Arwin is a fantastic host, and the apartment is terrific. Great value in a central spot.
Booked this apartment as the first stop on a trip to Vancouver from New Zealand.
Having not experienced anything like Hastings Street in NZ, the location was quite confronting.
For those who have not been exposed to such levels of homelessness/drug use, I would recommend looking elsewhere.
As other reviews have stated, the locals are all harmless. However, you may need to ask them to move out of the doorway, especially if it's rainy.
Provided the above is not a concern, the apartment is clean, the building is secure, and communication was fantastic.
A big thanks to Arwin for his hospitality and local knowledge. He has a lot of great recommendations and insight.