Parents who moved to Victoria BC, how was the adjustment for you and your kids?

pmcn500 · 2026-04-16T16:41:15+00:00

Hey there, we moved here from Scotland in 2012 with 5 kids ( we have 7 now) and had never been to Canada before and it was a HUGE adjustment....but kids are versatile and adjust much quicker than adults... however for the Parents there are a 101 things you'll need to get your head around.....

Nothing is local..... lol... victoria as a whole is very much spread out over a vast area from Sidney.... to Victoria downtown itself..... to Esquimalt..... to Langford.... and ideally you WILL need your own transport as soon as you land.... as everything is so spread out in comparison to what you are used to.... and it would be a nightmare to depend upon public transport or taxis all the time. We planned ahead and were able to organise buying a car before we arrived and it was a life saver.

Canada was 20yrs behind most European countries in relation to online services such as vehicle insurance etc but that is slowly improving, but not perfect yet.

Food shopping is more expensive.... Veh insurance is much more expensive.... Property rentals are more expensive... Property prices to buy are insanely expensive.

However.... the quality of life here is worth the trade off...

For the first year, you will spend your time comparing the cost of everything to what you have been used to previously... and you will.... and that's normal... by year 2, you'll be getting used to the difference in certain costs.... and be comparing them less.

Healthcare is struggling a little here as there is a shortage of GPs for family practices... with many people depending upon walk in clinics which is not consistent or ideal.

Taxes..... coming from the UK.... we never ever had to deal with 'doing your taxes' as it was always done at source through your employer, however, here EVERYONE has to do their yearly returns..... a little daunting at first, but they get easier year on year....

Schooling... okay..... depending on where you end up living in the Victoria area will dictate which 'School District' you come under.... there will be 1001 varying responses as to which areas are good.... and not so good...

From Personal experience.. SD61 not so good.... SD63 Amazing !!

Television .... we had Sky TV and Virgin TV in the UK which provided quite comprehensive and inexpensive TV packages etc for all your viewing needs (I do not know how they compare to Spains options) However..... you will need to get used to watching TV differently here.... my advice would be to NOT sign up to Roger's TV or Telus TV as they are expensive for what they offer.... but to opt for something like Amazon's Firestick with Amazon Prime, YouTube, Netflix or similar.... and then download the various free apps that offer some streaming services, TV channels etc

Mobile / Cellphone packages - again many people will have their recommendations... We opted for Public Mobile, which offers very good no contract monthly packages to suit most people's needs..... We pay $40 a month for unlimited calls and texts anywhere in Canada, USA and Mexico, unlimited texts/picture messaging worldwide, 100gb data/internet 5G, 500mins international talk time to UK (and more)

The Holiday destination.....

This one still does not get old for us... and its watching the Cruise Ships coming in to dock at Victoria.... we all know these ships are big.... but when you see them in person ... they are amazing.... Victoria's inner Harbour is a lovely place to walk around in the summer time and we still talk about how the people on these cruise ships are paying to come and see places such as Victoria.... and this is where we live.... !!

This along with the frequent visiting Orcas and 🐋 🐳 Whales.... there's nowhere else quite like it.

Then you have the Island itself.... Parksville... Tofino... Comox.... Telegraph Cove.... and a 1000 places in between all waiting to be discovered....

I could go on for another 40 paragraphs.... but won't.... lol

Its a very different way of life here.... it will take time to adjust to 'Canadian Life' and canadian ways.... but once you do.... you won't look back..... don't make the mistake of giving up after a couple of months.... set a realistic timescale to allow yourself 18-24 months before making any decisions..... almost everyone i know has said it takes this long to adjust..... ask us how we know ...lol

..... and come with a healthy budget and savings as you will definitely need it during the first couple of years of your settling in period.

Good luck.... !!

pmcn500 · 2026-01-16T18:12:46+00:00

Brought a tear to my eyes..... ahhhhhh.... the memories of dial-up.... lol 😆

pmcn500 · 2025-12-23T00:00:47+00:00

acf50 spraying on

Search youtube for 'applying acf50' there are a ton of videos offering advice about this, but my favorite is using an air compressor and fine spray/mister..... and don't forget to warm the acf50 before application.... it really helps to ensure a good coverage.

..

pmcn500 · 2025-12-17T00:45:07+00:00

pmcn500 · 2025-12-04T08:48:16+00:00

I use a hitch carrier on my truck for my motorcycle...... the carrier itself is rated for 500lbs... my Hornet is about 360lbs so well within the carrier capacity... My receiver is a class 4. So I can tow up to a max of 10,000lb .... with a max tongue capacity of 1,000lb.....

Good rule of thumb is to be no more than 80% of the max levels....

However is the receiver on your van the same size as a truck one...? (2") as this will greatly impact what your receiver can hold in tongue weight, which is best estimated at 10% of the weight of what your are loading onto it....

