Hands down, Victoria has one of the mildest climates in Canada and is fondly referred to as the “Garden City”.
If you are coming from out East, you will soon realize that the warm and dry summer months in your new city just seem to go on forever. Temperatures usually are in the plus twenty-degree centigrade range during the day with heat dissipating each evening thanks to the onshore ocean breezes.
Fall’s cascade of colours is a beauty to behold and gets us ready for our mild winters which are brief with temperatures rarely falling below freezing. Spring weather usually arrives sometime in February of each year, which gives you literally at least a 3-month jump on getting your flower beds up and running. So many new plant and flower varieties to explore and enjoy. Did you know that Palm Trees grow on Vancouver Island?
The Sub-Mediterranean weather is conducive to outdoor living at its best.
Victoria’s temperate climate is a source of great pride for gardeners – the range of plants that they can grow is unsurpassed by any location in Canada.
Victoria boasts blooming flowers year-round. Approximately 1,500 hanging baskets adorn lampposts throughout the City of Victoria each summer. The World-Famous Butchart Gardens, opened in 1904, and is only about a 25-minute drive from downtown Victoria.
Did you know that Victoria is not just our capital city but in fact the second oldest city in all of Western Canada; it was incorporated as a city on August second, 1862.
Victoria was previously known as Camosun (or "Camosack," which means "rush of water" in the local First Nations language) and founded by the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1843. First established as a trading post and fort, Camosack was ultimately bestowed the name of Fort Victoria to honour Queen Victoria.
In the early 1800’s this area was the entry port for Asian immigration to then British North America. It is still considered Canada’s largest and most popular owing to its diverse culture and rich past. Victoria’s Chinatown is also one of our most popular attractions.
Queen Victoria was the inspiration for our city’s name and might be the very reason that many British expats feel right at home here. Victoria has been dedicated to preserving its city’s heritage buildings and its strong British traditions. When getting to know your new surroundings it is well worth a walking tour to experience Victoria’s old-world charm.
Although many retirees make Victoria their new home it is also very popular with those who are just starting out in their professional career. Many young couples are moving here as well to raise their families in these beautiful and healthy surroundings. Truly and well-balanced mix in the age demographic for this part of British Columbia.
Greater Victoria offers many employment opportunities whether it is in the bustling Tourism Industry, Provincial and Federal Government local offices, Canada's Pacific Coast Naval Base; CFB Esquimalt, the emerging technology sector, the burgeoning marine, forestry and agriculture research centres, the ever-growing Construction, Health, Education and Retail sectors, to name a few with so many more opportunities for the true entrepreneur to explore.
Prior to Covid 19 un-employment rate was the lowest in Canada and is recovering quickly.
Victoria has three major post-secondary institutions including The University of Victoria, Royal Road University and Camosun College–all which have earned great distinction within the province, and the country.
Mount Doug, East Sooke Park and the West Coast Trail Port Renfrew Trail Head are amongst the hundreds of breathtaking destinations to spend the day hiking or testing your endurance as a runner in the Greater Victoria area.
Also known as the Cycling Capital of Canada, Victoria offers the ultimate experience for cycling opportunities. Whether you are a dedicated cyclist aficionado or just wanting to spend time cycling with the kids on the weekend you will find that there is no end of trails to explore.
You can get to Victoria via ferry from the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal or the Port Angeles ferry terminal on the Mainland. Float planes coming from all over, including regular flights from downtown Vancouver and Seattle land in our famous inner harbour. There is also an international airport that is particularly easy to fly in and out of as well based in beautiful Sidney by the sea. Victoria offers many fun ways to access our beautiful city so please feel free to call us so we can assist you with your travel plans.
It is safe to say that Victoria, B.C. has it all and appeals to many.
Those of us who are privileged live here already are so very proud to call Victoria our home. When first thinking about Victoria you view it in terms as popular tourist destination but know that for many of us it is an amazing place to live and raise our families.
If you are thinking about moving to Victoria, look no further, The Toker Property Group is here to help. Please feel free to reach out so we can help.