I love how comprehensive this was! Thanks for addressing the fact that tourist attractions don’t necessarily add to daily quality of life. I grew up in North Saanich and have never once been to the Butterfly Gardens, and I think I’ve been to Butcharts twice in total. If you had interviewed me at uptown that day I would’ve talked your ear off about my opinions on Victoria neighborhoods lol.
What a great video. A Redditor led me here; this should be a Must Watch for every out-of-towner who asks about moving here. (And you made me see how lucky i am to live here, in James Bay). 🥰
Truly excellent video Alex! I will forgive you for your slight Esquimalt bias 😂 but other than that, the info provided is solid. Anyone looking for a great realtor in the CRD should strongly consider Alex - he provided excellent service to my wife and I when we purchased in early 2023.
Wow great video Alex! I was literally just doing independent research for 3 days on all of the areas in greater Victoria when i found your video today (I live on in the Vancouver area). I love the feeling of Vancpouver Island and the slower pace and would like to move over in 2024. Magical place. This was a great overview and great way to end my search although I will have to watch it a few more times. Oak bay is gorgeous but not in the budget. Saanich was not even on my radar. I love what you said about all of the amazing beaches and nature spots in Sooke and it is high on my list but it does seem a bit far out with only one main road to get there so could be slow going. If I am able to get a house I would wait for something in Metchosen. It is half way between really wild nature and downtown city life. I am looking for a private living in nature sanctuary feeling but still close enough to go downtown regularly to attend kick boxing classes ect or to go out for dinner so Metchosin is the Ideal but sooke will probably be more realistic. I just subscribed and will contact you when I am ready to buy! Depnds how my business does in the next 10 months and will determin if I go condo or house but I will be there :) Cheers
Thanks for all the great feedback and glad that the video added value to your search. It sounds like you’re already beginning to highlight the areas that suit your lifestyle! Don’t hesitate to reach out in the future!
I like this video a lot. I just think that Oak Bay was rated too high. Affordability is half of my criteria. LOL. Also you were surveying in Saanich so I was kind of expecting that mostly would pick it. I also wished that Sooke would get a perfect score in terms of activities. As an immigrant another factor that I considered was the career opportunities, I am in the tourism industry so my chances are high, but I understand it is not for most industries. But this video is very insightful. To me, it is a blessing to be in Greater Victoria as this is a paradise. There is a balance between natural and urban areas. There is culture, history, and great community. I also feel safe anywhere I go. In terms of services everything is outstanding, maybe except for health - Canada in general. Another commendable about Greater Victoria, really is its accessibility. The bus system is good, the airport is not crowded, and options for water transport is everywhere.
Totally fair! It was difficult for me to establish a criteria that would hold every category equally but I thought that would be the best way to go! Totally agree that Greater Victoria is paradise and I'm glad to hear you are enjoying life here!!!
Thank you so much what an informative video. For those of us that may be renting or buying it a big help. We hope to move there in the new year and are so appreciative of these type of episodes with details that help with deciding where to work, live and rent. Have a great day!
Thanks Jim appreciate the feedback! Have to reflect that perhaps being in the heart of Saanich (at uptown) had an impact. But great feedback nevertheless!
Thank you so much for this video, it seems very professionally done and it's exactly what I've been looking for. Although I'm Scottish and have lived in the UK my whole life I was actually born in Ontario and have longed to move to Canada for most of my adult life but there was always something getting the way, just by sheer chance my partner has the opportunity of employment anywhere in BC and we've narrowed the search to Victoria or the greater Victoria area, not an easy decision to make when you're planning to move to a country you don't know and you have the wellbeing of children to think about. I've subscribed to your channel and look forward to more Victoria Videos.
Hey there! Thanks so much for the kind feedback. It’s encouraging when people are getting value out of these videos. Will keep them coming! All the best with your move!
@@gsteele5196 That's quite a strange statement, could you perhaps expand on that a little? I don't intend on being a dick by asking, I'm genuinely interested in peoples opinion about the greater Victoria area.
Standing in a shopping mall in Saanich asking people who likely live in Saanich which area they think is best? Hmmm….🤔 Good and interesting video nonetheless! Thanks!
