Vancouver Island - Best place to live
Dec 27th 2013, 6:18 pm
#16
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 93
Re: Vancouver Island - Best place to live
So glad you posted, SuzieH, as we are looking to move over to Vic in Spring and Oak Bay, Jubilee, Cadboro Bay, Gordon Head and Fairfield were considerations. The cost of housing was a consideration with Oak Bay (but I so loved Willows beach!), so we were edging towards Gordon Head.... but I was a little dubious about accessibility. I love to walk and cycle and don't drive (yet) - and the other areas did seem to have more things close by/walking distance... Hmmm thanks - this has certainly helped me in considering...
Dec 28th 2013, 1:57 am
#17
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: BC
Posts: 28
Re: Vancouver Island - Best place to live
I built and lived in Brentwood Bay for 12 years, its only 20 minutes drive into Victoria, not sure what rental availability is now as i haven't lived there for over 20 years, Royal Oak area is closer to Victoria. As in most cities the closer to town the higher the price and the more congested, however, it takes no time at all to drive to greenbelt, ocean, or forest and mountain trails.
I wouldn't leve anywhere else but Vancouver Island it offers so much for young families, having said that, the only downside for families still in the workforce MAY be job availability.
I wouldn't leve anywhere else but Vancouver Island it offers so much for young families, having said that, the only downside for families still in the workforce MAY be job availability.
Dec 28th 2013, 3:47 pm
#18
"In cruce vincam"
Joined: May 2010
Location: Mill Bay, Vancouver Island
Posts: 3,232
Re: Vancouver Island - Best place to live
Totally agree with Susieh. Around here (Malahat and north) without a car would be almost impossible. There are no pavements, no street lighting and loads of little steep hills (kills me on a bike). Victoria and all the areas that have been mentioned are more conducive to walking, cycling and public transport.
Dec 28th 2013, 9:18 pm
#19
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2006
Location: Gordon Head, Victoria
Posts: 152
Re: Vancouver Island - Best place to live
We live in Gordon Head and have four children. It has great schools and is on a great bus route. I feel it's a safe area and there are tons of families here. I also really like how central we are to other areas on the island.
Dec 30th 2013, 4:01 am
#20
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2008
Location: Sidney, BC
Posts: 418
Re: Vancouver Island - Best place to live
It's pretty much all nice.
Dec 30th 2013, 5:05 am
#21
"In cruce vincam"
Joined: May 2010
Location: Mill Bay, Vancouver Island
Posts: 3,232
Jan 4th 2014, 2:56 pm
#22
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2012
Location: Vancouver Island
Posts: 341
Re: Vancouver Island - Best place to live
Can't help with stuff near Victoria as we are moving to the Comox Valley (lovely but definitely not commuting distance from Victoria), but just wanted to say good luck with the move!
Jan 5th 2014, 8:51 pm
#23
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: BC
Posts: 28
Re: Vancouver Island - Best place to live
I have lived on the Island for 39 years in Brentwood Bay and now the mid island and I haven't regretted a day.
Here are some of the school districts you can check out:
Victoria
https://www.sd61.bc.ca/
Saanich
http://www.sd63.bc.ca/
Sooke
http://www.sd62.bc.ca/
Here are some of the school districts you can check out:
Victoria
https://www.sd61.bc.ca/
Saanich
http://www.sd63.bc.ca/
Sooke
http://www.sd62.bc.ca/
Jan 24th 2014, 1:38 pm
#24
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 14
Re: Vancouver Island - Best place to live
Hi all,
We are finally in the last stages of getting residency - just been asked for more photos for the resident cards...
Our plan as my name - island bound - gives away is we are hoping to finally move from the 7 months of snow in Alberta to Vancouver Island.
My husband is hoping/should get a job in Victoria so our house rental hunt is going to based from there.
We are looking for a family area, no crime, near a good elementary school for 6 year old daughter. I do home daycare so need an area that will have other families with small children needing care - ie not retirement only area.
We also want to be close to the beach.
We have looked at Sooke - this may be too far about 45 min drive to Victoria.
And have visited and like James Bay and Oak Bay.
Heard bad things about Esquilmalt so will probably avoid there.
Also read about Langford and Colwood - but not sure if these are just 'house' communities.
So any help on good areas would be great, comments on above or other suggestions.
Thanks for any help....
We are finally in the last stages of getting residency - just been asked for more photos for the resident cards...
Our plan as my name - island bound - gives away is we are hoping to finally move from the 7 months of snow in Alberta to Vancouver Island.
My husband is hoping/should get a job in Victoria so our house rental hunt is going to based from there.
We are looking for a family area, no crime, near a good elementary school for 6 year old daughter. I do home daycare so need an area that will have other families with small children needing care - ie not retirement only area.
We also want to be close to the beach.
We have looked at Sooke - this may be too far about 45 min drive to Victoria.
And have visited and like James Bay and Oak Bay.
Heard bad things about Esquilmalt so will probably avoid there.
Also read about Langford and Colwood - but not sure if these are just 'house' communities.
So any help on good areas would be great, comments on above or other suggestions.
Thanks for any help....
I'm from Victoria, living in Cheshire now.
