Victoria City Guide

Located on the southern end of Vancouver Island, Victoria is the seat of the B.C. government and the seventh most densely populated city in Canada. Multiple First Nations groups have lived on the Southern portion of Vancouver Island for thousands of years. In 1778, Captain James Cook became the first non-aboriginal person to set foot on Vancouver Island. Later, in 1858, the population exploded after gold was discovered on the lower Fraser River. On July 21st, 1871, British Columbia became the sixth province, and Victoria was named the capital city.

The city got its nickname "The Garden City" because it is attractive and walkable in all types of weather. As a result, the city residents resisted the commuter lifestyle, with most opting to live at most 15 or 30 minutes away from work.

While the West Coast has a reputation for being rainy, Victoria receives half the amount of rain that falls in nearby Vancouver. With 308 days of sunshine per year, spring through summer in Victoria is typically comfortable, with a few days in the summer reaching 30 degrees Celsius.

The bulk of rain falls in the winter, from January to March; however, snow is also possible. The average temperature in the winter typically ranges between 3 and 8 degrees Celsius, with an average of 15 days per year with temperatures under 0 degrees Celsius. As such, you can enjoy outdoor activities like golfing, boating, hiking, and biking year-round.

While hiking and running are popular in almost any B.C. city, boaters benefit from Victoria’s sheltered port. Between the well-maintained harbours, the rugged shorelines, and the beautiful beaches, Victoria is a boaters’ dream.

When you combine the short commute times with year-round temperate weather, you get two of the biggest reasons why Victoria is consistently at the top of quality-of-life rankings. While the city is desirable, it is also expensive. The living wage in Victoria is $25.40 per hour, nearly the same as in Vancouver and more expensive than in the Greater Toronto area.

Post-secondary students from across the province and the world end up in this urban centre because of the number of campuses in the heart of the city. There are campuses for the University of Victoria, Camosun College, and Royal Roads University. There’s also the Sooke Schools International Program and the Canadian College of Performing Arts.

The biggest employment sectors in the city are technology and IT, tourism, education, and government agencies. In addition, the Canadian Forces offers several jobs, given that the Pacific headquarters for the Royal Canadian Navy is located in the nearby township of Esquimalt.

Culturally, the city has long, deep roots with First Nations communities. The first settlement of the area was by the Coast Salish peoples. These days, the blend of First Nations and European culture gives the city a vast multicultural feel. From the European influence, the city offers a professional opera company, symphony, choir, and ballet. There are also various theatre groups and annual festivals. One of the biggest multi-day festivals is the Rifflandia Music Festival. The four-day event usually occurs in either August or September of every year, offering performances from some of music’s biggest acts.

All things considered, Victoria is one of the most livable cities in Canada, and it offers a wide range of housing options for those looking to buy a home. From single-family homes, to condos and townhouses, a real estate agent can help you find a home that best suits your needs.