Is Vancouver really SAFE to live?

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BBXX

from experience, i would not let her use public transit alone when its night.
But public transit during the day is fine.
Just make sure she keeps herself safe. It's not really what i would consider a dangerous area, but it could be me getting used to it. The crimes you hear on TV are true and lately have been popping up alot. But for the average citizen of Vancouver i would say its relatively safe. Keep her away from east hasting though!

John P

It's not that bad. We haven't had a gang shooting in Vancouver since Tuesday. As safe as New York, I tell ya.
Druggies and nutcases only hang out around East Hasting, Commercial, New West and Surrey. If you stay away from the area, you'll be fine.
FYI Skytrain is the last place you want to be after 9pm.

Pagan Dan

Reena Virk was murdered in Victoria, not Vancouver, over a decade ago. The only reason the story is still in the news is because the accused is on her fourth murder trial.

The gang-related crimes are thugs in the drug-trade killing each other. Barring the danger to innocent bystanders, the violence is contained to those whose karma is catching up to them.

I know there was a joke about the hits. "There was a stabbing in Vancouver--the gangsters must be out of ammo".

It would be necessary to take the same precautions for your own safety as you would in any other city, but Vancouver is safe.

alex

well it depends where in vancouver you live and are commuting to. i am an adult and i still dont feel safe to commute at odd hours. ive run into problems and i live in one of the safer neighbourhoods. i would say no if you are living in south vancouver or east vancouver. north and west van might be okay. south burnaby is okay in some areas. north burnaby is good, its fairly safe.

um so yea, any big city can be dangerous, i dont know that its really more dangerous than most other cities to live in though. just depends where in metro vancouver you live.

freeside49

The reena virk case was disturbing on a lot of levels but actually happened in Victoria which is a small, usually very sleepy little city located on Vancouver Island and not the city of Vancouver itself. Reena knew all her attackers very well (it wasnt just a random attack) Just goes to show teenagers can be viscous anywhere. Overall though yes a 14 year old girl would be safe commuting on her own during day/early evening anywhere in the city.
Where you live in Vancouver is key. There are areas of the downtown eastside which I would not want my 14 year old subjected to or go to school there. Generally the areas of North and West vancouver (costly areas) are safest, seperated from the main city and very close to all west coast has to offer in sking, hiking, etc.. If you cannot afford that area and getting downtown every day isnt a must would suggest looking at the Fraser Valley areas of Cloverdale (Surrey) and Langley or Mission BC as smaller communities.

Gang violence?? wouldnt let it worry you too much. Its generally limited to a very small group of individuals and general public not usually affected.

here is transit website;
http://www.translink.ca

here is a tourism site for the area which would allow you to find maps and such http://www.hellobc.com

you'll love the west coast , in spite of hiccups its still one of the worlds most livable cities.

North of 49

Vancouver is safe. It has lower crime per 100,000 than most of the larger US cities. It recently has got some bad news from the gangland syle slyings . . . .if you don't get involved with the gangs and drugs, you're safe.

JuanB

If Reena Virk is the worst you heard then there is no problems. That was over 10 years ago in Victoria. If you have to bring up something more than 10 years ago and a completely different city, guess it's really not an issue.

The good thing about the gang crimes is as long as you are clean of drugs, and away from the drug areas, you've avoided the main problem of the gangs. Then the next gang crimes are gangster killing gangsters. That is mostly with no innocent bystanders. And while some restaurants and bars where they hang out might not be the best place to be, it isn't like they are taking public transportation and shooting each other on skytrain or buses with more cameras and witnesses around.

Having said that. You have to be concerned about crime wherever you are. Yes, Vancouver has more crime than many places, but I would raise my kids there. (I live close by in a smaller place in BC.)

