Greater Victoria - Sooke1720631

The District of Accommodations Sooke may be the westernmost of Greater Victoria's western communities. Only recently incorporated (1999), Sooke is often a largely rural municipality with a developing residential core. The people of 11,000 is increasing slowly but steadily.

The historical home in the T'sou-ke people, this sheltered harbour containing a salmon bearing river, rich clam beds, and abundant berries and game from the forests was an excellent site along with the people living here thrived. Europeans arrived at the mid 1800's, and one with the first to achieve Sooke was Captain Walter Colqohoun Grant of the Royal Scots Greys, who apparently brought seeds from Scotland of his cherished Scottish Broom, which is now a lot maligned invasive species overtaking native habitat from Alaska to California.

Fishing and logging are the industries that built Sooke, and continue, though on the reduced scale, to help with the area economy. Tourism is one of the primary employers, both adventure related and cultural. There exists a vibrant arts community here, and Sooke hosts the premiere juried art display on Vancouver Island - the Sooke Fine Arts Show each summer.

Many residents of Accommodations Sooke commute to Victoria but chose to reside in Sooke to emerge from the hubbub with the city, and also as a result of lower property values, you recruit a lot of value for your money here! There's a wide range of housing available in Sooke, from condominiums, townhomes and suburban single family residences in and nearby the village, to country residential, hobby farms, and estate properties out of town. Across the Sooke basin there are many amazing waterfront and waterview properties. Neighborhoods of Sooke include:

· North Sooke;

· Saseenos;

· Milne's Landing;

· Sunriver Estates;

· Sooke Town Centre or "UpSooke";

· Broom Hill;

· Whiffin Spit;

· Otter Point, and

· Kemp Lake

Policing in Sooke emerges with the RCMP and there is a volunteer based fire department. Municipal water can be acquired to residences close to the town core along with the sewer method is under expansion. Rural properties can still depend on wells and septic tanks and fields. Sooke has its own recreational facility, SEAPARC Leisure Complex, using a pool and skating rink.