Anyone living in / going to Victoria?

hannah123

Hi guys, my boyfriend and I want to spend a year or so in Canada on the IEC. We're currently deciding where to go. We both have degrees and 2 years experience in our fields. We don't drink much so we don't care too much about pubs and stuff. We like wildlife, kayaking,swimming, photography, that kind of jazz. Calgary sounds good job wise, although we'd love to go to Montreal, but both our French would be pretty rusty! One city that we don't know anything about is Victoria, has anyone lived there? Or is anyone going there, in that case why did you decide to go? Thanks

NewsMeQuick

hannah123 wrote: »

Hi guys, my boyfriend and I want to spend a year or so in Canada on the IEC. We're currently deciding where to go. We both have degrees and 2 years experience in our fields. We don't drink much so we don't care too much about pubs and stuff. We like wildlife, kayaking,swimming, photography, that kind of jazz. Calgary sounds good job wise, although we'd love to go to Montreal, but both our French would be pretty rusty! One city that we don't know anything about is Victoria, has anyone lived there? Or is anyone going there, in that case why did you decide to go? Thanks

Hey!

I thought Victoria was a bit quiet economically? It's the captial of the British Columbia province, so some administration work must be centralized there. I thought next door Vancouver was really the heart of BC economically.

I'm heading to the west coast for some of the same reasons - I don't drink anymore and I just want to be out and about. The west has some of the best hiking, camping, skiing, forest trails and other outdoorsy stuff in the country. The impression that I'm getting is that it's very green, eco and pedestrian too. Vancouver is one of the warmest places in the country, Victoria even more so! Have you seen the temperature maps? If you're looking for mild weather...that's the place. The northern mountains around Vancouver still get snow covered so winter sports are also available every year, from Victoria, you just take the ferry over.

ciaran67

NewsMeQuick wrote: »

you just take the ferry over.

Its 200 bucks return with a car. Usual rip off BS. We used to go over quite a lot and head to Tofino but havent been for ages. They really don't get being competitive.

NewsMeQuick

Geez that is pricey. :eek: How long is it on the boat? I was reading the blog of someone who moved over, I forget the price without a car but she seemed happy enough.

ciaran67

NewsMeQuick wrote: »

Geez that is pricey. :eek: How long is it on the boat? I was reading the blog of someone who moved over, I forget the price without a car but she seemed happy enough.

about 200 feet (haa)


around 90 mins.

Shalamov

Fair bit of government work in Victoria, so I've been told. If you're happy enough with the sleepy atmosphere, you'll love it. Locals rave about the island an t-am ar fad. West coast is meant to be particularly spectacular.

However, there are definitely more jobs on offer in Vancouver. It's a much bigger city. A fair comparison might be Dublin and Galway.

ciaran67

Shalamov wrote: »

However, there are definitely more jobs on offer in Vancouver..

Blimey mate, don't know about that. I know loads of locals unemployed and struggling. A very good mate is very qualified marketing specialist and had no responses after applying for lots of jobs recently. Design industry that I used to work in is absoutely dead especially after Glacier media has outsourced all its production to Philippines. How patriotic of them. Vancouver/BC is one of the greediest places I've ever lived.

Shalamov

ciaran67 wrote: »

A very good mate is very qualified marketing specialist and had no responses after applying for lots of jobs recently.

There's no doubt that it's tough to get a job over here. I was waiting ages too. But it doesn't work like back home; as well as sending out your resume to every firm you can think of, you have to be meeting people informally all the time for coffee to ask about the industry/their firm, and tell them about yourself. You may already know this (and, if so, sorry!) but it's a vital part of job-hunting in this city.

NewsMeQuick

Shalamov wrote: »

There's no doubt that it's tough to get a job over here. I was waiting ages too. But it doesn't work like back home; as well as sending out your resume to every firm you can think of, you have to be meeting people informally all the time for coffee to ask about the industry/their firm, and tell them about yourself. You may already know this (and, if so, sorry!) but it's a vital part of job-hunting in this city.

For newcomers, how do you find events related to the line of work? Is there a good website for networking events in Van maybe?

Shalamov

NewsMeQuick wrote: »

For newcomers, how do you find events related to the line of work? Is there a good website for networking events in Van maybe?

I didn't use one, but a simple Google search should work. There are good resources for Irish people who have emigrated which I'm sure have been mentioned - moving2canada and irishinvancouver are two informative sites run by friendly, accommodating people.

In many cases, a random LinkedIn message or email to meet up for a quick coffee can go a long way over here.

smokeyjoe123

Lived in Victoria, BC myself for almost 2 years. It's a lovely city albeit a bit quiet. Regarding jobs, there was always a lot of IT and government jobs floating around. It really depends on your field. I was in science, very few jobs in Victoria, but I got lucky and got a great job there. The best advice I could offer is to do some serious research on jobs BEFORE you go. Try and apply from Ireland and see what kind of responses you get. It is very expensive to live there (like all cities in Canada), you're looking at $1000+ per month for a halfway decent place to live. All things aside, the island is beautiful with lakes, forests and mountains everywhere. One of my highlights was whale watching. If you have any more questions about Victoria, let me know.

