Melissa Carr

Absurd Vancouver Property: Vancouver vs. Toronto

2013-05-20T14:33:43-04:00

We're almost halfway across Canada! This week we're in Ontario and for the sake of keeping the comparisons in one area, I'm going to focus on Toronto.

First up is this gorgeous home for just over $2 million:

Located in Central Toronto near Casa Loma, this luxury home sits near some of the city's esteemed private schools (woo hoo!). This classic house has six bedrooms, a big family room, modern kitchen with breakfast area, spacious master suite with six-piece bath, and finished basement with a nanny suite.

I'm a big fan of Canadian designer, Sarah Richardson and this home reminds me of one she refinished on her popular show Sarah's House.

This completely renovated house has five bedrooms and seven bathrooms of uniquely designed interiors (and unique here isn't code for "makes me want to throw up in my mouth").

It. Is. Gorgeous.

Now, this North Toronto house is luxurious. For $2 million, imagine coming home to this:

Fully renovated with heated floors, chef's kitchen plus design and finishings are exquisite, this house has it all. I could handle living here.

And for $2 million in Vancouver...

Welcome home.

Vancouver... are you f*%king kidding me??!!

Would The Circus Buy My Four-Year-Old?

2013-05-09T01:12:45-04:00

I remember when my little boy was two... Into absolutely everything.

Then, there was three. Tantrums about absolutely everything.

And, just when I thought things had settled down...FOUR!!! OMFG.

This kid is seriously keeping my local liquor store in business.

Everybody warns you about two...even three. Nobody told me about four.

There are days when I feel like there is an alien invading my little boy's body...who is this demon? His sister went through a bit of the same at this age. Willful. Stubborn. Naughty. My darling son is all this with the added bonus of also being completely irrational (no...you cannot wear your basketball shorts out in the freezing rain), disobedient (I already told you, you are not allowed to eat Easter eggs for breakfast) and violent (if I had a dollar for every time I've gotten a foot in the boob...).

We try everything: time out, taking toys and TV away, reward charts, naughty charts, positive reinforcement... This kid adapts to all of our strategies and turns them on their ass. I kind of feel like we need to just ride it out, this too shall pass. Won't it? Please tell me that it will.

After a day of tot terror...after the gong-show that is bedtime...after the extra cup of water, the one last kiss...after readjusting the door so it is open just the right amount...I creep up to his room to gaze at the still, quiet, innocent little person that lays there...and fall in love all over again.

Absurd Vancouver Property: Vancouver vs. Quebec

2013-05-07T12:38:41-04:00

Farther and farther across the country we go...bonjour, Quebec!

$1 million is a lot to spend anywhere in Canada. We'll start in Montreal, where just shy of a million will afford you this refurbished bungalow:

Over 7,400 Sq. Ft of Land! Six bedrooms, three bathrooms and gorgeous finishings. Ooooh la la!

Hop over to Quebec City and $975,000 will fetch you this old but charming estate home.

Five bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms, a solarium and huge yard...and in pretty fantastic shape for an old timer!

Back over to Montreal and $999,000 is what you'l have to spend for this home:

This stone cottage has been totally remodeled with five bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths. It's located in the prestigious Cité des Jardins area. Tres chic!

Back in Vancouver...we know what a cool million will fetch us:

Oh Mon Dieux!!!

Vancouver...tu te fous de moi??!!

Absurd Vancouver Property: Vancouver vs. New Brunswick

2013-05-01T12:14:24-04:00

Last week we had a look at properties in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This week we move on to New Brunswick. Starting at $1.1 million we have this Cape Cod-style home:

This country estate is located on over one square kilometre of untouched land and includes a seven acre spring-fed lake. Extremely private and quality-built, this is a maritime oasis.

Bump up your budget to $1.2 million, and you can buy this mansion, which overlooks the city of Moncton.

Over 7000 square feet of living space, including six bedrooms and four bathrooms. Lots of space for a pool table, exercise room and more...all on over two acres of lush, green land.

Throw another $200k into the pot and this mansion on over 24 acres becomes an option.

Okay...four HUGE bedrooms, seven and-a-half bathrooms...the master suite has a wet bar (why would you ever leave?), there's a theatre and an indoor pool. The owner's furniture and BMW can also be negotiated as part of the package.

And if you add just $100K more onto you budget, for a total of $1.5 million, this lovely Kerrisdale home can be all yours.

