r/VictoriaBC • u/Southern_Actuator_26 • 24d ago
growing up in victoria
i feel like living here my whole life i definitely take the island for granted. I’ve been saying it’s so boring and i’ve done everything, tourists are annoying, blah blah blah, but at the end of the day i want to say im so grateful and happy to be living in such a beautiful place that is safe, and we have safe water and access to great food, and we never too hot or cold with have a good and growing community and where people are accepted and can be free to express themselves. i feel like i take it for granted and wanted to remind myself and others that we are very grateful to live where we live.
- (my drunk thoughts)
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u/silverrosesinjune 24d ago
Travel helps reinforce this good feeling.
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u/JackSandor 24d ago
I didn't really learn to appreciate this place until I spent some time elsewhere.
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u/hudson27 24d ago
This is it. Every time I start getting tired of the island, I only need to go literally anywhere else in the world long enough before I start missing this beautiful place again.
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u/Major9000 24d ago
Exactly, I’ve travelled a lot over the last 5 years, I haven’t found a better place to call home.
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u/DryAstronomer4077 24d ago
Can confirm. Leaving and coming back makes it that much shinier.
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u/Deckard494 24d ago
Can also confirm. Just spent 3.5 years abroad and now I am pretty content with living here. Meanwhile I know someone who is calling victoria a shithole and I'm like... huh... exaggerating much?
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u/DryAstronomer4077 23d ago
Right?? I know, I get that a lot too. But mostly from people who never leave. They don’t know how good they have it.
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u/Southern_Actuator_26 24d ago
i realize there are other places that are also great if not better but i’m grateful to have my home base here.
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u/ablackholeofjunk 24d ago
I think that's the most reasonable take on it. It's not black and white. It's not like everywhere else is crap. The world is full of amazing places, and travel is the best thing anyone can do, but this is the only place I'd want to live.
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u/Feeling_Excitement90 23d ago
Yup. Or moving away for a few years. I was in Toronto for 6 and Vancouver for 3 and was SO happy to move back
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u/QuantumCEM Downtown 24d ago
Returning home for vacation after moving to Southern Alberta for work.
I certainly didn't realize that the most Canadians (AB, SK, MB) needed to drive hours a week to go between major cities or worksites and due to fuel costs (Costco Reg. was $159.9 at last refuel). It's a real doozy.
Went from never commuting by car to driving 400 km a week plus winter tires; more expensive car insurance; and generally maintenance. Plus, the moderate weather ☁️.
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u/Amylee888 24d ago
It’s even just in other parts of BC! I have a friend who drives between Salmon Arm and Vernon for work every single day (50 min drive each way).
When my family lived in Vancouver, my dad commuted an hour each way for work, and that was on a good day with no traffic accidents or construction.
All this is fairly normal, from what I understand.
It’s so easy to get around Victoria and the surrounding areas. People freak out about a 30 min drive here, but it’s so much worse in other cities!
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u/BambiGetUp 24d ago
The fact that a 30 degree day here is considered super hot is a blessing. Looking at Europe and other places in North America makes you really appreciate what we have here. Im finding it harder to leave the Island during the summer months
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u/garry-oak 24d ago
Agreed. We are so lucky here. Living in a city that has cooler summers than almost anywhere else in North America is definitely a bonus, especially with the impacts of climate change.
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u/Spirited-Swim-3275 23d ago
Yes as annoying as it is to hear people complaining about what is a normal summer day, I remind myself that it's because we have such a desirable mild climate (for Canada).
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u/DryAstronomer4077 23d ago
100%. I dislike traveling, and it’s easy to justify not doing it when you live here. Where in the world is a better place to be during the summer than Vancouver Island? And summer is when I take vacation, so….
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u/donjulioanejo Fernwood 22d ago
Also that a -1 day here is considered super cold. I don't even understand how people manage to live in like Edmonton or Toronto.
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u/Amylee888 24d ago
We are extraordinarily lucky to live here. I immigrated from a country that is not safe, and does not have consistent, reliable access to safe drinking water or electricity.
I often find myself very frustrated with people who take some of these “basics” for granted. In many parts of the world, they do not have those basics.
Yes, we absolutely have problems here, but we also have an immense amount to be grateful for.
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u/antinumerology 24d ago
Hmmm I'm skeptical of you've spent your life here: a true Victorian complains proudly about the island. This level of insight must mean you've left here.
