What is the difference between concrete high rise buildings and wood frame low rise buildings?  This is a common question I get asked on a regular basis.  There are a few differences between the two types of homes however neither one is better than the other.  It is based soley on your personal preference.

Wood frame units are not as noise friendly as concrete condos.  However the newer wood frame condos are attractive to first time home buyers because they often offer larger spaces for the same price as a concrete condo.  For example, in the burnaby north brentwood mall area, a one bedroom in a newer wood frame building around 650 sqft will go for around $249,000 to $289,900 whereas a similar unit in a concrete highrise will go for $289,000 to $320,000. 

The home insurance on wood frame units will be a little higher than on concrete condos.  Wood frame units are more prone to fire and as such the home insurance on these homes will be a little higher. 

There are also certain areas in which all or most of the homes are wood frame so if you wanted to live in those areas you would have to purchase a wood frame unit.  For example in the UBC area, most of the homes there are low rise.  They do also have some concrete low rise condos available as well.  Most of the units in this area are leasehold.  Another area where the majority of homes are low rise condos would be in kitsilano.   I hope this helps.