Help need advice-would you move for $ 400000
 

Hi there, I am thinking of making a big life decision in the near future and would like some feedback from some people who are not in my inner circle and can provide some objective advice.

I live in Canada, in a city called Victoria which is in a province called British Columbia ( a province is like a state for those not familiar ) In Canada it's pretty much paradise for weather. It never snows and we are the envy of the rest of Canada with flowers and so forth, I guess it would sort of be like living in a really nice part of Florida if you were American.

I am lucky enough to have a good job but prices of housing are ridiculous because everyone wants to move here. The average 2 bedroom condo sells for $ 500,000. I was lucky enough to get my first home, 2 bedroom townhouse with valuted celings, on a forclosure a couple years ago for 247,000. I won't bore you with the details, but I would probably get around 600,000 if I sold it.

Looking at real estate, I could sell my place here in Victoria and move to albeit a bit colder Halifax, which is located in a province called Nova Scotia. I actually grew up there. It's winters are not as nice but I could get a nicer and bigger home for only 200,000 and then put 400,000 in my pocket. For some that might not seem like much, but for me that's a ton of money and I could get a nicer home on top of that. When I mean nicer home I mean for only 200 in Halifax gets you a duplex ( semi detatched ) 3 bedroom and finished garage, basement and back yard, and around 1600 square feet. For a working stiff trying to make ends meet in one of the most expensive cities in North America, this seems tempting.

I am a salesman, I could get a job there quite easily.

I have no idea what I would do. I think it depends upon other situations in your life. Like do you have good friends where you live now? What about family? Are you happy where you are now?

I do not think you ought to measure the issue out in money. Money cannot buy you happiness. If you are happy now then I would stay put.

I grew up in Vancouver and have since lived in Quebec, Ontario, and Alberta. None of these places have as nice year round weather as the west coast imo... however, there's something to be said for having four seasons and at least some blue sky. Victoria is very expensive, all well and good to live in a beautiful city but if you're working all the time, when do you get to enjoy it? Halifax is equally pretty, things to do, and it's "home" for you. Though, they do say "you can't go home again" (Halifax may not be the way you remember).

Honestly... I would be inclined to do the move. Can you manage a vacation to Halifax, a week maybe to go back and look with an objective eye, see how you feel during slushy spring? I get homesick for Vancouver occasionally but after visiting a few times, I realize I am homesick for the old Vancouver of my youth... I would never move to the "new" Vancouver.

Help need advice-would you move for $ 400000
 

Hi, Crystal canuck,

It is good that you are a salesman, because you will very easily understand this metaphor: Be your own best "repeat customer".

As a salesman, if there's anyone who knows the difference between cost and value, it would be you, right?

Give yourself the soundest, most insightful advice about buying your product (i.e. the decision you're contemplating) that you would have no problem recommending as a future service to a confidante....

....whose counsel you trust (guess who?)!

After all, you may have to "sell yourself" on such a decision in the future (that's the repeat business) you see?

To thine own "sell" (self) be true! :D

If you dont mind the heat you could come to the valley of the sun ( Phoenix metro ) It can get to `120 f , but its a dry heat , as they say . You would need to check with ins on living and working in the USA .