Is there even any units for sale in this building? I thought it sold out.

I think you are right, I just assumed VanGuy was thinking of trying to rent from an owner possibly

I'd like a safe quiet area like cook st village or fernwood conducive to long coffees, but in a modern building.

I cant think of any modern buildings in Fernwood, Cook St Village has a new building under construction currently and another one pending at the Pic A Flic site

You wont enjoy the Esquimalt site as the only coffee places I can think of are Timmy's and A&W in close walking distance

You could try the Oak Bay Village, the Clive is a new apartment building, lots of coffee shops and a super high end bakery/coffee place is right next door, Ottavio's. All the soccer mom's congregate there after dropping their kids off at the nearby private school. Oak Bay is the wealthy area of town, and its a mix of professionals and retirees. Plenty of walking places nearby - all along Beach Drive which is a scenic water front road, Willows Beach, etc is right there, etc, etc. Super safe with an overstaffed police force that will show up if you stub your toe

Oh c’mon, this area is worse than Pandora Ave? Now that’s really stretching it.

Best thing VanGuy can do is to walk the neighbourhoods.

Depends on what area of Pandora you are talking about. I was comparing Cook & Pandora which I think is better that the Verde area, but right at Our Place (the city homeless flop house), Verde wins hands down

no clive units for under the $1800 limit original poster suggested. at least $2250 for 1br's there.

https://www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/The-Clive--1-bed-1-bath-in-Oak-Bay_28754116

I would agree, not many rentals accept large dogs (sorry, I keep forgetting that condition). You are probably best to first find places that would accept your dog and then decide which of that short list the area that is most appealing for you. Since we are in an ultra tight rental market your options are going to be extremely limited.

23 months of construction with a May 2017 construction start and an April 2019 construction completion.