THINKING OF MOVING TO VICTORIA?
You’re not alone—and for good reason. With some of the best weather in Canada, stunning heritage architecture, a thriving local economy, and a pace of life that makes room for actual living, Victoria isn’t just a good idea—it might be the best decision you’ll ever make. Especially if you’re tired of long commutes, stressful city living, or just want to exhale for once in your life. There are three main rules for making it here.
Welcome to La La Land: First Rule: BREATHE | Second Rule: EXHALE | Third Rule: RELAX
You’ve landed in a place where the pace is slower, the people thank the bus driver (isn’t that sweet?), and you’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone who’s in a real rush. Victoria isn’t Vancouver, and it sure isn’t Toronto. It’s quieter, calmer, and often a little frustrating—but you’ll adjust. Everyone does.
It’s a place where you get all the world-class amenities like universities, a downtown core and great outdoor activities with the familiarity of a small town.
Gone are the 90-minute commutes, the honking horns and angry crowds. Here, your biggest struggle might be waiting a few weeks for a fridge part or finding a plumber who actually calls you back. It’s not laziness—it’s just Island Time.
ISLAND TIME: Adjusting Your Expectations
Island Time” ~ yes, it’s a thing. Everyone here is just more laid back.
In Victoria, you’ll quickly learn that services move at a different pace. Appliance broken? Prepare for a few calls and then a few more weeks for parts to arrive (if they were ordered correctly). Need a contractor? Trades are in high demand, and timelines are more “eventual” than immediate. And you can take your business elsewhere—but odds are, it’ll be the same story.
It’s maddening. And then one day, it won’t be.
Because that first oceanfront walk along Dallas Road will remind you why you came
The Island Factor: The Beautiful Trade-Off
The island factor will raise its head constantly, in ways you won’t think of. The island factor plays into more than you know and it plays into everything.
- You can’t escape. It’s an island.
- No one can visit. It’s an island.
- Real estate is crazy expensive. Rental housing, at least the affordable kind, is fairly scarce and when located, quite expensive especially with respect to average incomes.
- Ferries: Getting off the Island is expensive and time consuming. You have to plan your travel accordingly, account for the extra costs (if you’re taking a car) and be prepared for possible system failures, delays and cancellations at the last minute. You will not be compensated when Ferry schedules change, stop or delay you.
- Cultural Offerings: There’s art, there’s music—but much of it is local, safe, and somewhat insular. Touring acts often skip Victoria, and the nightlife isn’t what you’d call “vibrant.”
- Food costs are high because just about everything is brought over by Ferry
- You have a better chance of getting struck by lightning than finding a family doctor who is accepting patients. Don’t get me started on the “urgent care” clinics.
- Living here, you won’t have the advantages of a big city where you can step out your door and be presented with a huge menu of options
- It’s an island paradise, and like paradises anywhere it can be dull and boring. Victoria is a lovely small city which seems to have engulfed the population with its smallness of vision and seemingly proud of it.
- Everyone already has all the friends they need (unless they are new to the city) and although friendly and helpful, don’t expect to be invited to Sunday dinner.
YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY
What You’ll Miss (If You’re from a Big City)
- The Scene: Victoria has good restaurants, but not a lot of them. You’ll miss the sheer scale of Toronto’s or Montreal’s culinary landscape.
- Shopping: Fashionistas, brace yourselves—the retail selection is limited.
- Events: There’s always something happening… just not always something you’ll care about.
- Music: The concert scene leans heavily toward acts doing their farewell tour—again. However seasonal festivals are fairly plentiful if you include the whole island.
- Diversity & Community: It’s one of Canada’s whitest cities, and not always the most welcoming to newcomers. People tend to have their friend groups locked in, especially if they’ve lived here a while. The people that stay like things the way they are.
