charlottyb

You won't get a 2 bedroom bungalow for $400, 000 in Victoria. You might get an apartment in some of the outlying areas, but the location wont be good. Average single family house sells for over $600,000.
You might have to look further up island to get what you're looking for.

dj322

Hey,

I live in downtown Victoria in a condo. There are many many good food places to go for food/drink, it is a bit quiet (moved from West London) but you get used to it. The weather is similar to the UK, on the mild side. I live close to "Super InTent City", which reminds you how bad homelessness is in the downtown core and occasionally you will see people getting high or buying / selling drugs.

There are plenty of new developments going up especially condos in the downtown core. House prices are beginning to rise but not as crazy as Vancouver.

In terms of GPs I have struggled to register with one, but I end up going to the walk in clinics if I need it. Sometimes I have gone 30 mins before opening time and ended up waiting and listening to podcasts while I wait. I have been to the A&E (or ER) dept once before for a friend and the service was pretty good.

Being on the island, things do tend to seem a little more expensive (especially UK foods), but I put that down to island prices. The folk on the island are generally friendly and there are little reminders everywhere of the British influence, especially with some fish n chip places around and the UK style pubs such as Drakes or Barts.

bananahammock

1. I've read a lot of negative stuff about Nanaimo on here over the years, best to come see for yourself, remember, there's a lot more to Nanaimo than the ugly highway! It's our 11th year here ... It's like anywhere else, good parts, crappy parts, some crime but prolly not much different than any other town of 100,000.
Most of my neighbors still leave their doors unlocked, kids bikes etc are strewn around the area, rarely much excitement in my hood!!

My daughter lives in Victoria, she loves it there & is constantly trying to convince us to move there ... Public transport is a lot better than here & there's waaaay more stuff for young people.

2. Quite a few but don't worry, they're all at my house!!!!

3. Rarely, we get cougar sightings & I've personally seen a couple of bears in 11 years ... Deer, on the other hand, are everywhere!!

4. Nope, cicadas are noisy but harmless.

5. Dunno.

6. Bellingham

7. I think Vic may be slightly better priced than here (not sure tho) ours is expensive 😡 but it depends where you are, Lantzville is 4K from where I live & its half the price!!

8. Lots!! 😉😄

rivingtonpike

Drive by shooting in Nanaimo yesterday afternoon. Then car chase all the way to Duncan where 2 men arrested! Most exciting thing on the Island for years. Mind you, the two arrested were both from the mainland.

shelley748

Thanks all, will definitely take your comments on board

Tinpusher63

Somebody in the Nanaimo area doesn't like mountain bikers.

Mountain bike trail sabotaged with wires and spikes in Nanaimo - British Columbia - CBC News

Ringo999

We retired here 31/2 years ago after many years working and living overseas and have never looked back. We live in Cadboro Bay (with our 11 yr old) which has just about everything a person would need, pub, supermarket, Pharmacy with post office, Starbucks, vets, Thai and Japanese restaurants, Organic juice bar, Liquor store Garage, Doctors etc. A great playground and sports park also. About 15mins drive from Victoria centre with a regular bus if needed.To find a bungalow for the price you mentioned would be just about impossible in Cad Bay, some condo's in the village are available on a regular basis if that would fill your needs, otherwise you would need to investigate further out. We were told it is difficult to get registered with a doctor so we have always gone to a Walk-in Clinic - we have always used Up-Town clinic at Walmart and have always received great service.Hope this has been of use!

dbd33

This is one of those rare posts that completely shatters my impression of a place. I've been to Victoria and have always thought it pretty, genteel, respectable, too dull for my mum.

Now I imagine it to be populated by fat people with facial tattoos.