Were moving to Victoria... HELP

[atom001]

Hello everyone!

Around February 2008 My girlfriend, daughter, 2 friends and I will be moving to Victoria. So far we all decided we'll be looking for a 3 bedroom apartment or house to share until we are comfortable enough to separate. Our budget for rent will be around $1800. I would like to know what the good and bad areas of Victoria are. Where would be an ideal place for us to live with our current budget? Are there places that people stay away from or that could potentially be dangerous?

In order to move to Victoria all 4 of us would need to be employed before we get there. What are some good online resources for jobs? Do you think employers would hire someone they haven't met before? Any job paying $12/h or more would be ideal just to start of with until we get on our feet (Call center, laborer etc..)
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks guys!

[G-Man]

Good to here! I think that for 1800 bucks you should be able to do pretty well for yourself in Vic. Brown Brothers has some rentals and I have always found them very handsoff which is nice. http://brownbrosrentals.com/vacancy_search.html

Of course the Times Colonist classifieds is still a good source as is craig's list and usedvictoria.com

As for areas to stay away from that would be pretty personal preference. I live close to downtown and some suburbanites might think the area is a little shady but I love it and really no where in Victoria is truly dangerous compared to really big cities. I guess it depends on what you like if you like walking then stick to the core neighbourhoods like Downtown, Fernwood, North Park, James Bay, Fairfield, even Vic West. Outside these area you will be spending a fair bit of time on the bus or driving.

As for jobs there are tons what area are you interested in?

[Mike K.]

Hi Atom, and welcome to the forum.

There's no inherently dangerous area of Victoria but break ins and robberies tend to occur with more regularity around the Saanich and Victoria borders (anyone else see that, too?). Saanich is the areas largest "city" with over 100,000 residents, just fyi. Some people are going to suggest that the municipality of Esquimalt (it's a couple kilometers west of both bridges that connect to downtown, adjacent to the City of Victoria's "Vic West" neighbourhood) is a bad area but in actuality its as safe as everywhere else. That aside, you're going to find petty crime everywhere you go in the region so don't stress over it until something happens that directly involves you.

[atom001]

Thanks for the speedy replies guys. Any job would be a good job at first as long as it was full time and at least $12/h. Both girls that are coming have just graduated from a Medical office administrator college program and would ideally want to work in a hospital or other related medical office. I myself have allot of experience with computers and would hope to find something in that field.

I figured Victoria was a pretty good place to live. All I've heard is good things about the city. I was there last summer and the worst i seen was a homeless guy but we drove passed what looked to be a shelter. Anyways thanks again!

[Holden West]

Yep, there is a homeless guy but he pretty much minds his own business.

[G-Man]

Well depending on your computer experience you may want to work in sales which there are lots of jobs though I can't guarantee that they would be at the 12 dollar range as for other stuff perhaps Mike K can give you some pointers. As for medical office work well that is a growth industry in Vic and would doubt they would find it hard to find work of know that you may have to start off part-time or work two positions before getting accepted at full-time though in our job climate I doubt it would take long.

[Galvanized]

Working.com has the local paper (Time Colonist) classifieds posted on it. West corp. (call centre) seems to be a popular place for new Victorians to work at (while you are looking for what you really want to do). I think it pays what you are looking for though it's a bit of a commute if you live near downtown (it's located out of the city in Central Saanich). I'd stay away from the apartments along Gorge Rd E and some parts of Esquimalt if I didn't know the city too well. The best time to look for a place is May-July as we have a very low vacancy rate the rest of the year due to UVIC students. Good luck in your searching!

[VicHockeyFan]

Originally Posted by Galvanized

Working.com has the local paper (Time Colonist) classifieds posted on it. West corp. (call centre) seems to be a popular place for new Victorians to work at (while you are looking for what you really want to do). I think it pays what you are looking for though it's a bit of a commute if you live near downtown (it's located out of the city in Central Saanich). I'd stay away from the apartments along Gorge Rd E and some parts of Esquimalt if I didn't know the city too well. The best time to look for a place is May-July as we have a very low vacancy rate the rest of the year due to UVIC students. Good luck in your searching!

Ya, I think WEST pays $12 to start until you find something better. But if you buy into their system, you can graduate to trainer etc. and make more money pretty soon.

[TheVisionary]

Originally Posted by atom001

Hello everyone!

Around February 2008 My girlfriend, daughter, 2 friends and I will be moving to Victoria. So far we all decided we'll be looking for a 3 bedroom apartment or house to share until we are comfortable enough to separate. Our budget for rent will be around $1800. I would like to know what the good and bad areas of Victoria are. Where would be an ideal place for us to live with our current budget? Are there places that people stay away from or that could potentially be dangerous?

