11 things I HATE about Victoria BC!

If you are thinking about moving to Victoria BC for the first time, you might want to know what the pros and cons of living here are. In this episode, we unpack the 11 things I HATE about Victoria BC. Although I’m an expert in the Victoria BC Real Estate market, Victoria is also my hometown. I’m passionate about the things that make it great, but also want to be transparent about the cons of Victoria BC.
I moved away to pursue a university education and a dream of playing in the Canadian Football League, but once that dream came and went, I always knew I would return back to Vancouver Island. It’s a special place to live but there are reasons why people don’t move to Victoria BC. The weather in Victoria BC isn’t as nice as California, the downtown core experiences some crime issues, and more.
Here’s a recap of the 11 worst things about living in Victoria BC:
00:00 Intro
00:35 1) Rain
The weather in Victoria BC is quite mild but we do receive around 961mm of average annual precipitation. Neighbouring cities like Vancouver average more than 2000mm of rainfall and other parts of Vancouver Island like the coastal surf town of Tofino average over 3200mm of rainfall per year.
01:05 2) Stuck on the Rock
The only way to get off of Vancouver Island is on a ferry, boat, or on a plane. Most international flights still have to go through Vancouver. The BC ferries prices are a little exorbitant and are in excess of 83$ each way if you’re driving on.
01:38 3) Cost of Living
The benchmark price of a detached home in Greater Victoria was $1,130,000 at the end of 2022. Many homes in some of the more coveted neighbourhoods have stretched well beyond that figure. It’s expensive to rent in Victoria BC as well where we have the 4th highest median asking rents in the country.
02:13 4) Crime
According to Stats Can, The city of Victoria has the highest Crime severity index ranking of any municipality in BC. The index, which measures the volume and severity of police-reported crime, noted Victoria’s index was 148 (2021), a slight improvement from 2020’s 168, but still well above the provincial index of 93 and Vancouver’s 90.
The index also shows that combined, all of the region’s municipalities have an index of 71.5. Victoria BC homeless population has grown in recent years as a consequence of an ongoing drug epidemic.
02:50 5) Confusing Geography and Roadways
Because of the topography of the southern island, many of the roads and communities are built across meandering hillsides. Consequently, most of the roads are curvy and don’t run north/south or east west in straight lines.
03:23 6) Limited Rideshare Options
Although there are a few Canadian-based companies that are trying to crack into the ride-hailing category, we don’t have a widespread presence of Uber or Lyft. There are tons of cabs, but tracking one down on a busy night can be challenging and make planning a night in downtown Victoria BC more chaotic
03:43 7) 13 Municipalities
The governance structure in Greater Victoria can be difficult to understand. Especially when dealing with local bylaws and development processes, it’s important to grasp what your local bylaws say you can and can’t do with your property.
04:11 8) Growing Pains with Bike Lanes
Although new bike lanes (primarily in Downtown Victoria BC) are welcome to cyclists in greater Victoria, they have caused some friction. There has been a reduction in parking downtown, and the new signage/traffic lights have confused drivers and made some of the intersections dangerous.
04:34 9) Lack of Dining Options
Victoria BC restaurants are great, but they may fall short if you’re used to dining in Vancouver or Toronto. Here are some of my favourites: Pagliacci’s, Tapa Bar, Ferris’ Oyster Bar, Il Terrazzo, Cafe Brio, Boom & Batten, Little Jumbo, Wind Cries Mary, Stage Wine Bar, Deep Cove Chalet.
04:57 10) Seasonal Traffic
Busy summer months can mean that the roadways get packed. If you’re trying to get up Vancouver Island on the malahat on a long weekend, there’s little you can do to escape
05:17 11) Unprepared for Snowfall
Snow in Victoria BC is a rare occurrence. We average a little over 13cm in December, and there are years in Victoria BC where it doesn’t snow at all. The weather can be a little unpredictable and when Victoria BC residents are surprised with snow, the roads can be dangerous
05:47 Outro
Let me know in the comments below if you have ay questions about living in Victoria BC or moving to Victoria Canada. I would be happy to answer your questions about Victoria Vancouver Island and BC. Victoria BC Living is spectacular so don’t let this video scare you off.
______________________________________
Alex Carroll is a licensed Realtor in Victoria British Columbia Canada
Alex Carroll PREC*
Engel & Völkers Vancouver Island
[e-mail]
alexcarroll.ca
#VictoriaBC #LivinginVictoriaBC #MovingtoVictoriaBC

[@AlexCarroll]

Do you think I missed anything on this list? Let me know in the comments below!

