Or Why Sooke, BC is becoming a top choice for West Coast living.

It used to be that some only thought of Sooke as a 2^nd choice because their housing dollars wouldn’t allow them to locate closer to Victoria – but that has changed.  So why is Sooke fast becoming a top choice for homebuyers?  Well, start with a quaint west coast community that has a friendly small town feel and is next to beautiful beaches, parks, and forests.  Then add more and more amenities such as public boardwalks, boat docks, fishing, shopping, cool coffee shops, and award winning restaurants and finally top it off with the lowest housing costs in the Victoria area and it becomes pretty clear – Sooke offers a top notch return on lifestyle.

Another factor increasing the attractiveness of Sooke has been the growth of the City of Langford and all that it offers. While Sooke has many wonderful community merchants, and we recommend shopping and attending community events in Sooke whenever you can, we also recognize that there are some purchases and entertainment that require going to a larger centre. If you need your fix of Victoria’s charm, the drive is always worth it though we find most Sooke residents now head to Langford.

“Langford is rapidly becoming the new town centre for Greater Victoria,” says Dan Spinner, CEO of the Westshore Chamber of Commerce. Not only does Langford offer all major amenities and entertainment a short 20-minute drive from Sooke, it is also a growing employment centre for Greater Victoria.

We’ve counted down our top four favourite places for you to spend your disposable cash in Langford – a booming city that’s located just 20 minutes east of Sooke.

1. Shopping – When you need a big box store, you need a big box store, it’s just that simple. Pick up a coffee at the Stick in the Mud coffee house in Sooke and then enjoy the drive to Langford’s Millstream Village or Westshore Town Centre and have your pick of Costco, Best Buy, Home Sense, Winners, Canadian Tire, Golf Town, and more. See you in power tool aisle at Home Depot.
2. The Cineplex Odeon at Westshore Town Centre- As the first theatre on Vancouver Island to go fully digital, the newly-opened Cineplex Odeon at Westshore Town Centre has a crisper picture, sharper sound and more vivid images than other local screens. The theatre is home to seven auditoriums (four with 3D technology) – and while tickets can be a bit pricier ($12 for adults, $9.50 for children/seniors and an extra $3 for the UltraAVX theatre), you can afford it with what you’ve saved by living in Sooke. You might even find yourself splurging for popcorn… (900-2945 Jacklin Road.)
3. Market on Millstream ­– Named 2009’s Canadian Independent Grocer, the locally-owned Market on Millstream is your recipe to fresh produce, local meats and organic, vegan or gluten-free products. With an on-site bakery, deli and floral shop and hundreds of local, BC or Canadian-produced items, this is your perfect one-stop-shop to full body health and wellness. ­(125-2401C Millstream Road.) You might also want to pop in next door at Everything Wine for a tasting and experience Victoria’s largest wine store.
4. Langford Lanes – What list would be complete without including the hip, new bowling alley at the Langford Sportsplex? Situated beside the soccer pitch, family fun park and a spanking new hockey arena, Langford Lanes puts life back in the game we enjoyed as kids. This facility has a licensed 6 lane VIP Room that will make you want to rush out and buy a pair of two tone bowling shoes. (1097 Langford Parkway)

There are so many more things to do in Langford and the West Shore to mention here but for true adventure check out our blog Sooke – A Place where even Indiana Jones wouldn’t get bored.

All the best,

Blair

 

Totangi Properties is the developer of the Sooke, BC Real Estate development, Woodland Creek – an award winning community of affordable, new homes for sale that use geo-thermal heating and air conditioning and are Built Green certified. Follow us on twitter at @woodland_creek and Facebook at facebook.com/woodlandcreeksookebc.