safety in vancouver
 

safety in Vancouver<BR> <BR> <BR>Author: Lynn ([email protected])<BR>Date: 06/24/2002, 05:27 pm<BR>Message: we are coming on hoilday from uk and plan to stay in Vancouver and Toronto. I always understood it was quite a safe place, however, reading some boards on another site written by people who live in the city it seems there is quite a growing problem with drugs and homelessness. We will be staying at Rossellen Suites near Stanley Park (and Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto) are these areas considered safe for us to walk to restaurants in the evening or should we always take taxis? Any other safety advice i.e. places/areas to avoid. Thanks in advance.<BR><BR><BR>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR><BR> <BR>

Vancouver is a safe place, however, like all developing larger cities there is crime. i would avoid stanley park at night , otherwise robson street and area are all very safe to be. of course there are some areas to avoid, main and hastings area, lots of drugs openly being used there, not a very pretty tourist site. Homelessness is increasing but they don't bother you like in some cities in the U.S. I have been. Have a great time!

You'll be fine in Toronto, too.<BR><BR>Depending on what time of year (next few months????) there will be large numbers of happy people on the streets near your hotel well into the evenings.<BR><BR>BAK

brian - what do u mean happy people? we will be in Toronto 20-25th september. Thanks

Coming from the UK you'll see nothing like the swarms of homeless present in London streets-no worries in Vancouver.<BR><BR>

i will answer for brian in case he doesnt. but i believe he means "happy" people being in the summer time, longer days, people out in outdoor cafe's and are generally happy. i know i am!!

A word of caution to all. Canadian cities are relatively 'safe' as compared to most large cities in the world. However that doesn't mean you need throw caution to the wind. Property crime, (e.g. car theft, pickpockets and even snatch and grab), is very common in Vancouver and a little less so in Toronto. Tourists are always great targets because they're not likely to stick around for a court case. <BR><BR>Drugs are a marginally bigger problem in Vancouver than TO because of Vancouver's position as a gateway to the Orient but that's only a side issue. By using common sence - the same that you would use in your hometown - you should be able to avoid any unhappy experiances.

I usually stay near Stanley Park when visiting Vancouver and haven't felt unsafe walking to restaurants in the evening. In fact, whenever I'm there I have seen fewer panhandlers than in Victoria, by far.

thanks folks - will take note!