It's a tough problem to solve without going to 10 different locations. Uptown was the most central mall that I could think of. Perhaps a few blocks down at Mayfair would have been better.
Esquimalt is an #1 for me as I live in Esquimalt I also would like to say that my high school EHS Esquimalt High School is pretty well known to being one of the best high schools in greater Victoria because we have so many opportunities and programs and it’s also very very safe love it❤
@@AlexCarroll you’re welcome! Esquimalt is a really safe and nice place to live there is so much to see in Esquimalt. One of my favourite places is the banfield park dock which has recently been rebuilt into a lightning bolt kind of shape so that the currents don’t rip it off it a great place to go for a swim
There is some infrastructure for the unhoused in the northeast end of downtown Victoria. It’s not necessarily dangerous but some choose to avoid it. Pandora from Blanshard to Cook.
See that Is the problem to many people come here with a personal agenda and insist on changing GREATER VICTORIA ie lisa helps jeremy cordona and matt dell oh and lets not forget greedy tait out in sooke
You say “ in Victoria” but then you site Sidney etc. I think you should say “southern Vancouver Island” because Victoria is the city on the south of Van. Island, A CITY! Sidney is another city and Metchosin is an area west if Victoria but not in Victoria.
I guess for those that don’t live here it made more sense to lump them in as Greater Victoria. You are quite correct that these are different cities and towns entirely, but I thought this would make more sense to the average person vs. “Ultimate southern Vancouver island neighbourhoods guide”.
maybe driveability should have been included.. some places are awful to drive in.. sidney is horrible so is oak bay and james bay because of the old people who shouldnt still have a drivers licence, they get paralized at stop signs and cant move even when on coming traffic is more than a half a block away.. an old guy in a van hit me with his passenger side mirror when i was on my bicycle.. "they didnt see me" his wife said to me when they stopped
@@thehouseofgardener Totally fair to feel this way. It would be tough for me to provide much objective evidence of this other than car crash incidents. I’ll think about that in a future video
Where would be the best place to find a heritage/character apartement in the GVR? ... Im so done with leasing brand new condos - theyre so ticky tacky ...a girl jus lt wants some exposed brick 😂
@@ChantelStays city of Victoria. More specifically old town (factory conversions and loft style) fernwood, Oaklands, Fairfield, James bay (character conversions)
Thanks for the feedback! There are still some redeeming qualities to it but you may have seen from my comments in the video that I do agree with some of your thoughts
Hope you enjoyed this video! Do you agree with my rankings for the best neighbourhoods in Greater Victoria??? 🏘
You put in a lot of work in this quality video. Well done Alex
Thanks Marc! Appreciate the feedback!
I love how comprehensive this was! Thanks for addressing the fact that tourist attractions don’t necessarily add to daily quality of life. I grew up in North Saanich and have never once been to the Butterfly Gardens, and I think I’ve been to Butcharts twice in total. If you had interviewed me at uptown that day I would’ve talked your ear off about my opinions on Victoria neighborhoods lol.
Thanks for the great feedback! I might just come calling if we do another set of interviews!
Alex, I found this video very helpful as we figure out where to live on Vancouver Island. Your approach with the scoring system is great.
fuck off, don't move here. Locals hate you
What a great video. A Redditor led me here; this should be a Must Watch for every out-of-towner who asks about moving here. (And you made me see how lucky i am to live here, in James Bay). 🥰
Really appreciate the feedback! Glad you enjoyed. James Bay is magic!
Truly excellent video Alex! I will forgive you for your slight Esquimalt bias 😂 but other than that, the info provided is solid. Anyone looking for a great realtor in the CRD should strongly consider Alex - he provided excellent service to my wife and I when we purchased in early 2023.
Thanks for the feedback Fred!!!
Wow great video Alex! I was literally just doing independent research for 3 days on all of the areas in greater Victoria when i found your video today (I live on in the Vancouver area).
I love the feeling of Vancpouver Island and the slower pace and would like to move over in 2024. Magical place. This was a great overview and great way to end my search although I will have to watch it a few more times.
Oak bay is gorgeous but not in the budget. Saanich was not even on my radar. I love what you said about all of the amazing beaches and nature spots in Sooke and it is high on my list but it does seem a bit far out with only one main road to get there so could be slow going. If I am able to get a house I would wait for something in Metchosen.
