Relocating
or Planning To Retire To Victoria?
Victoria
is truly a destination city. Located on the southern tip of
Vancouver Island, Victoria has been "discovered" for
it's climate, it's beauty and for it's way of life. If you are
planning to make Victoria your home we welcome you and hope you
will find this site a useful resource. If we can assist you
please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
|
Ronan O'Sullivan
Envoy Certified Relocation Specialist |
|
Request
a relocation package
Welcome to our wonderful city! Victoria, the provincial capital of British Columbia is situated on the southern tip of Vancouver Island.
THE GREATER VICTORIA AREA --
DIVERSITY AND CHOICE
If you are in the market for property, the Greater Victoria
area offers a wide and diverse range of properties.
The Capital Regional District is made up of 12
municipalities and four "unincorporated" areas, with a total
population of over 320,000. Each of these areas has its own by-laws, rules
and regulations affecting home-buyers and home-owners.
The municipalities are:
Victoria
Saanich
Oak Bay
Esquimalt
View Royal
Colwood
Langford
Metchosin
Highlands
Central Saanich
North Saanich
Sidney
The "unincorporated" areas are:
Langford Electoral Area
Sooke
Salt
Spring Island
The Outer Gulf Islands
VICTORIA
Victoria, the Provincial Capital, with a population of
75,000 is the core of the Capital Regional District and boasts some of the
oldest residential neighbourhoods in the province. The City of Victoria is
nine square miles in size.
As the capital city of the province, the City of Victoria is
home to the provincial Legislature and approximately 11,000 government
workers.
Governments at all levels provide a major employment base in
Victoria with 18 of the largest employers coming from the public sector.
Eatons is the largest private sector employer in the city.
SAANICH
Saanich East and Saanich West (population 102,000) is a
sprawling area composed of a number of distinct neighbourhoods.
The eastern side of Saanich is dominated by the University
of Victoria which is very much a part of the local life of the community.
The landscape of Saanich is unique for its ecological diversity and leisure
potential. There are 170 municipal parks, three regional parks and a cycling
network route to see and explore. Saanich has more parks per capita than any
other municipality in B.C. There are several excellent golf courses in
Saanich: Blenkinsop Valley, Cedar Hill, Cordova Bay and Prospect Lake golf
courses.
Saanich's distinct neighbourhoods include the following:
GORDON HEAD, a solidly upper middle
class family area with several shopping malls, restaurants and
movie theatres within a short driving distance.
HIGH QUADRA overlooking Blenkinsop
Valley.
BROADMEAD with imaginative West
Coast architecture.
CORDOVA BAY perched along the seaside;
a mixture of cottages, small farms, sizable family homes and new
subdivisions.
OAK BAY
Oak Bay is a distinct municipality located to the east of
Victoria. Incorporated in 1906, it now has a population of over 18,000.
From its miles of scenic coastline with breathtaking
foreshore vistas to its luxury apartments and stately mansions, Oak Bay is
one of the most desirable residential areas in Greater Victoria.
Architecture ranges from the late 19th century style of such pre-eminent
architects as Francis Rattenbury and Samuel McLure to the contemporary West
Coast style of today's fine architects.
Property owners take pride in maintaining their impeccably
manicured laws and fine landscaping. Canopies of trees enhance the
attractiveness of the area and are passionately protected.
Oak Bay is home to two world class golf courses, the Uplands
Golf Club and Victoria Golf Club, as well as the Oak Bay Marina and the
prestigious Royal Victoria Yacht Club. There are three recreation centres in
the municipality and its main shopping areas, Oak Bay Avenue and Estevan,
maintain a village-like atmosphere.
Oak Bay shares the University of Victoria and Camosun
College with the neighbouring municipality of Saanich.
ESQUIMALT
Esquimalt is the municipality immediately to the west of
Victoria. With a population of over 16,000 it offers a variety of
interesting contrasts in lifestyles with an abundance of parks, foreshore
vistas and a marina.
Esquimalt has a strong mix of high quality residential
properties, some excellent waterfront properties and a very active business
community including a light industrial district. It has a well-established
community spirit and all of its services were well developed many years ago.
