"We had a computer fire in our Arbutus basement a while back and, even though there were six emergency vehicles out front, not one of the other residents on the block came over to see if we were okay."

rmac at VREAA 1 July 2011 8:23am -
“I grew up in Kitsilano (when it was pretty well all immigrants and working class) and moved into the Arbutus neighbourhood in the 80′s. Every house has at least one suite, many have three and a couple of the big $3M Chinese style mansions on my block are operated as B & Bs for mainland Chinese tourists. We had a computer fire in our basement a while back and, even though there were six emergency vehicles out front, not one of the other residents on the block came over to see if we were okay. The locals don’t even talk or appear to acknowledge each other – it is a very odd feeling to think that one is isolated in ones own neighbourhood. I don’t feel that the new immigrants are here to stay – they appear to be riding the wave of home flipping and moving on. The houses are poorly maintained and hardly furnished – just walking around the neighbourhood it’s apparent that lawns are only being mowed occasionally and basic home repairs are not done (yes, even on the new houses). It gives the area a weird feeling of impermanence and I really can’t predict how it will all play out.”