[@tempdowg]

Rain? Victoria has half of the rainfall of Vancouver.

[@dmax64]

You forgot about the walking dead problem in the downtown core.

[@AlexCarroll]

Victoria having one of the highest crime rates in all of BC and a drug epidemic was me trying to allude to this. But I hear your point that it could have been more directed. (Not trying to link un housed populations to crime either)

[@davecomstock9544]

One of the things I've heard -- and something that gives me considerable pause as I approach retirement -- is the lack of primary care physicians accepting new patients in the Victoria area. Having to take a ferry just to see a doctor would be a pain, more because of the added time rather than the expense. My wife and I currently live in the San Francisco Bay Area, and reducing the time (and variability in travel time) to get to the doctor, dentist, etc. is one of our main motivations for considering retiring elsewhere.

[@AlexCarroll]

This is definitely a concern for Victorians as it is for Canadians. With an aging population here demand for physicians is near all time highs and there simply aren’t enough GPs that pursue being family doctor.

[@pamelaliegh]

I’ve lived in Victoria 46 years and my best advice is search and do what you can to find a GP before you move here. Older Drs are retiring and there aren’t enough taking the practices over. If you have chronic conditions especially.

[@KatsCorner]

I am in my sixties been living in Victoria my whole life. Even before the bike lines Victoria been a great city to ride in. I think the bike lines have made it worse the are confusing and ugly.

[@marcelo500]

I'm planning to move to Victoria in about 2 years. All the problems you highlighted are manageable. From what I know so far Victoria seens to be a wonderful place to be!

[@AlexCarroll]

It absolutely is! Pros definitely outweigh the cons

[@33and1third]

they really blew it by not upgrading rail service to north island, the future is only worse traffic, period

[@AlexCarroll]

Inclined to agree with you. We will only see more volumes of traffic through greater Victoria in the years to come. Hopefully more density, Amenities, jobs, in the westshore will mean less have to come all the way into the downtown core for work/shopping/nightlife.

[@EricaGamet]

Me coming for a visit from Seattle soon: Oh... sounds like home... I love it already! I don't have a car here and will be staying in the Inner Harbour... getting everywhere on foot or by bus (or Uber if I have data on my phone). I have only been once about 23 years ago... can't wait!

[@AlexCarroll]

Haha! In all seriousness I do believe it’s the best city in Canada. Enjoy your visit!

[@padimills1494]

The cost of parking downtown is way too high. This stops us from even going downtown. Too bad for all the small business'

[@AlexCarroll]

Yeah that’s totally fair! I wouldn’t say the transit options are strong enough for most to make it downtown with alternative transport to cars

[@jwallace9984]

I find the transit system in Victoria to be excellent. I live her, I don’t own a car, and am very happy taking the bus.

[@BigBen-wb1kl]

Sundays used to be free

[@westsidevancouver8501]

Don’t forget the dying downtown core with the sad Bay and withering variety of shops.

[@AdamJBell]

Great Video! All things to consider before moving! 😄

[@AlexCarroll]

Thanks for the feedback Adam!

[@garygarside9782]

the malahat is a nightmare

[@AlexCarroll]

Agreed

[@jimlambrick4642]

Not if you know how to drive.

[@uk2mama]

The drug and homeless population is terrible here in WA so it must be overflowing into Canada...

[@AlexCarroll]

A lot of urban centres in North America are facing challenges with drug addiction and mental health that are forcing citizens into the streets. It’s clear that better solutions are required

[@Liberal_From_Prairies689]

Well actually, 25% of homeless drug addicts in Vancouver, BC for example are from Alberta, 8% from Saskatchewan, 4% from Ontario, 26% are from other cities in BC. So that leaves around 30% from other places.