In order to move to Victoria all 4 of us would need to be employed before we get there. What are some good online resources for jobs? Do you think employers would hire someone they haven't met before? Any job paying $12/h or more would be ideal just to start of with until we get on our feet (Call center, laborer etc..)
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks guys!

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You are moving here to Victoria? Why? Most of the younger people from Victoria seem to talk about moving away form "newly wed and nearly dead" Victoria for rich hot places like: Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton, etc. They say it's too slack, slow, and laid back here. Most of the jobs here are "McCheapo Jobs". Things still seem not to get done, really slowly.

If I were you, I'd live away from Downtown as far as possible. Victoria, like any major city, scruffy homeless people, drug addicts, drug dealers, various criminals, mental people tend to hang around downtown. I'd live out in the suburbs if I were you, unless you like the lower sediments of society for neighbours. IF you are around any houses, buildings, or social agency shelters that look like a garbage dump with shopping carts, or scruffy people around, you are not in the "good parts of town".

I supposed sometimes, it can be fun and entertaining watching some whacked out freak screaming at the world around them; It makes my Starbuck's, Blenz, Serious Coffee, Moka House social outings with my friends less dull. We just kept on laughing becuase it's live and better than watching COPS tv show. :-P

[Mike K.]

Atom, don't mind Visionary. He's the devil advocate around here. :twisted:

But in all fairness to Visionary, Victoria does have a high per-capita rate of homeless individuals and visible intravenous drug use.

[atom001]

Every city has it's ups and downs. You should see where I'm living now... Thunder bay Ontario. At one point had the highest per capita crime rate in Canada. When we drove into Victoria from the airport I couldn't believe how clean and beautiful the city was. I felt guilty for throwing my cigarette butt on the ground so i put it out and threw it in the garbage. I guess the main reason were moving is were board. We've lived her all our lives and think its time to get out of this dead end city. Victoria seems like a place with beauty, jobs, good people, and allot to explore. My mother also recently moved there so thats a bonus. We'll I'm off to check the classified you guys suggested. We defiantly need employment before we move there.

[TheVisionary]

Originally Posted by atom001

Every city has it's ups and downs. You should see where I'm living now... Thunder bay Ontario. At one point had the highest per capita crime rate in Canada. When we drove into Victoria from the airport I couldn't believe how clean and beautiful the city was. I felt guilty for throwing my cigarette butt on the ground so i put it out and threw it in the garbage. I guess the main reason were moving is were board. We've lived her all our lives and think its time to get out of this dead end city. Victoria seems like a place with beauty, jobs, good people, and allot to explore. My mother also recently moved there so thats a bonus. We'll I'm off to check the classified you guys suggested. We defiantly need employment before we move there.

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Actually I'm more like the Loud Howard and Evil Mr. Catbert (Evil Human Resources Director) characters from the Dilbert cartoon strips and TV series.

As the Evil Human Resources Director, Catbert, I have to tell you that the jobs in Victoria usually pay a lot less than the same work in Calgary. Victoria Tim Horton's pays their low end staff $8-$10/hour. Similar Tim Horton's workers in Calgary, Halifax, and some other Alberta towns pay up to $17/hour. You do the math. The same goes for almost any other work here. Calgary would snap you up in 1 second as a worker, any worker. Victoria would claim staff shortage desperation and still "game you" with the delaying tactics and drag you out with indecision and cheap pay. Employers here think they can escape the Economic Laws of Supply and Demand? It seems like the culture here can't decide whether to take a crap or get off the pot or not, stop uselessly occupying all the stalls.

It's not uncommon for workers and employers to experience weekly, daily, monthly staff turnovers. The more stupid employers have staff turnovers more frequently. Staff have their bosses by the nuts and can almost extort any kind of concessions from them. Don't you just love power? Pissed off staff can changes jobs within 7 days.

A friend of mine got sick and tired of Victoria indecision and game playing, he said screw this town and got a job in the Tar Sand oil fields of Fort McMurray Alberta at 3 times the pay. :O

[Mike K.]

Visionary, you've got some great ideas and advice, but why are you talking and not walking?

[aastra]

Now that you mention them, those tar sands sure do sound appealing. What the heck are we all doing here anyway??

But there's no point trying to talk atom001 out of it. He's going to make the biggest mistake of his life and trade Thunder Bay for Victoria.

[Galvanized]

Wow. Visionary is still upset over his car hood being scratched isn't he? Also sounds like HBC isn't the best place to work either!

BTW, I thought Victoria still had the lowest unemployment rate in Canada.

[TheVisionary]

Originally Posted by aastra

Now that you mention them, those tar sands sure do sound appealing. What the heck are we all doing here anyway??

