Fusilier said:
Westcorp took over the base and PMQ's that were condemed by CE are now being rented for $1000.00 a month.
Elisha said:
I have to correct someone in saying that the PMQ in Griesbach are not renting for $1000 per month. You can rent some PMQ's here (row houses) for about $600 or so a month and then a single 2 bedroom for about $700 a month and then is goes a little higher for the larger styles of Q.
You are both correct.
All the old PMQ's on Griesbach are all now owned by Westcorp. However part of the purchase agreement between Westcorp and DND/Canada Lands was that Westcorp wasn't allowed to kick out any current Members that were living in the PMQ's under CFHA.
Westcorp was allowed to have the empty PMQs immediately for civilian rentals and as CF Members moved out they would take over the remaining houses.
So there are two types of rentals at Griesbach. CFHA PMQ's that go for the $600-700 and Westcorp townhouses (old PMQ's that are mostly filled with military) that are not governed by CFHA that go for $1000-1200. The military members that are with Westcorp usually are members who wouldn't qualify for a PMQ under CFHA ie. a bunch of single members living together.
All new incoming residents are supposed to be slotted into Lancaster Park as CFHA is supposed to be handing over the homes in Griesbach to Westcorp.
Here is the interesting part...some Members have rented a Westcorp house on the civilian market for $1000-1200 and then claim they need a PMQ for whatever sad story and wrangled CFHA to agree and forced Westcorp into switching over it over to a CFHA PMQ. Not sure but I've heard it happening about 4 times now. Anyone have more info?
So your both correct...you can be side by side on the old Griesbach base in the same house and be paying very different rent!
I don't know about the claim that CE condemned the houses that Westcorp is now renting. I would think that if a house was bad enough for CE to condemn that Westcorp wouldn't legally be able to rent it.
Westcorp doesn't have the houses because they were condemned, they have them cause they purchased that portion of the base from Canada Lands/DND.
And if your reading this from somewhere else and you are getting posted in, you might consider living elsewhere...
Because you will most likely end up living on the edge of one of the largest and most exciting redevelopment projects in the city (READ CONSTANT CONSTRUCTION). Few people living there care about their properties because as soon as Westcorp takes over all the old PMQ's they will be tearing them all down (they have already started). Alot of houses are half falling down and have smashed windows and doors.
Don't get me wrong, some people really care for their places and it shows. Many people really like it because it is excellent in terms of location.
Just don't plan on living there long-term or expect too much if you do choose to live there.
Lancaster Park is fine place to live if you want to do the PMQ or rental route.
However, if you can afford it, buy a house/condo instead. Costs for houses in Edmonton have risen alot in the past 5 years but overall it still has some of the least expensive real estate in the country...