Victoria?

[Jbo]

Hey CP:

So I have been given a chance to work in Victoria for a year and a half and relocated by my employer. Having grown up in Calgary, and having friends and family here, I have wrestled with the pro and cons. (Shout out to Hoot for his help so far)

I know that you get the Ocean and some great weather, but I'm curious to hear from Calgarians that have lived or visited there opinions on the Island.

I need to make my decision by tomorrow morning (this has been going back and forth for a couple weeks) and I honestly feel 50/50 on the whole thing.

Im looking at it from the prespective of a 27 year old young guy...not huge into partying and enjoy playing adult rec ice and ball hockey.

Any input would be appreciated

[rubecube]

I moved from Calgary to Victoria about 3 years ago. It's definitely a change. The people are different and they aren't as welcoming as Calgarians, so you may find it tough to make friends. I have about a dozen friends out here, but the majority of them aren't from Victoria and are relatively new transplants as well. That being said, I love it out here and it would take a lot for me to move back to Calgary. There are things I miss about Calgary (i.e. friends, family, nightlife, pro sports) but I really enjoy the pace and lifestyle out here, and I love being 10 min from the beach.

[kermitology]

So you're looking to retire are you?

Just joking.. sort of. I lived there for a year, my parents live there, I visit quite often. It's a nice place, a bit dreary in the winter and for some reason when I lived there people always wanted it to snow. It's not a place that I'd personally want to live, but I do enjoy visiting my parents there.

[Jbo]

Well I think that the #1 Rule when you talk about Victoria is to hear "Newly-wed and nearly dead"

It has been very challenging to think about uprooting my life and moving out there. I have honestly flip-flopped on this more then I usually ever would on anything. I'll be sitting in traffic for 25 minutes one day thinking "Eff this stupid city" and the very next thinking about having to sell my season tix to the Flames for 2 years and thinking that would suck to be away from professional hockey (I don't count Vancouver...would rather just fly home at those prices)

[malcolmk14]

It's only a year and a half, what's the worst that could happen? I say do it, but I truly believe everyone should move around in their 20's and early 30's and work in different cities to get a feel for where they would really like to settle down.

[arloiginla]

Well if you do it make sure you get into golfing.

Some wonderful courses out on the island and you can play all year round.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by J-bo09

Well I think that the #1 Rule when you talk about Victoria is to hear "Newly-wed and nearly dead"

It has been very challenging to think about uprooting my life and moving out there. I have honestly flip-flopped on this more then I usually ever would on anything. I'll be sitting in traffic for 25 minutes one day thinking "Eff this stupid city" and the very next thinking about having to sell my season tix to the Flames for 2 years and thinking that would suck to be away from professional hockey (I don't count Vancouver...would rather just fly home at those prices)

Yeah, that is the other awful thing about Victoria. Pretty much the biggest issue. Getting off of this god damn island anytime you want to do anything. Concert coming to Vancouver you want to see? Better add at least $100 and an extra 6 hours of travel to the price of the ticket. At least we'll have a WHL team this year and we've been getting a few more concerts here, but it still sucks when you want to go to a big event.

[jtfrogger]

I can't speak about Victoria vs. Calgary, but I can speak about the general experience.

I recommend taking the opportunity to learn from a new experience if there isn't anything specific tying you to Calgary right now.

I grew up in Winnipeg. When I was about 21, I spent 4 months working in Ottawa. I had opportunities to go back after I got my degree, but I chose to stay in Winnipeg after graduation. When I was 25, I got an opportunity for a 3-12 month position in Calgary where they would pay my living expenses. I decided to stay in Calgary after about a month.

Both of those opportunities were awesome, and I wouldn't do such a thing now that I am married unless it was a great opportunity that made sense for both of us. I got to experience working in three great Canadian cities and chose to stay in the one that was best for my circumstances at the time.

[enthused]

I was born and raised in Calgary, and then moved to Victoria for a few years. It was... not what I was expecting. Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful city with a lot of great aspects, but it wasn't for me.

The weather, while mild most of the year, is far from perfect. It rains A LOT in the winter. If you're okay with that, you'll be fine, but I found that grey skies and rain for a large majority of the winter really got to me. Kind of made me appreciate the fact that Calgary can still be bright and sunny even when it's -30.

The pace of life is definitely a lot slower. Which can be good or bad, depending what you're looking for. Will you have a car there? I didn't have one when I lived there, and transit nearly made me mental. It took forever to get anywhere or do anything. And like rube said, getting off the island is a giant hassle.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by enthused

The pace of life is definitely a lot slower. Which can be good or bad, depending what you're looking for. Will you have a car there? I didn't have one when I lived there, and transit nearly made me mental. It took forever to get anywhere or do anything. And like rube said, getting off the island is a giant hassle.

I don't mind transit actually, but then it might depend where you live. I live in Fernwood and mostly hang out around downtown and the university area.

[MelBridgeman]

It's a great place, lived there for a year
but it can be boring.
and stated getting off the island is a process

Having grown up in Nanaimo and lived in Vic for 2 years: my advice is go out and try it! You said it's for 18 months? No prob! One winter missed in Calgary is all it will take for you to fall in love.

You have the whole island to explore as well: Tofino/Sooke/Parksville. Easy enought to fly back to Calgary for a weekend visit if you get homesick... you can usually get a seat sale out of Vic for $89 sometimes.

They may not have alot of rec ice hockey, but tonnes of ball hockey (ex-bf used to find a game all the time going on.) Or check intramurals @ the university.

There's a few vineyards up Sidney way that might be pretty good IIRC.

Yah, if you want to go to Van, you're going to get dinged for money and time.... but if you've spent your whole life here, you've been spoiled already.

