 | Downtown Eastside, Vancouver |
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Downtown Eastside, Vancouver
All about Vancouver:  Chinese Gardens, beautiful despite Captain Unicorn by Shaft28 Vancouver Warnings or Dangers: Downtown Eastside tips posted by real travelers and Vancouver locals. • 17 Photos
• 55 Reviews |
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Before I visited Vancouver I read several tips on Vancouver on the Virtual Tourist web site and when I got to Vancouver the lady at the Concierge Desk at the Holiday Inn downtown repeated that it was not wise to visit East Hastings Street. This is important because it is in between Gastown and Chinatown two very good places in Vancouver.
I ignored all advice and done a tour of East Hastings Street. At 10 am in the morning it was very busy with a lot of homeless people, you can see the line up in this picture of people returning cans and bottles for money.
It was a very uncomfortable feeling the entire time on East Hastings but the best was yet to come. To get to Gastown from Chinatown our conceirge helper at the hotel recommended a specific street to use as a crossing. I don't remember the name of it and I don't think it matters.
On that street we came upon about 15 people all balling and arguaing about something. Then all of a sudden a blond homeless drug bruised lady jumped from the crowd as her shirt was being ripped off. This is no joke, she then gave some the finger as she ran down an alley.
Needless to say I quickly crossed the street trying not to be noticed and scrambled over to Gastown. But for me 15 minutes was plenty of East Hastings Street and now I can join the ranks of people that can't recommend this area of Vancouver unless you are really into some preverse activities.
Have fun. Please rate my tips and leave your comments I enjoy them all. But be careful getting from Chinatown to Gastown. I still don't think you are to much at risk, just be careful and behave. At night I am sure it is that much worst, for me witnessing an incident probably made it a little worst. Leave a Comment
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The worst area in Vancouver to be hanging around is the Downtown East Side as there are lots of beggars and drug dealers. Some areas of the East Side, especially around Hastings Street and close to the Pacific Central Station, should be avoided. This is the poorest demographic in Canada and a haven for street people, prostitutes and unsavory characters.
If possible avoid this area at night, during the day it's alright. But consider that most likely you will be approached by some beggars that need some money for the SkyTrain (that's what they say!!) or for other reasons. Don't fall for this, as they just want money to buy alcohol or drugs.
Try to ignore people like this as much as you can and you won't have many problems. You'll find beggars throughout the city, but usually they're just sitting on the sidewalk hoping for some change. Leave a Comment
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While Vancouver is one of the wealthier cities and more beautiful cities it is also home to the poor neighborhood in all of Canada. While there is some cool grafitti in this area and it is home to the first safe injection site in Canada these are definately not 'Must See Activities' in Vancouver. Needless to say if you are in Gastown late at night and you do not know where you are going, err to the west, it's much better to accidentally wind up in Stanley park than in needle park! Leave a Comment
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I've noticed all these warnings had to do with the general area of Main and Hastings but not actually dealing with people. If you actually want to be there and take part in the drug abuse here's my tip. The golden rule is never hand the cash untill you actually see the drug. Being steped on (the right of passage for being riped off when buying drugs) is difficult to avoid. The best way to get drugs is from a dealer with a cell phone who you can call up and have him/her meet you. So don't approach anyone downtown to buy drugs directly from them but maybe get a phone number or let them call and introduse you to the dealer. (Vancouver literally has 100's of "dial-a-dealers.") As for Main and Hastings I go there for entertainment ... just to watch the spectacle of the pathetically down and out who think they are smart enough to rip you off with a "deal." Buyer Beware!
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Ok, here's the part no one wants to see, even the immigrants don't like to know they moved to a place like this so they take alternate routes to avoid seeing this.
Many hav mentioned it here, itz the East side. A little around or close to China Town. When u on East Pender and u gone too far, u'll know u gone too far. East Hastings being the main street to get across downtown to get to the highway(Highway 1) Leave a Comment
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Avoid Hastings Street east of Cambie Street, the area immediately east of Gastown and north of Chinatown. Known as the 'Downtown Eastside,' this area is skid row. Unless you are particularly interested in one of North America's largest populations of heroin addicts, drug dealers, petty theives and unseamly characters, stay away. Can be disturbing and occationally dangerous after dark. Leave a Comment
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All the warnings I have read afterwards I went accidently to this place have been true.And I was there during daylight!Thank god I didn`t go there during the night.Blood on the street,awful smell and all those sick people.
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If you have read other warnings about Vancouver, you've probably read about the severe area of town known as the Downtown Eastside. The area around Main and Hastings Street is notorious for drugs, crime, and unsavoury characters. In fact, the neighbourhood is certifiably the poorest is ALL of Canada, has a high rate (sometimes estimated at about 50%) of people living with AIDS, HIV, and/or hepatitis. Yes, it is a bad area, but know that the majority of people involved in crime down there are the criminals themselves (ie: stabbings during a drug-related fight). Please don't go walking down dark alleys at night, but there is no need to panic if you find yourself there. I have a friend who lived right in the heart of the neighbourhood for well over a year--she left her jeep out at night unlocked and without a hood, walked the streets alone, and nothing ever happened to her. There is a real sense of community there--the people are friendly, and there is no need to be paranoid. Just be careful. Bottom line: you'll probably only find trouble if you look for it. There is also no need to go down there and look at the people as if they are sideshows. They deserve respect like everyone else, and have enough problems with having people going down there to gawk at them. By the way--a few weeks after my friend moved to a more 'civilised' neighbourhood, her jeep was stolen.... Leave a Comment
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Main & Hastings is the famous intersection in Vancouver's downtown eastside neighbourhood which often refers to "ground zero" for the city's drug problems.
Well-meaning locals and hotel staff will tell visitors to Vancouver to "avoid this intersection at all costs". As a result, many curious travellers will rebel this advice and will go see this forbidden block for themselves. What's the fuss all about anyway?
Historically, Main & Hastings is Vancouver's oldest neighbourhood. This used to be the heart of Vancouver's downtown before the world wars. Not anymore.
Coincidentally, the downtown eastside is located between two of Vancouver's most famous tourist sites: Chinatown and Gastown. Most tourists don't even realize such neighbourhood exists until they innocently go exploring beyind Gastown in search for Chinatown. Vancouver's Chinatown exists a block away south of this intersection on Main and Pender. A preferable walk between the two sites is to walk along Pender Street from Gastown to Chinatown.
Vancouver's Main & Hastings intersection isn't dangerous, and certainly isn't worth "avoiding at all costs". It's not violent or ridden with gangs. However, it's a sad sight in terms of social issues and how Vancouver deals with its needy: the drug addicts, the homeless, the beggars and prostitutes. While the rest of Vancouver's downtown becomes gentrified, the down and out end up being marginalized to areas like this.
Yet, the area is rich in history and the architecture in this area is unique. This is Vancouver's grittier side. It's dirty and sad, but not dangerous. Don't fear it, just act wisely. As Vancouver author Douglas Coupland said, "come with sturdy footwear and an open mind'. Leave a Comment
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Unless you're looking to score a quick hit of crack or heroin, avoid Hastings street from Granville to Commercial Dr.
Main & Hastings is the absolute worst.
Worth noting, Chinatown which is very close is OK, the freaky-o's generally stay away. Leave a Comment
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