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There aren't enough high paying jobs here. Which is why everyone leaves (or works remotely). I know nearly a dozen people who have moved away because of the cul

There aren't enough high paying jobs here. Which is why everyone leaves (or works remotely). I know nearly a dozen people who have moved away because of the culture and cost of living. Victoria has a few main industries all extremely hostile to innovation, but do overpay unskilled workers - retirement (and trust fund kids), government, tourism, military(navy) and shipbuilding. Edit: Victoria might be a great place to patio11 those industries with tools to service those businesses. But it wouldn't be the sort of place you'll grow the next Google, Xerox Parc, Microsoft* or Facebook. * Yes, I know Microsoft is setting up a games studio. They won't be doing engine development here though. Which is the point - we're a satellite office town at best.

zrail 13y ago
OT: "patio11 v: to make money off of a complacent industry via consulting, software and generous amounts of A/B testing"
- spitfire 13y ago
  No, I meant the provide a useful service to an industry and automate the hell out of it for a nice income stream.
potatolicious 13y ago
> "we're a satellite office town at best" This, sadly, describes almost all of Canada, not just Victoria. Even vaunted Toronto has few homegrown software companies and an ocean of satellite offices of American corporations. As an expat I frequently wonder how I'll ever go home. Doing so not only means taking an enormous pay cut (>50% at this point) but also giving up my front-row seat in the industry. My ego can deal with the different paycheque, but my passions will never square with the rest.
tpainton 13y ago
"Edit: Victoria might be a great place to patio11 those industries with tools to service those businesses. But it wouldn't be the sort of place you'll grow the next Google, Xerox Parc, Microsoft* or Facebook." Total myth that's perpetuated by not looking at the history of great "start ups". Take some time to read about the history of extremely successful companies in the US and you will see locations such as Armonk, New York and Schaumburg, Illinois. Massive incredibly wealthy companies managed somehow to be created and continue to generate billions without paying California tax rates. Not only that but these companies are high tech and leaders in the fields. It's especially ironic that the field itself espouses mobility and connectedness on a global (not national) scale and yet, its followers all feel they need to live in the same city to get anything done.

zrail 13y ago

OT: "patio11 v: to make money off of a complacent industry via consulting, software and generous amounts of A/B testing"

spitfire 13y ago
No, I meant the provide a useful service to an industry and automate the hell out of it for a nice income stream.

potatolicious 13y ago

> "we're a satellite office town at best" This, sadly, describes almost all of Canada, not just Victoria. Even vaunted Toronto has few homegrown software companies and an ocean of satellite offices of American corporations. As an expat I frequently wonder how I'll ever go home. Doing so not only means taking an enormous pay cut (>50% at this point) but also giving up my front-row seat in the industry. My ego can deal with the different paycheque, but my passions will never square with the rest.

tpainton 13y ago

"Edit: Victoria might be a great place to patio11 those industries with tools to service those businesses. But it wouldn't be the sort of place you'll grow the next Google, Xerox Parc, Microsoft* or Facebook." Total myth that's perpetuated by not looking at the history of great "start ups". Take some time to read about the history of extremely successful companies in the US and you will see locations such as Armonk, New York and Schaumburg, Illinois. Massive incredibly wealthy companies managed somehow to be created and continue to generate billions without paying California tax rates. Not only that but these companies are high tech and leaders in the fields. It's especially ironic that the field itself espouses mobility and connectedness on a global (not national) scale and yet, its followers all feel they need to live in the same city to get anything done.