Was Spike's crypt really trashed after S6? I remember Riley blowing it up in As You Were, but I don't remember any damage happening to it after S6. Is it canon or is it just fic fanon?

There's some kind of fanon thing that Xander trashed and/or burned what was left of the crypt after Spike left for Africa. Apparently, it started from some spoiler site that said the crypt was trashed between season six and season seven, but it was never actually shown (or even mentioned) on screen, so I don't think it can be considered canon in any way.

Hmmm interesting, this is the first time I know about this spoiler. :D Don't we ever get a glimpse of Spike's crypt in S7? Like when Buffy said it's cozy and Kennedy calls her on it.... been a long time since I've watched S7.

Nope, we never see the crypt in season seven. Buffy and Spike take the girls to a crypt in "Potential," but it's not Spike's. She calls his crypt cozy in a discussion about vampire accommodations.

Clem is living in Spike's crypt and the upper level looks okay when Buffy shows up to leave Dawn there and Clem tells her that Spike left town. 

It was only a "spoiler" because word got out that the crypt set was dismantled after filming ended of Season 6.
As we last saw it, the upper level was fine, just the lower cave was blown up. No idea how long Clem might have stayed there to hold it for Spike. Since Spike's belongings were eventually all packed up, I'm guessing Clem went back home after a while and the crypt was abandoned.

Oh, no.  Not this again :-P  There is no concrete evidence that Spike's crypt was destroyed, torn down, or demolished in any way other than the basement being blown up in AYW.  Outside of Buffy and Spike talking about the cozy crypt in "Potential," it is never mentioned after Season Sex.  I didn't watch BtVS when it first aired, so I have no idea about the spoilers that E mentioned, but it does appear to be a fanon-created occurrence.  If someone were to mention it in a fic (though I've never seen it done), it would not be completely far fetched, as Spike does tell the First that he's in the basement because he has no place else to go.  But, no, there is no canonical mention of the crypt being destroyed.

IB - There are some topics that just will not die. 

Spike does tell the First that he's in the basement because he has no place else to go - which makes no sense.  Did Sunnydale run out of crypts?  Can't Spike steal another tape measure and find one?  I know, I know - symbolically, Spike has been tossed out of his crypt, but Hells Bells, Angel had an apartment.  So what's Spike's problem?

Sorry, I never realized this topic was discussed a lot *ducks head and blushes* I did read about this issue in a couple of fanfics and it got me interested since I'm writing a fic during S7 and a discussion about Spike's crypt will occur, so I needed to be accurate. :)

Spike does tell the First that he's in the basement because he has no place else to go - which makes no sense.

I never got why Spike chose the basement of the high school instead of his crypt or any other place. I know that the writers needed him there so Buffy could find him but they never really mention why he chose it, not having a place to stay isn't reason enough. Maybe The First led him to be there?

never got why Spike chose the basement of the high school instead of his crypt or any other place.

I think I might have an idea why.  Spike has a soul now, so maybe the crypt reminds him that he's been bad, and a dead thing; it also may bring back some rather naughty memories that, while good for some of us watching the show, are not good for Spike.  Ditto for Buffy's house.  Spike believes he's a monster, therefore he doesn't deserve to live like a human.  No apartment for him.  So, the only place he can fit is down below the high school, on top of the Hellmouth, where all things Evil belong.  Including, in Spike's wounded mind, heart and soul, himself.

I got the sense that Spike was drawn to the Hellmouth. After all, soul or not, he is still a demon, and what with him thinking he's a monster, he probably feels that's where he belongs. Particularly with the First doing a number on him, he's drawn to the spot that's giving off the most evil vibes. Who knows, maybe the First actually TOLD him to live there, so it was easier to manipulate him.

I agree with Eowyn - I think the First would have brought him there. Remember, Buffy wanted him out of there and off the Hellmouth, which did seem to stop most of the visits from the First in all his incarnations. I think he had more control and more time to work on Spike's head with him close by.