But there's no point trying to talk atom001 out of it. He's going to make the biggest mistake of his life and trade Thunder Bay for Victoria.

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I have unlimited free rent, various privileges, and I can watch my mother's apartment building/land rise in price and eventually make me richer. I knew those land surveyors and drooling real estate agents snooping around the neighbourhood could lead to bigger bucks! Something is afoot!I just hope that no sentimental old fools in the hood would pee on the money train party when the developers gets the municipal OK to clear cut the whole area for commercial, condo, entertainment complex construction. I would not be happy if some sentimentalists, wildlife creatures, cultural types, or environmentalists got in the way to this wealth acquisition.

If I went to the Tar Sands of Alberta, I'd still have to pay really high rent for housing. The landlords there are milking the boom times even more than here, big time. I'd become the cow being milked, instead of milking the cow.

I'd be gone out of Victoria BC so fast for Calgary, Edmonton Alberta if I didn't have a land owner mother doting and spoiling me. I'd have nothing to lose staying or going away if I didn't have family resources rooted in Victoria. I'm here not because I really love this place. I'm here to try to milk all the milk out of the cow first.

[TheVisionary]

Originally Posted by Galvanized

Wow. Visionary is still upset over his car hood being scratched isn't he? Also sounds like HBC isn't the best place to work either!

BTW, I thought Victoria still had the lowest unemployment rate in Canada.

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Yes, I'm still greatly annoyed at having my car hood scratched. Yes, the company didn't give me a raise, I've been there 2 years. I still want more. Many of my colleagues are leaving from my group. I'm one of the last hold outs and they still didn't give me a raise. When the whole systems comes crashing down due to low birth rates, lack of workers, increased wage pressures, I will see who will laugh last. Maybe when operations and economy are only functioning at 50% of capacity, I can play hard ball negotiations?

I had lunch with my friends back in town. The local private and government employers finally called them to talk more about possible jobs in Victoria. These bosses were basically told, "...too freaking bad for you, I got high paying work in Alberta! You took too long to make decisions and couldn't get your crap together on time! You snooze, you lose!" WE really got a good laugh at classic Victorian laid back procrastination! The local decision makers/power brokers are all narrow minded, ineffective fools!

Yeah, Victorians culturally drag their asses too long when snap decisions have to be made. What time measure does Victoria use? We use in business decisions, is it the 24 hour time clock or the agrarian monthly calendar where business is determined by weather and the planting seasons? :lol :lol

[aastra]

I'd be gone out of Victoria BC so fast for Calgary, Edmonton Alberta if I didn't have a land owner mother doting and spoiling me. I'd have nothing to lose staying or going away if I didn't have family resources rooted in Victoria. I'm here not because I really love this place. I'm here to try to milk all the milk out of the cow first.

Hey, I agree with you. Edmonton is like a magnet for me, too. I'm just too stubborn to up and move.

[Caramia]

Don't mind Visionary, he's our resident troll. Although if you would like some free advice on how to merge our political system with that of Darth Vader's Death Star - he's your guy!

For finding a place, I think with $1800 you will be able to find something nice. Keep an eye on http://www.rentbc.com as well. If you see houses that you think might work for you, and you want to know more about the specific neighbourhoods then please feel free to post, and I am sure we can give you details. The housing market is tight here, but almost every neighborhood is a good neighbourhood. Health services seem to be clustered around the Oak Bay area so Oak Bay, Rockland, and Lansdowne might appeal. I doubt your family will have a hard time finding jobs here, the job market is pretty hot. Finding a rental house is a bit harder, and you might find yourself moving into a temporary place while you look for the keeper. Coming from Thunder Bay, you are going to love the climate here!

For the jobs, http://jobsearch.monster.ca/ seems to have a lot of listings!Choose Captial Region & Island

Keep us posted on the move, and welcome!

[Holden West]

The border area of Harris Green/Fernwood is packed with medical offices. There must be 100+ doctor's offices within a block or two of Cook and Yates St.

Plus it's still an easy walk to Downtown.

[Pask]

Originally Posted by TheVisionary

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Actually I'm more like the Loud Howard and Evil Mr. Catbert (Evil Human Resources Director) characters from the Dilbert cartoon strips and TV series.

As the Evil Human Resources Director, Catbert, I have to tell you that the jobs in Victoria usually pay a lot less than the same work in Calgary. Victoria Tim Horton's pays their low end staff $8-$10/hour. Similar Tim Horton's workers in Calgary, Halifax, and some other Alberta towns pay up to $17/hour. You do the math. The same goes for almost any other work here. Calgary would snap you up in 1 second as a worker, any worker. Victoria would claim staff shortage desperation and still "game you" with the delaying tactics and drag you out with indecision and cheap pay. Employers here think they can escape the Economic Laws of Supply and Demand? It seems like the culture here can't decide whether to take a crap or get off the pot or not, stop uselessly occupying all the stalls.

