Downtown Victoria BC and the Inner Harbour on Vancouver Island

Moving to Victoria BC

Moving Here, Visiting First, or Getting to Know Victoria

Why Move to Victoria?

Hi, I’m Don. I was born and raised in Victoria, and I built this site to share the kind of local information I’d want if I were getting to know the city for the first time. I’ve put together practical moving information, neighbourhood guides, school information, beaches, local history and some of the smaller places I think are worth knowing about.

If you’re thinking about moving to Victoria but you’re only visiting for now, the site can still be useful. Spend some time outside the main tourist areas, walk a neighbourhood you’re curious about, visit a beach, and see how the city feels when you slow down a little.

Visiting Victoria before you decide to move?

I put together a practical way to use two or three days here: compare neighbourhoods, try a commute, check schools if they matter to you, do a few ordinary errands, and still leave time for the places that make Victoria enjoyable.

What I’d check during a pre-move visit →

Start With These Victoria Favourites

These are some of the pages visitors are finding most often. They’re also a good mix if you’re planning a move and want to get a feel for Victoria beyond housing and commute times.

Terry Fox statue at Mile 0 in Victoria BC

Terry Fox and Mile 0

Visit one of Victoria’s most meaningful landmarks and learn why Mile 0 matters.

Rocky shoreline and beach scenery in Victoria BC

Best Beaches in Victoria

Local beach ideas for walks, family days, scenery and getting to know the coastline.

Fan Tan Alley in historic downtown Victoria BC

Hidden Gems in Victoria

Smaller historic places, coastal stops and neighbourhood corners that are easy to miss.

Victoria, the Garden City

Victoria’s mild coastal climate is a big part of the city’s identity. These pages are a good starting point if gardens, seasonal colour and scenic walks are part of what you enjoy about a place.

Colourful flowers in Victoria BC, known as the Garden City

Why Is Victoria Called the Garden City?

A look at the climate, flowers and history behind Victoria’s Garden City nickname.

Flower gardens blooming in Victoria BC

Flower Gardens in Victoria

Where to enjoy seasonal colour and gardens around Greater Victoria.

Things To Do in Victoria

If you’re visiting before a possible move, use these pages to spend time in the city the way a local might: walk a neighbourhood, browse a market, take your dog out, shop secondhand or make a food stop part of the day.

Victoria BC waterfront near local ice cream stops

Best Ice Cream in Victoria

Local scoop shops and nearby places that are easy to walk around.

Downtown Victoria BC waterfront and free places to visit on foot

Free Things to Do in Victoria

Parks, waterfront walks, historic streets and local places you can enjoy without an admission ticket.

Victoria BC Inner Harbour waterfront and walking paths

Best Waterfront Walks in Victoria

Dallas Road, the Inner Harbour, Songhees, the Gorge, Oak Bay and Sidney routes worth walking.

Royal BC Museum in downtown Victoria BC for a rainy day visit

Rainy Day Things to Do

Museums, indoor attractions and a few ways to get to know Victoria when the weather turns wet.

Dog park and off-leash recreation in Victoria BC

Best Dog Parks in Victoria

Dog-friendly parks and off-leash ideas around Greater Victoria.

Downtown Victoria BC near thrift stores and secondhand shopping

Best Thrift Stores in Greater Victoria

Charity shops, housewares, books, furniture and secondhand finds in Victoria, Saanich, Sidney and the West Shore.

Downtown Victoria BC near food truck locations and outdoor dining

Food Trucks in Victoria

Cook Street, the museum, James Bay and other spots to check for casual local food.

Victoria BC near local farmers markets, bakeries and coffee shops

Local Food, Farm Shops & Coffee

Farmers markets, Peninsula farm shops, neighbourhood bakeries and locally roasted coffee.

Vancouver Island greenery for a Cowichan Valley farm-market day trip

Cowichan Valley Farm Markets & Local Food

A day north of Victoria for farmers markets, local cheese, coffee and farm shops.

Family activities and places to play around Greater Victoria BC

Best Mini Golf in Victoria

Five actual mini-golf courses around Greater Victoria, plus Beacon Hill Park's free putting green.

