Is Vancouver safe to walk around and most importantly is West Vancouver BC safe to live and retire my parents?

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wcwc

I've walked from West Vancouver to Gastown, and it's a loooong walk, but completely safe. You always hear rumours about weird people in Stanley Park, but I wouldn't worry about it. On the other hand, I think there are so many break-ins in West Vancouver just because it's known for being so rich. The richest people in the GVRD live in West Van, so that's where the robbers go.

If you're looking for a safe place, I live in Burnaby and it's very safe here. I don't even know the last time there was a murder or break-in or anything like that anywhere nearby. Now it's not nearly as ritzy as West Vancouver, but it's safe, and it's beautiful too. And there are some houses near Deer Lake that rival those in West Van. But they're kinda tucked away and it's not known for being a rich area, so you don't get the crime that you might elsewhere.

If there's anything else I can do to help, just send me a message, I'd be glad to help.

ShyGirl

I've visited Vancouver several times, traveling on my own. I'm 26/f and have found it to be one of the safest cities. I may be wrong, but I never had to look over my shoulder even when walking around at night. The only time things were a bit sketchy was down near the gastown area...hastings/cambie streets. I'd avoid seeing that area as it can be depressing to see the abundance of homeless drug users. North Vancouver seemed very nice,safe and quiet, as well as back on 4th st. heading out towards UBC. I really liked the vibes on 4th, funky stores and restaurants, and Jericho beach was beautiful. I'd suggest finding a place to live over in that area.

Stanley park was is suprisingly clean and safe compared to Golden Gate Park in San Francisco and Central Park, NY. Vancouver is such a fabulous city! I enjoyed it so much more than Victoria, which was rather scary, dumpy, and small. I hope this helps you in your search.

Karen L

I'd say West Vancouver is extremely safe unless you personally are involved in some kind of gang activity or drug dealing. It's quiet. They roll up the sidewalks about 7 pm, except in summer when it's light out later and then it happens after dark. West Van is mostly populated by wealthy retirees, professional people, and executives at the top of the heap, not a group known for committing violent crime.

Are you confusing West Vancouver, a municipality of its own across the bridge from the city of Vancouver, with the West End of Vancouver? Totally different place. The West End is mostly apartments, though there are houses too. It's a pretty good area, near the beach and with lots of small stores and restaurants. It's pretty lively, has a mix of different people living there. I'd say it's as safe in the daytime as anywhere for an older person but you might want to be careful at night, like anywhere. Walking or driving to Gastown from there is quite safe, it's entirely on busy city streets unless you take side streets on purpose. Driving would take maybe 15 minutes, walking 45 minutes to an hour.

John W

When you say West Vancouver are you referring to the western side of the City of Vancouver or the municipality across Vancouver harbour to the north called West Vancouver?
You would not be able to walk from either community to Gastown as it is quite a walk, especially for seniors but either community is relatively safe as compared to East End Vancouver where most of the homeless folks and addicted people reside. The part of Vancouver referred to as West Vancouver is high density housing with mainly apartments and condos and is quite close to the water and Stanley Park as well as shopping on Davies Street and is also very close to the downtown core. The City of West Vancouver is also very popular with seniors but a vehicle is almost mandatory unless you don't mind public transit. West Vancouver City is basically built on the side of the North Shore mountains and obviously is very hilly. Good luck on your pending move.

mtwaites

There is crime that happens everywhere within the more expensive parts of the cities. Your best bet would be to go somewhere into the suburbs like Delta, Richmond, Burnaby, Coquitlam or something like that. All of the cities have their bad times, but those are some of the ones that have alittle bit less crime.

Rick B

You are safe here, most of the violent crime is usually targeted.
West Van is the most wealthy place to live in Canada so it only makes sense that it would be the target to some thieves. Common sense goes a long way in determining ones safety, I have two family members who live there and have had no problems unless you count the black bear who wandered in to their garage.

chuckles951

Except for the downtown east side near Hastings and Carral all of Vancouver is very safe to walk around. And both West Vancouver and the west side of the city of Vancouver are extremely safe areas.

Smiley Virus

Yes it is quite safe, although it's possible for crime to strike anywhere. People can walk around on the street in West Vancouver at any time and be as safe as they would be anywhere else. I would be more concerned about getting a good home alarm system, because break ins do occur occasionally.

Don't avoid East Vancouver, it has lots of nice areas and restaurants. The area of Hastings between Downtown and Main, and the area of East Van north of Pender, are the least safe for pedestrians especially at night. I have walked around in those areas and not had any trouble, but it's getting less safe then it used to be.

Proud to be Canadian

umm at night i would not be walkin around..if anywear you are safer in north van..but north is expensive living..the gang war is not like what you think..it is two gangs mostly..the UN (united nations) and the IS (independant soldiers)..but whatever you do...dont go to east van at night!

Lizzy

West Vancouver is very safe. The kind of crime that happens there is not violent street crime. Youre very unlikely to get mugged on the street. Its mostly property crime ( break-ins and car theft) and even that is relatively low. There is a certain amount of gang/drug activity I'm sure, but that's not going to be a problem if your parents arent involved in that lifestyle.

The walk from West Vancouver to Gastown is over a bridge and thru Stanley Park, so its a long way, and probably not a good idea. The drive, however, isvery safe and scenic, and likely less than 20 minutes

ktulucanada

It's safe to walk around anywhere in Vancouver at night except the downtown east side, which isn't a big area. You'd probably be fine there too, but it's not a place I make a point of visiting regularly.

It's true there have been a few gang-related murders, but the only place you're going to encounter gangs here is reading about them in the newspaper.

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