Some of Esquimalt's most attractive residential areas are Saxe Point,
Rockheights and Parklands.
Esquimalt has a full range of recreational facilities
including arena, curling rink, indoor swimming pool, recreation centre and
the top-ranked Gorge Vale Golf Club.
Facing the western approaches from the sea, it is a very
pleasant and sun-filled location. Esquimalt is home to the Department of
National Defence. Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt employs around 4,000
military and 3,000 civilian personnel, making it a significant contributor
to Victoria's economy.
Between Victoria and Esquimalt is Vic West, currently being
revitalized with the Songhees development. This area is developing rapidly
as it is a prime piece of waterfront property commanding an unparalleled
view of the Inner Harbour and downtown Victoria.
VIEW ROYAL
The town of View Royal was incorporated in 1988 and
encompasses 1,007 hectares (2,488 acres) of land and 253 hectares (626
acres) of foreshore and land covered by water.
With a population of just under 6,000, View Royal lies at
the doorstep of Greater Victoria's urban core and adjacent to the growing
municipalities of Esquimalt and Saanich.
View Royal is served by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Waste disposal is done on a private basis and areas within the township are
protected by a tree-cutting bylaw.
View Royal has been divided into seven distinct Precincts
based on such factors as topography, major transportation corridors, natural
environment and the age of housing stock. They are Craigflower, Harbour,
Helmcken, Hospital, Burnside, Atkins and Wilfert. Each Precinct can also be
described and identified according to its population, the number of dwelling
units by type and ownership, the amount of land available for new
development and the presence of commercial and retail land uses.
COLWOOD
Incorporated in 1985, the City of Colwood has a population
of over 14,000. The city is divided into residential pockets such as
Triangle Mountain, Colwood Creek, Colwood Lake Estates, Wishart and Lagoon
areas. There are business centres at Colwood Corners and Hatley Park.
The area offers a variety of recreational pursuits. The Juan
de Fuca Recreation Centre is considered to be one of the most complete sport
complexes in the province. For the golf enthusiast, there highly rated
courses, the Royal Colwood golf course and the Olympic View golf course and
the nine hole Juan de Fuca course. The area offers a nature reserve as well
as a beach for sun tanning, swimming, wind surfing, sailing or just walking.
Views of downtown and views of the American coast over the Strait of Juan de
Fuca are also enjoyed. In addition, there are a number of smaller parks.
The community is served by septic tanks and sewage disposal
fields as well as by some private sewage systems. A sanitary sewer system is
expected to be in operation in the Colwood Corners Area by 1997.
Garbage collection is done on a private basis and the area
is policed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The Fire Department is a
mix of regular and volunteer members. The area is well served by public
transit. There are no hospital facilities in the municipality. There is a
private medical clinic available in Colwood Corners for emergency
assistance, but most medical problems are taken care of at the Victoria
General Hospital located on Helmcken Road which is very close by.
LANGFORD
Incorporated in 1992, the District of Langford is divided
into distinct areas such as Glen Lake, Happy Valley, Florence Lake, Langford
proper, Thetis Heights and the Goldstream Area. The population of Langford
is projected to be over 18,000 by the year 2001. There is a business and
commercial area running from the Goldstream/Millstream intersection to
Jacklin Road and extending to Can West Mall on Kelly Road.
The area has a large number of lakes and parks, offering a
variety of recreational pursuits. The larger lakes include Thetis Lake,
Langford Lake, Glen Lake and Florence Lake. The most popular park is
Goldstream Park which also has a provincial campground.
The Langford area is large, extending from West Saanich to
View Royal, along Colwood, Metchosin, Sooke and northwards including
portions of the Malahat Highway.
Most of the community is served by a municipal water system,
however there are large parts that are serviced by private wells. Septic
tanks and septic fields are the norm though some areas are served by private
sewage systems. Garbage pickup is done on a private basis. There is bus
service throughout the area. Langford is policed by the Royal Canadian
Mounted Police.
METCHOSIN
Incorporated in 1984 as a result of a perceived need to
preserve the rural lifestyle, the District of Metchosin has a population of
over 4,500. Metchosin is mainly a rural community with large parcels of
land. It includes areas such as Albert Head, William Head, Rocky Point,
Happy Valley and the Kangaroo Road areas.
