Silver Arrows
Banned
Not much. But I like it because it's quiet.
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Vancouver-Age |OT| 125 Years
- Thread starter Firestorm
- Start date
Not much. But I like it because it's quiet.
Subpar Spatula
Banned
All the suburbs are the same.
So I have not been to downtown for some time now since moving out. Well I just went back and I feel like there is a noticeable uptick in the amount of young homeless people. I'm talking young people who don't appear disabled or things like that. I remember there used to be a small group that seems like they would congregate in front of Granville's McDonalds. Now I see bigger groups and groups in other areas. Am I just seeing things or has it always been this bad? On that note, I also am very curious about the mentality of these kids who would rather be homeless than work at the McDonalds where they congregate... I mean that McDonalds has a "hiring" sign? Any of you folks here know what's happening? Or maybe I am getting old and have that "kids these days" mentality? I used to work at retail stores too growing up so I know it isn't all glamorous... Help me understand, Vancouver-GAF.
A skilled beggar with no shame can supposedly make more in a day than you or I can. Definitely more than a McJob.
Which is not to make light of the people with real problems. There are people with mental health and addiction problems, there are kids with family problems so terrible that they'd rather die on the street than spend another day in their parents basement (some people's solution to the explosive housing market).
Welfare is supposed to take care of the vulnerable, but there are cracks in the system, and homeless people have a pretty hard time nailing job interviews. Job interviews can be crushing on their own, but now imagine going into one tired, unwashed, and angry at the world.
I'm somewhat hopeful for a new/old idea for welfare that the Federal Liberals are saying needs to be looked into, as a solution to a post-automation world that has put millions of people out of work. Guaranteed Minimum Income. Basically everyone gets welfare, rich, poor, young, old, enough money to live on, and the minimum wage is disbanded. No cracks in the system, no need for beggars, everyone is guaranteed to earn a living wage (even those with McJobs who currently can't make ends meet), and there's no reason not to accept a McJob, because any job (even five cents an hour) becomes a job worth taking. It's currently just a theory. Probably decades away, if it even works or is accepted.
Which is not to make light of the people with real problems. There are people with mental health and addiction problems, there are kids with family problems so terrible that they'd rather die on the street than spend another day in their parents basement (some people's solution to the explosive housing market).
Welfare is supposed to take care of the vulnerable, but there are cracks in the system, and homeless people have a pretty hard time nailing job interviews. Job interviews can be crushing on their own, but now imagine going into one tired, unwashed, and angry at the world.
I'm somewhat hopeful for a new/old idea for welfare that the Federal Liberals are saying needs to be looked into, as a solution to a post-automation world that has put millions of people out of work. Guaranteed Minimum Income. Basically everyone gets welfare, rich, poor, young, old, enough money to live on, and the minimum wage is disbanded. No cracks in the system, no need for beggars, everyone is guaranteed to earn a living wage (even those with McJobs who currently can't make ends meet), and there's no reason not to accept a McJob, because any job (even five cents an hour) becomes a job worth taking. It's currently just a theory. Probably decades away, if it even works or is accepted.
The homeless problem in this city isn't a problem it's a crisis.
That being said, the gutter punks that congregate on Granville are an eye sore. If it's a lifestyle choice for some of them then they don't deserve anyone's pity.
I see a lot of them with signs along the lines of "just arrived in town, no money" - I mean why would you travel to a strange city with no money and no means of supporting yourself?
Lone_Prodigy
Member
They're from out East. They hitch a ride on the trains and come here for the summer because the weather is nice. That said, I don't know if they go back (for school) because the winters out East aren't friendly.
Subpar Spatula
Banned
Homeless are an eye sore people.
I got a notice yesterday stating there are more "vagrants" around the neighborhood and every tenant is urged to contact the RCMP noting "no issue is too small".
