Lifestyle

Climate

Sidney's mild climate is a major draw for residents and tourists alike. Average daytime temperatures fluctuate between 22.4 degrees Celsius in the warmest months and 7.6 degrees Celsius in winter. Even during the darkest month of December, Sidney enjoys enough sunshine hours and warmth to keep the grass green and seasonal flowers in bloom.

Average Sunshine

Average Temperature, Low to High

Recreation

Many of Sidney's recreational opportunities revolve around the sea, with 16 public beach accesses and 28 parks in the Town, including the seaside Tulista Park playground. Sidney is well designed for foot travel, featuring a beautiful 2.5 km walking trail along the Sidney waterfront, with benches and picnic tables to enjoy the views of Mount Baker and Sidney Island.

For hiking, John Dean Provincial Park and Horth Hill Regional Park are only minutes away by car. There is also a 9.3 km walking/cycling path that circumnavigates the Victoria International Airport, offering stunning views and educational feature signs about the area.

Eight marinas service the area, and there is a public boat launch at Tulista Park, providing access to the endless coves, idyllic beaches, and marine parks of the Salish Sea, where you can get up close to the rich diversity of local marine life and breathtaking scenery.

Nearby Panorama Recreation Centre offers fitness classes, a beautiful swimming pool, two full sized ice rinks, and a variety of educational and arts classes. The Town is also home to a variety of social and sports clubs for all ages, along with proximity to several golf courses, a lawn bowling club and a Community Wellness Park next to the Rose Garden and Sidney Library.

Shopping & Services

Sidney's unique quality of life is enhanced by a full range of services, along with a plethora of restaurants/cafes and a diverse selection of boutique-style shops. Together, local businesses put the Town on the map as a charming shopping destination. The famous Sidney Street Market, which operates every Thursday evening from early June until the end of August, attracts up to 5000 people per night, with 150 vendors and a vibrant atmosphere of music, food and community spirit.

Throughout the year, the Sidney Event Advisory Group (SEAG) organizes a vibrant calendar of community events that cater to all age groups. Since its inception in 2013, SEAG has generated an estimated 10 million dollars in economic value to the community.

Housing

Housing prices in Sidney continue to remain the most affordable on the Peninsula, with benchmark prices for single family homes, condos and townhouses falling below surrounding communities and the Greater Victoria Area.

For a complete comparison of Real Estate values and trends, please see the Victoria Real Estate Board's Statistical News Release.

Housing Prices

Health Care

Sidney's professional community includes a range of health care providers to service the area, including 39 doctors, seven dental clinics and the Saanich Peninsula Hospital. From massage and physiotherapists, to optometrist and chiropractors, the Town's health care sector reflects the varying needs of our growing community.

Health Care Professionals

Education and Schools

The Town of Sidney falls within School District #63, which administers a total of 14 schools on the Peninsula. Schools serving the Sidney area include Sidney Elementary School, North Saanich Middle School and Parkland Secondary.

For more information, please visit the Saanich School District website.

Sidney residents can access post secondary education through a large number of public and private institutions, including the University of Victoria, Royal Roads University, Vancouver Island University, and Camosun College. For a complete list of post secondary institutions in the area, visit the Schools and Institutions Map at LearnLive BC.

Discovery House Early Childhood Centre offers popular child care programs throughout the year, while The Playhouse offers before and after school care. For information about childcare facilities, costs and availability in our area, visit GoDaycare.

Arts and Culture

Sidney offers a thriving arts community, with attractions that include several art galleries, an annual Literary Festival, a plethora of local and world class entertainment at the Mary Winspear Centre, and popular events organized by ArtSea Community Arts Council.

Local music schools include the Peninsula Academy of Music and Sidney Community Music School, while the McTavish Academy of Art offers classes in dance, visual arts, yoga, literature and music to all ages.

Costs of Living

To help you calculate your cost of living, the infographs below provide average rates for electricity and natural gas from the primary providers in our area so you can see what to expect for energy costs in our area.

For more information, visit Fortis BC and BC Hydro.

Electricity Rates ($/Kilowatt Hour)

Natural Gas Rates ($/Month)

Policing and Crime

Sidney's crime rates continue to remain low, making the community a safe place to live, work and play. The Town is policed by the Sidney North Saanich Detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, with 32 RCMP officers, 8.5 civilian support staff, and 16 volunteers under the Auxiliary Constable Program.

For more information about our Detachment, visit the Sidney North Saanich RCMP website.

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