Hello people,

I am new to Victoria (and this tribe). Originally from Montreal, I spent the last 8 years in California. When I knew I wanted to come back to Canada, I chose Victoria for the weather and seeing pics of it (I had never even visited before).

Is it my imagination that it is not that culturally diverse up here, and there is a weird dichotomy? It seems equally divided between open-minded, easy-going kind energies, and then on the other end, closed and slightly xenophobic energies? I am of Indian descent and in the year I've been here, already had two passing race-based casual insults tossed at me.

Is it just coincidence or the area I was in (Esquimalt and James Bay)?

If anyone has been to the Bay Area in California, can someone tell me where in Victoria (if anywhere) has the same vibe? A place where open, creative, outdoorsy, spiritual people live or hang out?

thanks,
Rohan