[@Anvanho]

Thanks for the informative video! Why isn't there rideshare there, I want to ask?

[@AlexCarroll]

If actually just arrived late last year. It still isn’t very popular or widespread but it’s growing!

[@Anvanho]

@@AlexCarroll Thanks!

[@brandonpeniuk]

I remember going to the Tapa Bar 20 years ago. Back then Victoria had an extraordinary nightlife. I worked at some nightclubs. I am actually going back to visit Victoria in June. I am looking forward to it. Thanks for the video. Could you talk about some of the parks and beaches in Victoria? Thanks

[@AlexCarroll]

Very cool! The city has changed a lot but it's always awesome to hear about how some of the pillars have remained largely unchanged. I'm not sure if you've seen my Top 8 beaches video? I'm thinking I will do a parks video in a similar vein. Thanks again for the feedback!

[@willarcher9865]

Moved to Victoria a year and a half ago from Calgary and have enjoyed all your content

[@AlexCarroll]

@@willarcher9865 Thanks Will. Appreciate the feedback. Will keep it coming

[@davecomstock9544]

Brandon, I'm sure you'll have a fantastic time! (Although I can't really speak to the nightlife.) For a few years after 9/11, Canada did not require a passport from U.S. citizens, so we continued to visit Victoria as we had most years since 1983. We eventually got passports to end our long drought...and then the pandemic hit. We finally got back in December 2021, and it was just as special as we remembered it. We've already made plans to return at the end of this year to celebrate our 40th anniversary.

[@AlexCarroll]

@@davecomstock9544 congrats in advance on the upcoming anniversary Dave! Hope you enjoy you’re time here then!

[@seazestyt]

Finding a parking space is a nightmare.

[@AlexCarroll]

They are certainly trying to decrease downtown parking in an effort for other transport options. Agree with you on street parking but the parkades are usually a safe bet

[@MatthewFordVictoria]

You missed the Tourist Attractions such as the IMAX Theatre (biggest in all of BC) and the World Famous Butchart Gardens where most Most Travellers only see it Once, but we can see it over and over as the cycles of plants and flowers change. Spring is the Best with So many kinds of Tulips.

[@michaell2168]

I've never seen a city that just shuts down when it snows. Even the transit system shuts down. Most bizarre thing.

[@AlexCarroll]

Haha it is quite funny but also frustrating!

[@TheOnlySam22]

Well it’s because we rarely get snow, so when we do people are caught off guard

[@LookNook2020]

I agree!

[@PhilipChoi820]

May I know where the spot is at 5:00?

[@AlexCarroll]

Yes! It's near the cruise ship terminal at Ogden Point in James Bay

[@PhilipChoi820]

Thank you so much!

[@AlexCarroll]

@@PhilipChoi820 my pleasure! It’s a great place to visit in low season. A few weeks ago there was a large tanker ship receiving maintenance down there.

[@peterg.newton3257]

I hate that I am so jelly that Victoria is soooooooo spectacular! This Ontario guy misses spending part of the winter in this wonderful part of the world. Btw, an impressive sales video by a Real Estate Agent! NOT. Yikes.

[@AlexCarroll]

Thanks for the feedback Peter. I can't overstate that the good outshines the bad massively. Many of these on the list aren't even things I have issue with. In any event, my clients are certainly happy that I'm transparent and honest and not just selling Victoria.

[@idotgotitme3280]

Your jelly? Maybe some peanut butter as well 😂😂

[@Dbodell8000]

If your homeless please come to Victoria it’s the best place in Canada to be.

[@LeoButchaiwang-nb5wo]

Duncan is actually

[@andybeers4538]

Please move to Calgary

[@TheOnlySam22]

Victoria is better than

[@LeoButchaiwang-nb5wo]

No Cowichan and Nanaimo is better

[@TheOnlySam22]

@@LeoButchaiwang-nb5wo There’s 6 max things you can do in Cowichan

[@ruthbaird1646]

We do have snow tires!

[@AlexCarroll]

I don’t believe 100% of us do. Based on the madness that ensues when a few flakes start dropping

[@idotgotitme3280]

You have to have at least tires with the snow and mud symbols to go up the Malahat by October.

