5 Best Neighborhoods in Saanich: Where to Live in Saanich BC

In the picturesque municipality of Saanich, British Columbia—one of Victoria's best suburbs—a treasure trove of neighbourhoods awaits those seeking the perfect place to call home. Saanich boasts a rich tapestry of communities, each with its unique charm and appeal. From tranquil pockets of lush greenery to vibrant urban hubs, the best Saanich neighbourhoods offer a glimpse into the thriving real estate scene. Discover the diverse landscapes, amenities, and character that define them, promising an array of options for those looking to invest or settle in this idyllic region.

Tillicum

Nestled on the banks of the Gorge, Tillicum is a highly walkable neighbourhood featuring charming historic homes just steps from parks, grocery stores, and other attractions.

About half of Tillicum predates 1960, with the remaining homes from the 1970s and '80s. Most homes in Tillicum are detached, but the waterfront neighbourhood also has townhomes, condos, and duplexes. While condos in Tillicum list from the $400s, single-family homes can cost up to $1.6 million.

Tillicum boasts several excellent parks, including the waterfront Craigflower-Kosapsom Park. Once the site of a Kosapsom village, the park now hosts a boat launch, a playground, and Craigflower Schoolhouse, the oldest surviving school building in Western Canada.

Tillicum Centre is the main commercial centre, boasting a movie theatre, a grocery store, and numerous restaurants, retailers, and service providers. Smaller commercial areas throughout the neighbourhood offer even more shops and restaurants, such as Hecklers Bar & Grill, which features comedy shows and a famous 50-flavour wing night.

Tillicum residents also enjoy quick access to the Trans Canada Highway, and the community is adjacent to some of Victoria's most walkable neighbourhoods.

Quadra

Quadra is a historic neighbourhood in Saanich East with single-family homes, condos, and townhomes mere minutes from lush green spaces, walkable shopping centres, and downtown Victoria.

Quadra was part of a 1,300-acre tract of land owned by Hudson's Bay Company. John Work, the Colony of Vancouver Island's largest landowner, purchased the land in 1852 and soon constructed a family home named Hillside Farm. This farm encompassed much of today's Quadra, and the area remained primarily agricultural until the end of the 19th century. Quadra's first subdivision came up in 1885, but buyers can find homes from many decades.

Single-family homes in Quadra typically sell for $700,000 to $2.8 million. Meanwhile, townhomes typically start around $545,000, and condos can run from $319,000 to $670,000. Quadra features numerous luxury homes boasting over 2,000 square feet of space and up to seven bedrooms.

Tree-lined streets make walking to Quadra Village easy. The neighbourhood's commercial area features boutique shops and restaurants, including the award-winning Part and Parcel. There's also the delicious 5th Street Bar & Grill, Victoria's only wood-fired grill and rotisserie. Quadra Village is also home to the 221-seat Roxy Theatre.

Cadboro Bay

Surrounded by water on three sides, Cadboro Bay is a scenic seaside community with luxury homes, fun events, and quick access to shops, restaurants, and recreation. The neighbourhood is home to Cadboro-Gyro Park, which is one of the best parks in Greater Victoria.

Cadboro Bay includes three waterfront neighbourhoods: the Village, Ten Mile Point, and Queenswood. The area's name comes from the Cadborough, the first ship to anchor in the bay in 1837.

Seventeen HBC employees settled near Cadboro Bay by 1850. By 1900, the beaches along Cadboro Bay had become a seaside resort while the flatter inland developed as farms. The extension of the city water main into the Village in the 1920s transformed the surrounding farmland into a residential neighbourhood.

Today, Cadboro Bay consists primarily of massive single-family homes and townhomes with at least three bedrooms and over 2,000 square feet of space. Homes in Cadboro Bay can cost between $1.2 million and $6.9 million.

Village Centre is the heart of Cadboro Bay, providing residents with grocery stores, medical and dental services, salons, specialty shops, and restaurants like Smugglers' Cove Pub and Thai Lemongrass. Residents can also enjoy the annual Cadboro Bay Festival, which features a giant seaside picnic with live music, games, and face painting.

Royal Oak

Royal Oak offers newer townhomes, suburban single-family homes, and sprawling estates surrounded by parks, shopping centres, and historic sites.

Royal Oak can trace its agricultural roots to the 1860s, but it didn't join Saanich until 1906. Some of the neighbourhood's early structures still stand, including Royal Oak Community Hall and Royal Oak Schoolhouse.

Many townhomes and detached homes in Royal Oak are mid-sized or large with more than 1,500 square feet of space. However, the neighbourhood also has several estates boasting over 4,000 square feet. Buyers looking in Royal Oak can expect to pay as little as $310,000 for a condo or up to $3 million for a luxury home.

Royal Oak is just south of Beaver Lake, a popular site for swimming, sailing, water skiing, windsurfing, rowing, and fishing. The surrounding park offers an extensive trail popular network for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

This Saanich West community has two major shopping centres on either side of the Patricia Bay Highway: Broadmead Village Shopping Centre and Royal Oak Shopping Centre. Each features grocery stores, medical and dental services, salons, specialty shops, and restaurants like Floyd's Diner, Little Thai Place, and Artisan Bistro.

Gordon Head

Partially intertwined with the University of Victoria's campus, Gordon Head is a sizable waterfront neighbourhood offering quick access to beaches, parks, and businesses.

Once a daffodil farm, Gordon Head became a residential community in the 1970s. While many of the neighbourhood's original split levels and ranchers remain, Gordon Head continues growing with new construction. Most homes in Gordon Head are mid-sized to large single-family homes or Saanich East townhomes priced from $465,000 to $7.9 million. The community has many oceanfront and luxury homes with six or more bedrooms and over 2,500 square feet of space.

Gordon Head is home to the 450-acre Mount Douglas Park. The park has over 21 kilometres of trails that go through the Saanich Peninsula's largest urban forest. The mountain's 225-metre summit offers stunning panoramic views of Saanich and the ocean.

Gordon Head also offers several commercial centres. Styled after a European village, Tuscany Village Shopping Centre features a grocery store, medical services, salons, and chain restaurants. Local grocer Mount Douglas Market sits just north of several other shopping plazas offering more services, specialty shops, and restaurants, including Naughty Nellie's Not Just Fish & Chips, Torquay Village, and Snowy Village Victoria.

Discover the Best Communities in Saanich

The Saanich area has emerged as a haven of real estate opportunities that cater to a wide spectrum of preferences. Its neighbourhoods, full of character and amenities, present a myriad of choices for those seeking the perfect place to reside or invest. Whether you're drawn to the serene beauty of Gordon Head, the bustling culture of Royal Oak, or the waterfront allure of Cadboro Bay, residents moving to Saanich can access a real estate landscape that stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of this enchanting corner of British Columbia.