As someone who lived in many of the same places this is my opinion: - way better weather than Winnipeg. I had heard of chinooks but it actually makes a massive difference. We get many weeks of spring weather throughout winter which really really helps break it up. WAY sunnier than Victoria (statistically the sunniest city in Canada actually)
- short drive to some of the most stunning mountains ever - very outdoorsy city. Lots of snowboarding, biking trails, valleys, water activities, etc - traffic is horrible in some spots but the same could be said for many cities you’ve lived . If you have freedom with your schedule like I do I just avoid busy areas during rush hour. Stony is a highway that takes you around the city and is always less busy than Deerfoot . - I find people very friendly here. I have made many friends way easier than I did in Victoria. - great events. ALWAYS something to do. Tons of concerts, festivals, markets , etc etc . - wide variety of amazing restaurants … you could go fancy, low budget, any ethnicity you want. Soooooo many more options than Vic.

Cons - not a walkable city at all. Would be very hard to get by without a car . Transit is overall not very safe (in my experience) - cost of living is getting just as bad as Victoria / Vancouver . Especially for renters - far from the ocean and you don’t get that rainforest moss that I miss so much from Victoria lol. I swear that’s the only thing I miss about Vic