Olympics Whistler Vancouver
OK many of you are waiting for the Winter Olympic games. I've got a few friends living in Vancouver and Whistler and here are the odd observations/rumors that they/me notice. Mostly everyday things and a bit of economics.
1) They've build a new road to Whistler but they keep it closed for public during Olympics. Why building it in the first place?
2) They have closed all day parking lots in Whistler during the Olympics. Suppose I've got a ticket to see slalom, where the hell do I park?
3) A week before Olympics - Whistler is empty, hotel prices 3-4 higher than usual but no people staying there. Funny enough, it says "Call for prices" on Expedia, as if they may have a slim chance you'd get a room. BS: you can get a room in any hotel.
4) People that live in Vancouver just want to get out of the city for 2 weeks to avoid tourists and trasportation problems.
5) Want to park downtown or even on Broadway near Downtown? not a chance, no metered parking anywhere.
6) Girls ask me, gee, it would be nice to see figure skating :) Ok I say, just for your curiosity - ticket price on official Olympics site for that event ~$635 USD As for me I'd like to see preliminary US/Canada game - price tag $1100...
7) Flying in/out of Vancouver Airport? you'd have to take SkyTrain and ride 1 stop on public transportation (rumor)
8) There is more security personel in the airport than tourists (at least what it was 2 days ago)
9) Real estate prices in Vancouver shot through the roof. Average house price is 900,000 CAD. That is twice the average house price in other parts of Canada, for example Toronto. I wonder, do people learn lessons of Sydney and China, that real estate prices fall right after Olympic games are over.
10) British Columbia residents will be hit with additional tax when purchasing everyday stuff (to pay for Olympics)
So having lived in Vancouver for a while, I kind of feel sorry for all folks that are living there now. I guess many were thinking - "Way, Olympic Games here in Vancouver, thats nice!" but at the end "Do we really need it to be here?"
1) They've build a new road to Whistler but they keep it closed for public during Olympics. Why building it in the first place?
2) They have closed all day parking lots in Whistler during the Olympics. Suppose I've got a ticket to see slalom, where the hell do I park?
3) A week before Olympics - Whistler is empty, hotel prices 3-4 higher than usual but no people staying there. Funny enough, it says "Call for prices" on Expedia, as if they may have a slim chance you'd get a room. BS: you can get a room in any hotel.
4) People that live in Vancouver just want to get out of the city for 2 weeks to avoid tourists and trasportation problems.
5) Want to park downtown or even on Broadway near Downtown? not a chance, no metered parking anywhere.
6) Girls ask me, gee, it would be nice to see figure skating :) Ok I say, just for your curiosity - ticket price on official Olympics site for that event ~$635 USD As for me I'd like to see preliminary US/Canada game - price tag $1100...
7) Flying in/out of Vancouver Airport? you'd have to take SkyTrain and ride 1 stop on public transportation (rumor)
8) There is more security personel in the airport than tourists (at least what it was 2 days ago)
9) Real estate prices in Vancouver shot through the roof. Average house price is 900,000 CAD. That is twice the average house price in other parts of Canada, for example Toronto. I wonder, do people learn lessons of Sydney and China, that real estate prices fall right after Olympic games are over.
10) British Columbia residents will be hit with additional tax when purchasing everyday stuff (to pay for Olympics)
So having lived in Vancouver for a while, I kind of feel sorry for all folks that are living there now. I guess many were thinking - "Way, Olympic Games here in Vancouver, thats nice!" but at the end "Do we really need it to be here?"