First off I want to say Spencer could not have been a better host. The apartment is less than a 5 min walk to the Train Station where you can catch Amtrak or ViaRail trains. At nearly the same location is the Main Street station on Vancouver's train system. Another 3-4 min walk will bring you to False Creek where you can catch the water taxi's. A 10 min walk in the opposite direction puts you right in the middle of Gastown. So getting around is very easy to do.
The apartment itself is very nice for a couple. Nicely furnished and on the 1st floor so easy access from the outside. (However that means not much of a view)
When we were visiting Vancouver it was unseasonable hot...and since the apartment didn't have AC it was very hot in the apartment. Im guessing over 85 degrees. (warmer in the bedroom). I emailed Spencer about this and he went so far as to go and buy an AC unit and installed it. It never was really "cool" in the apartment, but it was fine.
The block that the apartment is on is not what I would call unsafe by any means, but there are alot of homeless in the area of the train station and the surrounding few blocks. Again I didn't feel unsafe, but my wife was uncomfortable walking after dark.
Thanks again for a great stay Spencer if we are back in Vancouver will definetly look at your place again