Life on Vancouver Island?

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Karen L

Everything on Vancouver Island costs about the same as it does in Vancouver except housing. We've got all the big chain stores as well as local stores. I moved to Courtenay 2 years ago, and thought I'd be going into Vancouver once in a while to shop but haven't found any need to, except if I absolutely have to go to Ikea. If you like outdoor activities, you'll like Vancouver Island. We have it all, and not so far apart: mountains, beaches on two coasts, lakes, hiking, water views, skiing, farm country, Vancouver Island is kind of a snapshot of the rest of BC. The Cowichan Valley, an hour or so out of Victoria, is becoming known for food and wine production. And on the east coast of the Island, it's drier than it is in Vancouver.

If you're desperate for big city stuff, Vancouver and Seattle are pretty easy to get to from Victoria.

knh959

Life on Vancouver Island is far from inexpensive. While real estate is less than Vancouver it is still high by national standards, particularly in the Greater Victoria area. The biggest bang for the buck on the real-estate market would probably be the Westshore area of Victoria, or if you don't mind being a little further out of town Sooke or up island towards the Mill Bay or Cobble Hill areas.

As far as the price of groceries go, I don't think there's a great difference in prices from Vancouver to the island. Gasoline is about the same price (this morning it was 92.9 per litre).

Getting onto or off of the island can be pricey. You really only have two choices - fly or take the ferry. We might go to the mainland twice a year. Everything that we need is here and if we didn't have a son living in Vancouver we probably wouldn't leave as often as we do.

All in all, IMO Victoria/Vancouver Island is the best place in Canada and it would be a major battle to convince me otherwise.

travelbug

The cost of food, gas, and travel can be a little more expensive because everything has to come to the Island by ferry and that is expensive.
Rent/cost of houses gets cheaper as you move away from downtown Victoria. However, you will have to deal with lots of traffic to get in to the city.
Victoria is a fabulous city to live in but, so is any place that you live in on the Island. The pace is slower and down-to-earth.
When I moved to Victoria I thought I'd be travelling to Vancouver all of the time but once I got there I realized that everything is on the Island.

ellelit

Vancouver Island is generally less expensive than Vancouver, but that really depends on where you live. Metro Victoria is ridiculous, as is Downtown Vancouver, but as you move away from the core, the rents drop considerably.

Think about some of the other regions on Vancouver Island, like Nanaimo, where I live. it's not too expensive, has alot of amenities, a beautiful harbour and still has some of the small town feel.

I blog about life on Vancouver Island, if you want some first-hand accounts.

Ed P

It can be higher Its cheaper in the suburbs We live in south Burnaby A one bedroom apt about $ 800.00 Close to Burnaby Hospital and Royal Colombian

Dead Day Afternoon

I believe in general the island is cheaper but not cheap.

John W

Victoria might be a bit expensive for rent etc. but some of the smaller communities up the Island such as Nanaimo, Courtenay/Comox, Campbell River and Port Alberni have more reasonable housing as well as good hospitals. Remember, you will have to write an exam to be registered in BC and I would suggest you get your computer warmed up and contact the various hospital and inquire about nursing positions that may be available. They all have their own sites. Good luck to you. We need more nurses here on the Island.

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