Plus there's a quick ferry ride to Seattle if you want to get some shopping in or see some NFL/MBL games.

Come to think of it.... why the heck am I still living in Calgary???!!!

DO IT!!!!!

[Jbo]

I would have a car, but would like to void driving. Work would be in James Bay and I heard apartments range in the 1000 a month (1br) range

[evman150]

A little defense of my city here.

Rainfall in Victoria proper is LESS THAN HALF of what Vancouver receives. Snowfall is also less than half of Vancouver's totals. Victoria's Koppen climate classification is Csb - dry summer subtropical. It is the only location in Canada with that designation. Arguably the closest major city to Victoria climate-wise is San Francisco (though SF has warmer winters). Both have very dry, moderately warm summers, cool to mild wet winters, and very similar precipitation totals.

Getting off the island is really not that difficult. Its a 95 min ferry...not the end of the world.

If you're going to be living in James Bay, enjoy a sub five minute drive to almost everything you need. And a five minute walk to the water is also likely. James Bay is one of the oldest parts of the city, and can be one of the most beautiful. 1000/month sounds about right for rent, though you may be able to find something a bit lower. I pay 925 for a very decent 2br at the Oak Bay junction (on the other side of downtown).

People bitch about the weather, but often it's people who go to Vancouver then assume Victoria is the same because it's close. Or they come to Victoria for a visit and say 'oh look it's raining it always rains here' and give their confirmation bias a little workout.

As for the people not being "as nice", keep in mind that's just one person's experience. There's nice people and dickbags everywhere.

As for transit, it ranges from brutal to very good depending on where you live and where you need to go. Living in James Bay, you really have nothing to worry about. It would be very different if you were going to be living in Langhole or whatever.

[CaptainCrunch]

Hope you've got a granny fetish, get used to lovin the GILF

[driveway]

DO IT! Doitdoitdoitdoit!!

I grew up in Calgary, then went to live on the Island for 10 years. Moved back to Calgary two years ago and - if there was a job waiting for me - I'd move back to Victoria in a heartbeat. There's nothing Calgary has that Victoria doesn't do better except having pro-sports teams and more jobs.

Food: Better.
Nightlife: Better.
Weather: Better.
Public Transit: Better.
Outdoor activities: Better. (except skiing)

One very important thing: The GIRLS. OMFG the girls in Victoria are a gazillion times better looking than the chicks in Calgary. It's not even close.

[calumniate]

Originally Posted by driveway

DO IT! Doitdoitdoitdoit!!

I grew up in Calgary, then went to live on the Island for 10 years. Moved back to Calgary two years ago and - if there was a job waiting for me - I'd move back to Victoria in a heartbeat. There's nothing Calgary has that Victoria doesn't do better except having pro-sports teams and more jobs.

Food: Better.
Nightlife: Better.
Weather: Better.
Public Transit: Better.
Outdoor activities: Better. (except skiing)

One very important thing: The GIRLS. OMFG the girls in Victoria are a gazillion times better looking than the chicks in Calgary. It's not even close.

Good ratios as well!

[RogerWilco]

Originally Posted by J-bo09

Hey CP:

So I have been given a chance to work in Victoria for a year and a half and relocated by my employer. Having grown up in Calgary, and having friends and family here, I have wrestled with the pro and cons. (Shout out to Hoot for his help so far)

I know that you get the Ocean and some great weather, but I'm curious to hear from Calgarians that have lived or visited there opinions on the Island.

I need to make my decision by tomorrow morning (this has been going back and forth for a couple weeks) and I honestly feel 50/50 on the whole thing.

Im looking at it from the prespective of a 27 year old young guy...not huge into partying and enjoy playing adult rec ice and ball hockey.

Any input would be appreciated

You are still very young. Have you lived out of Calgary before?

From my experience, as a 39 year old, I grew up in Calgary but went to university in Montana and then lived in Denver for a number of years. In the end I lived in the US for about 10 years. I moved back here about 10 years ago. On one hand there is no place like home but on the other hand it is great to live in different palces and live life and experience new places. I love living in Calgary now, my real home. But I may have not realized how great this City is without moving around a bit.

If you are talking about only a year and a half, that is like a blink of the eye. It may be worth it just to experience something new. You can always come back like I did.

At this point in life go with your heart, if it is a good work move do it. No regrets. You can always come back. Experience life, it seems to fly by as you get older.

[tvp2003]

My advice: do it, especially while you're still young and have the freedom to try new things. I went to school at UVic for three years in my mid-twenties and enjoyed it. By the end of it I was missing the "big city" amenities, and ended up moving back to Calgary (work/family also played into this). However, looking back, I definitely preferred the relaxed pace.

People that are complaining about the weather are ridiculous. It may rain everyone once in a while in the winter, but (i) I never thought it was an issue, (ii) it's nothing compared to Vancouver, and (iii) it's 1000x better than -30 winter in Calgary. The other three seasons are very mild; lots of flowers in the spring.

If you need off the island, Vancouver is a ferry ride away; you can also take the clipper over to Seattle.

P.S. Great advice above about "trying new things" -- it something you don't realize when you're younger but looking back I'm glad I had that opportunity.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by evman150

A little defense of my city here.

Getting off the island is really not that difficult. Its a 95 min ferry...not the end of the world.

Going to Van for a show or a game is a pain in the ass. It's not the length of the ferry ride, but the cost and the fact you have to stay overnight because it stops running at 9.

As for the people not being "as nice", keep in mind that's just one person's experience. There's nice people and dickbags everywhere.

I didn't say people were dickbags. Islanders tend to be a cliquey bunch. It is just my experience, but I've had it supported my numerous people who've lived in other cities and moved to Victoria.