I'm pretty careful to draw the line between the gutter punks, who (in a lot of cases) do this as a lifestyle choice, and people who are genuinely on the streets due to a lack of alternatives
It's sad walking through Gastown in the morning and seeing the level of suffering, I wish more could be done about it and more services provided for these people
I have all the sympathy in the world for the older, disabled and possibly mentally challenged homeless here in Vancouver. But the young folks I see that's making me wonder are perfectly able bodied and sometimes have signs that ask for weed. I mean, that just seems to be perpetuating the stereotype of stoner losers who should go "get a job", you know. So that's why I thought I'd ask here and see new perspectives.
Isn't that mental facility Riverview going to be reopened in the future? Are there going to be forceful move on clearly mentally unstable homeless into the facility? How will these people get help in that facility if they don't have money to pay for treatments?
Isn't that mental facility Riverview going to be reopened in the future? Are there going to be forceful move on clearly mentally unstable homeless into the facility? How will these people get help in that facility if they don't have money to pay for treatments?
Okay who of you posted this
https://m.reddit.com/r/tifu/comments/4oxao1/tifu_by_trying_to_lose_my_virginity_nsfw/
Because this DEFINITELY happened in Vancouver (Molson Canadian & Skytrain, how many other cities in Canada call their metro the skytrain?)
https://m.reddit.com/r/tifu/comments/4oxao1/tifu_by_trying_to_lose_my_virginity_nsfw/
Because this DEFINITELY happened in Vancouver (Molson Canadian & Skytrain, how many other cities in Canada call their metro the skytrain?)
Silver Arrows
Banned
Your first thought should be not believing anything that is posted on TIFU and by extension, Reddit.
have you SEEN the kind of threads that have popped up on GAF lately?
have you seen Tabris bragging about taking his 10-year-younger dates on deluxe babyfood dates?
nothing surprises me anymore
Silver Arrows
Banned
Then again, Tabris does it because he has nothing better to do and he's an attention whore to the max.
Reddit is designed for these stories with the upvote/downvote system. Here on GAF, you really only get a member tag or a ban.
Silver Arrows
Banned
Yeah.
If I wanted to go somewhere in the Pacific Northwest, i'd rather go to Portland or Seattle before Vancouver.
The only thing Vancouver has over those two are things to do in regards to active living, but even then....
I wouldn't quite call it that but yeah, Vancouver is missing big tourist attractions - that said, if you're into the outdoors it's a GREAT vacation destinations. Tons of hiking and pretty nature nearby (Island, Squamish-Whistler nearby, too)
it's all about what you're into.
Silver Arrows
Banned
Yeah if you are active, Vancouver and the surrounding area is world class. Anything else, and you are better served going south.
Lone_Prodigy
Member
Was raining last Saturday too.
Lone_Prodigy
Member
I should buy a house...
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/real...ales-record-in-neighbourhood/article30504103/
...never mind.
Okay I'll buy a condo...
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news...ers-with-insider-condo-sales/article30498453/
...never mind.
I'll just rent...
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vancouver-airbnb-research-1.3621539
...so much for that.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/real...ales-record-in-neighbourhood/article30504103/
...never mind.
Okay I'll buy a condo...
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news...ers-with-insider-condo-sales/article30498453/
...never mind.
I'll just rent...
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vancouver-airbnb-research-1.3621539
...so much for that.
Yes but you should really ask for more money.
The range I gave was 55-60k, counter offer was 50 >.>
I got downvoted into oblivion on Reddit Vancouver over the weekend for making fun of people who dragon boated
Why would you make fun of people who dragon boat? o_o
Silver Arrows
Banned
Could you survive on $50k in Toronto? It will be very similar here.
Goddamn, I always thought Dev make way more than that. I make 40k (with OT) as a Dev Support QA and this is in gaming.
I mean, I'd rather do that tbh but I've only gotten callbacks for front end stuff so...
Depends where. Toronto is huge. Median household income is 60-65k iirc.
Yeah just live around a skytrain station and you'll be fine. Approach housing here like Toronto since it is also all about subway starions there too.
Yeah, you probably want to live near a Skytrain station rather than downtown.
Especially if it was in a thread about the asshole in the chartered boat who drove the boat into the middle of a race.
Subpar Spatula
Banned
1 bedroom apartments right beside Gateway are $190k. Renting is cheap as well. 35 minutes to downtown. You could make it on 50k easily.
