South Island Division of Family Practice

The Western Communities

The South Island region known as Western Communities are comprised of 13 regional municipalities, each with own unique lifestyle and variety of opportunities in terms of affordability, education and easy accessibility to the urban BC Capital.  These communities also enjoy the rural pleasures of sustainable farming and established vineyards featuring gourmet getaways, wilderness hiking, surfing, and mountain biking through ancient rainforests.

Colwood
An award winning community, situated just 10 miles from BC’s capital city of Victoria, Colwood enjoys the benefits of an efficient transit system, the Galloping Goose bike trail system and quick access to Vancouver and all points international via Victoria’s International Airport and the BC Ferries.  Colwood recently gained recognition as an official Canadian Solar City, becoming one of the most sustainable cities in the world. 

Langford
Langford, population 25,000, is our fastest growing community and still going strong. Famous for its West Coast lifestyle and affordable housing, it serves as the central focus for the Western Communities.  With its warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters Langford enjoys an outdoor lifestyle surrounded by lakes and Regional Parks, it also plays host to numerous summer festivals, as well as the famous Luxton Rodeo.

The District of Metchosin
Located along Happy Valley Road, Metchosin is the most rural area in the Western Communities known for its green rolling hills, small farms and agricultural lifestyle.  Citizens of Metchosin, pop. 5000, have a strong preference for keeping a low profile.  Whether it’s farming, retirement, operating home-based businesses or working outside the community, Metchosin has earned its reputation as a rural utopia. 

Sooke
A 45-minute drive from Victoria, Sooke's popularity as a scenic tourist destination has existed for generations. Situated directly on the coast of the Salish Sea with a stunning view of the Olympic Mountains, the area's popularity has increased as a base for visiting the wilderness parks of Vancouver Island's southwest coast — the West Coast Trail and the Juan de Fuca Provincial Park which includes the highly popular Juan de Fuca Marine Trail.

View Royal
With approx. 9,381 residents, View Royal enjoys a rich history. The Esquimalt First Nation, a Coast Salish indigenous people, have occupied View Royal since time immemorial. Many more recent historic sites can also be found in View Royal including the Four Mile Pub, the oldest continuously operating pub in BC founded in 1855.  Home to the Victoria General Hospital, View Royals' town center is a 3-minute walk from the shoreline with sandy beaches and small caves known for marine life. These beaches, beautiful year round, are a hidden gem for locals, tourists and visitors.