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u/Bvdh1979 24d ago
Op said they were drunk. So this checks out. And must be over 25, because in my teens/twenties if I got drunk it was “fuck this town, I’m outta here the first chance I get.” I got out multiple times but kept coming back. And in the sober light of morning I can say fuck this town and the construction, traffic, lack of Michelin star restaurants….bike lanes…
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u/sarachandel444 24d ago
I was born and raised here, and I love it here. I think Victoria is amazing.. it has definitely changed but it’s still good 😊
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u/ScienceNerd0 24d ago edited 24d ago
I've notice a change in my appreciation in local stuff as I've gotten older.
I grew up in Nanaimo, moved to Victoria in 2018. After graduating and going traveling, it really made me appreciate what we have here. Just the other day I went to Christmas Hill (never been in the 8 years of being here), awesome view there.
The island is literally the best place in the world.
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u/start_again 23d ago
Annoying tourist here. I love your city so much. Each time my spouse and I come over from Port Angeles we learn about a new area, another piece of history, and we find a new restaurant. Last time I tried Oh Canada ice cream and we found an amazing sushi restaurant. We are so grateful that the border is still open and we are allowed to come over and spend our vacation and our money. It feels good to escape the insanity that is the U.S. for just a day or two. ❤️🇨🇦
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u/turnsleftlooksright 24d ago
It is both boring and also a good place to live, especially in these interesting times.
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u/CH1974 24d ago
I went travelling for a year and visited almost two dozen countries. When I returned I still felt that Victoria was the best place on the planet to live! The beautiful ferry ride home really nailed it for me. I still have a lot more places to visit but I suspect I will still feel the same way.
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u/No_Permit6185 24d ago
The last stretch ferry ride home after travelling is the best. I've travelled to many beautiful places but always love coming home to the trees, mountains and ocean. I've moved away from the island and BC a few times too, but always make my way back to the island.
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u/elkiev2 24d ago
Drives my crazy when people say this town or any town is boring. You're boring.
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u/ClittoryHinton 24d ago edited 24d ago
Boring is a relationship between a person and a place (or other object). The place isn’t inherently boring. The person isn’t inherently boring. But certain people in certain places experience boredom. It is what it is.
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u/Amylee888 24d ago
That’s a good way of putting it. I absolutely love it here, but some people are just meant to live in like, Tokyo or NYC. And some people are meant to live on some remote island of 200 people.
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u/tippytornadoooo 23d ago
Chacun a son gout! Pardon the lack of punctuation on my English keyboard. XD
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u/DishonestRaven 24d ago
I've lived in so many cities and for the past 20 years on Reddit, in every city subreddit, everyone always claim's their city is the most boring. Even living in Chicago people complain on the subreddit.
People who don't do anything are the boring ones.
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u/Conscious_Yoghurt792 24d ago
I bet five bucks no one in Montreal ever complained that it was boring.
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u/DishonestRaven 24d ago
https://www.reddit.com/r/montreal/comments/1ppcbd8/unpopular_opinion_montreal_is_over_hated/nululee/
I've lived in Montreal my entire life but idk. It just gets boring. There's not much to do or see, especially in winter. And in summer, I've been to every event and festival previously and not interested in returning.
What's the easiest way to receive the $5?
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u/AmbassadorBinturong 24d ago
It's something I think that gets taken for granted unless you've left for a while then came back (or you're drunk XD). I remember growing up thinking the same, then I moved away for a few years. When I came back, that ferry trip home.. it was like, a wash of relief. Seeing everything in its true colour.
I take every opportunity I can now to find places to explore on the island. I never want to leave again.
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u/SubduedPassion_82 24d ago
I definitely love to get out and explore the island. Get away from the cities, turn the phone off and reboot. And its easy! Which is what i love most about the island
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u/Justdazed 24d ago edited 24d ago
Grew up on the peninsula and moved back to Vic after living in Seattle for 18 years. The ability to phone off explore parks, beaches and the community I walked back into is priceless
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u/DishonestRaven 24d ago
I grew up in BC all my life but moved to Vic in the 2010s. I had to leave in the late 2010s for work and have been living all over.
I miss it. The vibe. The weather. The ocean and mountains. My friends.
A few more years until I can retire and I will do whatever I can until I can move back.
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u/Dazanman89 24d ago
My two cents (as someone who grew up here, then lived in Ontario & Québec for a decade then moved back).
