The slummy areas around East Hastings are actually not that bad from a personal safety point of view. I'd actually be more afraid of thugs walking around Maple Ridge or Surrey than Hastings.
Also, one of the main reasons there are so many bums in Vancouver is because the winter climate is mild and attracts them from other cities. The fact there are so many, I think adds to the argument that the city is very "livable", even for street people.
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"A pessimist thinks things can't get any worse. An optimist knows they can."
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