Bonnie Johnston

RE/MAX Camosun
4440 Chatterton Way
Victoria, British Columbia
CANADA V8X 5J2
(250) 744-3301 office & pager
(250) 744-3904 office fax
E-mail: jonbon@vreb.bc.ca

Victoria Information

Greater Victoria is made up of fourteen different municipalities. The following are the core areas:

• Victoria and Oak Bay
• Victoria West, Esquimalt and View Royal
• Saanich
• Saanich Peninsula
• Western Communities and Sooke

Victoria

Victoria, the capital of British Columbia is the seat of government for the province. Our Parliament buildings are located on the Inner Harbour, as is the Maritime Museum, the Museum of British Columbia and the famous Canadian Pacific hotel, The Empress. The City of Victoria consists of 7.2 square miles and is the base for some 11,000 government employees.

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Victoria and Oak Bay

Residential Areas

James Bay - one of Victoria's early neighbourhoods, you will find a charming mix of vintage late 1800's homes to new construction mirroring the style of this period and everything in between. You can easily walk to downtown and to the ocean.

Fairfield - You will want to visit Cook Street Village and stop for a coffee. Fairfield is close to downtown and is an excellent family area as well as the home of urbanites and the retired. Also a mix of styles ranging from the early 1900's building boom of 1910 to 1915 to a pleasing mix of 30's, 40's and 50's homes and more recent construction. Just a short stroll to the ocean and Beacon Hill Park.

Fernwood - Another older area of town which is still in transition. Here you will find that same mix as in Fairfield, but at less cost. Fernwood has a strong community spirit and its residents are dedicated to preserving its charm as it is upgraded and refurbished.

Oak Bay - This 'little piece of England' comprises the largest area close to downtown. 'South' Oak Bay borders the Fairfield area by Gonzales Bay and Oak Bay encompasses land all the way to Cadboro Bay, including 'North' Oak Bay which has the areas of Henderson, Estevan Village, and the Uplands. Life is centered around the Oak Bay Village with it's quaint shops, coffee bars and restaurants.

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Saanich

Four main areas, East Saanich, West Saanich, Central Saanich and North Saanich.

East Saanich - This area is comprised of many sub-areas, Camosun, Cadboro Bay, Gordon Head, Arbutus, Ten Mile Point, Broadmead, and Cordova Bay. Excellent family areas with a variety of price ranges. There are quaint places to shop such as the Cadboro Bay Village and Estevan Village, as well as upscale newer shopping centres like Broadmead Centre. Both Camosun College and the University of Victoria are located in Saanich East.

West Saanich - A rapidly growing community that is an easy commute to downtown Victoria.  The Victoria General Hospital is located on its western edge.  West Saanich has a nice rural feel and remains an excellent family area with loads of activities for the kids; hockey, soccer and baseball to name a few. 

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Saanich Peninsula

The Peninsula encompasses the large area from the ferry terminal at Swartz Bay to Victoria. Within this area you will find the sub-areas of Central Saanich, a quiet rural area with much of the land still in the agricultural land reserve. Brentwood Bay, more heavily populated than Central Saanich with a pleasing mix of 1950's to new homes. Sidney is considered our main retirement area, although there are many families living here. You will find this an excellent choice if you wish to walk everywhere and find all you need close to home. North Saanich offers a true rural feel with many homes on over half an acre, farm land and waterfront properties.

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Victoria West, Esquimalt
and View Royal

If you travel west across the blue bridge (Johnson Street Bridge) or Pt. Ellis Bridge (Bay Street Bridge) from downtown Victoria, you will find Victoria West and Esquimalt.  

Victoria West - is booming. Condominium and townhouse construction have transformed the waterfront here and changed it to the highest density real estate in Greater Victoria.  The inner harbour is the site of the Songhees development, with the upscale Ocean Point Resort Hotel and Spa. Transformation began in 1989 and towers are still being constructed today.  Along the inner harbour toward the Gorge waterway you will find more new Townhouses and Condominiums under construction with many more to come in the next few years. The balance of Victoria West consists of single family homes, some dating from the early 1900's up to modern in-fill copies.  There are still bargains to be found when you are more inland.

Esquimalt - is the home of the West Coast Navel Fleet, employing some 6000 military and civilian workers. This area, also in transition has a good mix of condominium buildings, townhouses and single family dwellings, many at entry level prices.  Esquimalt remains the most affordable area close to downtown, and as such is a great place to invest. 

View Royal - another suburb of Victoria, still only 15 minutes from downtown, offers quiet living with family homes.  A lot of upscale single family subdivisions have grown in the past few years, as well as condominium and townhouse development.

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Western Communities and Sooke

Continue west and you will find Langford, Colwood, Metchosin and the Highlands, four municipalities known as the Western Communities.

Langford has blossomed over the past 5 years.  An aggressive Municipal government have made it their business to encourage key big box stores which have provided tax dollars that have allowed the muncipality to beautify Langford.  The upgrades to the streets gardens and amenities in the community has attracted many people to relocate to this area.  There are many new single family subdivisions as well and condominium and townhouses throughout this thriving community.

Colwood is another community in transition.  Somewhat more affordable that areas closer to town.

Metchosin  is a rural area that features many beautiful waterfront estates and equestrian land.

Sooke is located approximately one hour's drive from downtown Victoria.  It  was originally a logging community and sport fishing centre.  There is a busy new home construction industry in Sooke.  It has a quaint town centre surrounded by rural areas. Many people commute to work in Victoria.  Road improvements over the last few years have improved this drive but at peak traffic times, it is not considered a desirable commute.

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© 2000 - 2009 Bonnie Johnston - All rights reserved.