Taitato5

Is there anyone who has retired to Vancouver Island in the last couple or few years? We could sure use some tips and advice on making the move.

My husband and I are thinking that we want to make the move from here on the Prairies. The winters are really getting to us now, and hubby can't stand the heat of the summers either. So, being that the temps' seem to be more ambient on the island (and it's more like the U.K. where I'm from), we have decided that that is where we want to be. (My husband is from the Mediterranean).
But, there are a lot of things that I'm concerned about. Such as, is it hard to find a good doctor, or dentist. If we buy a house, what are property taxes like? What are utility costs like? My sister in law, who lives in Sidney, says that Hydro is going up 28%! But what are the costs like, compared to other areas of the country? Do you have to pay for healthcare? I know that your gas prices are way higher out there too.
We pay over $500 a month, for electricity, in the winter months, in this house....we have all electric heat.
Would really appreciate any information that you might care to share.
Thanks so much.

JonboyE

Yes, it can be difficult. Good GPs are full and often will only take new patients by referral. The GPs accepting new patients are usually young ones starting out. There are plenty of walk-in clinics though.

More dentists than you can shake a blunt stick at.

How long is a piece of string? In White Rock, on the mainland, we pay a lttle over $4,000 on a house worth roughly $750,000. In the next door city of Surrey taxes are approximately 25% less. It depends on what your house is worth and the taxing policies of the municipality.

The climate here is similar to the southern part of the island. We pay approximately $100 a month for Hydro and $100 a month for natural gas. Given the projected price increases I am expecting to pay $128.00 a month for Hydro in five years time. This is for a 40 year old 2,500 sf home.

Yes, $126 a month for a couple.

I paid 129.9 a lite to fill up yesterday. It varies. The island is cheaper.

Jackandvictor

Hi
I moved to Sidney just over a year ago. Our situation isn't exactly the same so I can't answer all your queries, but I will let you know some of your queries. We rent a house here so I can't tell you about the property taxes. It is a 2400 sq feet home on three levels. Our home has a gas furnace which supports the forced air. Our gas bill for December was $198 but that's the highest it has been all year. Electricity runs about $110 every two months. There is garbage and water on top of this, which is dependent on how much you use, as it is metered. I can't recall what our bill for this was; it is paid every quarter.
We found a dentist easily here in Sidney. We haven't registered with a family doctor as we just go to the local walk in clinic as required. There has never been a problem getting a quick appointment there. My husband has healthcare via Bluecross through his work which has been helpful. I don't know if we could have paid for all the dentistry work I have had done over the past couple of months otherwise!
We came from Scotland so the weather here is like home most of the year apart from the summer. The weather was great last summer and so unlike the summers we had in Scotland. It was nice to get sustained weather over a prolonged period, rather than organising your outdoor life around a few sunny days! We had a much milder winter last winter than Scotland had so it was nice to be here than there. There are less stormy days and no snow last winter at all (my kids were sorely disappointed!)
I can't imagine the weather extremes in the prairies and I am so glad we are here where the temperate climate is reminiscent of what we were used to. It is nice watching the weather across Canada where we are often at 7c whereas it can be -30c in the interior.
HTH

Taitato5

Thankyou so much JonboyE and Jackandvictor. All that information has helped a lot.

Just a couple more questions.....what's your garbage and water bill each month (we were looking at a house with a pool....water bill might be expensive)? Is there a recycling program on the island?
Thankyou again. Much appreciated.

Yes, Jackandvictor, we know all about -30 temperatures. Out here, that's normal winter weather. hahaha.

Taitato5

JonboyE, forgot to ask.......that $126 you pay for healthcare.....what does it cover? Thanks.

