Moving somewhere new is exciting. But once the boxes are in the door, the first few weeks can feel like one long to-do list.

Over the years I've helped many people make the move to Victoria from Ontario, across Canada and the U.S.A. And I've noticed that the people who settle in fastest usually get the practical things done early, so they can get on with actually enjoying their new home.

Here are the seven things I suggest taking care of first.

1. Switch your driver's licence and vehicle

If you're coming from another province, you can drive on your current licence for 90 days. After that you'll need a B.C. licence from an ICBC driver licensing office. Bring your ID and your current licence, and you'll hand in the old one.

Your vehicle has a shorter window: you have 30 days after arriving to register, license and insure it in B.C.

And here's the one that surprises a lot of people: a vehicle coming from another province or country needs a safety inspection at a designated inspection facility before you can register it here. Book it early so it doesn't hold you up.

One tip: ask your previous insurer for your driving record before you leave. ICBC can credit your years of driving experience, which can help with your premium.

ICBC: Moving to B.C.

2. Apply for MSP right away

B.C.'s Medical Services Plan has a wait period for new residents: the rest of the month you arrive, plus two more months. That's why it's worth applying as soon as you get here.

If you're moving from another province, keep your old coverage in place during the wait. If you're coming from outside Canada, arrange private insurance to cover the gap.

While you're at ICBC for your licence, you can also get your photo BC Services Card.

Apply for MSP

3. Set up utilities and home services

BC Hydro for electricity, FortisBC if your home has natural gas, and internet and phone. Water, sewer and garbage come through your municipality, so look up your collection day on its website. It's a good idea to set these up before possession day so you're not waiting on an installer.

In a condo? Ask your property manager what's already included. Water, garbage and sometimes hot water often are.

4. Sort out schools or childcare

If you have kids, contact your school district early. Greater Victoria has several districts, and your catchment school depends on your address. Childcare spaces can take time to find, so start looking as soon as you know where you're living.

5. Get to know transit, ferries and getting around

Learn your bus routes, find the closest ferry terminal, and figure out your drive to the airport. If you'll be travelling to the mainland often, a BC Ferries account makes reservations easier.

6. Find your everyday essentials

Pick a grocery store, a pharmacy, your closest coffee shop and your local rec centre. It sounds small, but these are the places that make a new neighbourhood start to feel like yours.

And sign up for the Health Connect Registry early. It's how B.C. matches people with a family doctor or nurse practitioner, and the wait can be long.

Health Connect Registry

7. Get connected to your community

This is the one people tend to leave for later, and I think it matters most. Join a walking group, a class at the rec centre, a community association or a volunteer group. Say hello to your neighbours.

Greater Victoria also has newcomers clubs, set up just for people who've recently moved here. My guide links to them.

Victoria is a friendly place, but it takes a little effort to find your people. It's worth it.

Settling in takes a little time

Give yourself grace. Most people tell me it takes a few months before a new place really feels like home. The more of these you can tick off early, the sooner you can relax and enjoy it.

I've put all of this, and much more, into Your First 90 Days in Victoria, a free checklist that takes you from your first week to feeling at home. No sign-up needed.

Get Your First 90 Days in Victoria

And if you're planning a move to Victoria and have questions, I'm always happy to help.

When people start thinking about moving to Victoria, one of the first things they often do is start looking at homes online.

I completely understand why. It’s exciting to see what’s available, compare prices, and imagine yourself living somewhere new.

But if you’re relocating from another province, I think there’s an even better place to start:

Start with the neighbourhood.

Greater Victoria is made up of many different communities, and they can feel surprisingly different from one another. The home itself matters, of course, but so does everything that surrounds it.

Where you live will shape so much of your everyday life.

Think about the life you want first

Before getting too caught up in listings, I encourage people to think about what they actually want their day-to-day life in Victoria to look like.

Do you picture yourself being able to walk to coffee shops, restaurants and stores?

Would you rather have more space and a quieter setting?

Is being close to the ocean important?

Do you want a backyard, or would you happily trade outdoor maintenance for a condo and more freedom?

Will you be commuting to work, working from home, or retiring?

Do you want to be close to family?

These questions can often narrow down your search much more effectively than looking at houses alone.

Greater Victoria isn’t one lifestyle

One of the things I love about this area is that there really isn’t one version of Victoria living.

You can live close to downtown and enjoy walkability, restaurants and the Inner Harbour.

You can choose an established neighbourhood with tree-lined streets and character homes.

You can head toward Sidney and the Peninsula for a quieter pace and easy access to the water.

Or you may prefer newer communities in the Westshore, where you’ll often find newer homes, growing amenities and more modern development.

None of these choices is automatically better than another. It really comes down to what works best for you.

The commute matters more than you may think

When someone is moving here from Ontario or another province, commute times can sometimes be difficult to judge from a map.

A neighbourhood may look quite close to downtown, but traffic patterns, bridges, highway access and time of day can make a difference.

The same goes for access to the airport, ferry terminals, schools and shopping.

That’s why I always recommend thinking beyond the address itself.

Ask: Where will I actually spend my time?

That question can be incredibly helpful.

Think beyond the house

It’s very easy to fall in love with a beautiful kitchen, a great backyard or a gorgeous view.

But once the excitement of the house wears off, you still have to live in the location every day.

I often suggest thinking about things like:

• How walkable is the area?

• Where will you buy groceries?

• Are there parks or trails nearby?

• How far are you from the people you’ll see regularly?

• Is the neighbourhood quiet enough — or perhaps too quiet?

• What will your drive or commute look like?

• Are there cafés, restaurants or community spaces nearby?

• How much home and yard maintenance do you actually want?

Sometimes the right house in the wrong location isn’t really the right house after all.

Give yourself permission to explore

If you’re able to visit Victoria before buying, spend some time exploring the different areas without looking at homes.

Have coffee somewhere local.

Walk through a neighbourhood.

Drive the route you might take to work.

Visit the grocery store.

Spend a little time near the waterfront.

Notice how the area feels.

Those everyday experiences can tell you much more about whether you could see yourself living somewhere than a property listing ever will.

Finding the right fit

Over the years, I’ve helped many people make the move from Ontario and other parts of Canada and the U.S.A to Victoria.

One of the things I’ve learned is that relocating successfully isn’t just about finding a house that checks all the boxes.

It’s about finding a community that supports the life you want to build once you get here.

So if Victoria is on your radar, I’d suggest starting with the neighbourhoods first.

Explore the different communities, think about the lifestyle you want, and then start looking at homes that fit within that picture.

You may find the whole process becomes much clearer.

And if you’re not quite sure where to begin, I’m always happy to talk through the different areas of Greater Victoria and help you narrow down which ones might be worth exploring.

Explore Greater Victoria Neighbourhoods →