East Van can be a rough area, but it depends on exactly where you go there. If you look around the commercial drive area or east broadway, prices are a lot cheaper and the area isn't nearly as bad. I mean, it's not the greatest, but I know 2 people who live around there and they're liking it just fine. The one lives in a 4 bedroom house at commercial drive and 11th avenue and it is only $1200/month to rent. That's super cheap. She has lived there almost 3 years now and enjoys it.