getoutofbritainquick

Depends which municipality you live on the Island. We don't have a municipality garbage collection and have to arrange our own on top of the property tax of approx. $4000. Hydro costs are 3rd lowest in North America. 28% increase over 5 years is not very much considering what a unit currently costs (currently there is a 2 tier rate depending on your consumption which I think is currently 8c rising to 10c per unit) - this is because successive governments have failed to depreciate assets (virtually the whole system is either being replaced or upgraded and somebody has to pay for it) and not raise charges in line with inflation for many years (I understand the NDP did not raise Hydro rates for 10 years and people expect it for free in BC) and now it is time to play catch up. Put in in perspective, the cost of natural gas is $14 per Gj on the island which is approx. 125% more expensive than the LM (Fortis has different rates depending where you live where Hydro equalises the cost across the Province). Private companies will charge you what ever they can get away with - my Telus bill is more than my Hydro! Get a heat pump if you can and lose the gas furnace. Our Hydro bill is approx. $220 per winter month against $130 natural gas just to heat the water for a 3500sq ft property. Don't forget the temperatures on the Island are usually much higher than other places in Canada which in turn will reduce your heating bills. The cost of gas to run your vehicle is much lower than the LM, we are currently paying $1.09/litre but they do occasionally spike the cost for no apparent reason and it only slowly drifts back down over a few weeks (the day after Boxing Day they raised the cost of gas 20c in one go). MSP is usually covered by your employer unless you are self employed. Water is about the same as the LM give or take a few $$$. All in all I have found the Island to be generally less expensive than the LM unless you start to take ferries into account.

JonboyE

It will be roughly the same as your provincial healthcare plan now. Access to, and treatment by, doctors, specialists and hospitals. It does not cover dentists, prescription drugs, eye care or physiotherapy.

If you have a modest income your premiums can be reduced or even eliminated.

I am on a city lot so garbage and sewer is included in property taxes. I pay $30 a month for water. You will have to check with the municipality where you intend to live because each can be a little different.

charlottyb

There is no charge for garbage here, and there are recycling programs. We have a collection approx every 2 weeks in Oak Bay. That includes a recycling bin/regular waste bin and a composting bin (that started recently in this municipality). We are allowed to take extra waste free to the recycling yard, we have a sticker in our car which is proof of residency for the area. We take our garden waste there and any extra if we can't wait the 2 weeks (3 kids, say no more!)
There are also great community markets selling local produce, more of them in the summer, organic fruit/veg box suppliers that will deliver to the door. Plenty of local farms to buy direct from also.

getoutofbritainquick

...so what are the property taxes like in Oak Bay? Nice area but you really pay a lot for a little. Fine if you have to work in the City. The properties are often small and very old. My boss has an ocean front in Oak Bay with fantastic views etc. but the house had to be fully renovated at considerable cost. He said that he does not like the cold sea breezes in the summer and fog. Don't forget the temperature by the sea is often much colder than inland during the summer. I remember leaving my house last summer it was 25oC by the time I arrived in Sydney is was 17oc. Lots of nice areas to choose from so have a good look first.

Aviator

Recycling is going to be no issue for residents with the new provincial recycling legislation. The programs starts in May this year and puts the onus on businesses to pay the recycling.

If the provincial govt. seriously think business will pay this and not pass it on to the consumer, then they are more out to lunch than I thought when they got rid of the HST. This program will cost consumers way more than HST on a cup of coffee or a movie ticket.

http://thetyee.ca/Blogs/TheHook/2013...ecycling-Fees/

charlottyb

We don't have a waterfront property (I wish!)
Our taxes were $3200 last year for a 2,400 sq.ft house on a decent sized corner lot.
We rented here when we first came over in 2004, and decided this was where we wanted to live.
There are many great areas and communities in Victoria and on the Island, I agree.

Aviator

When the big one hits, you'll be glad you don't!

getoutofbritainquick

That was high in our minds! The area between Sooke and Port Renfrew seems to be most at risk from a tsunami (incredible drive though through to Lake Cowichan). Have to say we have found the Island very agreeable and not so 'busy' as the LM. Crime is not such a big issue either. I will also say since we have been here since August we have found many nice areas to live and bring up a family but what and where is obviously a personal choice. I travel all over the south of the Island every week and manage to find ways around the traffic so location is not a big deal like the LM. I have a short cut through the Highlands forest area which I really enjoy but only use it depending on time of day (the people that live there must like their own company!). I even like places in Esquimalt where there are some beautiful beach front properties. Bear Mountain has new owners and the development is taking off again (if only they can get some more power!) Stayed in the Empress just before Christmas (a must do when you come to Victoria). Even managed to find a curry fix which is nearly as good as in Surrey! All in all a great p[lace to live (and retire!)

Aviator

I have a friend in the Highlands, they have lived there for nigh on 50 years and survived by selling off bits at a time. I think they started off with over 100 acres and are now down to 5.

getoutofbritainquick

..one of my neighbours is an ex BA 747 pilot. The family are running the coffee shop on Bear Mountain and are looking to rent somewhere with acres in the highlands area. If you know of anywhere let me know. Thanks