How's life in Victoria, BC? Anyone studying there?

Question

I'm going to graduate next year and i'm planning to go to Canada. Well...i've never been there..
I checked out University of Victoria in the website... i think it's a pretty decent uni, but is it hard to apply/ get into? I heard it's one of the best uni in Canada.
...And what's happening around Victoria?
Is it a good place for students? Uhhh...Is it a safe place to hang around?
Any recommendations..? Thanx.

Answer 1

I went to UVIC years ago, and I still get to the city a minimum of once a year. I currently live about 2.5 hours away.

Victoria is for the newlywed and the nearly dead was our saying. The three big things about Victoria is tourism, government jobs (Provincial Capital) and the University. All add to a place that has lots of gardens and pleasant to visit. However, tourism and retirement also make certain things expensive. It is a milder climate than most of Canada which means many retiring Canadians with money plan to retire in the area, and it continues to grow larger.

It has it's pros and cons. The size of the school and city was pretty good. Not to big, not too small. All of us small town kids appreciated it anyway.

I say it is relatively safe. BUT that does not mean zero crime! You always have to take steps to keep yourself safe. I wouldn't "hang around" downtown, it is getting a reputation for young juveniles doing just that at night. But fine to shop during the day, or go to the bar and head straight home afterwards. And Universities themselves are always a target. Oh sure, they are safe and have campus security. But don't walk around alone in empty parking lots at night. The thing is those looking for someone to prey on know there are 15,000 students on campus. That could be anyone from a bike thief to a sex offender. Plus there are always those fellow students who had a bit too much to drink the odd night. lol (BC drinking age is 19.)

If you have specifics, feel free to email me.

Answer 2

UVic can be good or bad, depending on your program. I went through the English department there and felt that it was VERY weak. A lot of profs lecturing in fourth-year classes didn't have PhDs, and I took some second-year classes taught by people with experience but not even a graduate qualification! I didn't encounter any form of inquiry-based education in the three years I was there (I doubled up on classes to graduate a year early). I think that some other departments are stronger than the English department.

Victoria is a VERY student-centric town. The downtown area is very small but densely packed with bars, restaurants and nightclubs. After a year you'll feel like you've been to every club a million times, but it's a good city for clubbing because everything is so close together. I can't think of two clubs that aren't within walking distance of each other. I live in Calgary, where the university is a lot bigger and there are more than twice as many people, but when you're looking for stuff to do during the day, Victoria is a million times better!

There are some fairly new residence buildings at UVic, and I suggest you start with on-campus accommodation. Victoria can be a hard city to meet people in (it's very cliquey), so living in rez can help you make good connections. Most people I met who didn't ever live in rez didn't like living in Victoria.

Victoria is very safe.

PS - If you think $800 is bad for a 2BR, come to Calgary! The vacancy rate is right about zero, and I pay over $700 per month for a STUDIO apartment! I'm not even in the city center.

Answer 3

Victoria is a great city to live in, although it is getting pretty expensive to live.

At the moment, I am paying $800 a month for a 2 bedroom apartment for my family.

UVic is a great university from what I understand and there is a wide variety of people there.

The city itself has a great night life and most of the people here are very friendly. Downtown at night can be pretty sketchy, although during the day it is a great place to window shop or just hang around near the inner harbour.

There are lots of malls which makes a great way to spend an afternoon. Lots of places are hiring which makes it easy to find a job, it all depends on what you are looking for.

It is a scenic city with lots of great tourist attractions and things to do and see. Lots of great places to go for walks or runs.

As far as recommendations, stay away from downtown at night if you are alone, it's always good to know somebody if you do plan to move here and get to know the city which will make the trasition easier.

If there is any other info, please let me know.

Best of luck