This "charming and well cared for character home" has...wait for it...lane access (yippee!!). Many upgrades include floors, paint, roof, bathroom, and fixtures. Geez...where's the wet bar??

Vancouver...are you f*%king kidding me??

Next week...we'll journey to Quebec and see how our French-Canadian friends fare in the real estate game.

Check out the top 10 absurd Vancouver properties of 2012:

We're Done Having Kids: Knowing When To Stop Making Babies

2013-04-27T14:39:05-04:00

My daughter keeps asking for a little sister. At first it was cute...then it started to evolve into a daily request, which became harder and harder to address.

I can relate.

Growing up as the only girl (I have two younger brothers) in my family I, too, yearned for a sister. I'm pretty sure I even begged my own mother for one and I would say her answer was pretty much the same as mine..."Not a chance."

My husband and I always say we are 99.9 per cent sure we are finished having children. For whatever reason, we haven't taken the measures to ensure that the possibility of another child is completely void. In my heart, though, I feel my family is complete.

I don't get a sense that anyone or anything is missing. I love that both my kids are out of the baby stage -- as fun as that was -- and that we have evolved into a tight little foursome who are mobile, spontaneous and well-rested (AMEN!).

Also, I can't deny the fact that after 4.5 years postpartum, I finally feel like I have my body "back." I am quite certain that I don't want to go down the pregnancy path again.

My daughter still manages to find a response when I tell her that mommy doesn't want to grow a baby in her body again. "We can adopt a baby that doesn't have a mommy and daddy." Heart melts. This is a more complicated one to address.

I try to tell her that we want to make sure that we are able to provide well for her and her brother... that we are so lucky to have what we do and that we, of course, always want to help others in need.

We don't feel we have room in our house or finances to take care of another person right now... this could change, obviously, but I don't want her to get her hopes up.

Have you decided that "you're done"? How did you explain this to your kids when they asked about more siblings?

Absurd Vancouver Property: Vancouver vs. Halifax

2013-04-23T12:30:20-04:00

Last week we had a look at what around $800K could buy you in Vancouver vs. PEI. This week we're headed to Nova Scotia, with a budget of just under $2 million.

First up is this respectable home located on Halifax's prestigious Younge Avenue.

With over 5,000 square feet of living space, this home has five bedrooms, three bathrooms and sits on a 10,000 square foot lot. I would be happy to live in the master suite with its "luxurious spa-like six-piece en suite and walk in closet."

Moving on to this oceanfront home in Halifax Harbour.

This location "...ensures privacy whether you are entertaining inside or on the 1,000 sq ft plus wrap around decking. Spectacular ocean views from every bedroom and main living area." Magnificent.

Hello! You had me at pool. At almost 6,500 square feet, this house has five bedrooms and three bathrooms. There is an exercise room, as well as a "spa-like" en suite in the master bedroom. Apparently Nova Scotians like their bathrooms super fancy!

...and back in Vancouver a budget just short of $2 million will fetch you this charming home:

My oh my. She's a looker. Two bedrooms and one bathroom on a standard lot in MacKenzie Heights. No spa-like bathroom here, but you don't need one...right? If you can afford this place, surely, you can afford to take yourself for a facial somewhere else.

Vancouver...are you f%#king kidding me??!!

Is Vancouver Overrated?

2013-04-21T13:45:14-04:00

In his recent Huffington Post piece, 10 Terribly Overrated Destinations (And Where To Travel Instead), David Landsel singles out places that everyone is told to travel to but, in his opinion, are not worth the airfare.

Vancouver was among his victims.

He states:

#4 Vancouver

It's really super to see Canadians being assertive and exhibiting national pride. But in the case of Vancouver, all that rah, rah, rah is regrettably misplaced.

Sure, the one they call Lotusland may photograph well, but maybe just stay home and look at pictures, because there really isn't much below the surface -- nothing unique anyway. You want a city core that alternates rather unpredictably between completely boring and absolutely terrifying, with close proximity to some of the continent's best Chinese food? And also tons and tons of traffic? Go to Los Angeles, where the weather's better and there are also tacos.

That public market Vancouver's tourist board loves so much? No better than what you'll find in many an American city, starting right next door in Seattle. The city's only truly unique asset, really, is a giant park that reminds you that you're in one of the most beautiful parts of the world, and that you should get out of town immediately and go see some nature.

Instead, try In the Northwest, your top choice right now is definitely Portland. It is friendly, manageable, affordable; the food is really good, there's enough culture and nature and all that good stuff, without the traffic and grit and expense and hassle of Seattle. But mostly, it has a distinct character, a sense of place. Portland is downright agreeable. (It should also be mentioned that there are some very good strip clubs.)

