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.

Victoria BC Inner Harbour near downtown ice cream shops

Best Ice Cream in Victoria

Turn an ice cream stop into an easy neighbourhood walk or mini Victoria tour.

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.

Fan Tan Alley in historic downtown Victoria BC

Hidden Gems in Victoria

Unusual places, tucked-away corners and local sights that are easy to miss.

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, take your dog out, browse local shops, or make a treat 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.

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.

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

The Inner Harbour, local beaches, gardens and older neighbourhoods each show a different side of Victoria. These are some good places to start if you only have a day or two.

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 gardens at Butchart Gardens near Victoria BC

Butchart Gardens

The Butchart Gardens is a National Historic Site of Canada

Outstanding Properties Near Victoria

A few distinctive properties currently advertised around Vancouver Island, including waterfront, acreage and island homes.

6798 Norcross Road, Duncan BC

6798 Norcross Road, Duncan BC- MLS Duncan

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

4218 Armadale Road, Pender Island

4218 Armadale Road, Pender Island - MLS Gulf Islands

A 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

Follow your sense of discovery to Greater Victoria - where land meets sea & cultures converge

Orca whales off the coast of Victoria BC

Destination BC for Victoria

Destination BC supports a strong and competitive future for BC’s tourism industry in Victoria

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

Night Life In Victoria

Victoria’s nightlife is smaller than Vancouver’s, but there are plenty of pubs, live events and late-night spots around downtown.

Evening entertainment and nightlife in Victoria BC

Yelp: Night Life in Victoria

Top 10 Best Nightlife Near Victoria, British Columbia - With Real Reviews

Live events and evening entertainment in Victoria BC

eventbrite in Victoria

Night Life in Victoria BC Canada - Electrify your nights with parties, music, comedy, and more

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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