shelley748

Hi

Does anyone on here live in Victoria BC?

Would you mind sharing your experience of the lifestyle/costs etc of living there? Also whats the healthcare like there?

Thanks in advance.

TheAwesomeMatt

I lived there for a couple of years and was recently back there this past weekend, it's a pretty nice place. Of course lifestyle is pretty vague and totally depends on your circumstances, as a fairly young guy my experience was pretty good - I didn't have to visit a hospital or get any medical treatment so can't answer that, it has lots of places to eat (probably the best brunch places in the country) and some pretty cool pubs/bars.

I moved away because it was a little slow paced as a city for me.

rivingtonpike

We live in Mill Bay which is 40 minutes to the north of downtown Victoria. We are regularly in and around Victoria for work and pleasure though. Your questions are a bit broad for accurate answers really. Lifestyle/costs are really dependent on your circumstances financially and your interests socially. Depends how big a house/condo/mortgage/rent you can afford or prepared to pay. There are some beautiful penthouses looking over the Inner Harbour. There are also some terrible lean-to's/tents on the parkland behind the Law Courts.
Perhaps a bit more on the motive for the question and the context and I'd be happy to give whatever information I can.

shelley748

Thank you for the replies.

I am looking at retiring in the area. I am really fed up with the winters here in the east and don't like the idea of always having to go south....

Hence my question about health care, is it good or are you expected to travel to Vancouver for any treatment? Do you have to pay any premiums, or get insurance ?

How much is gas for example, and hydro average costs .... Property taxes, for example 2 bedroom bungalow Victoria versus Nanaimo...

tHanks in advance

BristolUK

And here's me wondering about moving west to Kingston or a bit beyond to avoid the extremes of our winter.

Although this winter has been brilliant so far. Flurries and dustings (that melt in two hours) aside, we've not seen snow since January and there are barely any traces of January snow on the ground. It looks like late April

Stinkypup

On the health front, Victoria is very good specialist wise- we send some cardiac patients there from the interior. Usual lack of GPs I would imagine but no worse than anywhere else. I can't imagine that that you would need referral out of Victoria unless it was extraordinarily specialist

JonboyE

I expect the geriatrics departments will be well practiced.

rivingtonpike

Health-wise, I can't fault it from my own experience. Not sure whether it is a consequence of having a higher than average percentage of retirees, but GPs seem to be in abundance in our area at least. I can usually see my doctor within 24 hours. None of our family has had to wait more than 48 hours to see our own doctor, and if you don't mind seeing the on duty doctor, you can almost always get in the same day. I can't really speak for the situation in Victoria itself but I don't hear negative comments on the news etc.
Housing in Victoria is going to be more expensive - like for like - than in Nanaimo.

Stinkypup

Yeah, they are a supra-regional referral centre for old crumblies

rivingtonpike

In the context of retiring, have a look at somewhere like Arbutus Ridge. It's a purpose built retirement village (sort of) looking across to Saltspring Island. Depends whether you intend to drive as well I suppose. Outside of Victoria, Sidney and Langford, public transport is pretty sketch to say the least.

Stinkypup

That sure sounds like a great name for a winery


Sorry RP, I will shut up now and leave it to the locals

rivingtonpike

Actually the Damali Winery and vineyard is literally next door to it. The Cowichan Valley is full of vineyards because it is so mild. Cowichan I believe means "Warmlands".

TheAwesomeMatt

Can't speak for healthcare but the climate in Victoria is probably the best in the country. It avoids the worst of the winter on the lower mainland and still has nice summers, though it can get particularly windy in the winter.

I think I saw 2 days of snow in the two years I lived there.

Hydro is generally cheap but I've always lived in apartment buildings. Like $40 every couple months? Rent in Victoria is high, I paid $1000/month for a two bedroom.

Stinkypup

God I hope they don't source golden liquids for their Sauvignon blanc from next door

Oink will probably hate me for saying this knowing his love for craft beer but the island also produces some nice beer

scrubbedexpat091

The 2 times Ive been to Victoria was for medical stuff and it wasnt even serious issue, not really sure why I was sent there as I never asked.

Maybe Ill go one day and explore the city.