Carmen was leaving town the day I arrived and I booked on super short notice over the holidays but everything was laid out perfectly. She gave detailed instructions on how I can get to her apt, how I were to be let in, etc. She also had a cute little write up about different things to do in Vancouver, as well as specific to her neighborhood which was super helpful as I was traveling by myself so it was nice to have some other opinions.

The area around her apt is as she described, but if you live in any other city with homelessness, it won't be anything different. I also highly recommend talking her advice and walking this city. Nothing is longer then a 30 minute walk really and even if that's too far, there are plenty of pubs / cafes to stop into along the way. Unless you are in town and staying for awhile so you buy a card, the busses are exact coin only which can be a pain.

While I was in town there was also a earthquake the last night I was there and the next morning her neighbor checked in on me to make sure I was okay. Super Sweet!

Lastly, the washer and dryer was a HUGE perk to me. I live in NYC where very few apt's even have this in their building! Let alone their apt. So being able to come home with clean clothes, free of charge, priceless - literally!