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Comment by pasbesoin | Hacker News Reader

Campbell River sounds right. Google Maps updated their imagery, splatting a big bunch of cloud over CR so that I missed it, initially, while refreshing my memory.

I thought it might have been spitfire who commented to that effect. But that was some months ago; I guess I could wade back through history.

I liked Victoria's ambiance when I visited, but the friend I was visiting there (already half a decade ago) commented repeatedly to the effect of it being/becoming a retirement community. With lots of well-off retirees to bid up prices.

Does the island really have enough going on elsewhere to create a general buzz?

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Victoria is absolutely beautiful. Bar none. But it's unofficial slogan is "Welcome to Victoria. For the newly wed and nearly dead!". Unfortunately, the newly wed can no longer afford 9x the average income to buy an average house. It is a very grey town.

As you've mentioned lots of well off individuals bidding up prices and a very conservative, risk averse climate.

As for the island creating a buzz? I don't think so, not in the competing with SV or NYC sense. I could certainly see the island serving a niche ecosystem though.

In fact, if the media could get over itself I think they could have a big part to play in growing that sort of environment.

The retirement community aspect has shifted somewhat; downtown is now younger and a bit more vibrant with all the condos that have gone up (and continue to be built). $300k will get you a tiny condo - $500k will get you something you actually like. Houses within walking distance of downtown (north park, which isn't the best neighborhood, but isn't the worst either) go for around $600k. Most young families are buying in Langford or further out where money goes further than that.

Victoria is definitely doing more tech-wise that Campbell River or Courtenay, in that there are more tech companies, more startups, and more tech jobs. As with anywhere outside of a major hub, you're going to have to do a lot of leg work to find those jobs - and to find ones that pay well.

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