
Accommodation for Newcomers in Saanich, British Columbia
Accommodation for Newcomers in Saanich, British Columbia
New immigrants arriving in Saanich, British Columbia have a tough task ahead of them. It is the same around the world. When you land in a new country you have to do everything in one go, and this includes finding someplace to live in Saanich, British Columbia.
Usually, accommodation for newcomers in Saanich, British Columbia is done on a short-term basis. Once the newcomer and their family have a better idea of where they want to live in Saanich, British Columbia then they’ll usually move a second or third time until they are finally settled. It is the same in Saanich, British Columbia, Canada as in virtually every place in the world.
Saanich, British Columbia is well known the world over for being extremely welcoming to new migrants to Canada. It’s a charming place with plenty or heritage. All newcomers to Saanich, British Columbia need to know some of the culture and heritage.
Saanich ( SAN-itch) is a district municipality on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, within the Greater Victoria area. The population was 117,735 at the 2021 census, making it the most populous municipality in the Capital Regional District and Vancouver Island, and the eighth-most populous in the province. The district adopted its name after the Saanich First Nation, meaning “emerging land” or “emerging people”. The District acts as a bedroom community immediately to the north of Victoria, British Columbia.
With an area of 103.44 square kilometres (39.94 sq mi), it is the largest municipality in Greater Victoria. The municipality contains a wide variety of rural and urban landscapes and neighbourhoods stretching north to the Saanich Peninsula. Saanich is home to part of the University of Victoria which is bisected by the neighbouring district municipality of Oak Bay and to both campuses of Camosun College. The municipality’s topography is undulating with many glacially scoured rock outcroppings. Elevations range from sea level to 229 metres (751 ft). The physical setting is greatly influenced by water. There are 8.1749 square kilometres (3.1563 sq mi) of freshwater lakes and 29.61 kilometres (18.40 mi) of marine shoreline.
Saanich has been the home to First Nations people for thousands of years. Saanich is on the territory of the Lək̓ʷəŋən peoples known today as Songhees & Esquimalt Nations, the Malahat Nation and the Saanich Peoples. These Indigenous peoples have connections to the land and those traditions are carried on to this day. Non-Indigenous history begins with the arrival of the Hudson’s Bay Company in the 1840s.
The Craigflower Schoolhouse (originally called Maple Point School), the oldest surviving school building in Western Canada, was built on orders from Kenneth MacKenzie. He came from Scotland with his family in 1852, on the Hudson’s Bay Company ship Norman Morison, to establish a farm for the Puget Sound Agricultural Company, a subsidiary of the Hudson’s Bay Company. A school was needed for the children of farm employees, as well as those of arriving settlers.
The Municipality of Saanich was incorporated on March 1, 1906. The Dominion Astrophysical Observatory telescope was designed by John Stanley Plaskett, an astronomer with the Department of the Interior in Ottawa. The 180-centimetre (72 in) reflecting telescope was the largest of its kind in the world when it was built, though this was only the case for a few short months in 1918.
The District of Saanich contains a long shoreline with sandy beaches located at several ocean bays. Two of the beaches are Cadboro Bay Beach and Cordova Bay Beach. Cadboro Bay is known as the home of the “Cadborosaurus”, a mythical cryptid. Saanich’s notable parks include Mount Douglas Park, Mount Tolmie Park (with viewpoints), and Gyro Park.
The W̱SÁNEĆ (weh-saanich) peoples are represented by the Tsartlip (Sart-Lip), Pauquachin (Paw-Qua-Chin), Tsawout (Say-Out), Tseycum (Sigh-Come) and Malahat (Mal-a-hat) Nations. The W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council Society consists of three of theses Nations: Tsartlip, Tseycum and Tsawout. These W̱SÁNEĆ First Nations remain on their ancestral lands and continue to prosper today.
On May 7, 2018, the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council was created as a representation of the W̱SÁNEĆ First Nations to the Government. The creation of this council not only brought three Indigenous groups together, but it also established a legal governing body. With this council, came many proposals and projects to benefit the W̱SÁNEĆ First Nations.
Includes:
The W̱SÁNEĆ language or Saanich dialect is called SENĆOŦEN This dialect was revitalized by the late John Elliot, an important member of the W̱SÁNEĆ community and peoples.
The Saanich District Council is the governing body of the municipality of Saanich. The council consists of the Mayor and eight councillors.
Saanich is divided into twelve local areas for planning purposes. In addition, there are a number of community associations in the municipality that represent neighbourhoods largely overlapping with the local areas. The Local Areas, and representative community associations, are listed below:
The northeastern half of British Columbia’s third-largest university, the University of Victoria campus, is in Saanich, while the southwestern portion is in neighbouring Oak Bay. Saanich is also home to both major campuses of Camosun College, the original Lansdowne campus, and the Interurban campus.
Saanich is divided between two bordering school districts, School District 61 Greater Victoria and School District 63 Saanich. It is also the home of South Island Distance Education School.
In the 2021 Canadian census conducted by Statistics Canada, Saanich had a population of 117,735 living in 48,048 of its 50,064 total private dwellings, a change of 3.1% from its 2016 population of 114,148. With a land area of 103.59 square kilometres (40.00 sq mi), it had a population density of 1,136.5/km (2,943.6/sq mi) in 2021.
According to the 2021 census, religious groups in Saanich included:
Most searches for immigration accommodation for newcomers in Saanich, British Columbia begin with a search engine. Local papers in Saanich, British Columbia may well be online and of course accommodation websites like Craigslist Saanich, British Columbia and Book Direct and Save Saanich, British Columbiacan be of great help.
Saanich, British Columbia accommodation for newcomers varies greatly in cost depending on requirements and neighborhoods. Lots of new arrivals to Saanich, British Columbia use BookDirectandSave.com to give them an indication of short-term rental process in Saanich, British Columbia and also the option to book with confidence and security.
