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Summary

This storybook-like small BC city was named as a spot Canadians would 'love' to move to

Enchanting streets and lush nature awaits you here. 🪄

A city street. Right: Someone in a garden.

A small city on a BC Island.

Shannon Brassard | Dreamstime, @jannika.anja | Instagram
Editor

Visiting this small city in B.C. feels like stepping into a fairytale, with lush gardens to roam around, cobblestone streets, a picturesque waterfront and endless views.

It's a relatively underrated spot, often overlooked for the more bustling hub of Vancouver – but it's just as worthwhile to visit, or make the move to.

Victoria is the main city on Vancouver Island, a perfect jumping-off point for exploring the enchanting beauty of the island. It's the ideal balance of incredible nature at the doorstep, with a vibrant city full of shopping, restaurants, and charm.

Narcity readers recently named Victoria as the Canadian spot they would love to move to, and it's not hard to see why.

The city is known for its European influence, dubbed the "most British" city in Canada. Wandering the streets of downtown, you'll find charming storefronts and a vibrant atmosphere. Then there's the Inner Harbour, where the stately Fairmont Empress hotel and the Parliament buildings frame the waterfront.

Lower Johnson Street is a colourful row of historic buildings, filled with local shops to explore.

Keep on exploring, and you'll find Fisherman's Wharf, yet another dreamy-looking spot in the city. The wharf is a little village of floating homes and shops, and you can take tours from there.

To truly feel like you're in a fairytale, visit Hatley Castle to explore its beautiful gardens and admire the castle, built in 1908.

You also have the famous Butchart Gardens near the city, with 55 acres of beauty to wander around.

One of the best parts about this city is the nature at the doorstep. Within Victoria, you'll find city beaches and lush parks, but it keeps getting better the more you explore the island.

Just a drive away, you'll find beautiful beach towns, waterfall hikes, and breathtaking rainforests.

Life here is that perfect mix of natural wonder and bustling city.

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.

  • 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. After working in the print media world on Canada’s East Coast, she joined Narcity with a move to B.C., drawn to the beauty of Western Canada. Since then, she's documented her experience moving to Vancouver, covering everything from local events to bucket-list travel destinations across Canada's West Coast.

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