It is half way between really wild nature and downtown city life. I am looking for a private living in nature sanctuary feeling but still close enough to go downtown regularly to attend kick boxing classes ect or to go out for dinner so Metchosin is the Ideal but sooke will probably be more realistic.
I just subscribed and will contact you when I am ready to buy! Depnds how my business does in the next 10 months and will determin if I go condo or house but I will be there :)
Cheers
Thanks for all the great feedback and glad that the video added value to your search. It sounds like you’re already beginning to highlight the areas that suit your lifestyle! Don’t hesitate to reach out in the future!
I like this video a lot. I just think that Oak Bay was rated too high. Affordability is half of my criteria. LOL. Also you were surveying in Saanich so I was kind of expecting that mostly would pick it. I also wished that Sooke would get a perfect score in terms of activities. As an immigrant another factor that I considered was the career opportunities, I am in the tourism industry so my chances are high, but I understand it is not for most industries. But this video is very insightful. To me, it is a blessing to be in Greater Victoria as this is a paradise. There is a balance between natural and urban areas. There is culture, history, and great community. I also feel safe anywhere I go. In terms of services everything is outstanding, maybe except for health - Canada in general. Another commendable about Greater Victoria, really is its accessibility. The bus system is good, the airport is not crowded, and options for water transport is everywhere.
Totally fair! It was difficult for me to establish a criteria that would hold every category equally but I thought that would be the best way to go! Totally agree that Greater Victoria is paradise and I'm glad to hear you are enjoying life here!!!
Excellent video Alex - good job!
Thanks Anita! Appreciate the feedback!
Thank you so much what an informative video. For those of us that may be renting or buying it a big help. We hope to move there in the new year and are so appreciative of these type of episodes with details that help with deciding where to work, live and rent. Have a great day!
Thanks for the feedback and all the best with your move. You will love it here!
Great video as its very informative and comprehensive! Thank you!
Thanks for the feedback! Glad you found it helpful!
Saanich is the people's choice! Great video with lots of information.
Thanks Jim appreciate the feedback! Have to reflect that perhaps being in the heart of Saanich (at uptown) had an impact. But great feedback nevertheless!
not with that far left mayor who caters to the 2% . He is the poster child for a NO VOTE on AMALGAMATION
Thank you so much for this video, it seems very professionally done and it's exactly what I've been looking for.
Although I'm Scottish and have lived in the UK my whole life I was actually born in Ontario and have longed to move to Canada for most of my adult life but there was always something getting the way, just by sheer chance my partner has the opportunity of employment anywhere in BC and we've narrowed the search to Victoria or the greater Victoria area, not an easy decision to make when you're planning to move to a country you don't know and you have the wellbeing of children to think about. I've subscribed to your channel and look forward to more Victoria Videos.
Hey there! Thanks so much for the kind feedback. It’s encouraging when people are getting value out of these videos. Will keep them coming! All the best with your move!
you were duped
@@gsteele5196 That's quite a strange statement, could you perhaps expand on that a little? I don't intend on being a dick by asking, I'm genuinely interested in peoples opinion about the greater Victoria area.
Well done.
Perhaps BC should incorporate your vlogs into their programs for visitors etc.
I live in North Saanich but I love Sidney the best.
Thanks for the feedback Darryl!
This was great - well done 💯
Great video valuable information. Thanks Alex.
Glad it was informative! Thanks for the feedback!
paid actor
So informative! Thank you! Well done!
Thanks for the feedback! You’re welcome!
your comment is dripping with lube
Standing in a shopping mall in Saanich asking people who likely live in Saanich which area they think is best? Hmmm….🤔
Good and interesting video nonetheless! Thanks!
It's a tough problem to solve without going to 10 different locations. Uptown was the most central mall that I could think of. Perhaps a few blocks down at Mayfair would have been better.
