Comment by luketych | Hacker News Reader

Comment by luketych | Hacker News Reader

Vancouver is one of the worst places to live in the western world imo. Poverty and violence are much bigger problems than people realize. I have many friends who already have pretty bad health problems, and they're only in their 20s. I have no idea why this is happening, but I believe stress and hopelessness must be playing a large role. Kids can't seem to afford to do anything in this city except abuse drugs and vandalize. The aboriginal population in this city is even worse off. I feel really bad for most of my friends and wish I could help. People think Vancouver is a really diverse city, but it is the most segregated city I have ever been to. The Chinese live in Richmond and West Van, the Indians live in Surrey, and the other ethnicities (Aboriginals, Caucasians, etc.) are getting squeezed in the middle. It's quite sad.

Edit: Not just white people, I also mentioned aboriginals. I also have some chinese and indian friends who face the same issues, but I did not mention them due to the nature of the article. I grew up in the suburbs where the real problems seem to be much more obvious than a city-dweller who can safely live in his or her bubble and ignore the real issues. Don't really give a fuck what most of you think. If you want to see unhappy people, take a drive out to Delta or Surrey. Note: I am not comparing Vancouver to Oakland or some other ghettos, I was attempting to compare it to other major western cities. But obviously I have to be perfect with my words, otherwise I will leave myself open to leeches.

I've lived in Vancouver for 15 years and have no idea how you can even come close to those conclusions. Maybe you live in a different world than me but I have never felt close to unsafe in the city and don't know anyone with health problems in their 20's. Yeah, buying a house is expensive but rent isn't unreasonable if you're ok with roommates. In the summer I'd argue its one of the best cities in the western world. Beaches, mountains, and beautiful people.

I totally agree. I would also add the plenty of sunshine without the oppressive heat. I always quipped that most places I'd like to visit are only worth visiting in the summer, but man it's hard to leave Vancouver when the sun is out!

I lived in Vancouver for a year, (being based in Montreal), and I didn't really like it. The racial segregation, the juxtaposition of homeless people with overpriced joints in Gastown, the avoidance of political conversation in favor of weather and hobby talk, the police brutality I personally witnessed... there was a lot to love, but a "just-so" cluelessness permeated everything and really bothered me.

Really? One of the "worst" places?

edit:

Like I completely agree with the sentiment that Vancouver is just too expensive to live in. But one of the "worst" places in the Western world is a pretty ridiculous hyperbole. Just as a reference point, where exactly else have you lived?

The Chinese live in Richmond and West Van, the Indians live in Surrey, and the other ethnicities (Aboriginals, Caucasians, etc.) are getting squeezed in the middle. It's quite sad.

That may sound nice but it's not as neatly put as that. The way you phrase it it seems the Caucasians are the victims here, being squeezed on all sides by the Chinese and the Indians. Certainly the struggles of the Aboriginals are well-documented but Caucasians have certainly been profiting off the soaring real estate prices. If there is anything that "forced" Caucasians from many areas it was the rising value of their homes. Many have profitably sold their homes and either downsized or moved to other towns in BC (Kelowna, Okanagon). West Van was mostly white (in part due to restrictions on ownership to whites-only: http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/05/16/b-c-property-titles-...) but if those West Van homes are now occupied by Chinese people then the previous white owners certainly sold them for a handsome sum.

I think the GP is confusing West Side with West Van.

You're right. In hindsight I think I meant to type "the west of" Vancouver. West Van seems to have a bit of an absentee problem as well.

To be more accurate, there are large Chinese communities in Richmond, Burnaby (near Kingsway), the western side of Vancouver, etc.

The whites living in West Van seem to be alright, but I have not lived in West Van. The places in Vancouver I am familiar with are North Van, Surrey, Richmond, Burnaby, Vancouver, and the UBC area. Again, I mispoke when I referred to "West Van," but you guys leave no room for mistake. I actually prefer to stir the pot a bit, makes me happy. Nothing that's said on here will change anything anyways. This is humour for me.

I'm sorry but this is the single most retarded description of Vancouver, I know Vancouver has fucking problems but you've turned it into something like LA riot.

You know who is getting squeezed? It's people who grew up in Vancouver, whether they are Aboriginal, Indian, Asian, Black, Caucasian, Chinese, Whatever.

I just don't think this has anything to do with race but more with socioeconomic classes. Are certain cultures tend to be higher in the ladder? Of course, but anyone that is working and trying to live in Vancouver is feeling the heat from the lack of leadership.

That's because you haven't lived in the suburbs. You probably live in a bubble. I admit that "one of the worst places to live in the western world" could be a hyperbole, but that's why I said "one of the worst" and "imo." Jesus you guys have tight asses. You have to realize that there is some anger in my tone. I have seen many people I care about fall through the cracks here. Again, I am talking about the suburbs. IMO, where the real issues arise. The cities are bubbles of ignorance.

Anyways, I take it you have not lived out near surrey or richmond. It's a bit different in the suburbs. The city is a much nicer place to live, especially when you have rich parents.

And yes it is amazing in the summer, in Vancouver, not the suburbs. The nature is undisputed, but that's about it.

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