Erica G

i am 15 and i have been living downtown for most of my life, its great for commuting since theres so many buses and its easy to walk to whereever your going downtown, even though theres an increase in crime with all the gangs, so long as you dont try and buy drugs or get involved with a bacon brother you and daughter will be safe, just take her for a drive down E Hastings st., that will set her staight and out of the gang life (lol)

BoomBoom :)

Yeah, it is. Yeah its safe for a kid to commute around alone as long as they know the basics such as the don't talk to strangers thing, etc. There are gangs and drug dealers in Vancouver but they're only at a part and not the whole city. They're mostly is East Vancouver (Main and East Hastings) that is where all "hobos", gangs, drug dealers and prostitutes are mostly in. So I would really suggest not letting you're daughter go there, but you don't have to worry because that place is heavily guarded.(at night I think) I really think the government can remove all the gangs and drug dealers there anytime they want. Only they leave it as a tourist attraction. That's what I know, because my sister, who's living there, says that tourist are really fond of seeing those drug dealers, gangs, because they get to see something different in their lives. You get what I mean?

Reena Virk was murdered a long time ago 13 years ago? besides she was murdered is Saanich which is around 3hrs. away from Vancouver.

Anywhere is safe to live in as long as you're always careful.

The Mrs.

Recently they had an increase in gang violence. Last month I believe it was it felt like a couple times a week some body was found dead on the street the following morning. However the police said that it was all targeted gang violence. Not sure how comforting that is, but it all seemed to have happened at night in different areas. I believe Langley, Surrey and Vancouver. The other day we had a homless man killed near a school. A couple weeks ago I believe it was when I was driving to the beach we seen at least 12 policemen with rakes. They had the entire park taped/blocked off. Looked as though they were searching for something. Turns out there was a woman killed in the park late at night when she was jogging. They were keeping that one fairly hush hush. They only released the essential details which was what I said above. They have not mentioned whether she was specifically targeted or if it was random.

Here are some local news papers:
Vancouver Sun: http://www.vancouversun.com/
The Province: http://www.theprovince.com/

Most of the violence that has taken place is not happening in Vancouver alone. Its happening in the surrounding cities. I honestly can say I feel completely safe when I walk around during the day. As long as your 14 year old daughter takes the proper precautions she has nothing to worry about. Best to stay where there are people, at night well lit areas and if she has to go out at night bring a friend or two with her. I go downtown often with my kids (they are significantly younger then your daughter) and I see kids her age walking around with friends, going shopping, all that good stuff. Most of them I see getting on and off the sky train which is the public transit system.

Also realize that you don't HAVE to live in Vancouver. You can live in a bunch of other cities that are next door to Vancouver in the Greater Vancouver Area. Burnaby, White Rock, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Delta, Surrey, Langley just to name some. Best of luck!

SkyeR

It's not the gang violence you should worry about... you are right in that more scumbags have started to come to BC in the past decade or so. I don't think there are any absolute SAFE cities unless they're small communities where everyone knows each other. Vancouver is a very big city. It's a great place to live, the people here are very nice and relaxed. But there's two things I'd want to advise you about: 1.) make sure she goes to a good school, and keep her away from drugs/bad influences. 2.) don't let her go out at night, unless you or another adult drives her. It simply isn't very safe to travel on bus or the Skytrain after ,say, 10pm or so. There are "hotspots' like the Broadway station where shady people like to hang out (like druggies) at night. But it's probably not as bad as you're thinking, at least there aren't any ghettos or constant shootings like some places in the US (LA, Detroit anyone?).

One more thing. I grew up in a rather poor community of Vancouver, and I attended a very multicultural school. I experienced NO racism whatsoever, no drug activity (inc marijuana), and only seen very little bullying (typical big kid pushes small kids around stuff). I'm not sure if the schools are still as nice as it was, but just choose a good community and you'll be fine.

to the guy above me: i grew in east side. Generally if you mind your own business, nothing will happen to you. The Reena Virk incidents actually occurred in the west side of Victoria, supposedly an upper class area.

old lady

Reena Virk didn't live in Vancouver - that was Vancouver Island.
In any case, Vancouver is probably safer than a lot of cities, but times are changing everywhere. You used to be able to leave your house unlocked too, but no one does that any more.
Teach your daughter how to travel safely, know where she is going and who she will be with. For the first while,you'll probably want to go with her, just to make sure she gets there safely, to know where she is - and to learn your way around the city too.
There are some areas of the city that are safer than others - the Main and Hastings area is 'home' to a lot of homeless people, drug dealers etc, and not a recommended destination for anyone, much less a 14 year old girl.
In general, just make sure you know where she is going and who she is with. Vancouver has lots of fun places for teens -

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