Pros and cons of moving to Victoria?

[Muddassar]

Could you anyone please suggest about the living expenses or surviving in Victoria BC. i have applied for masters in University of VIC. for 2019. My major is in Automation and Control System. Does Victoria has such opportunities for such professionals there....? please share your experiences or knowledge.

[Kris_Wilson]

I can't say how much work there is specifically in automation but the area has a strong and thriving tech industry. The living costs are unfortunately high and the salaries tend to be lower than average which doesn't help. The weather is in general amazing and other than living costs its a great place to be.

[Julia_Markus]

Hi Mudassar!

Great choice. Victoria is the secret paradise of Canada. Of course, that has caused problems, like a 0.5 % vacancy rate.

Housing prices skyrocketed and student housing is as hard to come by as general rentals, and is expensive.
https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/mobile/victoria-rental-crisis-has-students-dropping-out-sleeping-in-cars-1.3434941

Food costs are higher than Vancouver. Gas prices are lower, but not much, a lot higher than the US. currently about C$1.26/litre.

I don't know specifics about how much work there might be in your field, but there are few factories or large employers other than the government. More than 80% of people work in the service sector
Www.Workbc.ca has a good breakdown.

On the social side, there more seniors per capita than anywhere else in BC, so culture and accessibility are great.

If you can make it work financially, and you appreciate natural beauty and a relaxed lifestyle more than a bustling city, you'll be hooked, and
may find it hard if not impossible to leave.

[A.J_King]

If you are not already independently wealthy, invest in cryptocurrencies as soon as possible.

Then you can do everything else without financial stress, so that you can actually enjoy life here. Most people are barely making ends meet, and carrying heavy debt loads at that.

There is little in the way of night life. It's a sleepy city, especially during winter. Social circles are pretty tight, so work the school to build out an active social life.

There is very little in the way of manufacturing here, so I'm not sure if that will work for your field of study or not.

Frankly, if the program isn't the top of its field, I would consider going elsewhere.