Greater Victoria – Victoria

Communities of Greater Victoria
Victoria

From all over the world people journey to visit this beautiful city, but the lucky ones are those who are living in Victoria!  This impressive small city was established in 1843 by James Douglas as a Hudson’s Bay Company fort, and continues to possess a strong British flavour and custom; “Little England” is one of many nicknames Victoria enjoys.

Another moniker that Victorians hold dear is Garden City; it seems that everyone here tries to beautify their surroundings with lavish ornamental landscaping, including homeowners, businesses and public properties.  The result is astonishingly gorgeous!

All this horticultural indulgence is possible due to the temperate climate that Victoria enjoys, the mild, damp winters and dry sunny summer months allow for more weeks of gardening than any other location in Canada.  The people like the weather too!

Located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria is easy to reach; by air into Victoria International Airport, by BC Ferries into Swartz Bay, or from the United States by ferry from Anacortes or Port Angeles, or sail the Victoria Clipper from Seattle.  For a more spectacular arrival you can fly right into the inner harbour by float plane.

Whether you are interested in living the city life or in a quiet neighborhood close to the downtown core, you will find what you are looking for within Victoria.  Neighborhoods include:

• Downtown;
• Rock Bay;
• Burnside;
• Mayfair;
• Hillside;
• Central Park;
• Oaklands;
• Fernwood;
• Jubilee;
• Rockland;
• Fairfield, and
• James Bay.

Housing in Victoria ranges from apartments and condominiums (including lovely heritage building conversions which are coveted by many), to multi family and single family residences.  There is a plethora of heritage homes, many of which have been renovated and updated while retaining their historic charm.

Living in Victoria means easy access to all the amenities that this beautiful city has to offer:

• The Royal BC Museum and Maritime Museum of BC are wonderful to visit again and again.
• Beacon Hill Park is lovely for a picnic; you can catch a concert at the Cameron Bandshell on a summer evening, or set the children loose in the waterpark on a hot day.
• The picturesque Inner Harbour, over which the Legislative Buildings and historic Empress Hotelpreside, is not just for tourists; many events are held here each year that residents enjoy, for example:
  • Canada Day Celebrations and Fireworks;
  • Symphony Splash, the largest annual outdoor symphony event in Canada;
  • Victoria Dragon Boat Festival, 3 days of races, multicultural entertainment and more, also the
  • Victoria Classic Boat Festival and Classic Rowing Regatta
  • The Royal and McPherson Theatres, showcasing a range of world class performances, as well as
  • Excellent shopping and superb dining opportunities (there are advantages to living in a tourism oriented city!).

On a more practical note, Victoria has its own police force (established in 1858 – the oldest police department west of the Great Lakes), and fire department.  The city provides weekly garbage pickup and recyclable pickup is offered by the Capital Regional District (CRD).

Victoria has consistently ranked highly in visitor polls as one of the best places to visit, so it follows that it’s a great place to live as well!  The lovely climate, charming neo-British atmosphere, modern amenities and friendly people contribute to the desirability of living in Victoria.