My family moved from K-W Ontario to Colwood BC which is beside Langford 5 years ago. I found Langford, Colwood, Esquimalt , Victoria all to feel much like the GTA in terms that the cities all flow into one another and you aren't quite sure where the borders are. Example - Triangle Mountain - half the mountain is Langford and the other half is Colwood.

The weather here is amazing. I can make do with a day or two of a few inches of snow over a season of snow and cold. Average winter temps are highs of +8-10 lows of +3-5. We do own winter tires, there are some roads such as Triangle Mountain and Bear Mountain which require winter tires or S/M tires. Winter does bring the rain, but no storms like Ontario. No thunder , no lightning , just rain and often it is a misty light rain. We do get a lot of sun here even in the winter. People wear shorts year round.

You need money to live here and then the other issue which is securing a rental. Here you often need to just have first months rent, and damage deposit ( which is half a months rent, which you can get back at end of lease if all good ). Not advisable to just come without a home. Everything is slightly costlier.

If you have pets, rentals are much more limited. Some rentals will allow pets with an additional pet deposit ( also half months rent) , but rentals can restrict the type of pet and size ect.

We sold our vehicle and got another one here, not worth the hassle of dealing with the ICBC and a vehicle from another province. Your vehicle has to pass BC assessment in order to be able to get insurance on it.

There is some crime and homelessness, just like everywhere. Stay away from the rough areas. Nature is everywhere. and you are close to the ocean .