Victoria, British Columbia, located on southeast Vancouver Island, is the provincial capital of British Columbia and main population centre of Vancouver Island. Greater Victoria, includes North Saanich, Central Saanich, Sidney, Saanich, Langford, View Royal, Oak Bay, Metchosin, Colwood, Malahat and Esauimalt.
Victoria shares close proximity to Canadain Forces Base Esquimalt, the Canadain Military’s Main Pacific Naval Base, and Washington state across the Strait of Juan De Fuca in the United States.
Victoria is a global tourism destination seeing more than 3.65 million visitors a year.The mild climate and beautiful scenery of Vancouver Island make Victoria, BC a popular retirement location. Butchart Gardens, the British Columbia Legislative Building, the Empress Hotel, and the Royal British Columbia Museum are just a few of the many sights that are easy to access using the double decker buses of the Victoria Regional Transit System while the many clubs and varied restaurants are great places to enjoy the areas relaxed atomsphere.
The local economy is driven by tournism, government administration and services, education (University of Victoria and various public and private schools), and the military. Investment and banking, food manufacturing, light aircraft manufacturing, and various high tech firms create a diverse and vibrant financial landscape.
Vancouver Island is a diverse, dynamic environment. The Vancouver Island Ranges provide the highest point with the Golden Hinde at 2195 m while the peaks within Strathcona Provincial Park include the island’s only glaciers, the largest of which is the Comox Glacier. Lush forests and mountains descend into eastern costal lowlands with many rivers, creeks, streams and waterfalls. Wherever you walk, hike, bicycle, golf, fish or drive you will always be close to water.
The mountains, glacier, coast lines and harbours provide vast recrectional opportunites including hiking, fishing, diving, sailing, mountain climbing and scenic drives along the coast. The Gulf Islands provide a never ending selection of quiet get aways and the cities of Victoria and Nanaimo are available for a laid back urban experience.
Temperatures on the Pacific coast vary between 0 °C in the winter and 21-24 °C in the summer. Precipitation is heaviest in the autumn and winter. Snow is rare at low altitudes but is common on the island's mountain tops in winter.
There are no bridges to Vancouver Island. Highways 1, 19 and 19A provide acces to the east side of the island. Highways 4, 14, 18 and 28 provide direct access to specific locals inland and on the west side of the island. The only vehicle access to the island is ferry boat. There are six ferry routes operated by BC Ferries , Washington State Ferries between Sidney, BC and Anacortes, WA, and Black Ball Trasport Inc between Victoria, BC and Port Angeles, WA. There are also three passenger-only services to Vancouver Island including the Victoria Clipper from Seattle, WA to Victoria, BC The Victoria Express from Port Angeles, WA to Victoria, BC and Victoria San Juan Cruises from Bellingham, WA to Victoria, BC.
Victoria International Airport provided service to almost 1.5 million passengers in 2007 and is the major airport on Vancouver Island. Commox Airport, also know as Canadian Airforce Base Commox, is a joint military civilian airport north of Commox. Nanaimo Airport can land planes up to 30 passengers. Floatplane and helicopter service are available to Nanaimo/Long Lake Water Airport, Nanaimo Harbour Water Airport, Commox Water Aerodrome, Campbell River, and Victoria’s Harbour.
If you want to know more about buying real estate in Victoria and find homes for sale, a good place to start is to see what homes are on the market. Customize your search for a new condo, house, or other property in Victoria by using the form on this page.