It's not uncommon for workers and employers to experience weekly, daily, monthly staff turnovers. The more stupid employers have staff turnovers more frequently. Staff have their bosses by the nuts and can almost extort any kind of concessions from them. Don't you just love power? Pissed off staff can changes jobs within 7 days.

A friend of mine got sick and tired of Victoria indecision and game playing, he said screw this town and got a job in the Tar Sand oil fields of Fort McMurray Alberta at 3 times the pay. :O

Although the pay may be a little higher here in Calgary, good luck finding a place to live on $17.00 an hour salary. Vacancy rates are at .3% We are in desperate need of people to volunteer to take in University students this year as there is no place for them to stay. Yes we are building new high rise housing, unfortunately a lot of the men working on the sites have to live in shelters as there is no place for them to live either. Seniors are being evicted from their appartments as the rent has increased from $500.00 per month to over $1800.00. Oh yes...Welcome to Calgary!

[Caramia]

Ouch Pask!!
Well that makes me feel better about Victoria's housing crunch anyhow.

[BBK]

I was disheartened to read the disparaging remarks about Esquimalt. I live in Saxe Point Park and it is one of the nicest neighbourhoods in the city. I have a water view and a 10 000sq. foot lot for $250 000 less than you would pay in Fairfield. Certainly, the City of Victoria has some unsavoury areas, Gorge Rd. E comes to mind. And so in thinking about the Township of Esquimalt, I would stay away from 800-900block Esquimalt Road. But other than that....Rockheights, Saxe Point, Parklands, West Bay, those are all really terrific neighbourhoods. I've lived here for 15 years and when we moved here it was for the cheap rent. Now we've bought and we wouldn't think of living anywhere else. Everything is so convenient. I ride my bike to work downtown, we are a one car family, have been for 15 years, walk to the pool, the library, the grocery store. My kids cycle up to the pool, the soccer field, the lacrosse box, the arena. Great areas for jogging, the West Song Walkway, Macaulay Point/Saxe Point, the Cairn Park....Anyway, you get my point. I feel saddened that the public perception of one of the best kept secrets of Victoria continues....great new renovated Rec Centre, the cheapest user fees of any rec centre in the city. The unfortunate thing that happens is that everyone lumps the Municipality of Esquimalt with a one block section of the entire township. No one would say don't live in Victoria because of the Gorge Rd. E. Or don't live in Saanich because of the Rudd Park/Tillicum area, so why do people still, (and that is what really amazes me) insist that one area of a Municipality should be the entire story. I really hope you do check out Esquimalt, feel free to contact me personally and I'll have you over, you can check out my neighbourhood and see for yourself. I think the important thing is to "see for yourself" rather than listen to others. You really won't get a better bang for your buck than Esquimalt. You would be able to rent a very decent home for $1800/mo. The main reason is because people like the previous writers keep the negative public perception alive....and that keeps rent down. The best of luck to you in your move...and feel free to take me up on my offer.

[G-Man]

I agree BBK that Esquimalt is a great part of Victoria. I don't think you'll find to many proponents of the anti esq crowd on here.

As Mike K. said:

Some people are going to suggest that the municipality of Esquimalt (it's a couple kilometers west of both bridges that connect to downtown, adjacent to the City of Victoria's "Vic West" neighbourhood) is a bad area but in actuality its as safe as everywhere else.

[Galvanized]

Originally Posted by Galvanized

I'd stay away from the apartments along Gorge Rd E and some parts of Esquimalt if I didn't know the city too well.

BBK, just to clarify I said "some parts" and not the whole municipality, those are hardly "disparaging remarks". Perhaps you tare alking about another thread?

Though I have to say just think of the average person or visitor driving into Esquimalt from Bay St who doesn't know any borders. There are plenty of run down houses and apartments, ghetto style buildings (off Maitland St), vacant store frontage and industrial style warehouses and technically your still in Victoria! Once you do cross into Esquimalt you have buildings with renos that have never been completed, vacant lots, a bingo hall and the 800-900 blk everyone knows so much about. Perhaps if both Esquimalt and the City of Vic worked on sprucing up Esquimalt's entrance some of the stigmatism over Esquimalt would end. I agree Esquimalt has great potential and those are some nice areas that you pointed out. If only they could elect a council who would deal with these problems so people won't refer to Esquimalt and Head being called Beirut on a Friday night.