Victoria is a very pretty, touristy city but very expensive real estate wise. We spent a week there last month and a week in 2000 (my partner was on business). He was talking to the guys he was working with and they said other than the tourism aspect, there is nothing in Victoria and you have to go to Vancouver if you want to do anything (shopping, entertainment, etc). And that is a hassle with the ferry. I'm just saying what they said, I have no idea if that's true or not.

I didn't see a farmer's market but there may be one. The downtown is touristy but small. I found there were a lot of homeless people & drug addicts living on the streets. I think they are pretty harmless but it's something to think about.

It's very pretty don't know much else about it.
Seems like most cities out here have farmers markets, I would bet they do tooo.

http://www.victoria.ca/common/index.shtml

Here is a link that might be useful: don't know how green they are

We've been there twice and it's a great place to visit. We also saw a lot of homeless people. We decided if we lived there w/ real estate what it is, that we'd be living in our car!! Very expensive.

Victoria is a beautiful city, lots to see and do all the time. I haven't lived there in years now, but I have heard from people I know that still live there that housing prices have skyrocketed, and the crime rate is quite high. When I lived there it was very much a small town atmosphere, not the case these days.
In today's Victoria newspaper, a 1-2 bedroom apt will run you $700-$900 a month. Rent a house for $1500 and up, or buy a house for $400,000 and up.
Farmer's markets in two locations Wednesdays and Saturdays. Lots of outdoor flea markets and the like in the warmer weather.
When I lived there, I found the endless rain from November through March was a bit much, felt like I was never going to dry out. Coming from Puget Sound that wouldn't be anything new to you.
The coolest thing about Victoria is the annual 'Be a Tourist in Your Own Home Tome' promotion which allows residents to visit any of the touristy attractions at half the admission price normally charged.
The Empress Hotel turns 100 this year and there's a big celebration planned to promote that.
If you are a reader, the book Michelle Remembers is an interesting read, not sure if I believe its' premise, but to each his/her own.
Anything else I can tell ya?
Suzan J

Victoria is a pretty expensive city to live in, but that aside, one must always remember that it's on an island, and for many of us that means ferry rides to get off and on to go on holidays, see health specialists, visit family, etc. The cost to get the ferry is not exactly insignificant: these figures are 1-way only: Adult=$13, Child=$7, Vehicle=$43 (not including taxes). But the biggest hassle of getting on and off the island is the 2-hour ferry ride, not including lining up to get the ferry.

But...I would not trade living here for anything...well maybe for a bit less rain....naaaa - just joking. I love it here.

I'm with Justlinda - it's the ferry that's the killer. Personally I think Victoria is a great place but it is expensive when you look at real estate. You might think of a smaller area just outside of Victoria where you are close enough but not right in.....it is an option. Budster - who says hi to Justlinda