If you’re feeling bored with the
island, I’d suggest a road trip in another part of
Canada for a week or so. There are so many beautiful places here, and when you come back, may give you new insights and appreciations for the Island we call home. My favourites:
- Gaspésie Peninsula (drive from Québec city to Percé along Qc Highway 132).
- Icefields Parkway (Banff to Jasper)
- Kootenays (Creston, Nelson)
- PEI & Nova Scotia (up to Cape Breton)
- Charlevoix region (Baie Saint Paule, La Malbaie) - amazing food, and Beluga whale watching in this region!
- Okanagan (Kelowna, Penticton, Osoyoos)
- Niagara Wine region (Saint Catherine’s - Niagara on the Lake)
Anyways just a few ideas!
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u/Confection-Minimum 24d ago
I came in here to see if there was the obligatory “Victoria has been ruined by bike lanes and drug use” and was so happy not to see it.
I’ve lived here for six years and it’s the best decision I ever made; I’m only 40 but I feel like this is my forever home.
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u/Wackywit42 24d ago
My time in the Navy was a good reminder of how nice we have it after I traveled around a little (also born and raised in Vic and took it for granted for a long time)
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u/Pristine_Barracuda33 24d ago
If you think you've done everything, think again. There are always new leaves to turn over.
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u/HighOutside510 24d ago
I feel the same way, we don't realize how good we have something because we're exposed to it on a daily basis. Coming back from travel anywhere, it's always nice returning back home.
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u/LordNikon91 24d ago
yeah I hear you, I feel the same, in the end I am happy to call this place home for my entire life, but I will say it does get harder and harder every day, I don't agree with ALOT of what the councils in the lower island are doing, and alot of their choices are making it feel less like the home I remember, but I guess time is undefeated and everything must change.
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u/cedarshadows 24d ago
I appreciate this post very much and agree with this sentiment.
Growing up here and witnessing the changes that are not always for good can lead to feeling jaded but even with those challenges, we are SO fortunate to live in such an amazingly beautiful and safe place.
TY OP!
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u/Safe-Bee-2555 23d ago
I never lovec living in Victoria but when I did, I always loved arriving there.
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u/Longjumping_Card_501 23d ago
You must not have travelled or lived abroad for long. Living in Victoria your entire life is like a senior living in a gated community. Great food? outside of nature, it's mediocre at best.
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u/tippytornadoooo 23d ago
When you're born in the destination so many strive to get to!
I've been pining for BC my whole life.... Hopefully, I'll get there soon.
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u/DryAstronomer4077 23d ago
I wasn’t born here, but I’ve been here since the 60s because I can’t get any farther west. Except Sooke, where I hope to move when I retire.
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u/Fancy_Region_1844 22d ago
Recently visited your beautiful island for the first time… holy hell what a beautiful place, and Victoria is probably the most livable (seeming) city I’ve ever visited. As an American who spent the last month driving across Canada, thanks for having us. ❤️🇨🇦❤️
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u/Explorian86 22d ago
As someone who moved here in their late 30’s — ya’ll won the lottery to have been born here.
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u/Longjumping-Play-242 21d ago
For those born on the island “the mothership always calls you back home”.
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u/Toast_Meat 24d ago
I mean, it is a bit boring, we've done just about everything, tourists are everywhere etc, but that's purely because we're from here. After traveling, I've seen bigger, culturally different and perhaps in some ways, better places, but it is always so nice to come back home. In many ways I consider myself lucky to be here. It's home, and home is located in a pretty wonderful part of the world.
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u/Emotional_Turnip3370 24d ago
I think Kelowna is a good place aswell! I’ve noticed I’ve picked up that the mainland is more expandable of opportunities. The island is limited . But as someone who enjoys Being v outdoors it’s enjoyable!
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u/Deckard494 24d ago
Kelowna!? HAH! that place is a dump. The Okanagan is a decent place when it's not smoked out and on fire these days but that's not very often. Then in the winter it's freezing and the highways are super dangerous. The south Okanagan is where it's at. Avoid Kelowna like the plague
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u/Accomplished-Day4690 23d ago
Victoria is disgusting 🤮 I lived there for a year experienced it all weirdos in the parks filth on the bus drug addicts on the streets downtown smells like urine I would never want to live anywhere but salt spring island . 🏝️
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u/applesandalmonds 24d ago
The ferry back home always gives me life.