After living in some of the different cities I have lived in the world. I have to say, in Vancouver, you get what you pay for. The housing prices in the Lower Mainland are higher than it's ever been and will continue to rise, that is just a fact of life. Vancouver is especially high because it has second to none natual ammenities. Decent weather, a blossoming city and esthetically a comfortable place to live. This is why the housing prices are so high. The focus should be what can be done by the government to assist Canadians in securing housing. Maybe a tax break maybe a subsidy... something. If they do it to students then why can't they do that with first time Canadian homebuyers? Skyrocketing housing prices is not a BC problem. It is a world wide problem from what I have observed.But look on the brightside. 800k can get you a detatched home in Abbey. 800k is downpayment for a one bedroom apartment in HK.