Other destinations named in the piece included San Francisco, Colorado and Chicago. What do you think?

The Metaphor Of A Marathon

2013-04-17T21:33:42-04:00

I finished a marathon once.

It was something that took me months and months to train and prepare for. There were highs and lows, gorgeous sunny days and miserable wet nights. There was absolute euphoria and agonizing pain.

Running a marathon is an epic feat. It is a journey of body, mind and spirit. It is about pushing yourself farther than you ever thought possible...and then, even farther still.

By the time I reached the last five kilometres of my race it was, simply, mind over matter. One foot in front of the other. Physically, it felt like my body had nothing left to give - I was willing it to move, to push on. In the last stretch, with each stumbling step, my children's names beating through my brain. And then, when the finish line was in sight, pulsating joy as I knew I had done it...tears streaming down my face, my aching body floating. Victory.

I cannot imagine coming to that finish line and feeling anything but pride, happiness and relief. Yet, on April 15th, many runners in Boston experienced the exact opposite as they came to the end of their journey. Happiness and relief were replaced with shock and terror.

My heart goes out to those who did not have the finish to their journey they were expecting -- the finish that, after months and months of hard work, they deserved. Many of them have another marathon ahead of them in the wake of all that has happened -- they will have to dig deep and muster up the strength to put one foot in front of the other. And will themselves to push on.

What I learned during my training is that the community of people who participate in these incredible races are extraordinary. They are determined, encouraging and brave. Ironically, these are exactly the kind of people you want around during a crisis. The kind of people who, no matter what is on the road ahead of them, keep moving forward.

Many Boston marathoners, after running 26 miles, kept running. Their bodies weak and stiff, they ran to the aid of those who were injured. Some even kept running all the way to local hospitals where they donated blood.

Because that is what a marathon is about - you just keep going.

Absurd Vancouver Property: Vancouver vs. PEI

2013-04-12T18:58:48-04:00

Last week we compared what your money would buy you in Vancouver vs. Newfoundland. This week, we are looking on Prince Edward Island.

I'm going to shoot a little lower with the budget this week and see what we can find between $700-800K.

First up this cute Cape Cod-style abode:

Situated on over half an acre of water-front land, this home has three bedrooms, and two-and-a-half bathrooms. The lower level has a large rec room with walk out to the well landscaped grounds and to the water. All for $737K. Sigh...

For $748K, you could buy this six-bedroom home:

This one sits on a third of an acre and boasts a massive living room, separate dining room, separate kitchen and family room, office and study all on the main level for enjoyable living and entertaining. Wow.

Bump your budget up to $800K and you could be the proud owner of this heritage home is historic Charlottetown:

Professionally restored in 2009 to an exceptional condition, this property was operated as an inn. There are four master suites, each with its own ensuite bathroom. The third floor has a large sitting area, with another bedroom & ensuite.

Back in Vancouver, we're lucky to find a decent house for under $800K. Here's one that is, at least, standing:

A bargain by Vancouver standards, the listing states that the lot is level and sunny (when the sun comes out!). Well...that's something, I guess.

Vancouver...are you f*%king kidding me??!!

Stay tuned - next week we head to Nova Scotia!

Hey, B.C. Homeowners: Don't Expect To Be Mortgage Free Until Age 59!

2013-04-10T14:36:59-04:00

A recent poll released by CIBC revealed that the average Canadian doesn't expect to be mortgage free until age 57 -- and age 59 for B.C. homeowners.

Key findings include:

The average age at which Canadian homeowners with a mortgage believe they will be mortgage free is 57, compared to age 55 in a similar CIBC poll one year ago

Residents of B.C. had among the longest repayment expectations in Canada at age 59

50 per cent of Canadian homeowners say their non-mortgage debt (credit cards, lines of credit, etc.) has increased since they first took on their mortgage. These Canadians were also less likely to be making lump sum payments to their mortgage, citing a lack of funds as the primary reason.

Among homeowners who say they've taken on additional non-mortgage debt since they purchased their home, only 11 per cent said they had made an extra mortgage payment in the last year -- considerably lower than the 19 per cent who were making lump sum payments among those who had not added to their non-mortgage debt. The primary reason noted by Canadians who were not taking steps to repay their mortgage faster was that they simply did not have the extra funds.