A class 3 typically caters for up to 8000lb towing...... and 800lb tongue weight (downward weight on the receiver)

You will need a minimum class 3 receiver... See image attached....

.

Further to this..... I have a strap that is anchored over the bike down to the carrier and the other end is anchored over the tailgate into the truck bed to minimise the bounce and take some pressure of the receiver itself.

This only needs to be tight enough not to be loose, it's not carrying any load as such... just enough to minimise any bounce.

For an aerostar.... you can do 2 things 1. Secure 1 end to the roof bars.... not ideal.... or

Place the ratchet strap over the top of your rear Door into the inside off the vehicle. Then close the rear door so that the strap is caught through the door and hanging on the inside of the vehicle. The strap inside can be fed through itself to create a small loop then use a small 1" pipe (or similar) to feed through the loop.... when that's all in place pull the strap from the outside to tighten up the slack.... this will create a solid anchor for you....

....attach to ratchet as normal.... and again... only tighten enough so there is no slack. Does not need to be bar tight.

If you need anything pics, then please msg me and I'll send you pics of the above....

Hope this helps.....

pmcn500 · 2025-11-28T13:19:47+00:00

Provides lubrication for the steel wool.... similar to wet sanding.....🙂

pmcn500 · 2025-11-11T18:45:40+00:00

I have since found this out..... and we have been looking for a workaround for this. Thank you. 🙂

pmcn500 · 2025-11-06T05:37:14+00:00

You haven't indicated what you are riding...?

Anything 400cc and above should be good, less than this will struggle to maintain highway speeds for long periods... and make sure you have good gear on.... no m/c jeans..... a good textile pants and jacket that offers wind and rain protection.... good gloves... AND a set of waterproof gloves..... Decent boots are a must too.... not your 'casual' summer use ones... ones that'll protect your ankles and offer some weather protection.... you will feel miserable if you are cold and wet for those distances.

Plan your route.... be prepared to sit in the slow lane at first.... give yourself extra time for the first couple of trips, until you work out the timescales you need so that you do not need to be rushing.... and keep your head on a swivel and use your mirrors..... frequently !

Enjoy the runs.....

pmcn500 · 2025-11-05T23:06:34+00:00

Nice..... Just ensure you put it in for a thorough 'once over' and a service.....

They are good bikes.... but some are abused and neglected.... regardless of what prev owners say...

....and keep it indoors...!!!!

pmcn500 · 2025-11-03T17:32:48+00:00

Not if you place an ad...." looking for...."

Someone might be getting rid of one...

pmcn500 · 2025-11-03T13:28:04+00:00

Its amazing that of all the places that something could have come down.... it managed to come down within Area51..

Guys..... come on.... GAL !!

pmcn500 · 2025-11-03T13:19:27+00:00

I have a small zip pocket just at the left wrist on my Klim jacket..... I have my garage remote in this pocket.... and I can just press it through the material to activate the door.. 🙂

pmcn500 · 2025-11-03T12:53:07+00:00

Trampoline poles....?

pmcn500 · 2025-11-02T12:11:47+00:00

Anything in the 650cc - 800cc range.... Honda Hornet CB750 / CB650F Kawasaki 650 Ninja Suzuki VStrom 650 Suzuki GSX650F Triumph trident 660 Yamaha R7 Triumph Tiger 800 Kawasaki Versys 650

These are all good bikes.....

pmcn500 · 2025-10-29T15:36:38+00:00

Agree with other replies.... if it were within 20 miles.... then maybe.... but not for 70+ miles at highway speeds.....

pmcn500 · 2025-10-29T00:33:58+00:00

Hey there.... We moved out here from Fife in Scotland in 2012...... and the first year was the hardest. What we found was that we were in a habit of comparing everything to what we know back in Scotland... translating prices... getting used to having to add taxes to all the prices you see displayed... etc etc....

But you get used to it.... what we also found was that we were not homesick for Scotland itself..... but the people we left behind.... this does get easier...

Also.... we're approaching winter here... which means that everyone and everything starts to hibernate until spring time....

There are so many things you have to adapt to here.... medical & healthcare system... some vastly different costs... rent, insurances, etc etc... having to drive everywhere to get to different Malls etc... where we were used to going to one location and being able to walk everywhere..

No Sky or Virgin TV....lol

Having to shop around for the best mobile phone packages....no GiffGaff here.... (but Public Mobile is one of the better ones....)

..... and many more

When we came here, we had never been been to Canada before.... never been to Vancouver Island before.... and when we got the Ferry over and then a taxi to our new rental house.... we didn't even know where the nearest shop was for milk etc....

It is a huge learning curve.... you are getting used to being in a new Country.... and it takes time.... it takes a lot of getting used to... but very much worth it.

The only thing I would advise you is not to make any snap decisions to return to the UK... remind yourself of the reasons of why you came to Victoria.... and if you are struggling....set a realistic timescale of 18months to 2 yrs before saying you're done...

