How I live
Both the National Post and Vancouver magazine have had a few good articles on eco-density and the spaces that we live in.
Eco-density refers to an initiative to lower our environmental footprint by supporting density that is high quality, attractive, more energy efficient, and respects neighbourhood character.
Our mayor has jumped all over this thing.
The National Post article over the weekend was a contrast piece to the one published today. The one on the weekend concerned the drive to build "McMansions". They profiled the largest house in Canada which is located in Abbotsford(!). At 47 000 square feet is probably close to the size of a department store. The house is currently listed at 9.9 million - the owner has poured over 25 million into it, but his health is failing and he can not live in it.
There were also profiles of the large number of people moving into 4000 sq. feet and larger homes.
Today's article focused on the other extreme - people moving into smaller spaces, simplifying their lives. Anyone who moves into downtown Vancouver would fall into this latter category.
The average price of a 2 bedroom 850 sq. foot apt. in Vancouver is $570 000. For that same price you could get a 3000 sq. foot house in Maple Ridge w. 4 bedrooms and a 6000 sq. foot lot.
There is a lot less bang for your buck. It is a lifestly change which requires adapting. We live in a small apt. We will soon have another addition to the family, bringing us up to 4 people. These are a lot tighter quarters then the spacious home my parents used to have at the end of a cul-de-sac in Saskatoon.
But, it forces us to live simply and to be creative w. space. It also means owning less stuff, which is a definite blessing. We have some frineds who regularly have to purge the clothes from their closets which are just limited. This is better then buying more and more.
Anyways, I am glad Vancouver is adopting this eco-density approach to urban planning. It means a better use of the space God has given us, and is easier on the environment.
Buy less.
Eco-density refers to an initiative to lower our environmental footprint by supporting density that is high quality, attractive, more energy efficient, and respects neighbourhood character.
Our mayor has jumped all over this thing.
The National Post article over the weekend was a contrast piece to the one published today. The one on the weekend concerned the drive to build "McMansions". They profiled the largest house in Canada which is located in Abbotsford(!). At 47 000 square feet is probably close to the size of a department store. The house is currently listed at 9.9 million - the owner has poured over 25 million into it, but his health is failing and he can not live in it.
There were also profiles of the large number of people moving into 4000 sq. feet and larger homes.
Today's article focused on the other extreme - people moving into smaller spaces, simplifying their lives. Anyone who moves into downtown Vancouver would fall into this latter category.
The average price of a 2 bedroom 850 sq. foot apt. in Vancouver is $570 000. For that same price you could get a 3000 sq. foot house in Maple Ridge w. 4 bedrooms and a 6000 sq. foot lot.
There is a lot less bang for your buck. It is a lifestly change which requires adapting. We live in a small apt. We will soon have another addition to the family, bringing us up to 4 people. These are a lot tighter quarters then the spacious home my parents used to have at the end of a cul-de-sac in Saskatoon.
But, it forces us to live simply and to be creative w. space. It also means owning less stuff, which is a definite blessing. We have some frineds who regularly have to purge the clothes from their closets which are just limited. This is better then buying more and more.
Anyways, I am glad Vancouver is adopting this eco-density approach to urban planning. It means a better use of the space God has given us, and is easier on the environment.
Buy less.
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