Once you decide to rent a property in Saanich, British Columbia there are certain things specific to Saanich, British Columbia to keep in mind. For example, make sure to agree on who pays for utilities such as electricity and water.
Property owners and landlords in Saanich, British Columbia will usually require references and bank statements and not all individuals and families looking for newcomer accommodation in Saanich, British Columbia have access to these so do make sure you locate some of the new immigrant services in Saanich, British Columbia.
Rental housing is the most common housing option for new immigrants in Saanich, British Columbia. With a huge range of rental properties available, including apartments, condos, and co-living spaces, new arrivals can easily find a rental property that meets their needs and budget.
Apartments in Saanich, British Columbia are available in a variety of sizes and styles, from studios to multi-bedroom units. They can be found in a range of neighbourhoods from the downtown area to the more relaxed suburbs. Rent prices can vary greatly but expect to pay around CAD $1,800 to CAD $4,500 per month for an apartment in the centre of Saanich, British Columbia.
Co-living options are increasingly popular for new immigrants in Saanich, British Columbia, offering a more affordable and social living experience. They usually have private bedrooms and shared living spaces with added benefits like cleaning, internet and utilities included in the rent. Rent prices for co-living spaces in Saanich, British Columbia start from CAD $1,500 per month.
When choosing a rental property make sure to consider the cost of living and the lease terms and conditions. Read the fine print on your lease documents as it is a contract you are signing so it is important you fully understand.
You can find even more detailed information about life in Saanich, British Columbia here, places to go, things to do and how to get around in Saanich, British Columbia.
Some newcomers arriving in Saanich, British Columbia find it easier to take residence in a Saanich, British Columbia hotel for a few weeks before finding something more permanent.
Long-term hotels in Saanich, British Columbia offer affordable rates and flexible stay options for individuals and families who need a place to stay for a few weeks or months. You might find standard hotels in the area offer a few rooms at long-term rates to ensure they have a regular income. Ask around and always book direct with the hotel as they can give the best rate that way. The best way to book direct is with BookDirectandSave.com
Business Name | Rating | Categories | Phone Number | Address |
---|---|---|---|---|
Quality Inn Waddling Dog![]() | Hotels | +12506521146 | 2476 Mt Newton Cross Roads, Saanichton, BC V8M 2B8, Canada | |
Snug Harbor Marina Resort![]() | Resorts | +13603784762 | 1997 Mitchell Bay Rd, Friday Harbor, WA 98250 | |
Fairmont Empress![]() | Hotels | +12503848111 | 721 Government Street, Victoria, BC V8W 1W5, Canada | |
Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa![]() | Hotels | +12506559445 | 9805 Seaport Place, Sidney, BC V8L 4X3, Canada | |
Oak Bay Beach Hotel![]() | Hotels | +12505984556 | 1175 Beach Drive, Victoria, BC V8S 2N2, Canada | |
Abigail’s Hotel![]() | Hotels | +12503885363 | 906 McClure St, Victoria, BC V8V 3E7, Canada | |
Delta Hotels by Marriott Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort![]() | Hotels | +12503602999 | 100 Harbour Road, Victoria, BC V9A 0G1, Canada | |
Hotel Rialto![]() | Hotels | +12503834157 | 1450 Douglas St, Victoria, BC V8W 2G1, Canada | |
Inn at Laurel Point![]() | Hotels | +12503868721 | 680 Montreal St, Victoria, BC V8V 1Z8, Canada | |
Brentwood Bay Resort![]() | Hotels | +12505442079 | 849 Verdier Avenue, Victoria, BC V8M 1C5, Canada | |
Roche Harbor Resort![]() | Resorts | +13603782155 | 248 Reuben Memorial Dr, Roche Harbor, WA 98250 | |
Hotel Zed![]() | Hotels | +12503884345 | 3110 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC V8Z 3K4, Canada | |
Hotel Grand Pacific![]() | Hotels | +12503860450 | 463 Belleville Street, Victoria, BC V8V 1X3, Canada | |
Sidney Waterfront Inn & Suites![]() | Hotels | +12506561131 | 9775 1st Street, Sidney, BC V8L 3E1, Canada | |
Howard Johnson Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Victoria Elk Lake![]() | Hotels | +18775583435 | 4670 Elk Lake Drive, Victoria, BC V8Z 3L6, Canada | |
Magnolia Hotel & Spa![]() | Hotels | +12503810999 | 623 Courtney St, Victoria, BC V8W 1B8, Canada | |
Moon Water Lodge![]() | Hotels | +17784323123 | 265 Trans Canada Highway, Malahat, BC V0R 2L0, Canada | |
The Latch Inn![]() | Bed & Breakfast | +12506564015 | 2328 Harbor Road, Sidney, BC V8L 2P8, Canada | |
Beacon Inn![]() | Bed & Breakfast | +12506553288 | 9724 3rd Street, Sidney, BC V8L 3A2, Canada | |
WOODS on Pender![]() | Hotels | +18005500172 | 4709 Canal Road, Pender Island, BC V0N 2M1, Canada |
If you are looking for accommodation in another town or city in Canada, you can find it on our Canada Living Guide index page which has guides to finding housing in Canada as a newcomer in more than 700 cities and towns across the country.
Jacqueline Chow is an international immigration and visa expert with over 15 years of experience in the field. With a background in law and a passion for helping people, Jacqueline has built a reputation as a trusted and reliable source of information and advice on all aspects of immigration and visas. She has worked with clients from all over the world, including high-net-worth individuals, professionals, skilled workers and families. As a sought-after speaker and commentator Jacqueline has been featured in various media outlets and has given talks on immigration and visas at conferences and events around the world.