Question:

Which city is better to live in? Victoria or Vancouver?

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I want to move to either Victoria or Vancouver BC. Between the two cities of Victoria and Vancouver BC, which city is more expensive for living? I need to know about the cost of homes and the cost of living in general between the two cities. Are they both about the same...or is Vancouver more expensive? Compared to Victoria, I believe Vancouver is a more exciting city and it also will host the 2010 Winter Olympics so I am wondering how much of an effect that would make on the overall cost of living and homes. Does anyone know if the cost of homes will be affected by the upcoming winter olympics for both cities and if the housing prices would drop or rise?

Thank you, any insight would be appreciated.

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9 ANSWERS


  1. Vancouver is more costly....Victoria is quainter....prices will rise with the upcoming Olympics...


  2. Vancouver's housing after 2010 won't go up nearly as much as after the 1986 Expo for two important reasons:

    1) Communist China isn't looking to repossess formerly British leased Hong Kong in a decade (as it did in 1997)

    2) The Olympics is only 2 weeks long, not 5 months like with Expo.  

    Anyone who can afford to buy into Van. already knows about it and would have done so by now as it's been rated one of the best cities to live in on the planet for ages.  Housing is currently stable or even dropping, but Van is like Canada's San Fran.  Prices might drop, but $900,000 to $800,000 is still a lot of dough.

    Victoria is much slower paced and more relaxed.  A nice place to visit, but Van gets my vote to live in.

  3. Vancouver is generally more expensive. And they both have different feels to them. Personally, I love Vancouver but dislike Victoria, but thats not to say that you won;t or tha t*t's a bad place to live. Victoria is smaller . You should really check them both out before deciding. You can check real estate on: http://www.mls.ca/

    or for Vancouver you can go to: http://realtylink.org/

  4. Vancouver is a more expensive city than Victoria.  That's not to say that Victoria is cheap by any stretch.  Both cities rank towards the most expensive in the country, particularly in housing costs.

  5. Vancouver is one of the biggest cities in the country. Victoria isn't small, but it's not big either. If you want to buy a house, you'll be looking at AT LEAST $500,000 in either city.

    One thing to think about is that Victoria is on Vancouver Island so if you want to travel to other parts of the province/country/continent, you'll have to take a pricey ferry ride first (unless you're flying of course).

    Both cities are surrounded by natural beauty, both have a diverse selection of restaurants, shops ect ect.

    I would HIGHLY suggest coming here to Vancouver and Victoria to check them out and see which city you feel more comfortable in.

    Food is probably comparable in both cities, however gas is more expensive here in Victoria.

    Good luck with your decision and your move!!!!!!!!

  6. of course vancouver would be more expensive and it is so much fun there too! i would pick vancouver! Cause of the olympics! Good Luck!

  7. You can check real estate prices at mls.ca. Vancouver is more expensive on the whole. Nobody knows for sure how the Olympics will affect house prices. I read an article a while back which suggested that there wouldn't be a lot of difference since BC's economy is doing so well anyway, and prices are pretty high now though there has been talk lately that prices are about to level out if not decrease a little. Renting might be a different story. I imagine rental accommodation could get very tight.  

  8. "Better" is a very subjective word, and the answer to your question depends upon whatever  your criteria are.

    Each city is expensive for housing.  Victoria is a bit more reasonable, but the ferry fares have been rising dramatically.

    Vancouver has much better employment opportunities.

    Street nuisances like homelessness and panhandling are bad in both cities.  I blame the government for the homeless problem, because services for mentally ill and addicted persons are pathetic here.  The government contents itself with enabling dysfunctional lifestyles.

    I would expect that the aftermath of the 2010 Winter Olympics will be like Expo 86 when Vancouver hosted the World Fair.  People will get kicked out of slum hotels to make room for tourists (after a coat of pain and new carpet), and the city will get trendier, yuppier, and more expensive.

  9. In 2005, Vancouver was voted the best city to live in, in THE WORLD. The links I provided answer most of your questions, but expect prices to increase as the Olympics approach.  

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