Oceanfront park scenery for a picnic around Victoria BC

Best Picnic Spots in Victoria

Parks and waterfront places where lunch can turn into a neighbourhood afternoon.

Cadboro-Gyro playground and family park in Saanich near Victoria BC

Best Parks & Playgrounds

Family parks, playgrounds and seasonal splash pads around Victoria, Saanich, Oak Bay, Esquimalt and the West Shore.

Clothing consignment and secondhand shopping in Victoria BC

Clothing Consignment in Victoria

Secondhand and vintage shopping ideas around the city.

Things To See In Victoria

If you’re just getting to know Victoria, start with the broader overview below, then choose the places that match what you actually enjoy: waterfronts, gardens, beaches, older neighbourhoods or viewpoints.

Victoria BC Inner Harbour, one of the places the city is best known for

What Is Victoria BC Known For?

The harbour, Parliament Buildings, gardens, Chinatown, beaches, Mile 0 and the everyday details I associate with home.

Scenic sunset viewpoint over Victoria BC and the surrounding region

Best Viewpoints in Victoria

Hilltop panoramas and easy waterfront viewpoints that help you see how Victoria fits together.

Fan Tan Alley and hidden gems in Victoria BC

Best Hidden Gems in Victoria

Unusual Things to do and Hidden gems in Victoria BC

Victoria BC beach and coastal scenery on Vancouver Island

Best Beaches in Victoria

The Best Beaches in Victoria BC for Sun and Fun

Colourful flower beds and pathways at Butchart Gardens near Victoria BC

Butchart Gardens Near Victoria

What to know before visiting the gardens in Brentwood Bay, plus a few Peninsula ideas for the same day.

Outstanding Properties in Greater Victoria

A few distinctive property offerings in Victoria and around Vancouver Island, including waterfront, acreage and island homes.

3568 Honeycrisp Ave, Langford BC

3568 Honeycrisp Ave, Langford BC

Beautifully maintained 2018-built home in sought-after McCormick Meadows, offering ...

6798 Norcross Road, Duncan BC

6798 Norcross Road, Duncan BC

An 8.5-acre working vineyard in the Cowichan Valley with broad valley views ...

4218 Armadale Road, Pender Island

4218 Armadale Road, Pender Island

3.16-acre oceanfront property on Pender Island with walkable shoreline in the Gulf Islands ...

Search Victoria Real Estate for Moving to Victoria

If you’re at the stage of looking for a home or rental, these are the real estate links I’d start with.

Victoria BC homes and real estate listings

Multiple Listing Service MLS for Victoria Listings

REALTOR.ca is the most popular and most trusted real estate website in Canada

Victoria BC Inner Harbour and downtown waterfront

Victoria BC Dream Homes for Victoria Listings

Providing authentic local service with national and international exposure for your Greater Victoria real estate listings

Luxury homes and real estate in Greater Victoria BC

Victoria BC Luxury Real Estate Listings

Luxury Real Estate Listings in Victoria BC, including from Sooke to Sidney and Vancouver Island

Whiffin Spit waterfront scenery in Sooke BC

Sooke BC Real Estate Listings

Sooke real estate listings including luxury waterfront properties, detached homes, condos, and townhomes

Condo buildings and real estate in Victoria BC

Search Condos for Sale in Victoria

Victoria Condos for sale including custom filters for location, pets, in-suite laundry and more

Rental housing and homes in Victoria BC

Search Rentals.ca for Victoria Rental Listings

Thousands of apartments, houses, and condos for rent across Canada

Moving From Another Province In Canada

Moving from Alberta, Ontario or New Brunswick? These pages cover some of the differences newcomers tend to notice first.

Moving from Alberta to Victoria BC relocation guide

Moving To Victoria From Alberta

What changes when you move from Alberta to Victoria

Moving from Ontario to Victoria BC relocation guide

Moving To Victoria From Ontario

What changes when you move from Ontario to Victoria

Moving from New Brunswick to Victoria BC relocation guide

Moving To Victoria From New Brunswick

What changes when you move from New Brunswick to Victoria

Tourism And Travel In Victoria

If you’re only here for a weekend, these tourism links are useful for current attraction and visitor information.