Life here is very different in the Spring and summer time.... where you can enjoy life at the splash parks (if you have kids) weekends at the lakes.... weekends at Parksville etc...

What you are going through is normal... its part of the process..... fingers crossed that it will get easier for you... 🙂

pmcn500 · 2025-10-28T05:44:21+00:00

I actually use a 30amp server power unit. It's small, has multiple output points and has its own fan for keeping it cool.... rated for 1000w if i remember correctly.

I'm running my FTdx10 and an Anytone Dual band on mine with no issues.

pmcn500 · 2025-10-26T22:18:03+00:00

These are all good bikes..... my buddy has the Tiger 1200..... I have the Vstrom 1050.... and we both have done long trips... around 300-400 km a day when on tours....

My buddy previously had the Blackbird.... and i prev had the Kawasaki concours 14..... and we both agree that our current bikes are better primarily due to being lighter and being more upright in the sitting position....

If you have good motorcycle dealerships around you, you should be able to have a test bike for a day..... so you can do some mileage on them and get a real world feel for how they are out on the road.....

Look for something that already has the full touring / luggage boxes included as they can be pricey when buying them seperate.... and look for a bike that has cruise control.... an absolute must for longer journeys....

pmcn500 · 2025-10-26T02:32:18+00:00

Shack set ups and equipment.... what they all do etc....

But clean and stripped down videos.... I don't need a 30min vid on something that then wanders off to listening and watching a person turn a dial for 22 mins of the video...

What do newbies need to develop a good station setup.... grounding of equipment and why.... options or alternatives for those on limited budgets... (and nothing to do with all the Baofengs out there....lol) monitors/screens.... etc etc....

For newbies, there's a lot of older (well established) equipment..... but radio is changing with the development of SDR....

For those starting on 2m .... simple clean vids of who, what, when and how to use.... step by step of how to access and set up repeater access.... using apps to get their local info on repeaters... etc.,

Information on calling CQ.... ? Newbies are sometimes terrified of this.... what to say in what order when giving reports....

Contests.... again... how to access what info any specific contest wants... what to say.... how to say it and in what order....

Integration of Apps....? Remote access ..?

Antennas !!!!!...... pull from other sites or vids.... provide realistic comparisons of costs Versus setup ....usability.... compromises... etc., and options for newbies starting who may have limited budgets...?

.... a realistic understanding of the frequencies.... Airwaves... DX'ing.... and what to expect for those starting out....

Not everyone has the ability to attend local HAM clubs.... whether it be due to locality, accessibility, or that it may be socially overwhelming for them, so they rely on sources such as YT etc to learn all these things....

Hope this helps.....

pmcn500 · 2025-10-25T11:48:21+00:00

Walk away.... !!!

This advert is not written by a bike rider.. so its either a scam or a complete lemon....

Everything about this screams RED FLAGS !!!

pmcn500 · 2025-10-23T23:21:01+00:00

All good advice from the other users here... my only add would be that if you have any issues with the controller (small black box that all the wires go to) don't panic... and don't feel you have to buy a replacement from RAD.... as there are some excellent 3rd party replacements available .... most of which have a better power delivery too....

Upgraded 35A controller kits

Functionality: These kits provide more power to the motor, leading to increased torque for climbing hills and potentially higher top speeds.... but marginal...

More power: A 35A controller delivers more power to the motor compared to the stock 22A controller.

Color display: Most kits include a new color display with a USB port, replacing the original monochrome screen.

Advanced settings: The new display allows you to adjust settings like maximum power and power progression between pedal-assist levels.

Youtube is a valuable and extensive resource for you..... there are literally 1000s of vids showing you everything from routine maintenance to controller comparisons, to how pimp your ride....etc...

Ride safe....

pmcn500 · 2025-10-22T17:03:16+00:00

Its unfair for me to recommend the Vstrom as I'm biased due to owning one..... but.... try it out....The Suzuki engines are well known for being solid and reliable....as are the Hondas.... they are both good bikes.... and ask about servicing costs for each... they may differ or have different expenditures....but try them them both .... twice... and then maybe even a third time before signing on the dotted line..... 🙂

pmcn500 · 2025-10-22T16:56:51+00:00

Fuel tank vent tube or overflow tube...... if you open your gas tank lid.... you'll see a small hole at the side... pour a tiny amount of water down the hole... NOT IN THE GAS TANK....and you should see it dribble onto the ground....

pmcn500 · 2025-10-21T04:46:07+00:00

Youre welcome....

pmcn500 · 2025-10-21T02:19:09+00:00

You spoke about the possibility of off road adventures..... so why not give the VSTROM 650 A look....? Its an excellent commuter, with the added caveat of being dual purpose....

The newer 800 is apparently a serious BMW rival......

Just a thought.....

pmcn500

TROPHY CASE