Esquimalt is an #1 for me as I live in Esquimalt I also would like to say that my high school EHS Esquimalt High School is pretty well known to being one of the best high schools in greater Victoria because we have so many opportunities and programs and it’s also very very safe love it❤
@@Railfan513 thanks for the feedback! There has always been a historically negative stigma around Esquimalt that is slowly beginning to lift IMO
@@AlexCarroll you’re welcome! Esquimalt is a really safe and nice place to live there is so much to see in Esquimalt. One of my favourite places is the banfield park dock which has recently been rebuilt into a lightning bolt kind of shape so that the currents don’t rip it off it a great place to go for a swim
Will probably go on a travel to Victoria in the Spring. Just wonder which area should I avoid? I only know E.Hastings Street Vancouver is notorious
There is some infrastructure for the unhoused in the northeast end of downtown Victoria. It’s not necessarily dangerous but some choose to avoid it. Pandora from Blanshard to Cook.
Got it thanks! will definitely avoid Pandora from Blanshard to Cook
@@samli369 hope you enjoy your time here! Say hi if you see me!
This is great!
@@FlashGoro thanks for the feedback!
It is a TOP video! Thank you so much!
Thanks for your feedback!
hahaha how much are you getting paid
Great presentation
Thanks very much for the feedback!
1940s fixer upper in Fairfield or new build bigger house in Colwood ?
@@RMD992-f2n is your priority lifestyle/location or home type? That’s for you to decide but I certainly have my opinion.
It actually doesn't rain in Victoria as much as people think; especially during the summer. Halifax gets more rain than Victoria usually.
I want to mive back to BC. I was also a kid there many years agoI want to move to East Saanich BC
See that Is the problem to many people come here with a personal agenda and insist on changing GREATER VICTORIA ie lisa helps jeremy cordona and matt dell oh and lets not forget greedy tait out in sooke
Is View Royal a nice area?
Define nice? I would say it's a great place to live, but it depends what you're after
Please add more video on Victoria . Lot of people are fed form Vancouver and wants to move to Victoria .
Ok thank you I’m working on it!
FAIRFIELD IS THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE IMHO.
I actually might agree with you! Just a bit more specific than I wanted to be for this list.
ok, no prob., cheers!@@AlexCarroll
Fernwood is the best area to live in Victoria.
You say “ in Victoria” but then you site Sidney etc. I think you should say “southern Vancouver Island” because Victoria is the city on the south of Van. Island, A CITY! Sidney is another city and Metchosin is an area west if Victoria but not in Victoria.
I guess for those that don’t live here it made more sense to lump them in as Greater Victoria. You are quite correct that these are different cities and towns entirely, but I thought this would make more sense to the average person vs. “Ultimate southern Vancouver island neighbourhoods guide”.
lived i Fairfield BC
maybe driveability should have been included.. some places are awful to drive in.. sidney is horrible so is oak bay and james bay because of the old people who shouldnt still have a drivers licence, they get paralized at stop signs and cant move even when on coming traffic is more than a half a block away.. an old guy in a van hit me with his passenger side mirror when i was on my bicycle.. "they didnt see me" his wife said to me when they stopped
@@thehouseofgardener Totally fair to feel this way. It would be tough for me to provide much objective evidence of this other than car crash incidents. I’ll think about that in a future video
Where would be the best place to find a heritage/character apartement in the GVR? ... Im so done with leasing brand new condos - theyre so ticky tacky ...a girl jus lt wants some exposed brick 😂
@@ChantelStays city of Victoria. More specifically old town (factory conversions and loft style) fernwood, Oaklands, Fairfield, James bay (character conversions)
@AlexCarroll thank you Alex !!
James bay!
The Victoria area is a pretty good place to live, but it's expensive.
@@supermash1 you’re not incorrect! I suppose many have to make a decision on if it’s worth it
Greetings from Sidney. We're full, don't move here. 😅
Rating crime in view royal at 4.5 is WILD. My grandma can walk any street with her shoulders back... can't take this seriously after that.
@@roseoverdose6451 I don’t feel it’s unsafe. Just have to go off the publicly available data unfortunately for this video.
@AlexCarroll just giving you a hard time. I live here, and I don't lock my doors much. Downtown, yes. Feels very safe here to me.
avoid Langford. The city is very poorly planned, unless you like traffic jams and stripped mountains.
Thanks for the feedback! There are still some redeeming qualities to it but you may have seen from my comments in the video that I do agree with some of your thoughts
Don't move here, you're driving the prices up and locals hate you