Fairmont Empress and Inner Harbour in Victoria BC

Tourism Victoria

Current visitor information, attractions, events and trip-planning ideas for Greater Victoria

Orca whales off the coast of Victoria BC

Destination BC for Victoria

Provincial visitor information for Victoria, Vancouver Island and the rest of British Columbia

Greater Victoria Schools

Moving with children? Start with the school district for the exact address you’re considering. These links cover the main Greater Victoria districts and French immersion.

BC school district contacts and map

French immersion school and language learning in Victoria BC

French Immersion Schools in Victoria

French immersion schools, catchments and where to check the current pathway for an address.

Students in a Greater Victoria BC classroom

School District 61: Greater Victoria

Victoria, Esquimalt, Oak Bay, View Royal and portions of Saanich and the Highlands.

School learning space in the Sooke School District near Victoria BC

School District 62: Sooke

West Shore communities including Langford and Colwood, plus Sooke and surrounding areas.

Students learning in a Saanich BC classroom

School District 63: Saanich

Saanich Peninsula schools serving communities north of Victoria, including Sidney and North Saanich.

Children & Child Care In Victoria

Looking for child care or daycare in Victoria? These are a few of the main local and provincial resources to check first.

Child painting at a Victoria BC child care program

Victoria Child Care Resource & Referral Agency

Our Parent Referral Consultants can do a detailed search for you to find child care

Young child reading at an early learning program in British Columbia

BC Government – Early Learning & Child Care

Since the introduction of ChildCareBC in 2018, we have been building a future where access to affordable, quality, inclusive child care is a core service that families can depend on

Children playing at a Victoria BC child care program

YMCA of Greater Victoria Child Care

The YMCA-YWCA has been providing high quality child care in Greater Victoria for over 45 years

Cost Of Living in Victoria

Trying to work out a Victoria budget? These links cover common costs such as housing, food and transportation.

Canadian money representing the cost of living in Victoria BC

Numbeo: Victoria Cost of Living

Very detailed information on the cost of living in Victoria, including food, clothing, housing and more

Canadian currency and cost of living information for Victoria BC

Expatistan: Victoria Cost of Living

Another source for comparing common living costs in Victoria, BC

Jobs And Industry In Victoria

If work is part of your move, start with the local wage page, WorkBC and the federal Job Bank. Government, health care, tourism, tech and education are all major employers here.

Employment wages and cost planning for moving to Victoria BC

Employment Wages in Victoria

Typical Wages for Different Types of Employment in Victoria, BC

Computer and technology jobs in Victoria BC

WorkBC – Local Job Listings

WorkBC lists jobs, training information and employment resources across British Columbia

Health care and nursing jobs in Victoria BC

Canada Job Bank

Job Bank is Canada’s national employment service, we help Canadians find work and plan their careers

Victoria Weather

Victoria’s coastal weather can change quickly. These are the forecast sources I usually check.

Colourful sunset and mild coastal weather in Victoria BC

Victoria Weather from the Government of Canada

Victoria Weather from the Government of Canada

Snowfall during winter weather in Victoria BC

Victoria Weather from the Weather Network

The Weather Network is committed to delivering weather information 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

Sunset over the coast during Victoria BC weather

Victoria Weather from the AccuWeather

AccuWeather combines weather data, technology, and human insight to improve lives and businesses

Local Transit In Victoria

BC Transit covers Greater Victoria, while BC Ferries connects the Island with the mainland. These are the main links I use when planning a trip.

BC Ferries vessel travelling near Victoria and Vancouver Island

BC Ferries

BC Ferries is proud to be one of the largest ferry operators in the world, moving more than 60,000 customers and 23,000 vehicles throughout coastal BC every day

BC Transit bus providing public transportation in Victoria BC

BC Transit

BC Transit serves over 54 million passengers annually in more than 130 communities, from small towns to large urban centres

A Victoria Guide Built Locally

I built this site in Victoria to share useful local information for people who are thinking about moving here, visiting first, or simply getting to know the city better.

Get in Touch

Know of a useful local addition for Moving To Victoria BC? Have a question about moving, neighbourhoods or local life? Send me a note and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

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