As I walked to my gym this morning, I couldn’t help but think to myself that this potentially could be my very last Fall Season in Vancouver. And to be completely honest, I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing….
Don’t get me wrong, I love living in Vancouver. As someone who has spent the last 25 years of my life growing up and building a business in this city, it has and always will be considered home to me.
With that said, the City that I consider to be “Home” has drastically changed over the past few years.
Crime has increased significantly.
Violent Acts Committed throughout the Lower Mainland continue to multiply at an alarming rate.
The Homeless Population has grown rapidly and substantially since this Pandemic began.
Vancouver has a SERIOUS Problem…….
Unrealistic Real Estate Prices
Despite all of the issues I just listed above, real estate across our Province remains unaffordable for most people. Sure, there might be a correction in the market due to rising interest rates across the Globe. However in a City as expensive as Vancouver, I would be surprised if this made much of an impact if any for potential first time home buyers looking to purchase a new home.
As a Home Owner myself whose homes have increased in value over the years, even I don’t want prices to continue to rise. My fear is that people will eventually be completely priced out of an outrageous market that consists of ridiculous prices on properties and high interest rates that will take decades to pay off. If anything, I want Vancouver to become more affordable for families and more desirable for people looking to immigrate to our beautiful province. But I’m skeptical that this will happen if the issues I listed above continue to go unanswered.
I feel as if we’re losing the fight on drugs.
We’re losing the fight on crime.
And we’re going to lose our sense of community if things don’t change quickly.
Mental Health Advocates Needed ASAP!!!
As most of us who live here already know, we have a serious Mental Health Problem in our Province. Between the surplus of people living in tents on the streets, the rising incidents of unprovoked attacks in our neighbourhoods, and the large percentage of British Columbians diagnosed with mental disorders who are NOT receiving Mental Health Care and/or benefiting from Mental Health Services, the problem is only escalating.
Our newly elected Mayor promises change. And I truly hope he is able to fulfill that promise. But I’m also a realist and understand that this will take lots of time, lots of effort and lots resources in order to help find a solution.
My Relationship With Addicts
I work in the Downtown Eastside. I see, speak, and deal with Addicts all the time. Whether it’s calling 911 for someone who has overdosed (twice fatally in front of our gym), asking/negotiating with someone who is shooting up in our stairwell leading into the gym to vacate the premises, or just conversing with some of the regulars that I see on the streets on a daily basis who I actually quite like and have formed relationships with – I’m surrounded by Addiction on a daily basis.
I’m not trained to deal with people who are diagnosed with Mental Health Disorders and suffer from Substance Abuse. I am however understanding towards these people and I have empathy towards the struggles that they have to deal with on a daily basis. After all, I don’t think anyone desires to shoot up in a stairwell, dumpster dive for cans, or sleep on a street corner in the middle of October.
And as frustrating as it might be for a Business Owner who is trying to operate a Business in an area that is littered with syringes, garbage, and human feces, I have no ill will towards Addicts. I only have sadness for them and anger towards a system that has been broken for too long and has done nothing to help them.
So Is Vancouver Dying?
I certainly hope not. But at this very moment, and at the rate the City is going, the future, at least in my opinion, does not look overly bright……
Yours in Good Health,
Nick Cosgrove
Forever Fit Performance