Discover the
Real Victoria.
Your local guide to neighbourhoods, community events, dog-friendly living, food culture, and everything that makes life on Southern Vancouver Island extraordinary. Curated by Anna Hakim and Perry Fanthorpe.
Anna and Perry make an exceptional team, combining professionalism, knowledge, and genuine care for their clients. What stood out the most was their empathetic and attentive approach. Their communication was excellent, always keeping us informed and making sure we felt comfortable and confident with every decision.
Rated 5.0 stars from 12 Google Reviews
Trusted by Greater Victoria homeowners
Meet Your Local Guides
Roots in Victoria is built by people who live, work, and play here every day.
Perry Fanthorpe was born and raised in Victoria and has spent decades building deep connections throughout the community. His local knowledge, construction insight, and strategic approach help clients make confident real estate decisions.
Anna Hakim brings a background in psychology, consulting, and over twenty years helping people navigate meaningful life transitions. She is known for her calm guidance, intuitive insight, and ability to help people find homes that truly fit their lifestyle and goals.
Together, they lead the Happy Homes Team, helping buyers, sellers, and newcomers build meaningful roots throughout Greater Victoria.
Homes with Soul. Strategy with Heart.
Your Community
Across Greater Victoria
From dog-friendly beaches to farmers markets, neighbourhood guides to weekend car meets – we cover the lifestyle, culture, and community that make each corner of Greater Victoria unique.
From Oak Bay to Saanich, Sidney to Langford, Colwood to the West Shore, Roots in Victoria is your local resource for discovering what makes each neighbourhood worth calling home.
Local guides. Real community. Island life.
Connecting you with the best of Greater Victoria – every season, every neighbourhood.
People come to Victoria for many reasons. Some come for the ocean. Some come for family. Some come for a slower pace. Some come because they're ready for a new chapter.
Whatever brings you here, finding the right community is where belonging begins.
Start Here
Moving to Victoria
Relocation guides, local insights, neighbourhood comparisons, and practical advice for newcomers.
Explore Relocation Resources
Explore Neighbourhoods
Discover the unique character, lifestyle, amenities, and housing options throughout Greater Victoria.
Browse Communities
Dog-Friendly Victoria
Parks, beaches, patios, trails, and local resources for dog owners living on Vancouver Island.
Explore Dog-Friendly VictoriaLet's Find Your Next Home
Listed by the Happy Homes Team · eXp Realty · Victoria, BC
2616A Sooke Road, Langford
5 Bed · 3 Bath · 3,059 Sq Ft · Legal Suite · $999,990
Spacious family home with a legal two-bedroom suite in Glen Lake. Over 3,000 sq ft on a generous lot, perfect for multigenerational living, mortgage-helper income, or flexible family space under $1 million.
Get StartedHappy Homes Team · eXp Realty · Victoria, BC
Life in Victoria is more than
a postcode.
A neighbourhood that fits. A community that feels right. A dog beach that becomes part of someone's weekly ritual. A coffee shop where they know your name. As summer settles over the island, these moments multiply – Saturday market mornings, golden-hour car meets, and sunset kayaks in the harbour.
Greater Victoria is home to approximately 420,000 people spread across 13 distinct municipalities, from the heritage streets of Oak Bay to the mountain-flanked trails of Langford. If you're 5 minutes from the Inner Harbour or 25 minutes up the Saanich Peninsula in Sidney, each community offers a different pace, a different view, and a different version of island living.
Roots in Victoria exists to map those differences – the 12 neighbourhood guides covering walk scores and school catchments, the weekly events calendar, the seasonal festivals that define island life. Built by Anna Hakim and Perry Fanthorpe of the Happy Homes Team at eXp Realty, it's everything that happens after someone arrives.
"Victoria isn't just a place to live. It's a place to become part of something – a neighbourhood, a Saturday market ritual, a dog walking community. That's what roots actually are."
New to the site? Start with our complete retirement guide, Alberta relocation guide, or full relocation resource hub.
The Victoria Lifestyle
Morning saltwater dips, artisan farmers markets, secret forested walking paths, and the ultimate specialty coffee scene. This is what daily life actually feels like here.
