I stayed at Marie's place for 3 days during a work visit to Vancouver. Marie and a bit of research prepared me for the location - as other reviewers mention, the apartment is in a run-down part of town, and there is a lot of poverty and homeless people around. Oppenheimer Park, half a block away, was a tent city during my visit. That said, I walked to downtown and back every day during my stay, and never once did I feel harassed or even uncomfortable. The walk to downtown (Granville Street) takes 15-20 minutes, and it's only about 3 blocks and a 5 minute walk to Gastown (there are buses too; I preferred to walk). The apartment itself is clean, lovely and comfortable. It is also very quiet, with one window facing an alley and the other a private complex courtyard.