Known as the “City of Gardens”, Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, is a small city that looks out from the southern tip of Canada’s Vancouver Island. As one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest, it benefits from having a mature, refined culture that is reflected in many stately Victorian and Edwardian homes, a number of highly regarded universities and museums, and a sophisticated art and music scene. Victoria’s natural position, however, is perhaps its finest asset, as the residents of this economically thriving city, which possesses an economy centered on clean, high tech industries and government service, benefit from not only the natural, rugged beauty that is synonymous with Vancouver Island, but also the many living treasures, including Orcas and various fish species, that thrive within the Juan de Fuca Strait and other nearby bodies of water that are directly connected to the Pacific Ocean. Though this makes Victoria an ideal locale for those who love both inspiring landscapes and adventures, like biking or kayaking, that can take them into the wild, it should also be noted that much of the area’s native charm can be found within the city’s boundaries, as landmarks like Beacon Hill Park and the Butchart Gardens are noted for bringing both green space and organic artistry to a sophisticated urban setting. That sophistication, which is in part powered by the economic power of the area’s aviation, electronics, and telecommunication industries, finds release in a music scene that, having produced a number of pop and rocks stars, also hosts a number of classical venues, including the Victoria Symphony, Pacific Opera Victoria, Canadian Pacific Ballet, and Victoria Philharmonic Choir. Stage and the visual arts are also represented by institutions like the Belfry Theatre and the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. As the inheritor of the ancient culture of the native people of the Pacific Northwest as well as the home of the western hemisphere’s second oldest Chinatown, Victoria also possesses the cultural richness that is an essential part of any unique community. Whether attracted by the area’s modern economy, high standard of living, or maritime excursions, anyone who is interested in purchasing a home in Victoria is assured of living in a place known for intelligence, beauty, and peace of mind.