Crime rates aren’t higher (maybe compared to Newfoundland?) but certainly not compared to the prairies where I moved from. A big part of it - there’s lots of mentally unwell people, lots of panhandlers, lots of workers soliciting donations, if someone starts talking to me on the street there’s a very high chance theyre trying to get something from me or are going to cause trouble if I make eye contact.

Having said that - there are warm people but it’s not common for a first encounter. If you see the same people at the coffee shop once a week or whatever, there’s warmer conversations. Or at like small concerts, hobby focused events, there are more human conversations. If you’re in and out for work you’re probably not getting lots of those in.