With property rates still on the rise, the Vancouver real estate scene can be a depressing picture for many, especially those looking to enter the market. But all hope should not be lost! We’ve rounded up nine properties under $200,000 that might just fit the bill.

So what does this budget in Vancouver get you? We narrowed our search to properties within the City of Vancouver borders. All of our findings were 1-bedroom/1-bathroom apartments or condos. Most were east of Main Street, with the Hastings-Sunrise neighbourhood taking the cake for number of inexpensive properties.

We also found a few little nests in Vancouver’s West End for the urban dwellers amongst us.

Take a look at the nine cheapest properties on the market in Vancouver, as of November 2014.

1. #312 5520 Joyce Street – $169,900

Tied as the cheapest property on the market in Vancouver, this 1-bedroom/1-bathroom apartment, built in 1989, covers 447 Sq ft. It features a fresh paint job, stainless steel appliances, and granite countertops throughout. The Joyce-Collingwood Skytrain Station is an eight minute walk.

This place doesn’t look so bad considering its title as the cheapest property in Vancouver.

Pros: Bright and updated space

Cons: On a busy street

2. #206 16 Lakewood Drive – $169,900

Located in the Hastings neighbourhood near Nanaimo St., this apartment has come down in price from $218,900. The building was built in 1981 and the 572 Sq ft apartment features 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, a parking spot and storage space, as well as newer laminate flooring.

Overall, the space is quite dated, but with this kind of price, you could always fix it up.

Pros: Unit faces away from the main street to limit noise, in a residential area and close to downtown

Cons: Could use a skilled decorator

3. #804 1219 Harwood Street – $179,000

Officially the cheapest property in the downtown core, this 550 sq. ft. apartment on the 8th floor features a private balcony (and a shared roof top patio!), shared laundry and close proximity to Sunset Beach, the seawall and hundreds of shops and restaurants.

You can’t really beat this location, and if you’re looking for downtown living on a budget, you won’t find better.

Pros: Location! Location! Location!

Cons: Older building (1967) and no pets allowed

4. #108 2215 Dundas Street – $179,900

This 575 sq. ft. apartment in East Vancouver is a 1-bedroom/1-bathroom ground floor unit, two blocks from Nanaimo St. and a short walk to Commercial Drive.

We’re not huge fans of the bars on the windows, but hey, it’s got a dishwasher!

Pros: Parking and storage is available!

Cons: No outdoor space

5. #204 1055 East Broadway – $179,900

Located right on East Broadway between Main and Clark, this 560 st. ft., 1-bedroom/1-bathroom place has its fair share of perks. It’s a corner unit on the quiet side of the building with in-suite laundry and underground parking! The building isn’t too old – built in 1993 – and the apartment features a “good sized balcony.”

This is a great location for a lot of people, close to SkyTrain and many buses.

Pros: Only three blocks from Commercial Drive

Cons: There are no interior pictures available, so enter at your own risk

6. #208 1251 Cardero Street – $185,000

This is another great spot in the West End for cheap. Just a bit more expensive than the apartment on Harwood, this unit covers 612 sq. ft. and features a south-west facing balcony. It has one bedroom and one bathroom, a living room and a dining space.

We don’t really dig the yellow oven and range, but since you’ll live so close to Denman, you might not need to use it much.

Pros: Location and bright living space

Cons: It’s not the Shangri-La?

7. 202 East 2nd Avenue – $199,900

Barely two blocks from the heart of Commercial Drive, this small 1-bedroom manages to cover a lot of ground, figuratively speaking. While it’s only 429 sq. ft., the open kitchen and living space provide a lot of light and flexibility.

The space, including the building, has apparently been updated.

Pros: A south-facing balcony for those summer months

Cons: It’s been on the market for over 100 days, so that raises some red flags.

8. #103 2255 Eton Street – $199,900

Another selection in the Hastings-Sunrise location, this “newer” (1987) building offers up one bedroom, a private patio, a decent sized kitchen and in-suite laundry. It’s 550 sq. ft., clean and ready to move in.

Pros: You are allowed one cat and one cat only.

Cons: Cat ladies need not apply

9. #102 8622 Selkirk Street – $199,999

Back to 8622 Selkirk, this place rounds out our list coming in just one loonie below 200K. So what do you get for the extra splurge? The 705 sq. ft. 1-bedroom/1-bathroom includes a newly renovated kitchen and bathroom, stainless steel appliances, and big rooms that will fit your “house sized furniture”.

We’re not huge fans of the location, but this is the top of the line in our budget. And those subway tiles in kitchen are so in style.

Pros: It’s got south and west facing windows, meaning lots of light

Cons: A little far away from the big city action