Horseback riding, nature trails and parks are common in the
district. Matheson Lake is popular for swimming and hiking. Witty's Lagoon
is an oceanfront area for a variety of sports and for relaxation. There are
two golf courses, the Metchosin Golf and Country Club and Green Acres, and
plans for another. Pedder Bay is well known for its fishing and Metchosin is
the setting for Pearson College. As the area is mainly rural, there are a
variety of farm related organizations and horse and riding clubs.
Parts of the community are served by a community water
system, however there are large parts that are serviced by private wells.
Septic tanks and septic fields are the norm. There are also some private
sewage systems. Garbage collection is done on a private basis. There is
limited bus service throughout the area, both for public transport and for
schools. Metchosin falls under the jurisdiction of the Royal Canadian
Mounted Police and has a volunteer Fire Department.
HIGHLANDS
Highlands is the newest of all the municipalities in the
Capital Regional District to be incorporated. Many people choose to live in
the Highlands because of its rural character and natural beauty. Residents
are encouraged to build their homes with the least environmental impact by
minimizing vegetation removal, using materials that blend in with the
landscape and positioning homes that are not highly visible from the road or
viewpoints.
Mount Work Regional Park boasts swimming holes, fishing
spots and hilly terrain as well as the highest peak on the Saanich
Peninsula. Lone Tree Regional Park has a two kilometre trail that winds
uphill, leading hikers to fabulous views of the Highlands, Victoria and the
Olympic Mountains.
During a normal winter, the Highlands experiences cooler
temperatures and approximately 35% more rainfall than Victoria. The
precipitation is essential to recharge well water resources and maintain
ecosystems during severe drought conditions that occur during the summer and
fall months.
The Highlands is home to many interesting plants and
ecosystems such as wetlands, woodlands, wildflowers and old growth trees.
The roads are scenic, narrow and winding.
CENTRAL SAANICH
Central Saanich has a population of close to 14,000 people.
The dominant age groups are in the 25-44 range (adult baby boomers) and the
55 and up range. Agriculture is the most extensive land use in the community
with pockets of housing ranging from hobby farms to townhouses dispersed
throughout. The necessary services are provided through two core commercial
areas in Brentwood Bay and Saanichton, supported nicely by the Keating X
Road industrial/commercial area.
Because of its attractive rural lifestyle, Central Saanich
experienced considerable demands for development during the 1980s. The
overriding philosophy of the community is to retain the current rural
character, agricultural land base and as much as possible provide for slow,
long-term growth where it will have the least impact on the agricultural
lands and the environment. Central Saanich has the Sunshine Hills golf
course for golfing enthusiasts.
Central Saanich has its own police force and Fire
Department. Garbage collection is done on a private basis.
NORTH SAANICH
With a population of around 10,000 people, the overriding
philosophy of North Saanich residents is to retain the rural qualities of
the area with an acute awareness of the protection of the environment.
Agricultural, residential and institutional uses are the
primary land uses in North Saanich with only minor commercial or industrial
uses (with the exception of the airport). The dominant
agricultural/residential uses result in the highly valued rural atmosphere
of North Saanich living. Almost all the housing is classified as single
detached homes.
Because of the community's preference for retaining larger
lot sizes and the rural nature of residential neighbourhoods, water supply
is provided by wells or the municipal water system. North Saanich is under
the jurisdiction of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Waste disposal is
done on a private basis.
SIDNEY
"Sidney by the Sea" as it is affectionately known,
currently has a population of just over 10,000 people. Because of its
climate, natural amenities and friendly community character, Sidney's
fastest growing age group is in the 65 and over category. Sidney has
established trend-setting laws requiring the provision of adaptable housing
for persons with disabilities. Sidney is under the jurisdiction of the Royal
Canadian Mounted Police.
In an effort to maintain population balance, the
municipality has approved single family developments that cater to younger
people and attempt to make housing more affordable. Sidney has extensive
waterfront walkways, parks, restaurants and marinas. The Panorama Leisure
Centre provides indoor tennis, ice arena and pool and will soon offer squash
and racquet courts. The Glen Meadows Golf and Country Club and the Ardmore
golf course serve golf enthusiasts.
