I try to be objective. I used to teach ESL and a reoccurring theme with students was how scary the city was. It's funny what the locals get used to, like stepping over the homeless and ignoring dirty needles while patting yourself on the back for living in 'world-class' Vancouver. Vancouverites do denial very well. World-class denial.

I go out in the city all the time...concerts and restaurants and various drinking establishments and I always enjoy myself and meet interesting people. Is there some group all you boring whiny people belong to and pledge to post on the Georgia Straight 24/7? I've lived all over Canada most of it back East...Montreal...Toronto and Vancouver is no worse of no better than any of those places it's all what kind of attitude you present..I get along with just about everyone probably because I'm not a judgemental hipster.

You should leave as soon as possible. It’s really not worth it to live in this overpriced city. I would leave now if I could but unfortunately I’m taking care of a sick relative so I can’t leave yet.

you jump in your truck and head back to the Rodeo. Land of cheap gas and even cheaper women.

Sure, if you choose to hang out in sketchy urban areas in the downtown core than, ya, you're going to see your fair share of garbage, addicts and needles. But this city is full of cool and beautiful places. Just today I was riding my bike around the seawall, through Granville Island, and then through Kits to Spanish Banks. I watched people having picnics, playing sports, kids drawing on sidewalks, and turtles sunning on a log. I remember thinking, wow, I'm really luck to live here. But I'm with you about the drivers. The worst.

I get that you’re disillusioned, but a city is simply the people living in it. Unfortunately in the past 10-15 years or so, zillions of “newcomers” have moved in, including you. Personally I’ve got nothing against any particular people, but I do object to extremely bad attitudes and especially the entitled kind. What you’re witnessing is the death of my beloved hometown. It has become a soulless place where the filthy (and I mean that) rich drive right over the rest of us, leaving destruction in their wake. The despair is palpable now, and I believe that it’s gone too far to be fixed. It heartbreaking for those of us who remember what a beautiful and special place it once was. I’m sorry you missed it.

You sound like a judgemental hipster.

Thank you for this. Seriously. As a local, I thought I was just going crazy. I'm leaving, too. I'm tired of feeling unsafe all the time, and am absolutely sick of the culture (or rather, lack of it) out here. There's only so much narcissism and soullessness I can take. I'm out.

Only a hipster would say that

Yet another complainer who does nothing to improve their adopted home. Just judge the people here and think you are better. Some humility would change your outlook.