Victoria, the capital city of BC, is a unique blend of old-world charm and new-world experiences. Located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, it boasts the mildest climate in Canada. This, combined with the wild beauty of the Pacific Ocean and a backdrop of the Olympic Mountains, makes a desirable destination to both visit and live.
Historically, Southern Vancouver Island was populated by the Coast Salish people for thousands of years. The first British settlement on the island was a Hudson's Bay company post, founded in 1843 and named Fort Victoria. The British heritage is still evident in the city's hallmark Edwardian and Victorian architecture, which has been well preserved.
Victoria BC has really grown up in the past decade. It has long been the choice of retirees from across Canada looking for year-round golf, amazing gardening and no snow, but Victoria is not stodgy. A lively arts and food scene flourishes, and compared to Vancouver across the strait, it's more a more affordable place to raise a family. View homes for sale in Victoria
Victoria's Amenities
Shopping
Besides numerous shopping centres throughout Victoria BC, the downtown core is filled with artisans and artists' boutique shops offering one-of-a-kind items. There's also the Bay Centre, which covers an entire city block, with more than 90 streetfront and interior shops and services.
Schools and Education
There are nearly 30 elementary schools, both public and private, 10 middle schools and seven high schools throughout the Greater Victoria School District.
Pearson College, one of 12 United World Colleges, is in Greater Victoria. It's a two-year, International Baccalaureate program that attracts students from all over the world
As far as post-secondary schools, there are five: Royal Roads University, University of Victoria, Camosun College, University Canada West and the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence.
Sports and Recreation
With the mildest climate in Canada, it's no surprise that many of the favourite activities of Victoria residents, such as running, walking and kayaking and golf, take place outdoors. Beautiful beaches include Willows Beach and Island View Beach. The Dallas Road Waterfront Trail is popular for runners, walkers and residents. When the weather gets cold, there's a plethora of indoor facilities to choose from, including the Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre, Save-On Foods Memorial Centre, Royal Athletic Club, and a number of tennis courts and sports fields.
Transportation
Victoria is easy to get around by foot and is known as the cycle capital of Canada. Commuters have a choice of transportation network, including more than 60 daily flights by float plane, a good local transit system, regular, frequent ferry and high-speed catamaran service linking the island to the mainland and Washington State.
Victoria's Cafes and Restaurants
In Victoria you can find a host of restaurants, bistros and quaint cafes. Victoria has it allwhether you yearn for local seafood, ethnic cuisine of all kinds, cutting-edge vegetarian or fast food, everything is here. And, true to Victoria's British roots, the classic high tea service can be found in various tea rooms, including (of course) the Empress. In addition, local chefs support the farmers in the Cowichan Valley and on the Saanich Peninsula who produce high-quality food products.
Victoria BC Property Statistics
Home Prices Houses $481,200 Townhouses $398,000 Condos $276,800
Source: www.vreb.org. Average MLS® sale prices in Victoria for January 2014
Occupancy Owned 106,035 Rented 54,470 Band housing 130
Dwellings Detached (houses) 70,535 Semi-detached 6,025 Other single-attached homes 290 Row houses 9,700 Apartment duplexes 21,535 Apartment, under five storeys 41,315 Apartment, five or more storeys 8,705 Movable dwelling 2,535
Demographics
Population/Size: The City of Victoria has about 72,000 people and Greater Victoria has approximately 320,000. In all of Canada, it has the fifth-highest proportion of seniors and the lowest proportion of children.
Ages 65+ 19.0 % 1564 68.3 % 014 12.7%
Source: Statistics Canada Population Estimates, July 1, 2013 http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/140226/dq140226b-eng.htm
