Greater Victoria - Sooke5420205

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

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

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

Many residents of Accommodations Sooke commute to Victoria but have decided to reside Sooke to leave the busyness with the city, as well as because of the lower property values, you have a great deal of value for your money here! You will find there's wide range of housing accessible in Sooke, from condominiums, townhomes and suburban single family residences in and close to the village, to country residential, hobby farms, and estate properties on vacation. Over 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 is supplied from the RCMP and there's a volunteer based fire department. Municipal water can be acquired to residences close to the town core and the sewer system is under expansion. Rural properties may still depend on wells and septic tanks and fields. Sooke features its own recreational facility, SEAPARC Leisure Complex, having a pool and skating rink.