Moving from Vancouver to Victoria Island

Spritz · Jan 15, 2009

Hi CristinaUK - Not wanting to bash the Island as I am an island girl born and raised - but the interior - Kelowna/Penticton area is really nice too - some people feel *trapped* living in Vancouver Island - just an fyi.

As I said, born and raised Victorian here - love it. Up island - Courtenay/Comox/Campbell River is very nice area - smaller than Victoria or Nanaimo. We lived in Comox for 4 yrs with the airforce. I quite liked it and hubby would eventually like to move back up there. You could check ou the VIHA site for jobs in the local area hospitals.

We live outside of Victoria by 30 minutes or so - on the Peninsula and like it very much - more rural - great schools (infact one of the reasons we bought this house was so our kids to attend these particular schools - mother of 4 speaking)

Message me if there is anything more I can help with.

I work in town at Victoria Hospice (30 min drive) and our local little hospital - 7 minute drive.

Cheers

Fiona59 · Jan 15, 2009

Hell, the longest year of my life was spent in the Comox Valley. Small town, closed in by the mountains and the sea. Clouds hang low and it can be very depressing. There was the military, the seniors, and the "locals". Very hard to make friends and find your "niche".

Job market even for nurses can be limited up there. There is only Mt. St. Josephs in Comox and the hospital in Campbell River. They are smallish as well.

Lots of seniors and their various ailments.

The military is actually having problems moving families there right now because of the difficulties spouses and kids have finding work.

cristina17uk · Jan 16, 2009

Thanks to you both, Spritz and Fiona59..Yeah, the island might not be for all,same here Fiona59, i find vancouver deppressing in the sense that we are more on the east side so all we see are big buildings and houses (dont have a car yet as well to explore)...But I like the idea of living in a smaller, sort of more simple way of life, near nature that i can enjoy with our kids....Like you, Spritz, all we wanted is a place near school for my boys and half an hour away from the city or work...we've got Royal Jubilee Hospital on our top list, because of their heart center, but my husband's not fussy, he doesnt mind working in a ward as long as our schedule work out...Thank you for your help and assistance offer....i'll keep in touch with u most definitely....we would like to visit the island actually Jan 23 & 24 or Feb 11 & 12, depending on the weather or if we dont come up with something else.....Kind regards to you and to your family....:wink2:

Ooops, one colleageu of mine worked in kelowna, she said it nice as well...but with the past wintery snowy weather you had, looking at kelowns sort out, makes me think twice....i forgot to tell you, we had enough of the snow, so hows your weather in there....

Spritz · Jan 16, 2009

We had a fair dump of snow this year but for the most part, normally, Victoria does not get much snow. IF we get snow, it usually melts within a day or two.

RJH is having the new 500 bed patient tower built, to open in 2010'ish (so they say). The cardiac unit is amazing and is in the new diagnostic centre. The Cancer Agency also has a large centre on the RJH site. Victoria General is a great place too - they take all the major traumas, maternity, neuro, paeds etc.

Look forward to hearing what you find out of your venture to the island.

Take care and all the best

Cheers

Teresa aka Tee

cristina17uk · Jan 16, 2009

thank u very much, Teresa...I will definitely keep u informed...the Victoria General might appeal to my husband, he worked in trauma for 2 years before doing icu, so we will check that one out as well...thank u again for all your info, great help for newcomers like us....

Kind regards again to u and your family...Keep u posted....:wink2:

Pepperlady · Jan 16, 2009

I will defend the Comox Valley ... I have lived here for over 15 years, work at the hospital {which is 'St. Josephs General Hospital" not Mount St. Josephs.}

We do get lots of rain in the winter, its the trade-off for lots of snow... however this year is quite a bit different with snow and cold for most of December.

I love living here for the lifestyle of smaller communities, easy access to the Gulf Islands, lots of outdoor activities. Yes, you need an umbrella and some boots ... but life here is pretty sweet.

However, the hospital here is small and I know that finding work is difficult if you are not willing to start casual, but thats pretty common around BC. I think Victoria offers more opportunities for starting out, and then using your seniority and porting it somewhere else if you find Victoria not to your liking.

