What is your job?..How do you own/live in Oak Bay/Uplands?

[Anonymous Posts]

I had a dream; since I was a child to live in a huge character house, a mansion...with a blossoming flower gardens, near the ocean.
Last night got me thinking..... I went for a drive and we went by the willows beach, uplands,etc. I was in 'heaven' looking at all the beautiful houses, properties! I said to my husband " I wander if we will ever be able to live in a house like those mansions?". -My kids said " mommy..will we ever live there?". In my opinion, "yes".... I always believe that if we work hard, and follow our 'goals' as a team (husband and myself), that "yes"...we will live that luxery...that dream I always wandered about!!!

My life: I grew up as a local child of a 'celebrity'; with both parents working as teachers/professors. We never had to struggle for money, but my parents always donated money, clothing, to the needy.- I love how they helped out strangers!!! I grew up with my parent's friends being millionaires, famous artists, teacher's, business owners, stay at home parents..and they all had nice homes/interior decorating, classy/professional styles. I grew up in a small family, in a large character house, middle-upper class...but in the city type of neighbourhood.

Now, with a family of my own.....I am so determined to make my past Upper-class/mansion life dream "real", right now. I wander if I lived in a different neighbourhood..one where most neighbour's take care of their property, are professional people, and are friendly..would my life be complete?.....as my childhood dream would come true! I could live my life the way I was raised, and was exposed to since childhood! I'm very lucky to say that currently I have a nice house over my head, a car, we both work, healthy children, food on our plates,etc...but I want to live a life like my dream.....the life like a celebrity!

Can YOU tell me how ( lottery winnings, inheritance, own income,etc) how you moved/own your home in the Uplands/Oak Bay?
What jobs titles do you have?
How many years have you lived there?
What size of house do you have?
How many people live in your house?
What do you like about this area?....etc..Then mabey there is hope for my familie's dream to live in that area too; in the near future, if we get directed on the right path!! Thanks for helping my 'dream' come true!

[WCM]

this has come up before. do a search in cafe for uplands and you'll find the answers there.

[wonderwoman]

I went to look for the old post to bump up for the OP but it was in the anon forum so is no longer available.

[Anonymous Posts]

My brother and his wife almost bought a big house in Oak Bay last year. It was huge but years ago has been divided into 3 condos that were rentable. Their plan was to buy the house and rent 2 condos and live in the third while renovating it. As they could afford, gradually let go of the rentals and convert the house back to one big house.

In the end, the million and a half price tag and the huge renovation costs (it was fairly run down) would have meant the end of their dream for her to be a stay at home mum as she has a very high paying career. So they didn't.

[Anonymous Posts]

Have you gone on the MLS and looked at the inside of some of the homes in Uplands or Oak Bay.

A lot of them have not been updated since the 60s and would need major decorating (or renos) to bring it up to today's style unless original retro is your style and then you're all set.

I look at them and think of the amount of money that is paid for those houses and then on top of that you have to soak a whole bunch more money into it for decorating.

A lot of these houses are handed down from generation to generation.

I know some people who live in Uplands. The house is lovely on the outside but inside the furniture is like college students. To live there they have to sacrifice big time. They work all the time just to afford the mortgage.

[Anonymous Posts]

also keep in mind that the property taxes for a modest house in oak bay are topping 5-6,000; so even when you have paid off your house, you have $500/month payments to make (and that yourmortgage payment will increase by that much

[Anonymous Posts]

Keep in mind. OakBay has the highest break- ins. Thats what the security company told us when we got our alarm.

[Anonymous Posts]

Well, OP, I can help you out - here's our story:

We live near Willows on a quiet street in a 2700 sq ft 1911 place.
It was well maintained when we bought it a year ago - but definitely in need of updates like the kitchen and bathrooms.

It has a suite in the basement, we live on the main and upper floors and rent the suite.

In 2000 we bought a teeny ugly falling down bungalow in ffld. We poured blood sweat and tears into fixing it up and then sold for a decent profit.

We then bought a new home in an upscale developing area in View Royal - we waited for the area to build up and sold again for another decent profit.

We then purchased this place in Oak Bay and have kept the suite rented. We looked for about 2.5 years for just the right place and lowballed after the first offer fell through and got it.

