Are there any unsafe areas in Vancouver, Canada which should be avoided?

Answer 1

As many have mentioned "The Downtown Eastside" is the underside of Vancouver - the area of Main and Hastings, Hastings from Cambie St. to Hawks Avenue is pretty much drugs and prostitution as well as the old "Japantown" area around Oppenheimer Park.

That being said - you have little to fear from these people provided you excercise due caution, stay away from deranged raving lunatic - types. Most of the crime down ther involves drugs, so long as you don't intend to buy street drugs or $5 crack-whores it shouldn't be a danger to you.. .although visually quite distrubing and depressing. In general (I live in that area) the folk down there are good people, just with a LOT of problems.

If you intend to visit the popular tourist areas of both Gastown and Chinatown (both well worth visiting, especilly the latter's "night market" and Sun Yat Sen classical Chinese Gardens) you will have to traverse Hastings St. as it separates the two .. I would suggest the best st. to do so would be Carrall St.

One thing to point out, while it is generally safe for people, petty theft from autos is RAMPANT. Drug addicts will smash your windows for the smallest of change, Cds, bags, etc. so excercise due caution and put anything of value in your trunk.

In my opinion the most dangerous place in Vancouver is the Granville St. Mall after the bars close (between 2 and 4 am) this is very much a "bridge and tunnel" fratboy meathead kind of crowd where there are frequent drunken brawls, holiganism, bottles being thrown and occassional gun violence. Best to avoid this area altogether, or if you are in a bar around there, get off the strip to catch a cab (1 blk east to Seymour st for northbound, 1 blk west to Howe St for southbound) or just avoid leaving at closing.

It's a great city though and you will find people are friendly and helpful - have a good time!

Answer 2

I find that all areas are safe. There is one area that has a lot of homeless and drug addicted people. The area isn't really unsafe- it's just not nice, and you probably wouldn't want to stroll down the street. It's about a 3 block stretch of East Hastings street. If you were curious though you could hop on the bus and drive through that area- it's totally safe to do so (I think the #10). Pidgeon Park on the edge of Gas Town is another area I wouldn't hang out in unless you are looking to buy crack! There aren't any other areas that I would hesitate to walk in, even at night.

Answer 3

There are no unsafe areas in Vancouver during the daytime, and the only 'iffy' area after dark is a two block square around Hastings and Main. Otherwise, just use the same reasonable precautions you use at home.

Answer 4

The downtown east side should be avoided. Basically, if you are in Gastown or Chinatown, stick to the areas with the decorative lamp posts. If you look up and see plain old lamp posts, you've wandered into the east side. Additionally, you should avoid walking around Gastown and Chinatown by yourself at night. I'm down in those areas at night quite a bit but never by myself. I also don't look like a tourist so I'm less likely to be harassed. They're not all bad people down there, mostly they mind their own business but if you're new to town don't push your luck.

Another handy tip is to not make a habit out of hanging around Skytrain stations, in particular the Broadway/Commercial Drive station. That area is becoming the new Main and Hastings. It's all kinds of sketchy especially at night.

I also whole heartedly echo the previous poster's statement of Granville after the bars close. There are cops and drunken frat boy types everywhere! Granville is more fun during the day.

If you use your common sense and look around you, you will see when you're wandering into an area that you might want to avoid as a tourist.

Answer 5

With its intensive parks and fairly equable climate keeping conditions slight throughout the year, Vancouver is a paradise and now, you've the chance to learn it with hotelbye . Vancouver is has a active social life. One of the places worth visited in Vancouver is Granville Island. Once largely professional, Granville Island has become a successful center of activity with a peaceful and distinctive atmosphere. Musicians and stores have transferred in to converted warehouses along side houseboats, theatres, galleries, and restaurants. The Granville Island Public Market is one of the most popular attractions offering good fresh fruit and vegetables, seafood, and a great number of different specialties along with ready-to-eat items. Perhaps not really an area, the arts centre is linked to residential areas by one path and footbridges to the south, and to the Downtown peninsula (across Fake Creek) by ferry.

Answer 6

As mentioned, a few bloacks on East hastings is the only place that is not pleasant to walk through, but it is not necessarily unsafe. Just be smart, Vancouver is a very nice and friendly place

Answer 7

DO NOT GO to Stanley Park on your own when its getting dark (Youd have to be pretty stupid to anyway) Or West Hastings or East Hastings (unless youre going to the P+E for hockey) I got stranded there at midnight after the hockey and it AINT PRETY! Apart from that Vancouver is so safe and friendly...Im in Toronto right now and its sooooo different! : )

Answer 8

No right in Vancouver, but it's in the Lower Mainland. Surrey, which is about 1 hr drive, is known for its night time crime.

Answer 9

avoid the downtown vancouver east side lots of drug use/prostitution/poverty--you get the picture...in chinatown which is on the border you'll be fine if you stay on the main streets....most places in vancouver are completely safe..but use common sense....come enjoy!..it's a beautiful city.
the people who answered before me are referring to the downtown eastside area.

Answer 10

Stanley Park, unless you want a joint, then you are in good company. I find all of Vancouver safe.