I have heard great things about Saanich Peninsula Hospital (San Pen), its smaller, on the outskirts of the city and has a great morale.

It is different lifestyle on the Island but not one I would trade for anything.

Spritz · Jan 17, 2009

I agree with you Pepper. We loved our time in Comox. Two of our 4 children were born in St Joe's. My brother & family live in Black Creek (between Comox and Campbell River) and it is lovely. I didn't like the thermal inversion that sits in the Valley in the winter but it's not like you don't get use to it - and when it's clear - the Glacier is splendid ANY DAY. I found there was lots to keep our children busy with for activities but that's the type of parents were are - everyone has different wants and needs in a community. We moved every 3-4 yrs with the airforce and I have my own thoughts about moving and getting active and into the community.

Hope is still that there will be a new hospital built between Courtenay and CR - but it appears on hold for the time being. Who knows with the current gov't budgets and such.

I love the island very much - born and raised in Victoria myself. Comox area does hold a soft spot for us, along with lots of great memories of our time there, it's a lovely spot.

I work at Saan Pen as a casual and find it very supportive! Not as modern in some ways but very community oriented in all ways.

Cheers

cristina17uk · Jan 18, 2009

thank u all guys...sounding very pleasing in my ears, waith till my husband read all your lovely contributions...to the island we will go then:D...yeah,you are both right about jobs...i've contacted Royal Jubilee, CCU post not available till April...i will keep u all in touch....Saanich appeals to me as well....Oh, one more thing that concerns us, when we arrived here in Vancouver, we are so surprised with the number of homeless and beggars and drug addicts in downtown east side (we work in downtown).. we're not use with that kind of environment at all so we kinda get uncomfortable at first and dont think we will be able to get use to it...thats why, city living is not for us...does victoria or the surrounding areas/cities have those issues as well:confused:....please let us know, so it wont be a shock (again) when we visit there:(.....hate surprises you know....and thats our fault, we didnt visit vancouver before we moved in:banghead:....well, you learn every step of the way, i guess....thank u all....

Spritz · Jan 18, 2009

downtown victoria proper does have people on the streets but nothing like the east end of vancouver. the mild climate brings transients to the west coast. we are on the peninsula and you don't have that homeless quota as the facilities are down town as is the traffic for the begging. a survey was done by the local tv station and even with victoria having the lowest unemployment rate (more jobs than people) - that population would rather beg as they make more money - what does that tell you? the facilities in victoria for housing and caring for the homeless/addicted is growing however, it's all about choices and we know that everyone has the right to live at risk, right?

email me at and i can give you the managers name at saan pen to contact - if you are interested.

cheers

mod note, please do not post email addresses as per terms of service, please use the pm system

Pepperlady · Jan 19, 2009

Even the Comox Valley has its community of people who live on the streets, whether it be because of drugs and alcohol addictions, mental health issues. As Spritz said, it has a lot to do with our climate and the ability to live out of doors year round.

You know, you pass them by, toss them a coin or two if you like ... I often buy them a coffee and a sandwich ..... after all, who knows what has really taken them to that point in life. Most will not bother you.

Feel free to email me about the Comox Valley but I think Saan Pen may be the right fit for you (I am secretly envious of anyone who works there), I am always happy to tour people around my amazing part of the world.

hammy1976 · Jan 29, 2009

Hi all,

I've been following this thread will growing excitement and positivity, thank you all for confirming what me (and my family) have researched for the last few months.

Should have our PR visa's by the end of 2009 and planning on a recce trip for 3 weeks next summer.

I have some specific (RPN) pyschiatric nursing q's - hopefully someone can help? aplogies for hijacking this one

We want to settle in either Comox Valley (1st choice) or Cowichen Valley ish... closer to Victoria.

The deciding factor will be availability of RPN jobs, can anyone tell me which are the main hospitals, etc for RPN work, looking at the VIHA it would appear to be only Victoria???

and yes, I know I will need to pass the exam first or temp until I do pass!

Any other advice greatly received :)

PS - I'm based in Edinburgh studying to be a RMN (mental health)

PPS - For networking was thinking of doing a placement for a few weeks also in Van Island or some volunteering to make contacts.