I've written about this phenomenon before. I often wonder if the only way people are actually "affording" to live in Vancouver is by amassing other kinds of debt (i.e. aside from crazy-huge mortgages!).

I'm guessing I'll still have lots of subject matter for TheThirtiesGrind.com well into my fifties as it looks like "the grind" shows no signs of stopping for many!!

Absurd Vancouver Property: What $1.6 Million Can Buy

2013-04-05T16:21:22-04:00

Over the next few weeks in my Absurd Vancouver Property series I'm going to take you across Canada from east to west.

This week, let's look at what $1.6 million can buy you in our most easterly province, Newfoundland.

First up is this completely remodeled home, located just outside downtown St. John's.

With over 6,500 square feet of living space, this is a gorgeous family home.

Or how about this ocean-view estate:

Located on a full acre, this home has four bedrooms, five bathrooms and a five-car garage. There's also a gym with Nike flooring, two lofts, family room, games room and a hydra pool in the backyard. Yes, please!!

Our next contender looks like it is straight out of a movie.

Seriously!!! Is this for real? This is truly "waterfront." The listing states that you can live in luxury while watching whales, icebergs and nature pass by your window. On second thought, I'll take this one!

But, wait!! Why go for east coast, when you can spend your $1.6 million on this Vancouver "garage-mahal."

I took this photo myself ... the listing didn't have one. Gee, I wonder why?

Vancouver ... are you f*#king kidding me??!!

Stay tuned. Next week we'll see what our money will get us on Prince Edward Island!

Subscribe to TheThirtiesGrind.com to follow along.

Why New Pink Kinder Surprise Pisses Me Off

2013-03-17T13:35:52-04:00

Today I was doing some grocery shopping with my kids when I came across this:

I took a photo of it and posted it to my Instagram and Facebook page with the simple comment that this product is ridiculous and infuriates me. Let me explain why.

For years and years, Kinder eggs were gender neutral. I'm not sure if there was a dip in sales or if Kinder decided that they desperately needed more girl clientele, but the way they were packaged before neither said "girl" nor "boy" to me. My kids were happy to receive the treat on occasion, and happy to play with whatever (albeit crappy) toy was inside.

The new package states "Toys for Girls." Does this mean the old toys weren't for girls? Does it mean Kinder was only for boys before? I just don't get it. I also saw a commercial on TV for the girl version ... and I threw up in my mouth a little.

I know not everyone will agree with me on this and, yes, I get "it's just a candy." But, seriously, why must our daughters be marketed to in this way? It starts with stuff like this and then they get crap thrown at them like the new Sketchers "Daddy's Money" sneakers. Don't even get me started.

Personally, I want my daughter to be marketed to like this:

Check out PinkStinks.org, which talks about this and how we should be aware and critical of the messages our daughters are being sent through the marketing and packaging of products. I love their slogan: There's more than one way to be a girl!

Amen to that!

Give Me Drugs! The Great Epidural Debate

2013-03-08T14:36:06-05:00

A friend of mine was pregnant with her third child when she posed the following question on Facebook:

Moms: I've been reading up on epi's because I'm really considering getting one this time around. I'm horrified at a lot of the stories of permanent side effects and I'm starting to quiver at the thought that 'au naturale' may be the best way to go again. I was just hoping to enjoy this birth a little. What was your epi experience like?

The response she received told me that this is a hot topic with veteran moms and moms-to-be alike. With my first baby, I had an epidural -- and thank gawd! I had been labouring for over eight hours and really and truly needed a break from the pain. Once I had the epi, I felt like I could relax and "enjoy" (I use the term loosely here!) the experience. However, the epidural did slow things down and actually REVERSED my dilation.

Imagine my disappointment when my midwife told me that I had gone from six centimetres to 4.5 centimetres. She may as well have told me that the baby was NEVER coming out!! I was so discouraged! In the end, I am glad I had the epi, though. If I hadn't, I think I would have been so exhausted and may have ended up having to have a C-section.

With my second child's birth, labour was fast and manageable. I was able to use nitrous oxide (AMAZING stuff, which actually did nothing for the me the first time around) to offset the pain. My son's labour was four hours from start to finish. With my daughter I pushed for two hours, compared to two minutes with my son. I am very grateful to have had both experiences and know how lucky I am to have had two births without any complications or negative after-effects.

I would say, unless you are completely opposed to drugs during birth (more power to you!!) keep the epidural as an option and decide once you see how your labour goes! Birth is not predictable and we just have no way of knowing how it is going to go!

