!  Up north (Queensland) is like America's South, rednecks galore! 

[nickie]

Berleigh, be patient Dear. Please do not complain about the oppression of having to wait for 4 years to have the gov't sponsor your SRS, until you have lived under the oppression of living where you will probably never be able to afford it.
Oh, the question? Anywhere, if you're a nurse!

[Christo]

Frisco. whoo hoo