Victoria may be in British Columbia, but it feels more like England than Canada. Victoria was founded in the 1800s as an outpost of the British Empire and populated by settlers attracted to its mild climate. Historic Victoria boasts several grand buildings, lots of shops and aesthetic touches reflecting its English heritage. There's a slightly toney ambience to the city streets.
Victoria is also a modern, prosperous provincial capital with a diversified economy. Vancouver is a short ferry ride away. The education and technology sectors are strong, and specialty farming has burgeoned in the nearby Saanich Peninsula and up-island Cowichan Valley. The result is a city with an international reputation for good restaurants and a penchant for outdoor sports such as sea kayaking, sailing and cycling. For a city of its size and scale, Victoria has a youthful, eclectic buzz.