This is a very individual decision and probably one of the first ones that we, as mothers, feel conflicted about. I wonder if this is due to our actual expectations around our child's birth or if it is how we think we will be perceived if we opt in (or out) of using drugs to manage labour.

What are your thoughts and experiences around epidurals?

Bucket List For Kids: Are You F*#king Kidding Me?

2013-02-26T14:06:25-05:00

It was about this time last year, leading into spring, when I read an article in the Globe and Mail, which talked about a checklist released by the National Trust, a charity that looks after historic buildings, gardens and forests throughout Britain. It was a bucket list for young children and it suggested 50 activities they should undertake before they are 12 years old.

Seriously.

The article states that these days:

...there's much more focus on the danger of being outside of the home... We're a bit more paranoid than we need to be. Conversely, parents seem less concerned about how a couch-potato lifestyle is hurting their children. The World Health Organization has warned that obesity rates among kids are rising at an "alarming rate." A study published this month in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine showed that half of preschool children in the United States don't go outside to play on a daily basis.

Are we, as parents, really so buttoned up, paranoid and regimented that our kids are really no longer just "going outside to play?" Not the case for my kids. My mom has a saying, "a dirty child is a happy child." I love this rule of thumb and it is so true.

My kids are the happiest when they are outside in our garden digging in the dirt, playing with worms and making mud pies. Sure, they love watching TV and playing on the computer too, but their imaginations are engaged and energy burned off (can I get an AMEN??!!) so much more effectively when they are crafting, chasing, climbing and, generally, mucking about.

Most of the items on this list are things we all did as children. Our parents likely didn't show or direct us to do the many of them as they are part of "experimental" play that comes naturally to children (or should -- and perhaps, herein lies the real problem).

Other items do require an adult's help and I think it is sad to think that any parent wouldn't think to introduce these activities to their children without a reminder of how much fun they are. Having a child is one's chance to re-live your own childhood!

So my suggestion would be that this list not just be for kids under 12; it should also be for their parents -- you will be surprised how much fun you will have doing many of these things (with or without your kids).

Here are a few examples of the "bucket list" activities:

1. Climb a tree

2. Roll down a really big hill

3. Run around in the rain

4. Fly a kite

5. Play conkers

6. Throw some snow

7. Make a mud pie

8. Dam a stream

9. Set up a snail race

10. Swing on a rope swing

11. Watch the sun wake up

12. Catch a crab

13. Go on a nature walk at night

14. Plant it, grow it, eat it

B.C. Daycare Costs Are Crippling Families

2013-02-14T13:01:48-05:00

Earlier this week I posted on my Facebook page, inquiring if anyone would be willing to speak to the media about what they shell out for daycare each month. The response I got was overwhelming.

From part-time costs at about $600/month to one friend who confided that she spends upwards of $3,000/month on childcare, I was admittedly not shocked. I mean, I know what daycare costs. I have my son in a daycare two days a week, which I consider to be a deal at $38/day.

CTV ran a story about the crippling cost of childcare and highlighted how the Surrey and Burnaby Boards of Trade are pushing for Universal Child Care — much like what happens in Quebec — where daycare would end up costing $10/day. A huge savings to families, but (arguably) a significant burden on taxpayers.

When I posted the video on my Facebook, I received emotional and mixed reactions:

Childcare (for one child) is our second biggest monthly expense. I wonder if the average daily cost ($40) they are referring to is accurate in Surrey and Burnaby? I certainly don't think it is in Vancouver — my daycare, which seems in line with the going rate here, costs close to 50% more than that, based on 4 days a week. I know several people (all women, unfortunately) who have dropped out of the workforce entirely because the financial burden is too high. — Tara R.

This is a ridiculous idea.Why does it always have to be about the people who are not making enough. At what point do we say "sorry, this would be unfair to the taxpayers, you should have thought it through." And before you start complaining, consider yourself in a situation where you are already paying 35% of your paycheck in taxes, and society is still asking for more. — Mizra R.

Back in the fall when a group of influential "online moms" and I met with Premier Christy Clark, childcare costs was a hot topic. Clark's sentiment is that the burden of daycare is a "temporary" one for families. I disagree.

The high cost of childcare for families in B.C. has long-term impacts. Many families cannot afford to purchase a home because of it. Many women (and men) take themselves out of the workforce because of it. Many families go into debt because of it. Many couples decide not to have children (or more than one child) because of it.

Do you feel childcare costs here are ridiculous? What do you think the solution is?