I still remember when my daughter was part of the first graduating class at Royal Bay Secondary School. Back then, Royal Bay looked very different.

There was the beautiful new high school, a few of the newer homes across the street, and a whole lot of open space. Having been born and raised in Victoria and selling real estate here since 1992, I've watched many Greater Victoria neighbourhoods change over the years — but the transformation of Royal Bay in Colwood has been pretty remarkable.

Drive through Royal Bay today and it's almost hard to believe how much has changed.

Watching Royal Bay Grow

Royal Bay's history goes back much further than the neighbourhood we see today. For many years, much of this land was associated with gravel and aggregate operations.

Over time, that landscape began transforming into what has become one of the West Shore's most recognizable newer communities.

Today, Royal Bay includes single-family homes, townhomes and condominiums, along with schools, parks, walking trails, shopping, restaurants and services.

And Royal Bay is still growing.

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Then Came the Shopping, Restaurants and Services

One of the biggest changes I've noticed has been the arrival of shopping and services right within the Royal Bay community.

For years, Royal Bay was primarily residential. Today, residents have access to a growing commercial area that includes Quality Foods, banking, restaurants, coffee shops, fast food and other everyday services.

It's helped turn Royal Bay from a collection of newer neighbourhoods into a community where people can increasingly live, shop, eat and spend time close to home.

One spot I've noticed becoming a real local gathering place is the restaurant and bar inside Quality Foods. It has almost a neighbourhood-pub atmosphere, with wings, happy-hour specials and people from the area getting together for a bite or a drink.

That's certainly not the Royal Bay I remember when the high school first opened.

 

Royal Bay's Connection to the Ocean

Of course, you can't talk about Royal Bay without talking about its location.

Royal Bay sits along the coastline in Colwood on southern Vancouver Island, with the ocean just steps away from parts of the community.

It's a great area for a walk along the shoreline, a picnic by the water or even a swim — if you can handle our rather chilly Pacific Northwest water!

Depending on where a home is located and its orientation, some Royal Bay properties also offer spectacular views across the water toward the snow-capped Olympic Mountains in Washington State.

Those ocean and mountain views are one of the things that can make certain locations within Royal Bay particularly special.

What Types of Homes Are in Royal Bay?

One thing people who haven't visited Royal Bay recently may not realize is just how much variety there is in the housing.

Royal Bay isn't simply a subdivision of detached houses.

• Single-family homes
• Townhomes
• Condominiums
• Ocean-view properties
• Homes with secondary suites
• Newer construction
• Smaller attached homes
• Larger family homes

That variety is one reason Royal Bay attracts people at many different stages of life.

See what's currently available:

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Walking, Trails, Schools and Golf

Another thing I like about how Royal Bay has developed is the network of parks, trails and pathways connecting different parts of the community.

Royal Bay Secondary School remains right in the heart of the area, while beaches, parks and trails provide plenty of opportunities to get outside.

And for golfers, Olympic View Golf Club is only a short drive away — something I certainly consider a bonus.

Is Royal Bay a Good Place to Live?

This is becoming an increasingly common question from people considering a move to the West Shore.

The answer really depends on what you're looking for.

If you're looking for an established neighbourhood filled with older character homes and mature landscaping, Royal Bay may not be the first place I'd point you.

But if you're attracted to newer homes, ocean access, mountain and ocean views, parks and trails, nearby schools and a growing selection of shops and restaurants, Royal Bay is certainly worth considering.

Buyers should also remember that Royal Bay is still evolving. Different sections of the community can have quite different housing styles, views, density and proximity to newer development.

Those are things I think buyers should understand before simply choosing a house from a listing online.

From My Daughter's First Graduation to Royal Bay Today

For me, there's something particularly interesting about watching Royal Bay continue to grow.

I can still picture the area when my daughter was part of that first graduating class at Royal Bay Secondary.

There wasn't a grocery store down the road. There wasn't today's collection of restaurants and businesses. And many of the homes, townhouses and condominiums you see today simply weren't there.

Now thousands of people call this part of Colwood home.

It's become a seaside community with homes, schools, shopping, restaurants, parks and trails — and it's continuing to evolve.

After more than three decades selling real estate in Greater Victoria, I've learned that neighbourhoods don't stand still.

Royal Bay might be one of the best examples of that on the West Shore.

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Thinking About Buying or Selling in Royal Bay?

I've been a Realtor in Greater Victoria since 1992 and have personally watched the West Shore change enormously during that time.

If you're considering buying in Royal Bay, I'd be happy to help you understand the different areas, housing options and current market.

If you already own a home in Royal Bay and are thinking about selling, I can also give you an up-to-date opinion of what your property may be worth in today's market.

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→ Find out what your Royal Bay home may be worth

Darren Day
Day Team Realty
What a difference a Day makes.