[@serenity9984]

Wow That is a huge umbrella

[@AlexCarroll]

You need it when it rains out here!

[@serenity9984]

@@AlexCarroll

[@adamleach471]

highlighting the cost of living and all the luxuries we have access to is just a sign of how entitled and comfortable many of us are. keeping people out of here who dive up the cost of living is more important. there should be more enfaces on expanding a reliable transit network and developing more social housing, I live here and am bothered by nothing on this review

[@AlexCarroll]

What bothers you?

[@EBikes420]

I just saw this on my view list this morning. I don't understand what you 'hate' about bike lanes?

[@AlexCarroll]

@@EBikes420 just something I hear from locals on occasion. I don’t hate them myself

[@lolahunter8851]

Because there are too many in a given direction, expensive to build / no means of revenue generation, no licenses / lability insurance, cause traffic, pedestrian, and car parking issues, to name a few. And to top it off, most cyclists have a sense of entitlement.

[@EBikes420]

@@lolahunter8851 What a dumb comment

[@Liberal_From_Prairies689]

If you hate it, then move. You're in a position to do so, unlike a lot of the working poor and low income and seniors who can't afford to move.

[@AlexCarroll]

I don’t hate it I love it! The verbiage used is a little melodramatic. I just posted another video on all the reasons I love it 😀

[@WensonChen]

Don't take it too seriously...

[@ginawakehamrealestateadvis535]

He is simply pointing out the challenges one might find here in this lovely city. I applaud his honesty and helpfulness.

[@miawilliamsom8958]

There is ridesharing now - Kabu.

[@AlexCarroll]

Yes I just became aware of Kabu as I was putting this video together. Thanks for the feedback. For the time being it doesn't seem to have the reach or impact as household names like Uber and Lyft, but we'll see where it goes! I liked other similar companies like Current Taxi where you could track taxi status but they have since come and gone.

[@jimlambrick4642]

Well it used to be great. As someone born in Victoria in the 1940's it ain't anywhere near as nice as it used to be before all you folks moved here and over ran the place with your big city urban think.

[@AlexCarroll]

What was nicer about it then in your opinion?

[@tonyfanfarone]

@@AlexCarrollhow about no tent cities and the associated joy that brings.

[@tammylynn5491]

It's a beautiful place to live....however, the demand being created for this small region that is land locked by ocean and mountains, has priced many locals who grew up here out. We have a shortage of housing, a lot of outside "investors" buying up property with cash and no conditions on offers and renting at high rates pushing local families out. If you are an outside real estate investment corporation buying up properties with "no conditions" on real estate listings and pushing out families who actually want to stay here long term - shame on you. Go elsewhere!!

[@AlexCarroll]

Do you feel there should be more restrictions placed on who can buy residential property in Canada?

[@ALBasedBeats]

I think it's pretty obvious she wants the investors to fuck off.

[@jimlambrick4642]

Exactly all the so-called investors plundered their own wonderful Asian country and then come over here and just get the free health care and other benefits without putting dime one into the system. Cockroaches and parasites and Victoria and Vancouver well infested with them. All good for the Real Estate Agent types though

[@gregmoorhouse9610]

Ungodly far to a ski hill!

[@AlexCarroll]

Fair point! Little worse if you live in Saskatchewan though!

[@gregmoorhouse9610]

@@AlexCarroll By BC Standards I should say 😅

[@CJCM69]

What about the people? This is the home of the radical left and the majority are far left of center ideologically. They block traffic and protest at random. They block infrastructure development and support unviable transportation plans, based on bicycles and busses/walking. They support high taxes and wonder why they can't afford anything with gas going over $2.00/L during peak seasons. They allowed the downtown of Victoria to become a mess with crime originating out of the Tent Cities that are allowed to form by the municipalities and even supplying the tents to build them with tax dollars. That's why I bought outside of the city and never go downtown unless I have no other option.

[@AlexCarroll]

I wouldn't necessarily call Victoria distinctly more progressive than the average city in the PNW but I hear you! Luckily you still are able to call a part of this city home and find that it suits your needs!

