This dreamy oceanfront neighbourhood in BC was named among the best places to live in Canada​

This hidden gem is getting some praise!

Oak Bay in Victoria. Right: A street in Oak Bay.

A Vancouver Island neighbourhood ranked among the best places to live in Canada.

Editor

This enchanting little community in B.C. was ranked among the best places to live in Canada, for a high quality of life, and between its ocean views and cozy cafes – it's easy to imagine why.

Moving Waldo created the ranking of the "best places to live in Canada with the best quality of life" in 2025 based on quality of life, crime rates, and affordability. It gathered insights from online forums and took into account things like job opportunities, affordability, education, and safety.

Oak Bay, a neighbourhood in the Victoria area, came in at 5th place on the ranking. With low crime, lots of school, and nature at the doorstep, it seems like a pretty good spot to call home.

One of the main perks of the area is the access to nature, with the local beaches giving you access to the ocean and idyllic parks to relax in.

A day after work here could mean winding down at Willow Beach and breathing in the salty air, or hiking at Cattle Point. Thanks to the mild climate on Vancouver Island you can also enjoy the outdoors all year round.

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On top of the easy access to nature here you also get lots of amenities, with quaint streets filled with restaurants and shops. The architecture of the area has a British influence that makes roaming around that much more charming.

Oak Bay Avenue and Estevan Village are filled with local businesses, from bouquets to galleries. You're still in the Greater Victoria area here but it manages to feel like its own little town.

This small community is as blissful as it gets, so if you're thinking of making a move – this may be it.

  • Editor

    Morgan Leet (she/her) is an Editor for Narcity Media Group. After graduating from Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication, she jumped into fulfilling her dream as a journalist, merging her passion for travelling with writing. She got her start working in the print media world on Canada’s East Coast, then joined Narcity with a move to B.C., leading the launch of West Coast coverage. Her focus now is managing a large group of freelance writers, bringing human-forward and opinion content to the site.

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