Surge in Vancouver's housing prices deters young professionals

Vancouver

WHEN Allan Pulga, a communications manager, found out he was going to be a father, he had to make a tough choice - stay in a tiny downtown condo or leave Vancouver.

The 34-year-old, who works for fast-growing private Canadian technology firm iQmetrix, packed his bags and moved to Regina, Saskatchewan, where the typical family home costs roughly one third of the price in the Greater Vancouver area. "When you're a young, single person, you can make Vancouver work financially," said Mr Pulga, who was able to transfer to iQmetrix's Regina office. "But I feel like if it's time to settle down and have kids, maybe you won't stay."

Mr Pulga typifies a worrying trend in Vancouver, where sky-high housing prices are forcing many young professionals out of the city and into long commutes from far-flung sub…