TurtleSnatcher
Member
50k with a basement suite outside of downtown on a skytrain station is fine for the salary.
TurtleSnatcher
Member
It drenched me yesterday as I was in Stanley park on my electric longboard. Probably ruined it as well which sucks
Just got it a month ago.
Just got it a month ago.
Peterthumpa
Member
It drenched me yesterday as I was in Stanley park on my electric longboard. Probably ruined it as well which sucks
Just got it a month ago.
That's exactly my fear when looking for an electric board a few weeks back. Decided to wait for a 2nd gen Boosted, at least it's partially waterproof (meaning it can take a few drops here and there but definitely not recommended to use while raining).
Couldn't you just stop and go back walking? Turning it upside down would probably shield the electric engine from the rain somehow.
It drenched me yesterday as I was in Stanley park on my electric longboard. Probably ruined it as well which sucks
Just got it a month ago.
Not saying you deserve it for having an electric longboard, but you deserve it for having an electric longboard. Though I guess it's not as bad as an electric unicycle...
TurtleSnatcher
Member
I was already on the west side of the wall past Lionsgate when it randomly started pouring. And rain was sideways due to wind. The motor isn't the issue. It's the battery plate on the bottom of the board. Water can get in. Even turning it where the bottom of the board is facing down wouldn't help it as water can still seep in.
No board but one model is waterproof yet. And that one board has been a Kickstarter customer service failure apparently (Marbel)
Some people like them. Some don't. But I'll never wish any harm or loss to someone because I don't agree with a purchase. What a stupid thing to say.
Peterthumpa
Member
Well, that sucks. Here's hoping it still works. If not, check out the 2nd gen Boosted, they guarantee that it's definitely at least partially waterproofed:
https://boostedboards.com/faq/
There's a dude in Kits who commutes downtown on a unicycle. See him once a week, always funny
Peterthumpa
Member
A light blue unicycle? I think I saw him a couple of times as well. Respect, must be really uncomfortable for extended ranges.
I can't remember, he's an older guy
Silver Arrows
Banned
Well he'll have to try harder. Or he'll have to try and light it closer towards my house.
TurtleSnatcher
Member
I'll pass on the Boosted. They are good but the Evolve Boards have surpassed them especially with the latest gen ones. They have had numerous iterations and have been around longer.
Nothing is 'fully waterproof' and living in Vancouver, we are all doomed to skate these in the rain
(I also don't recommend skating in the rain.. can slide all over!)
Dr.Guru of Peru
played the long game
Question for you BC folks: I'll be moving out west to be working 50:50 between Surrey and Abbotsford, so I'm looking for a place with relatively easy access to the Trans Canada highway.
I'm looking at apartments to rent in Langley and Surrey - ideally 1.5 br to 2br with a parking space in a relatively new building. Anyone know what price range to expect? I'm finding $1700k/month for an unfurnished place without utilities - is that about what I should expect for B.C in these areas?
I'm looking at apartments to rent in Langley and Surrey - ideally 1.5 br to 2br with a parking space in a relatively new building. Anyone know what price range to expect? I'm finding $1700k/month for an unfurnished place without utilities - is that about what I should expect for B.C in these areas?
You can definitely find cheaper than 1700/month for a 1BR/2BR in Surrey/langley.
You should be able to find a 1BR <1k and a 2BR ~1200 in those areas if you look long enough. For newer places / including in-suite utilities there's a premium but should still be around 1500 for a 2BR at most. Depending on how much time you have, check craigslist every couple days for new postings for ~a month and then decide? Renting outside of the city isnt too atrocious rent-cost wise
Lone_Prodigy
Member
This never would've happened if there wasn't an election next year.
Still a few more days to offer your feedback to the city on short-term rentals (airbnb).
https://www.talkvancouver.com/S.aspx?s=294&r=1fV1TV7y8QS5AY8nt1Wb9g&so=true&a=696&as=IP3uy65mI7
https://www.talkvancouver.com/S.aspx?s=294&r=1fV1TV7y8QS5AY8nt1Wb9g&so=true&a=696&as=IP3uy65mI7