There is daily ferry service to Anacortes, Washington,
U.S.A. Sidney is less than two kilometres away from the Victoria
International Airport, three kilometres from the B.C. Ferry Terminal to
Vancouver and only 25 minutes away from downtown Victoria.
SOOKE
Located west of Victoria, Sooke is one of the few
unincorporated areas left in Greater Victoria. It falls under the
jurisdiction of the Capital Regional District for municipal services and
zoning regulations. With an estimated population of over 12,000, Sooke is
divided into distinct areas known as Sooke proper, East Sooke, Broomhill,
Saseenos, Sooke River, Whiffin Spit and "the West Coast Road."
There is a growing business section in the downtown core, good schools,
sports facilities and an excellent museum.
Sooke offers a variety of recreational activities reflecting
its natural surroundings. Excellent fishing, boating, hunting, hiking and
horseback riding are available. The area contains an abundance of lakes,
parks and nature trails including the Galloping Goose linear park, East
Sooke Park, Sooke Pot Holes, the well-known Sooke Harbour, the
world-renowned West Coast Trail and Botanical Beach at Port Renfrew, and the
West Coast Trail's new extension of the Juan de Fuca marine park to Jordan
River. Sooke also offers one of the world's best surfing beaches. The
biggest event of the year is "All Sooke Days." Golfers can enjoy
the Phillips John Memorial Golf Club.
Sooke is a popular tourist area boasting the world famous
"Sooke Harbor House" and a large number of private bed and
breakfast facilities and country lodges tucked away in the woods and usually
on the waterfront. It also has a local government wharf and private marinas
Sooke falls under the jurisdiction of the Royal Canadian
Mounted Police. The community also has a well-trained ambulance service and
a volunteer fire department. Parts of the community are served by a
municipal water system, however there are large areas that are served by
private wells and community water systems. Septic tanks and septic fields
are the norm though some areas are serviced by private sewage system.
Garbage collection is done on a private basis.
SALT SPRING ISLAND
Salt Spring Island is home to a small community with a rural
lifestyle. It is the largest (72 square miles) and the most populous (over
9,000) of the Canadian southern Gulf Islands. Salt Spring is located in the
Strait of Georgia between mainland British Columbia and Vancouver Island. It
is served by three excellent B.C. ferries, two from Vancouver Island and one
from the mainland. There are also scheduled air flights and several marinas
to service the boating public.
Salt Spring's mild climate, slow pace, maritime landscapes
and island isolation attracts many, including artists and craftspeople from
all over Canada. The work of these talented people can be found at local
galleries, studios and at the popular summer "Artcraft" show. West
Coast and wildlife art is abundant along with pottery, sculpture, weaving,
fabric art and jewellery. Many artists welcome visitors at their studios.
Also famous is Salt Spring lamb, not only for distinctively flavoured meat
and for its fleece, but also for its inspiration of local artists and
crafters.
Salt Spring's mild climate makes for year-round activities
such as hiking, fishing, cycling and horseback riding. The island has a
number of salt and fresh water beaches and the Blackburn Meadows nine hole
golf course. There are six parks (two with campgrounds); an outdoor swimming
pool; public tennis courts; five-pin bowling alley and a number of high
quality playing fields.
The village of Ganges is the focus of island living and
boasts a variety of restaurants and unique shops. Accommodations are
available on a short or long-term basis and range from bed and breakfast
establishments in island homes to resorts, hotels, inns and motels; from
luxurious and isolated to affordable and within walking distance.
An active population of seniors and a variety of services
make living on Salt Spring an attractive choice for senior citizens and
retirees.
The island is policed by the RCMP and governed by the
Capital Regional District. Garbage collection is provided by a private
company. Health facilities include a 50 bed hospital with a helicopter pad
and an extended care centre.
The Islands Trust is responsible for land-use planning. Most
properties range in size from one-half acre to 20 acres. Most roads are
paved, but, with the exception of the main roads to the ferry terminals,
tend to be narrow and winding.
MLS®, MLS® Online TM and all related trademarks
are trademarks of The Canadian Real Estate Association.
Source: The Victoria Real Estate Board
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