Oak Bay, BC
Originally, Oak Bay was developed as a streetcar suburb of Victoria for the middle class and was incorporated as a municipality in 1906. Today, it has a population of 17,908 as listed in the 2006 census. Although it is located only ten minutes from downtown Victoria, it’s a world away in terms of the hustle and bustle that is found in the bigger city. Oak Bay gets its name from the Garry Oak trees which are in abundance in the area. In fact Oak Bay took as its motto, Sub Quercu Felicitas, which is Latin for "Under the Oak, Good Fortune". So, we can get a pretty good idea of why the tree-lined streets in the town are often atrium-like with branches arching above the traffic. Things to Do Oak Bay is easily accessible to downtown Victoria by several modes of transportation such car, bus, bicycle, or even on foot for the well-conditioned walker. City tour routes follow either Fort Street, Fairfield Road or Pandora Avenue, while the oceanside route will follow Beach Drive. Though it will take slightly longer to arrive, it will reward the traveler with gorgeous ocean vistas at every turn. A relaxing day can be enjoyed in Oak Bay while shopping in unique stores and galleries, or strolling through many parks, or sunbathing on a beach. Sandy beaches draw large crowds year round, but the most popular is Willows Beach which especially preferred by families with children for its many outdoor events. Gonzales Beach is a local favorite of the younger residents. It bustles with beach combers, roller bladers and bikers, kite surfers, kayakers, and scuba divers. Birdwatchers also enjoy this particular area for the many species of ducks, peacocks, Blue Heron, and Bald Eagles. For those who enjoy boating, the Oak Bay Marina has many large recreational boats and yachts at their docks. Oak Bay is a great place to begin a cruise or drive because it leads to several scenic areas. In Oak Bay, there are several English-style establishments such as tea rooms, specialty boutiques and antique shops, and restaurants that are very appealing to the older residents.
Education
Oak Bay is within School District 61 and has only one public elementary school, Willows Elementary School, one public middle school, Monterey Middle School, and one public high school, Oak Bay Secondary School within Oak Bay itself. However, the residents in the South Oak Bay area have the option of registering their children at the nearby Margaret Jenkins Elementary which is in Victoria. In addition to the public school choices, there are also two private schools in Oak Bay. They are Glenlyon Norfolk School and St. Michael's University School. Oak Bay Real Estate This seaside community of Oak Bay managed to preserve its traditional English appearance by paying close attention to the environment as it was being developed. In fact, the community shows great opposition to large-scale commercial development, instead opting to maintain a more quaint English village feel. Oak Bay real estate include homes with well-kept gardens and manicured lawns and are filled with a rainbow of colors, much of them featuring century-old architecture of Arts and Craft and Faux-Tudor style homes like those found in the Uplands of Oak Bay. The Uplands in Oak Bay has a reputation of being a community for older, wealthier residents of Victoria because of the million-dollar houses which have million dollar views of Haro Strait, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Olypmic Mountains, and Mt. Baker. In fact, some of the estates found in Oak Bay are among the most expensive private residences found in North America. And while Oak Bay has been a desired area for retirees, the Estevan, Willows and South Oak Bay neighbourhoods offer more modest housing suitable for young families. Oak Bay has something for everyone. Find out if Oak Bay real estate is right for you! Call us at 250-213-9490 or use the form below to send an email. Peter and Linda |