Ocean Living
Every morning begins with salt air. Walk the Dallas Road bluffs at dawn, kayak through the harbour at golden hour, or watch otters from the Cordova Bay shoreline. The ocean isn't a backdrop here. It's a neighbour.
Dog-Friendly Living
Victoria treats dogs like family. Off-leash beach coves, heated brewery patios, forested trail networks, and a city council that actually cares about canine quality of life. This is the dog capital of Canada.
Coffee & Culinary
From Discovery Coffee's single-origin pour-overs to Pagliacci's legendary pasta, Victoria's food scene punches well above its weight. Farm-to-table is not a trend here. It is Tuesday.
Markets & Seasons
The Moss Street Market on Saturday mornings, Goldstream's seasonal bounty, Butchart Gardens in every season, Victoria's community rhythms are woven through markets, festivals, and shared tables.
Why People Stay
8°C
Average Winter
Canada's mildest climate, year-round outdoor living
420K
Metro Population
13 municipalities across Greater Victoria
20+
Off-Leash Zones
Beaches, bluffs, forests, and heated patios for dogs
25 min
Avg. Commute
Langford to Downtown off-peak via Highway 1
Find Your Community
Oak Bay
Heritage charm meets seaside elegance
Tudor mansions under Garry oaks, village shops on the Avenue, and Willows Beach sunsets. Oak Bay is Victoria's most refined address.
Cordova Bay
Coastal village, sandy shores, quiet luxury
Sandy beaches, custom homes with ocean views, and the kind of Saturday mornings where the whole family, including the dogs, heads to the shoreline.
James Bay
Historic harbour living at its finest
Victoria's oldest neighbourhood, steps from the Inner Harbour, Beacon Hill Park, and the Dallas Road waterfront. Flat, walkable, and deeply charming.
Langford
Modern energy, mountain lifestyle
New schools, contemporary homes, and easy access to hiking, lakes, and the West Shore trail network. Victoria's fastest-growing community.
Not sure which neighbourhood fits?
For heritage charm & seaside elegance: Oak Bay or Fairfield. For modern family living: Langford or Colwood. For retired coastal living: Sidney or James Bay. For space & nature: Cordova Bay or Broadmead. Explore all 12 →
Only Locals Know
Hidden gems, weekly rituals, and the little things that make this island community pulse with life.
Oak Bay Collector Car Festival This Sunday
The 26th annual Oak Bay Collector Car Festival takes over Oak Bay Avenue on July 19 with over 300 collector vehicles, live entertainment, and a true street party atmosphere. The Island's premier automotive event is free for all.
Read more Victoria DogsA Dog's Guide to Greater Victoria
From off-leash bluffs at Macaulay Point to the fenced paradise of Cy Hampson Park, Victoria is built for four-legged residents. Our dogs are full community members here.
Read more Arts & CultureArt Gallery Paint-In Returns to Moss Street
Vancouver Island's largest summer arts festival returns July 18 with over 100 artists painting live along Moss Street. Free, family-friendly, and one of the most beloved Victoria traditions.
Read moreTrending This Week
Oak Bay Collector Car Festival
Victoria's crown jewel car show. Over 300 collector vehicles line Oak Bay Avenue in a true street party atmosphere. Free admission, live entertainment, food vendors, and the Island's biggest automotive event of the year.
Art Gallery Grand Melee Paint-In
Vancouver Island's largest summer arts festival. Over 100 artists create work live on Moss Street as thousands stroll through. Free outdoor event with live music and food vendors.
Broadmead Saturday Night Car Meetup
Summer car season continues. Up to 100+ muscle cars, vintage restorations, and imports gather every pleasant Saturday evening. Free, family-friendly, and the heart of local car culture.
Saturday Farmers Markets
Market season is buzzing. The Moss Street, Goldstream, Peninsula Country, and Sidney Saturday markets all run this week with fresh island produce, artisans, and food vendors.
Oaklands Sunset Market
A Wednesday evening neighbourhood market with local produce, artisan goods, food vendors, and live music. A midweek summer staple for central Victoria families.
