Victoria is Canada's "San Francisco". It is a uniquely beautiful city with spectacular ocean and mountain views everywhere you look. It has lush nature parks with massive trees, duck ponds, and richly-coloured ornamental gardens. You can sail, fish, play golf or tennis, hike, ride horseback and bike or walk the beautiful 30 Kilometre (20 mile) long Galloping Goose trail year-round. Or enjoy watching the sailboats go by from your favourite seaside cafe. Excellent skiing and mountain biking are available only 3 hours North of Victoria at Mount Washington. Vancouver is only an hour and a half away by ferry or half an hour by seaplane.
What sort of amenities does it have?
Victoria is large enough (about 330,000 population in the region) to have all the amenities most of us desire without the hassles, traffic jams and congestion of larger cities. It has massive new shopping areas full of big box stores, downtown theatres, wonderful restaurants, the symphony, the University of Victoria, RoyalRoadsUniversity andCamosunCollege. Victorians enjoy an endless series of events through the summer in the inner harbour. These events include the Swiftsure sailing races with 300 boats, the floating symphony, the antique boat show, jazz festivals, folk festivals and many more.
What is the climate like in Victoria?
It has a moderate climate similar to that of San Francisco although it is a few degrees cooler and somewhat wetter in the winter months. The climate in Victoria is rarely too hot or too cold. We have long periods of clear sunny 20-25 degree C. (68-77 degree F.) weather from May through October. November and December bring light misty rains (with occasional downpours) that turn the lush foliage and moss-covered rocky outcrops brilliant green through the winter months. January is the coldest month with occasional dips below freezing and touches of snow that melt away in a few days. The air here is so crisp and clean it makes your skin tingle (it flows across 3,000 miles of ocean to get to Victoria).
Why is Victoria called the “Garden City”?
By February, the early flowers are blooming and in March the whole region turns pink with masses of blossom trees. April explodes with multi-coloured Rhododendrums and Azaleas everywhere that last through May. In June huge lush flower baskets are hung from light poles downtown and in the various municipal town centres. Victoria's early English heritage is reflected in the manicured and English-style gardens that blossom throughout the area well into the fall.
What are the homes like?
Due to its hilly and rocky terrain, Victoria does not have many large subdivisions of similar homes. Most older homes here were built by experienced builder/craftsmen who built only a few homes each year. Take a moment to view my photo tour of Victoria to see the amazing range of home designs that live side-by-side all over the Victoria region.
In recent years, land developers have created many new single-family lots and townhouse and condominium strata lots, some with panoramic ocean/mountain views. Most new single-family homes are still built by relatively small builders while condominium and townhouse developments typically attract the larger builders because of the size of those projects.
Are there older homes with character?
Victoria has pockets of picturesque character homes scattered over a 25 mile radius. Many are tucked away in fairy-tale settings among the moss-covered rocky hills and gnarled Garry oaks and arbutus trees that are a uniquely beautiful feature of the Victoria region. They range from little English tudor-style cottages to ocean-front mansions with spectacular views.
Where would I look for a home with character?
Without help, you could spend weeks looking and still not find a home that is perfect for you. That’s where I can help. I love Victoria and would like nothing better than to have the opportunity to share my knowledge and enthusiasm with you to help you find your ideal home. Spend a day with me and I'll take you on my free no-obligation home-buyer's tour of all the best areas in your price range. And I’ll buy lunch at a seaside restaurant. All I ask is for an opportunity to earn your respect and trust.
How affordable are homes in Victoria?
There are 600 square foot older one bedroom condominiums starting from about $120,000. Larger and newer condominiums average closer to $300,000, townhomes average about $360,000 and single family homes around $500,000. Median prices are somewhat lower. There are many choices available in older homes that are well below the average prices since the averages are all pulled up by sales of higher-priced new homes. Prices in Victoria have stabilized over the past few months from July through October, 2006.
Although Victoria prices are higher than prices in other parts of Canada, they are well below Vancouver prices. Prices here seem likely to continue slowly climbing (good for the value of your investment in a home) because the leading edge of the baby-boomers are beginning to retire and there is no better place in Canada (or the world?) to retire to than Victoria.
With mortgage rates still hovering just above historic lows, homes are just as affordable at today’s prices as they were 10-12 years ago when interest rates were closer 10-14%, (even though prices back then were half of current prices).
How do I arrange a free home-buyer's tour?
Please call or email me to let me know your plans and we'll work out the timing together. I will be happy to help you arrange accommodation here. If you do not plan to rent a car, I can pick you up at the ferry or airport, drop you at your hotel or motel and deliver you back to the ferries or airport when you leave.
In the meantime, you can browse for listings in your price range by clicking on the “Buyers Home Search” button on my web site. Note the “Get a Map” option that appears with each listing. By clicking on it, you can view a map of the location and a satellite view that shows the terrain. If you let me know which homes you find interesting, I will make sure you get to see them while you are here.
During your stay in Victoria, I can suggest places to eat and things to see and do to make sure you enjoy your stay.
How to reach me!
Call me Tollfree anytime at
1-800-735-3914
(please leave a message with your phone number if I am out)
