"Try before you buy"
That's where City Life Suites Victoria can help you. We offer a number of services that will assist you in making the move out here.
First of all, consider renting one of our fully-equipped short-term rental apartments in downtown Victoria. Use it as your "base of operations" while you get to know our city better.
Find the location in which you'd like to live and the services you'll need when you move here.
We can make life easy for you as you explore Victoria - we have wonderful apartments for you to rent that are all completely equipped with everything you'll need to make yourself at home.
Take your choice of studio, one bedroom, one bedroom + den and two bedroom apartments that come completely equipped with full kitchens, in-suite laundry, all linens, free local and long-distance phone calls in North America, free Wi-Fi internet, free cable TV, free parking and more.
Services We Can Assist You With
- We can connect you with a knowledgeable Relocation Expert, who can guide you through the many areas you'll need to consider when re-locating here.
- We can connect you with a select number of competent, honest and experienced realtors who can assist you to find the right home that will suit your needs.
- We have been a part of this community for over 35 years and have lots of personal experience and can answer many of your questions about Victoria.
About Victoria BC
The capital of British Columbia since 1868, Victoria has come a long way since its rowdy early days as a Hudson’s Bay Company fort and port city connecting the wider world with the natural resources of Vancouver Island and British Columbia. The metropolitan area’s strong economy, beautiful mountain and seashore landscape and mild climate continue to attract new residents, yet the city retains its essential charm and refined quality of life making it one of the best places to retire in Canada.
- Landscape: Victoria, British Columbia occupies a splendid site on the Saanich Peninsula at the southeastern extremity of Vancouver Island. Vegetation consists of coniferous forest, oaks, broad-leafed and coniferous trees and shrubs and a profusion of flowers.
- Climate: Winters are cloudy and mild with many showery days; summers are sunny, warm and dry. On average, Victoria is sunny half of the time and frost free 240 days.
- Quality of Life: Excellent. Downtown Victoria is the vibrant core of the community. Several picturesque, historic neighborhoods including James Bay and Fairfield are adjacent to downtown.
- Housing: Housing costs are 20% above the Canadian average and near the American average. Housing in prime locations along the shore is more expensive; modest housing in inland suburban areas is cheaper.
- Goods and Services: Goods and services are priced a little above Canadian norms but are 10% to 20% below U.S. averages. Utilities and medical care are particularly inexpensive by American standards.
- Taxes: Federal and provincial income tax rates are modestly higher than in the U.S., but the combined federal and provincial sales tax on goods and services is twice the U.S. average. Property taxes and medical care costs are low.
- Transportation: Most residents walk, bicycle and take public transit. You can travel to points near and far by air, rail, bus and ferry via Victoria International Airport, VIA Rail Canada, Greyhound Canada and BC Ferries.
- Retail Services: Downtown Victoria is thriving. Bay Centre is a focal point of activity. Mayfair Shopping Centre is the area’s largest regional mall. Shopping centers with supermarkets are interspersed throughout Victoria’s collage of neighborhoods.
- Health Care: The Vancouver Island Health Authority provides excellent health care through its seven hospitals and numerous clinics in Greater Victoria.
- Community Services: Victoria provides excellent services. In addition to seven community centers, the city of Victoria has three senior centers.
- Cultural and Educational Activities: The University of Victoria and numerous historic and modern venues offer countless cultural and educational opportunities.
- Recreational Activities: Greater Victoria has more parkland than any other Canadian city and residents put it to good use. Water sports have obvious appeal in an island environment blessed with sheltered bays, inlets and harbors. Major league sports are accessible via a short ferry trip. Victoria is well endowed with excellent restaurants.
- Work and Volunteer Activities: Part-time jobs and volunteer assignments are readily available.
- Crime Rates and Public Safety: Crime rates vary significantly in different parts of Greater Victoria. The suburban communities of the Saanich Peninsula have very low crime rates and those of Greater Victoria are near national norms.
Victoria remains a peaceful, clean and uncrowded refuge from the stresses of big city life. Yet it offers the many amenities demanded by present-day North Americans at a cost affordable by most. Victoria, British Columbia is one of the best places to retire in Canada.
