Victoria Real Estate Blog - February, 2015

Upcoming Event: Uno Fest 2015

Uno Fest has been around since 1997 and is the longest running solo performance festival in North America. They have had over three hundred shows, which is quite impressive. This year the event will take place from March 8th to May 24th at the Metro Studio and Intrepid Theatre Club. The show is always different, but always brings together incredible talent from all over the UK.

What You Can Expect At This Event

Every year the audience can expect an eclectic mix of all different music acts from Cabaret to folksy guitar playing and a lot of skits, acting, and mayhem. This year is going to be just as exciting with a huge lineup and tickets going on sale March 1st. Here are just some of the acts you will see; Me, Myself & Eye, Dissolve, Fylm, God is…

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What can Residents of Victoria Expect from the Bicycle Master Plan?

Bicycling is a great way to get around because it saves money and helps to reduce your carbon footprint. A lot of people in Victoria enjoy traveling this way to save gas money and stop from emitting chemicals into the air. It also is an excellent form of exercise for those who want to be active but aren’t really into the gym.

Since 1995 the current plan in Victoria for bicyclists has helped regulate and improve the cycling experience. A lot has changed in nineteen years so it's time for a more updated plan to come to fruition. The new plan is going to have two phases and here is what the residents of Victoria can expect from the Bicycle Master Plan.

Cycling is Becoming More Popular

Cycling has increased in popularity in the city so one of the…

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Where can you Park in Victoria?

Those that are new to the Victoria area may be wondering how to get around the city and where to park their cars. You’re ready to explore, maybe start a new job and start getting acclimated to the area. All you need to know is where to park.

There are five parkades, three surface parking lots and 2,000 on-street parking spaces downtown so you shouldn’t have any issue finding a spot. The higher-demand on-street parking spots are not ideal and residents should shoot for the five parkades. Here is a look at where to park in Victoria.

What to know about the city parkades

The first hour of parking is always free and you don’t need a coupon anymore to get this. It’s free on Sundays and holidays and event parking is free Monday through Saturday from…

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What is the New Strategic Plan for Victoria all About?

City Council has been working to develop a new strategic plan for Victoria. Their goal is to create a plan in which the next four years will be guided by decisions of the municipality with a concrete plan and deliverables. It takes place before the Financial Plan is developed so that strategic priorities are used to guide the financial planning. The plan will include financial and operational plans and the public was included in planning sessions in early February. Here is a look at their strategic planning for Victoria.

January and February’s Planning

In January and February of this year, the city council completed the strategic planning process. The objective was to develop the concrete and clear plan and deliverables to guide decision making…

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Where are the Best Wedding venues Found in Victoria?

Your big day is very special and the venue will make a huge difference. There are a number of great places around Victoria to hold your wedding and the reception. Here are some of the top wedding venues found in Victoria.

Gardens

There are a number of beautiful gardens found throughout Victoria. Choose from the indoor garden at Butchart Gardens or a more intimate choice, such as Abkhazi Gardens. No matter what type of garden you prefer, you can find it here. Some other good choices for your garden wedding in Victoria include:

• The Butterfly Gardens
• Garden at HCP
• Heritage Estate Garden
• Barton Leier Gallery & Garden
• "Chosin" Garden
• And More!

By the Sea

Another good choice for your wedding is to get married by the sea.…

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What are the Rules for Canadian Snowbirds?

Many retirees and others that call Canada home become snowbirds. However, they have specific rules they must follow when it comes to the tax liability.

It's fully legal for a Canadian resident to spend six months less one day in the United States. However, it could have an impact on your taxes.

An article fond on the CBC News' British Columbia website stated that Canadians are only allowed to spend 120 days in the United State out of every year. However, this statement was quickly clarified by the Canadian Snowbird Association.

Under the current policy, Canadian citizens eligible for travel can spend up to six months less one day in the United States per year. However, those spending more than four months in the United States may be deemed as…

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What does the Victoria Cycling Network Include?

The cycling network found in Victoria is quite popular. It has been updated to include even more features and to provide even more for the residents of the city. The improvements are mapped out for the next 25 years and include some great highlights.

New Features Expected to be Added

Some of the new features will make it easier to get to attractions, schools and more. The highlights of the new cycling network map include:

• Connections to all the public schools, senior centres and community centres
• Better connections in the downtown area
• All town centres and urban villages will be within just one block of a cycling route
• Saanich, Esquimalt and Oak Bay will all have better connections
• Routes for "All Ages and Abilities will be…

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Attraction Spotlight: Save-on-Foods Centre

The Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre is one of the top centres found in the Victoria area. It has the capacity to seat up to 7,000 and provides plenty of programs for kids and adults. The learn-to-skate program for children is one of the most popular, along with many public skating programs.

Lion's Den Restaurant

Within the centre, the Lion's Den Restaurant is found. This restaurant is open before every game or concert and provides a buffet. The buffet includes salads, entrees, appetizers and plenty of desserts. You will want to beat the rush and come in for dinner before the next event you attend at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.

Lighthouse Brewing Company

The Lighthouse Lounge at Center Ice is another great place for pre-game meals. You…

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