In terms of the lodging, Vancouver is a really expensive city. As a grad student on a budget, Brian’s place was a godsend. It’s conveniently located within 15 minutes of downtown, within 5 minutes of Gastown, and within a couple block of several fantastic bars/restaurants. The apartment was large, comfy, and clean. It was a perfect home base for me. A few things to keep in mind:
1) you do have to retrieve Brian’s key from a keycafe elsewhere in town, which requires either hauling your luggage about 15 blocks or taking a $7 cab. After traveling for 12+ hours, this extra step between you and a couch is kind of inconvenient, but if you just build it into your travel plans you’ll be fine.
2) There is no A/C in Brian’s place, which is on the third floor, so just keep that in mind as it can get quite warm in the space if it’s a hot day. There is a fan for sleeping, though.
3) As Brian and previous reviewers all note, the neighborhood appears pretty sketchy. There are a lot of shelters and halfway houses around, and the park a block over is a “tent city.” However, the building Brian’s apartment is in is quite and secure, and over the course of a week of walking to and from it, I never had anyone speak to me much less make me feel unsafe. (I am a woman and was there alone, too.) If you’re unfamiliar or uncomfortable with the kinds of social problems that often exist at the edges of urban gentrification, Brian’s place is maybe not for you.
All of that said—I had a wonderful time in Vancouver, and I was very grateful for Brian’s place, which was comfortable, convenient, and safe. I’d definitely return and/or recommend it to my friends!