Are you Interested in Moving to Sidney, BC?

Island living at its finest, the blossoming municipality of Sidney, BC, or Sidney by the Sea as it is affectionately known, is an idyllic location to call home for residents of all ages. A particularly vibrant retiree locale, Sidney offers endless opportunities to connect with nature, the community, and all of your favourite hobbies. As a local REALTOR® based in Sidney, I have a wealth of knowledge of the local community, market, and neighbourhoods.

If you want to relocate to Sidney by the Sea, I would be delighted to support you on your journey. Contact me to learn more.

Where is Sidney, BC?

Set against lush West Coast vistas along the Salish Sea, the Town of Sidney is located at the North end of the Saanich Peninsula on Vancouver Island, BC. One of 13 municipalities in the Greater Victoria region, Sidney is surrounded by North Saanich’s Bazan Bay, Airport, Sandown and McDonald Park neighbourhoods, and the Pacific’s rustic and enchanting shoreline. Traditional landholders of the region are the W̱SÁNEĆ People.

Sidney BC Directions

Access to and from Sidney, by road is limited to Vancouver Island communities. That is, unless you take a ferry to town. Numerous vehicle ferries grant access to the Island, with the closest being BC Ferries at Swartz Bay, a short 15-minute drive from downtown Sidney and just under a two-hour commute to Tsawwassen Terminal in Delta, BC. Another nearby ferry, the Anacortes, connects passengers and vehicles to Anacortes, Washington, as well as the San Juan islands. This ferry is just five minutes from downtown Sidney. 

For travel by air, Victoria’s YYJ Airport is only a 10-minute commute from Sidney, offering domestic travel options paired with select direct flights to destinations including Los Cabos, Cancun, Las Vegas, Seattle, and Puerto Vallarta.

Image via Blake Handley on Flickr

Where to Live in Sidney, BC 

Sidney BC Neighbourhoods 

The Town of Sidney is broken into four neighbourhood quadrants, with easy-to-remember names: North-East, North-West, South-East and South-West. The highest concentration of residents can be found in Sidney North-East, while Sidney North-West has been hailed as the neighbourhood with the highest livability score. Both the North-East and South-East neighbourhoods benefit from the extensive and serene waterfront boardwalks, parks, marinas and retail options, while the North-West and South-West quadrants offer lush farmland and larger lots, on average. Overall, Sidney is celebrated as a walkable town, with most amenities within a short jaunt from home.

Interested in learning more about what each neighbourhood has to offer? Check out the Town of Sidney website. 

Sidney BC Real Estate

Sidney, BC’s real estate industry is governed by the Victoria Real Estate Board (VREB), which supports REALTORS® in all 13 municipalities in the Greater Victoria area. A combination of townhouses, condos, and single-family homes are available for purchase, with a greater density of condos in and around the downtown core in the North-West quadrant of town.

February 2024 data gathered by VREB reports a benchmark price of $992,500 for single-family dwellings in Sidney. Townhouses in Sidney are benchmarked at $799,500, and condos at $620,500, as of February 2024 as well. 

Explore current listings in Sidney to see the active market reflected in real-time. 

Speaking to trends across the Greater Victoria area, Victoria Real Estate Board Chair Laurie Lidstone shared, “We saw glimmers of a start to the spring market over the course of February. In addition to the increase in sales, more than five hundred new listings came to market when compared to last year’s inventory numbers. This much-needed inventory gives buyers more selection and more time to make their purchasing decisions. We’ve also seen prices continue to remain stable, which is excellent for buyers and sellers because it makes the transaction much more predictable.”

Image via Blake Handley on Flickr

What to Do in Sidney, BC

Sidney Activities 

From taking in the stunning scenery and local wildlife to exploring the breadth of heritage, culture and art outlets throughout town, Sidney is full of activities to enjoy! Known for its laidback way of life, Sidney is the perfect place to unwind for a long weekend or set in roots for the long term. 

Testaments to the Island’s land and sea history, Sidney and the surrounding area is home to three fabulous museums:

If you’re interested in stretching your legs, Tulista Park welcomes visitors with picnic benches, beach access, a skate park, a playground, a boat launch and more. For those adventurous souls, Sidney Spit Marine Park, offering kilometres of sandy beach and a fabulous backdrop to enjoy migratory birds in flight, is just a short ferry ride away. Life on the water is divine, especially when enhanced by a whale sighting. Climb aboard a Whale Watching Tour to spy the majestic mammals in transit. 

Community spirit is celebrated in Sidney. Take in a play, visit one of many fairs or markets, watch a concert or explore an art installation all at the Mary Winspear Centre! Looking to get active? Meet your new neighbours by joining a league at the Sidney Lawn Bowling Club.

The opportunities for fun are endless in Sidney. Don’t believe me? Check out this comprehensive list of local attractions to learn more.

Sidney Events

A summer visit to Sidney is only complete with a visit to the Thursday night Sidney Street Market, where Beacon Avenue comes alive with hundreds of street vendors showcasing their locally-produced wares, music and tasty treats. 

But there are plenty of festivals and events to enjoy throughout the year. Beginning as early as February and running through to the holiday season, Sidney is always celebrating something special! 

Locals and visitors alike love coming together for events like:

  • The Torque Masters Car Show
  • The Sidney Fine Art Show
  • The Literary Festival
  • World Oceans Day
  • Summer Sounds Outdoor Concert Series
  • The Polar Bear Swim

These, paired with two fabulous parades on Canada Day and during Christmas bring the town to life!

Image via Canva Pro

What to Know About Sidney BC

According to the 2021 census, Sidney’s population is 12,318 residents. Data from the same year reports a median age of 59.8 years for town residents, with over 40% of the population over the age of 65. 

Sidney’s population has grown 50% over the last 40 years, and it is suggested that the influx of wealthier retirees has inflated the average household income, which is above the BC average. 

Schools in Sidney

Sidney is part of School District 63 Saanich, which serves part of the District of Saanich and the Municipalities of Central Saanich, North Saanich, and Sidney.

Three schools are within Sidney’s catchment area:

While no private school offerings are available in Sidney’s catchment area, some private schools in Victoria may consider students from outside of their catchment area. 

Working in Sidney 

Work in Sidney can take many forms, as this community boasts a bustling service-based economy paired with robust manufacturing and marine sectors. Tourism, retail, health services, and transportation services lead the service-based workforce, while Sidney’s appealing location as the key interlocutor between Vancouver Island and Metro Vancouver lends to air, marine, trucking, and warehousing operations based locally. 

Helpful Links 

Image via Kelly Pettit on Flickr

Is Sidney, BC, a good place to live?

Life in Sidney offers idyllic afternoons spent strolling along sun-soaked boulevards and engaging evenings sharing delicious meals or taking in the latest theatrical performances. A charming and welcoming town, Sidney by the Sea offers serenity, community and fun for residents and visitors alike. Well-equipped with everything you could need within a short walk or drive, there is no need to commute to access services, retail, restaurants or specialty shops. Infinitely walkable, Sidney promotes a sense of community and vibrancy. 

Read my Top 10 Reasons to Move to Sidney blog post to learn more about why I love Sidney. 

If Sidney, BC, has interested you, this may be your sign to start exploring what life could look like along the Salish Sea. 

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