A prospective resident of Victoria?
As we say in Real Estate, "Location, location, location!" and this one is Canada Prime! Vancouver Island is home to some of the best luxury properties available in North America. Victoria is located on the southeastern tip of Vancouver Island and is the southern most urban center in Western Canada, located just south of the 49th parallel. It is one of the sunniest places to live in Canada, boasting an average of 2,223 hours of sunshine per year. It is the driest location on the BC coast, due to the shadow effect of Washington's Olympic Mountains.
Annual precipitation? 608 mm compared to Vancouver's 1589mm. Two thirds of that precipitation falls during rainy season, November through February. The mild rainy winters and warm dry summers give Victoria a very unusual sub-Mediterranean climate, allowing several species of palms, eucalyptus and even bananas to grow comfortably here. Vancouver Island! Canada's own Banana Belt! Our history boasts infamous visits, such as Captain Cook in 1776, historic sites such as Butchart Gardens, slightly more than a century old and the Empress Hotel of the same vintage. The gold rush on the mainland sprouted a bustling town of outfitters and suppliers from a population of 300 to 5000 within a few days, in the year 1858. Choosing which of Victoria's distinctive communities to live in depends on your personal lifestyle. Various levels of luxury are available here on Vancouver Island and especially in the Greater Victoria Region. Each of the communities has something unique and special to offer its residents. Here's a glimpse of each to help you choose where to locate.
Oak Bay
One of the most desirable areas of Victoria. Luxury properties abound here! Captivating offshore vistas extending for many walkable miles along its scenic coastline, Oak Bay's waterfront residential properties (Uplands district) are among the most expensive private real estate in North America. This upscale neighbourhood is prime Vancouver Island luxury property and is known for its large private gardens, historic McClure architecture and magnificent views of the Haro Strait, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountains. Oak Bay Village has a distinctly British ambience. An air of all things English pervades and the Queen herself would feel quite at home strolling Oak Bay Avenue past the tea-rooms, pubs, antique shops and restaurants. It has a large number of retirement communities including many upscale retirement condominiums. It is home to two world class golf courses, The Uplands Golf Club and the Victoria Golf Club, as well as, the Royal Victoria Yacht Club and the Oak Bay Marina. It has a population of 17,798 (2001 census) and an altitude of 10 metres. Oak Bay's motto "Sub Quercu Felicitas", Latin for "Under the Oak, Good Fortune", certainly true if you are an owner of property here! Location location location and luxury luxury luxury too!
Esquimalt
This municipality is immediately to the west of Victoria and home to the Canadian Navy, which employs approximately 7000 military and civilian personnel. It offers an abundance of parks, a marina and coastline vistas to charm the eye. There are many large old family homes mixed with cottages and newer luxury condos with spectacular views of the inner harbour and downtown Victoria. Esquimalt offers a new recreational complex, a library, and a golf course - with a military cemetery between holes 12 and 17- and some of the prettiest little parks in Greater Victoria. Two of the most attractive residential areas offering some Vancouver Island luxury, are located at Saxe Point (offering plenty of waterfront) and Rockheights.
View Royal
The town of View Royal holds 1,007 hectares of land and 253 hectares of foreshore. It has a slightly more countrified ambience than its neighbour to the east - Esquimalt. View Royal is only ten minutes drive to downtown Victoria and new town homes are springing up everywhere. The population is just shy of 6000 people and it lies adjacent to Saanich and Esquimalt. View Royal is serviced by the RCMP and waste disposal is privately operated. The area is protected by tree cutting bi-laws. As a result the area has a country cottage feel while offering some prime Vancouver Island luxury properties for sale.
Colwood
The city of Colwood has a population of over 14,000 people. The Juan de Fuca Sports complex is one of the most complete complexes in the Province. The golf courses in the area are highly rated including the magnificent Olympic View Golf Course where even the driving range affords marvellous scenery, and the Royal Colwood Golf Course, conveniently located beside the Island Highway. The Juan de Fuca nine hole course is also available. Ocean recreation in the area includes a beach for bathers, swimmers and wind surfers as well as a nature reserve and areas for sailing enthusiasts. The views of downtown Victoria and the Olympic Mountains from the foreshore make sunset simply splendid. A major shopping and condominium complex has been approved for the Colwood corners district of Vancouver Island.
Saanich - East, Central and North
There are more parks per capita in Saanich than in any other municipality in BC. There are 170 municipal parks and 3 regional parks. Cycling routes wind their way through most of the district connecting it to the outer reaches of the Victoria region. The golf courses servicing enthusiasts in the area include Blenkinshop Valley, Cedar Hill, Cordova Bay and Prospect Lake.
East Saanich
The University of Victoria is an integral part of Saanich East Community life. Even non-students become involved in and enjoy the regular public lectures and off the beaten track movies. Four distinctive communities make up East Saanich. They are High Quadra, which overlooks the Blenkinship Valley; Gordon Head, a family oriented neighbourhood close to shopping malls and theatres; and Cordova Bay, a heritage of small farms, cottages and family homes sprinkled along a seaside road with charming shops, café's and the Cordova Bay Golf Course.
Central Saanich
Conscientious residents actively support the protection of this district's rural character and charm from overdevelopment and the encroachment of the busy city. Agricultural land use dominates in this district. There are two distinct town communities, Brentwood Bay and Saanichton, both lovely family neighbourhoods having their own charming amenities.
Sunshine Hills is the resident golf course. This district has its own police force, fire department and private garbage collection.
North Saanich
The overriding philosophy of the residents in this community is to protect the environment. The vast majority of houses in this rural countryside are single detached family homes. Many of these are luxury properties. The local leisure center provides indoor tennis, swimming, ice-skating and the Glen Meadow Golf and Country Club more than satisfies golf enthusiasts. The tap water in this region is both well and municipal supply.
North Saanich is under the careful watch of the RCMP and garbage collection is privately operated.