[@idotgotitme3280]

Yes you're right about the protests, my husband called me one day cause he needed to get to a customer, and he couldn't get anywhere cause he was stuck in traffic big time, so he asked if I'd heard of any accidents, but no, it was because people were blocking the road to protest whatever, which really ticked my husband off, cause he said they shouldn't be allowed to stop people from getting to their jobs and whatnot, and God forbid someone had an emergency and needed to get through.

[@jimlambrick4642]

Yeah. Its like all the lefties flow down the drain and get stuck in the grease trap that is Victoria. You'll see more Tilley hat leftie ex teachers and government pension plan refugees in Victoria than anyplace else in Canada other than maybe Ottawa. Mao looked like a right wing extremism compared to the average Victoria resident. If your politics are anywhere near common sense in the middle, you won't like Victoria.

[@tonyfanfarone]

The realtors and developers own the politicians in Victoria and have sold it online for their own wealth. Victoria has been degraded by the greed of these money first Aholes. We don’t need a higher population density here. The reasons Victoria was so wonderful have been marketed and sold until those reasons no longer exist. Greed is the new religion of these types.

[@cyrilwingnek-qw1ik]

Hate is a strong word Kill is another strong word Power another strong word When used often i guess it doesn't mean so much

[@AlexCarroll]

It's just clickbait. I don't really hate Victoria..

[@cyrilwingnek-qw1ik]

That's good You don't need hate Be what the creator is looking for Enjoy life

[@michaelfisher6354]

Let's see if this video will persuade the riff raff not to move to Victoria.

[@AlexCarroll]

Doubt it! It’s a great place to live

[@suzannetaylor6450]

Rain is better than minus anything Suck it up or leave. Crime in Victoria becoz the government do t give a crap about… the last mayor of Victoria seemed to encourage it. Apparently. Lots of traffic becoz Victoria is the Hawaii of Canada ( warmer) But yea. The rain sucks so stay away 😁

[@lostmoose9994]

All complaints from/for spoiled cityslickers.

[@AlexCarroll]

For what it’s worth I think this is the best city in Canada and wouldn’t usually complain about anything..

[@lostmoose9994]

Ok, were on the same page. And rain is beautiful...green gardens, produce and only minor wildfires

[@AlexCarroll]

@@lostmoose9994 totally agree! Not everyone is as optimistic as us. So I thought these would be things that “might” bother people thinking of moving here

[@pseudonamed]

Also lots of NIMBYism

[@AlexCarroll]

Would you say there are more nimby’s here than in other parts of Canada?

[@adamleach471]

@@AlexCarroll its the growing pains of transitioning from a quite small city to a medium sized city.

[@ALBasedBeats]

Number one thing to hate about Victoria is the Mayor and her useless bike lanes.

[@AlexCarroll]

The cyclists love them though! I think diverse opportunities for transport is important as the city densities

[@AlexCarroll]

@poda patti Great points! I actually am becoming a fan as well. For the purposes of this video I tried to include things I hear locals talk about as negatives. Not everyone is on board with the lanes

[@ALBasedBeats]

@poda patti lmao, yea ok. Lets compromise the small businesses in downtown Victoria by not having places to park for tourist seasons because having less ugly cars is a priority and looks less European? I will agree lets keep it more European and less of the illegal immigrants out.

[@ALBasedBeats]

Not everyone can stay healthy enough to ride a bike but maybe you're one of those people that think the elderly should be offered MAID since their not healthy enough.

[@ALBasedBeats]

@@AlexCarroll Yea sure see a lot of cyclists in winter....What I do see is a lot of traffic and people still needing to grocery shop with a trunk not a bike basket.

[@at6446]

Most expensive city in Canada - Victoria BC

[@AlexCarroll]

That's inaccurate, but ok!

[@at6446]

@@AlexCarroll then which city is?

[@AlexCarroll]

@@at6446 it depends what metrics you consider. But both Vancouver and Toronto have higher shelter costs (rent and purchase).

[@at6446]

@@AlexCarroll Victoria BC average home price?

[@jpsion]

stop these hate mongering titles.

[@AlexCarroll]

Sorry - it's a bit clickbaity - I know. I'm just trying to promote some information about the city that I know some appreciate and I don't genuinely hate anything about Victoria.