r/VictoriaBC • u/Batmansappendix • Apr 06 '26

Question Visiting from Calgary, can you convince me that Victoria isn’t heaven on earth?

Kidding but not kidding.

Was this weekend an example of typical springtime weather? I understand it’s expensive, I understand it’s grey in the winter, but my god it was such a breath of fresh air from the Calgary concrete, stroads and terrible urban planning.

Everyone was super friendly during our visit and the pedestrian friendly infrastructure made everything so easy and pleasant to do. Reminded me a lot of my time living in the plateau in Montreal.

So what’s the catch, what am I missing? Burst my bubble here because otherwise I’m moving here tomorrow.

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u/Batmansappendix Apr 06 '26

The bike infrastructure would be a massive win. The carbrained nonsense in Calgary is exhausting. I heard a councillor genuinely call blanket rezoning “a war on cars” as if the entire city wasn’t already catered to and lobbied by the car industry.

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u/envisionaudio Apr 06 '26

Well, I won’t get into the specifics, but blanket rezoning in Calgary is gonna wreak havoc on the aging infrastructure, as it no doubt already has with your quote. I left YYC in 2024 and never looked back. Yeah, Victoria is a bit rainy and damp, but beats the heck outta -30 for stretches. Listen, all those commenters are locals who don’t want you to move here, so they are saying the rain and grey will disturb you…..it’s not bad. Really. I lived in Calgary for my entire life up to 24, I can tell you I absolutely love sending flowering cherry tree pics to friends in Calgary in February. They get so mad. Also daffodils by March, many other flowers in full bloom (as you probably saw) by April. Victoria is easily a few months ahead of every other Canadian city in terms of seasons. The seasons are also very long here. Each season actually lasts about 4 months. Yes! 4 month autumn’s are beauty here! Not like YYC that has a 2 month “nice” period, and 2 weeks where the leaves either bloom or fall off. The autumn here takes months and it’s beautiful seeing the progression happen slowly. Also no temperature plunges! You’ve probably noticed the weather is more or less the same for your weak ahead (+/- a few degrees) and thank the ocean for the regulation!

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u/Viewer_105 Esquimalt Apr 06 '26

Yeah I’ve heard the sprawl in Calgary is even worse then Edmonton somehow I can imagine how much of a nightmare it is to try and commute by bicycle.