Islands vs. Nearby Victoria (schools, living, restaurants)

[eling]

I'm looking for a safe location (not inner city) that has four seasons, some cultural diversity, and outdoor activities available. Can I find it in either place?

[Luhts]

What do you mean by "islands"? Victoria is on Vancouver island. What size of community are you looking for? What about employment? What do you mean by outdoor activities?

[eling]

I meant comparing it to places NE of or west of Victoria.

[jambo101]

The city of Victoria itself will have the necessities of life in abundance, Canadian Tire stores, shopping, liquor stores,schools ,hospiltals,malls etc. some of the islands up BC's coast can be very secluded and amenities can be a long boat ride away or some places a seaplane might be the most viable option.
Paint us a picture of what you want and we'll tell you where it is.

[eling]

A town, suburb, or community that's 15-20 minutes from Victoria.

[BIMBAM]

If that's what you'd like, Saanichton and Langford fit the description, but they're not that diverse (neither is Victoria really).

[CairoCanadian]

I think you'll be short-changed for diversity anywhere in the island apart from Victoria proper ( i.e. not much of it it nearby Metchosin, Sydney, or Sooke ), though it's all pretty provincial compared to Vancouver.

As for the islands, it all depends on which one. Saltspring is gentrified rural, think farms that use the word ''artisanal'' a lot and rich retirees, with land prices that match. Conversely, in some far northern islands up the coast, it can be pretty much you and the bears, and you need to be prepared for isolated, wilderness living.

Victoria is very safe, and there is hardly an ''inner city'' there aside from a half-block around the homeless shelter, has a decent selection of restaurants and cultural activites, and the outdoors are everywhere ( there is a great selection of trails and parks on the city outskirts ), with the sea at your doorstep.

I've lived half my life in Victoria, and it's still my favorite little city in Canada. It's overpriced when it comes to property, and career options are limited outside of health, tourism, and education, but it has an affable a climate as Canada gets and great scenery and outdoorsy options.

The islands are beautiful, but rather specialized if your career lies outside of tourism or argiculture.

[eling]

What's the winter like in Victoria?

[adventuregurl]

Originally Posted by eling

What's the winter like in Victoria?

Rainy, damp and gray but not too cold. It rarely snows.

[Zoisite]

Originally Posted by eling

What's the winter like in Victoria?

I like Victoria very much during spring, summer and fall but I'm not keen on the winters there. It doesn't get terribly cold but if you can't acclimate to it the dampness has a chill to it that just gets right into your bones and joints and makes you all achey, stiff and sore.

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