Butchart Gardens Saturday Fireworks
Saturday night fireworks over the Sunken Garden run all summer through September 5. Nightly live performances throughout the season. Book ahead – fireworks nights sell out fast.
This City Was Built for Dogs
Off-leash beach coves at sunrise. Heated brewery patios for afternoon rest. Forested trail networks that stretch for miles. Victoria doesn't just allow dogs. It celebrates them. With more than 20 designated off-leash areas spanning over 40 km of combined trail and beach access, the city consistently ranks among the top pet-friendly communities in Canada.
Dallas Road Waterfront: A legendary off-leash bluff corridor with ocean views stretching to the Olympic Mountains.
Cy Hampson Park: A fully fenced off-leash paradise on the West Shore, perfect for recall training and socialization.
Dog Patio Culture: Leashed dogs welcome on heated patios across the city, brewery gardens, coffee frontages, and waterfront restaurants.
Broadmead Saturday Night
Car Meetup
Every pleasant weekend, the parking lot at Canadian Tire on Royal Oak Drive transforms into Victoria's ultimate grassroots car show. Muscle cars, hot rods, and European tuners gather under the Saanich sunset. It's the heartbeat of local car culture. Drawing upwards of 100 vehicles and 300+ spectators each week, this free, family-friendly meetup runs from early May through late September.
"There's something about the island air and a sunset over those mountains that makes you want to stand around a beautiful car and talk to strangers. That's Victoria car culture in one sentence."
Local Knowledge,
Genuine Passion.
Anna Hakim and Perry Fanthorpe of the Happy Homes Team at eXp Realty created Roots in Victoria to share what they know best – the neighbourhoods, the community events, the dog-friendly spots, the food culture, and the lifestyle that makes Southern Vancouver Island unlike anywhere else in Canada.
Anna Hakim
Building Emotional Roots
Community, belonging, and helping you find the right neighbourhood.
Perry Fanthorpe
Building Financial Roots
Mortgage helpers, ADUs, and building wealth through property.
Ready to Put Down
Your Roots?
If you're relocating from across the province or across the country, we'll help you find the right neighbourhood, the right community, and the right home. It starts with a conversation.
Let's Connect
Tell us about your plans. We'll be in touch within 2 hours.
Everything you need to start exploring.
Living in Victoria, Answered
Is Victoria BC a good place to live?
Yes. Victoria BC is widely regarded as one of the best places to live in Canada. It has the country's mildest winters (8°C average), sits in the Olympic rain shadow (half the precipitation of Vancouver), and offers year-round outdoor recreation, excellent schools, walkable neighbourhoods, and a thriving food and coffee culture.
What is the best neighbourhood in Victoria?
The best neighbourhood depends on your priorities. For walkability and heritage charm: Oak Bay or James Bay. For modern family living with value: Langford. For balanced community with UVic access: Saanich Core. For retired coastal living: Sidney-by-the-Sea. Each has a distinct personality, explore all 12 guides.
What is the cost of living in Victoria BC?
The benchmark single-family home price in the Victoria Core is approximately $1.34M, while West Shore areas like Langford start around $890K. Rent averages $1,900–$2,200/month for a one-bedroom. Groceries cost 3–5% more than the mainland due to ferry freight. Victoria's mild winters mean significantly lower heating costs. Many homeowners offset expenses through secondary suites ($1,500–$2,000/month offset).
How does Victoria compare to Vancouver?
Victoria is quieter, more walkable, and 25–35% less expensive than Vancouver. It receives half the rainfall, has milder winters, and shorter commutes. With ~400,000 people in Greater Victoria versus 2.6M in Metro Vancouver, you get big-city amenities without the congestion. The trade-off is island access requiring a ferry or flight.
Are secondary suites or mortgage helpers allowed?
Yes. BC municipalities actively encourage secondary suites and ADUs to build rental stock. Saanich, Langford, and Victoria all permit accessory dwelling units, carriage homes, and secondary suites subject to lot-size and setback requirements. This is a specialty of the Happy Homes Team, ask us about mortgage helper strategies.
Happy Homes Team
Homes with soul. Strategy with heart. Explore our guides to building financial and emotional roots on Southern Vancouver Island.
