Communities

Welcome to Victoria, British Columbia, an island paradise. Residents enjoy the mildest climate in Canada with summer temperatures ranging from 18 to 32 degrees Celsius and winters that rarely see snow fall. Vancouver Island is the largest island located off the west coast of North America with over 2000 miles of coastline. It is home to the world famous Pacific Rim National Park which encompasses a total area of 50,000 hectares and includes old growth temperate rainforest and the very challenging "West Coast Trail". With the breathtaking scenery and rugged terrain of Vancouver Island, it's no wonder that it attracts people from around the world to hike, camp, kayak, windsurf, bike, and ski.

With all Victoria has to offer, it's not surprising that many visitors come for a vacation and decide to stay. Victoria has much to offer its residents in addition to the beautiful landscape.

Education: Victoria offers a wide variety of educational options. Public schools, private schools, alternative, gifted, specific sport focused, Montessori, Military, faith based and arts schools are available in Victoria. Local post-secondary institutions include the highly regarded University of Victoria, Camosun College, Royal Roads University, University Canada West, Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific The Canadian College of Performing Arts, and many more.

Arts & Culture: Victorians enjoy a rich environment of Arts & Culture. From festivals and outdoor events, including "Concerts in the Park", Canada Day Fireworks Celebrations and "Symphony Splash" to live performances from the Pacific Opera, The Victoria Symphony, Victoria Operatic Society and at its many theatres: the Royal Theatre & McPherson Playhouse; Langham Court and the Belfry; there is no shortage of cultural activities to choose from. Victoria is home to the world renowned Royal BC Museum, "one of the foremost cultural institutions in the world. The museum was founded in 1886; the archives in 1894. In 2003 these two organizations integrated to become British Columbia's combined provincial museum and archives, collecting artifacts, documents and specimens of BC's natural and human history, safeguarding them for the future, and sharing them with the world." http://www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/About_RBCM/. The Victoria Art Gallery holds almost 17,000 works of art, and is the largest public collection in B.C.

Recreation: Victoria's mild climate is the perfect setting for outdoor recreation including hiking, biking, running, walking, golfing, kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing, soccer and tennis. Regional parks are abundant, lush & well maintained. Beautiful recreation centres with swimming, skating, curling, & gym facilities can be found in most areas of Greater Victoria. Saanich Commonwealth Pool is a world class facility offering a 50 metre pool, wave pool, tot pool, diving pool and 10 metre tower. Sport fishing & scuba diving are also popular Victoria past times.

Central Saanich

Central Saanich offers a mix of rural and urban lifestyles. The area has a rich agricultural heritage, and farmland....

Colwood

Colwood is a growing community, close to Victoria, and offers numerous economic opportunities...

Esquimalt

Esquimalt, located next door to downtown Victoria, is a vibrant, growing community with a range of residents...

Highlands

The Highlands is a rural district rich with lakes, oceanfront and public parkland. More than one-third of the area is protected

Langford

One of Victoria's fastest bedroom communities, Langford has become popular for its more affordable housing prices...

Metchosin

Metchosin is made up of several neighbourhoods. It is a rural area on the coast, and agriculture sits at the forefront of its industry...

North Saanich

North Saanich is surrounded on 3 sides by 40 kilometers of marine shoreline. Several community-like neighbourhoods make up the area...

Oak Bay

Oak Bay takes its name from the protected Garry Oak tree, found throughout the region. It is home to very popular, sandy beaches...

Saanich

Saanich is the largest, most populous municipality in Greater Victoria. It is composed of 25 distinct residential areas...

Sidney

Sidney was incorporated as a village in 1952 and since then it has continued to see steady growth. It is a gateway to some of the best boating waters and outdoor leisure activities

Sooke

The District of Sooke provides a relaxed, casual lifestyle in a rural setting. With an abundance of parks and beaches...

Victoria

Victoria, the “City of Gardens”, is a community of choice for its temperate climate, natural beauty, recreational sites...

View Royal

The Town of View Royal is located close to Victoria and all its amenities. An ideal destination for cyclists and is full of parks..

MLS® property information is provided under copyright© by the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board and Victoria Real Estate Board. The information is from sources deemed reliable, but should not be relied upon without independent verification.