r/wlu • u/Positive_Turnip_6619 • Sep 12 '26
Question Is Brantford Campus safe?
I am an international student from South Asia with not a lot of options in my hand and I was planning on applying for Brantford campus and I see reviews online about how unsafe it is and I wanted to make sure if that’s actually the case. Is it possible for me to stay in a place where there is no issue of homeless people and substance abuse or is that everywhere in brantford? will I have to always worry about feeling unsafe?
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u/OppositeExpensive995 Sep 12 '26 edited Sep 12 '26
Depends on the seemster. Fall and winter (when theres campus security present) generally speaking is fine.
During spring however (there is bascially no campus security) id keep caution, idk how it is now (I left brantford over a year ago and transfered elsewhere) but both my spring seemsters where I lived on campus were not very enjoyable or pleasant experiences. Ive definetely seen scary shit happen. But if you're not there in spring and excersie basic caution you'll be ok honestly to live in Brantford. It'll defo take some adapting though esp as a international student
Also I'd advise one thing, live outside of downtown brantford/campus area. The rest of brantford is a lot better and safer than the campus area and on campus is a rip off to live in accommodation wise too. West brant is a nice area for example
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u/Positive_Turnip_6619 Sep 12 '26
Thanks man. Noted. I will look into it. I am not planning to live on campus. I am applying for winter semester.
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u/Jellyfishzy Sep 12 '26
it’s lowk everywhere in Ontario but it’s not like all the streets are filled with criminals or anything
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u/Positive_Turnip_6619 Sep 12 '26
So would you say its safe in Brantford?
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u/Reddie196 Alumni Sep 12 '26
It's fine. Homeless people and substance use are present in every city in North America. It's sad, but they're not monsters and they're not out to get you. They're people who have had a difficult life and not enough support to get out of a hard situation. No city is inherently unsafe to live in just because they live there too, including Brantford.
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u/L00k_Again Sep 12 '26
My son has been at Brantford campus for two years, just started his third. No problems, but yes, you will see a lot of homelessness and its impact.
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u/Positive_Turnip_6619 Sep 12 '26
what are the impacts?
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u/L00k_Again Sep 12 '26 edited Sep 12 '26
Lots of homeless people about everywhere. Poverty. Drugs. Though I've never witnessed anyone doing drugs, it's apparent. And mental health issues. It's not a closed campus, it's literally downtown. The campus is converted commercial buildings that were vacant and put to use by Laurier. It's just depressing and I wish something more could be done for these folks.
Editing to add that it's safe and staying in the area is safe. Residence requires a key card to access. Also reiterating that my son hasn't had a single problem with any of the homeless folks. It's just a depressing scene.
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u/No_Geologist_5412 Sep 13 '26
There’s a homeless shelter and I think a safe clinic right beside the school which is why there are a lot of homeless people and why they may seem like they’re on drugs. It’s about a 5 minute walk from the campus.
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u/olipocket16 Sep 12 '26
I’m in my last year at Brantford and yeah the campus is bleak as hell, but there’s nothing unsafe about it. There are many homeless people around but homelessness doesn’t make somebody a criminal or a dangerous person. I don’t feel unsafe at all there, even walking back to my car after a night class. Plus, they have security people everywhere especially after dark. You won’t be unsafe, just depressed lol
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u/bananadan_ Sep 12 '26
I never felt unsafe on campus. Yes, there are people experiencing homelessness and substance use, but you will find the same issue in pretty much any city.
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u/ParticularSail6461 Sep 13 '26
I’m across Ontario a lot for work. I felt safe in Brantford.
I personally don’t like Laurier Brantford but it’s safe. It’s in the strangest spot.
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u/Sea-Goat5538 Sep 15 '26
There are homeless people everywhere and it's normal to see people getting high and doing the fentanyl fold. It's also normal to experience crash outs and hear screaming and yelling. It doesn't make it unsafe, it just is what it is. So to answer your question, no, there is no where around the university area where you will not see homeless people or high people. They are EVERYWHERE.
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u/No_Geologist_5412 Sep 12 '26
Branford campus is safe. Are their homeless people around? Yea. Are they going to bother you? No. Just treat them like humans and they will treat you like a human. I went to Branford campus for 2 years walked around and chilled and had no issues.