I was on the waiting list to get into this building before it had even been completed. The first residents were allowed to move in at the beginning of November 2004. At that point, it seemed nice enough.
As time progressed, the building has gotten worse. Since it is deemed "low income housing" the building is filled with a bunch of losers. There's a lot of people who pay $130 for what I paid $800 a month for. They are the kind of people who claim disabilities, but have none.
The building is not well insulated at all. I can hear the guy living above me pee. The building also has very limited storage, and the way it was laid out is very poor.
Because of all the events at Esther Short Park and the farmers market, it is loud here (I live on the park side) and there isn't any parking. The apartment complex only gives you 1 parking spot per apartment, so if you have more than one car you have to find a spot to park on the street with permit parking (there isn't much). That is a total pain.
Since I've been here there's been people who live here that have tagged their own building, I've seen someone smear their poop on the wall, our elevator curtain was sliced and diced by a resident, and there's a ton of smokers who are too lazy to smoke outside so they set the fire alarms off regularly.
I also got sick of hearing people scream at night in the park, and bums asking me on a daily basis for change. It is such a dissapointment.
If you are looking for good parking, privacy, and a quiet apartment without weirdos you won't find it here.

User Responses
From: forestglenistheworst	Date: 10/30/2005
I've encountered similar problems with Esther Short Commons. It isn't worth getting discounted rent because you have to live with a bunch of weirdos!
From: Ravier	Date: 10/25/2006
I kinda like wierdss. I lived there for a year and didnt mind at all.. location is great. view is splendid. getting woken up by the alarms all the time was a good way to meet residents.. ok.. the last part was a joke. but seriously. I enjoyed my stay at Esther Short.
From: Crystal2007	Date: 06/27/2007
Thanks for all the info, we were "thinking" of moving here as we have lived in highrisers before. Now we are just going to keep looking, the reviews are a real eye-opener.
From: rentingatthecommons	Date: 02/06/2009
I have lived in many different apartments in Vancouver and must say that I love Esther Short Commons! Even though there are children next to me i never hear them. Downtown living isnt for everyone...you will hear planes, trains, and automobiles, but it is definitely does not bother me. The office and maintenance staff are very friendly, as well as most of the residents here. I really enjoy the building security with the controlled access, it isnt perfect because some residents dont follow the rules, and let people they dont know in, but it is still better than having no security at all!! The only problem i have with this building is with some of the residents. Not everyone is respectful of other people, but i've come to realize that you will deal with that where ever you go. All of the issues you encountered must be a thing of the past because i havent had to deal with anything like that. All in all i love living here. The location is great, and so far the experience has been very pleasant.

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