NewsMeQuick

I like the idea of doing as much prep. befor leaving and would like to apply for jobs before arriving, but other sources say that they don't want to see non-Canadian addresses and phone numbers on the resume...what to do?

I just seen about the while watching from the island and from northeast downtown Van. Wow! Once I get set up I will definitely do that. I told my dad about that and he was so jealous. It's another great reason for the family to visit!

Shalamov

smokeyjoe123 wrote: »

Lived in Victoria, BC myself for almost 2 years. It's a lovely city albeit a bit quiet. Regarding jobs, there was always a lot of IT and government jobs floating around. It really depends on your field. I was in science, very few jobs in Victoria, but I got lucky and got a great job there. The best advice I could offer is to do some serious research on jobs BEFORE you go. Try and apply from Ireland and see what kind of responses you get. It is very expensive to live there (like all cities in Canada), you're looking at $1000+ per month for a halfway decent place to live. All things aside, the island is beautiful with lakes, forests and mountains everywhere. One of my highlights was whale watching. If you have any more questions about Victoria, let me know.

Nice one. I'm hoping to head to the island for a week in the summer for a holiday. How long would you recommend for Victoria? I was thinking two days max then renting a car to see the west coast. Does that sound like the best option?

Shalamov

NewsMeQuick wrote: »

I like the idea of doing as much prep. befor leaving and would like to apply for jobs before arriving, but other sources say that they don't want to see non-Canadian addresses and phone numbers on the resume...what to do?

For people with no Canadian work experience, it's tough enough to get interviews when you're living over here. So, applying for jobs before you arrive... I'd say you have little or no chance of sorting formal face-to-face time. Of course, if you worked for a firm with a Canadian presence it might be different.

You should focus on identifying prominent people working in your chosen field, contacting them via email and (hopefully) setting up coffee meetings. Don't worry if you don't know them.

smokeyjoe123

Shalamov wrote: »

Nice one. I'm hoping to head to the island for a week in the summer for a holiday. How long would you recommend for Victoria? I was thinking two days max then renting a car to see the west coast. Does that sound like the best option?

Yeah, I think two days should be enough. The main things to see in downtown Victoria are probably the Parliament Buildings, the Royal BC museum (depending on the exhibition) and Chinatown. Butchart Gardens is an absolute must, absolutely stunning. The rest of the island is fabulous as well, full of lakes, mountains, beaches and forests, a real wilderness. You could literally spend weeks discovering the rest of Vancouver Island.

Shalamov wrote: »

For people with no Canadian work experience, it's tough enough to get interviews when you're living over here. So, applying for jobs before you arrive... I'd say you have little or no chance of sorting formal face-to-face time. Of course, if you worked for a firm with a Canadian presence it might be different.

You should focus on identifying prominent people working in your chosen field, contacting them via email and (hopefully) setting up coffee meetings. Don't worry if you don't know them.

Yeah, totally agree. They are very big into 'networking' there. Many jobs are found simply by word of mouth and never even advertised. They will also be put off by the fact that you would have no 'Canadian' work experience. Some companies will be more forgiving than others with this, you may get a hiring manager who has travelled quite a lot and is willing to give a foreigner a chance. If you do decide to go without a job in hand, try not to get too down if you don't secure a decent job after a while. Sometimes it's best to stick it out and you'll get a break eventually.

NewsMeQuick

smokeyjoe123 wrote: »

...

Yeah, totally agree. They are very big into 'networking' there. Many jobs are found simply by word of mouth and never even advertised. They will also be put off by the fact that you would have no 'Canadian' work experience. Some companies will be more forgiving than others with this, you may get a hiring manager who has travelled quite a lot and is willing to give a foreigner a chance. If you do decide to go without a job in hand, try not to get too down if you don't secure a decent job after a while. Sometimes it's best to stick it out and you'll get a break eventually.

Yeah I've put aside approximately enough to live reasonably well (nothing flashy) for about 5-6 months while seeking work over there. Reading about the importance of networking, I've budgeted for two meetups per week, one business, say for these business breakfasts or similar, and a second for social connections e.g. a hobby. This, in addition to the usual job-hunting methods. I'm also prepared to take a 'joe job' to just get started and stem the flow of funds to get the important 'Canadian experience'. Is that a reasonable plan?

smokeyjoe123

NewsMeQuick wrote: »

Yeah I've put aside approximately enough to live reasonably well (nothing flashy) for about 5-6 months while seeking work over there. Reading about the importance of networking, I've budgeted for two meetups per week, one business, say for these business breakfasts or similar, and a second for social connections e.g. a hobby. This, in addition to the usual job-hunting methods. I'm also prepared to take a 'joe job' to just get started and stem the flow of funds to get the important 'Canadian experience'. Is that a reasonable plan?

Sounds like a good plan, and you definitely have the right mentality if you are willing to take an unskilled job to help you get by. It may stand to you when employers see that you are willing to do anything to get the job you want. Hope it all goes smoothly for you.

JONJO THE MISER

smokeyjoe123 wrote: »

you're looking at $1000+ per month for a halfway decent place to live.

I dunno what part of victoria you lived in but i lived there and was paying $550 per month for a apartment in cook street village and thats a posh area.
Hillside i was paying $500 so it is cheap to rent there compared to other parts of Canada.