It wasn't easy though - all those moves. (we even had to rent for a bit between ffld and view royal) This particular move we had a 3 year old and 2 week old (that's right 2 week old) to move with and had to complete reno's at the same time.

Anyways, when we bought/moved, I was on mat leave, hubby is a plumber.
Now, I do contract work and hubby stays home.

Property taxes for us (6000 sq ft lot) are $3000/year. They are actually less than the city of victoria.

I wouldn't trade this hood for the world. We haven't had/heard of break-ins. The parks are clean and pretty, amenities all within walking distance, town so close.
love it love it love it.

If it's your dream - make sacrifices and go for it.
We moved way to much and did way to many renos and barely bought stuff for us in the last few years and it was all worth it.

loving life.

Hope your dream comes true!

[Anonymous Posts]

Sometimes it's important to remember that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. Be happy with what you have. There are many people will a lot less. I am so grateful that I own a house.....I have my health and my family is happy. These are important things.

That being said, there are many other areas of town that are equally, if not more beautiful than Uplands. Look into some of those areas too!

[tinkerbelle]

I wonder too as I am there almost daily doing home support. I completely agree with one pp that once you are in, you can almost feel as if you are in a 70's reality show. However, the people I have encountered, which is quite a lot are by far the nicest most respectful clients in the city. Almost daily though as I walk through and the people walking their dogs or walking their children to school never fail to say hello and always with sincerity in their eyes. I know this doesn't answer your question, just wanted to tell what my experience is with the residents of Oak bay.

[botticelli babe]

i grew up (from grade 5 on) in either fairfield (gonzales) or oak bay. as a late teen living on my own, i rented in oakbay...i have moved through out the city trying out james bay, and fernwood, but fairfield is my 'home'. i love it. i love the young families, the fleece-wearing-dog-walking-older-folks, the student types, the up-and-comers, the amenities, the beauty, and everything about it. i was able to buy my first house (a huge stretch, as i was a single mama) because family co-signed for me. they didn't give me any money, but they gauranteed the mortgage...this was 7 years ago, and i got a really cute house in FFLD for $253...my mortgage was $2200/ month, and it was a huge responsibility, but i was bound and determined to make a fantastic life for my dd and i...i reno'd the downstairs, took in two students, and started a licensed daycare...my dd was 4 months old. it was a lot of work, but i knew it was worth it...i met my now dh when she was 2, and we got married the next year. we sold my house, and moved to his house in caddy bay...a year later we bought another house in fairfield because i really missed the hood...we kept the old house, and rent it out to a wonderful family....it is a major stretch to keep it...we don't have money for extra fun things, but our plan is to use this for our retirement...but keeping the other house costs us over $600 a month, and that's before the washing machine breaks down, or the hot water tank exploded etc...we have a suite downstairs in our house now, and we just keep thinking that eventually it will pay off...both homes have gone up substancially in the last 3 years...so it's already been worth it....as for your question of is it worth it....i think so....we could sell our house and buy a house in a different neighbourhood, and not have a mortgage, or at least a much smaller one, but i love where i live...there are a lot of stay at home moms, i don't worry about my kids seeing messy situations next door, the homes are kept up, it's clean and fresh...not saying that the neighbourhood is perfect...i'm sure there are unhappy families behind many a door here too, but i think that for the most part, it's a great place to live...the 'dated' thing isn't an 'oak bay' issue i think....i'm sure there are run down homes that have gorgeous and well decorated insides...my sister for one...they have every gadget and amenity in the book, but they saved the outside of their house for last...anyway...i say if it's what you want, and it's something that you can physically make happen, then dream on...set your goals and work towards them...it's ok to be thankful for all the blessings you already have, and still want more...we are very, very fortunate, and i still want more...i think it's human nature to want the absolute best for your family...as long as it doesn't get in the way of enjoying what you have...for the record, i would give it all, if it meant my family stay healthy and safe...

[MissViki]

i lived in the uplands for a while as a preteen, and let me tell ya, it wasn't all it was cracked up to be.

i tried to havea pool party in the backyard with my friends and the neighbours complained, on a weekend afternoon!

i tried to camp out in the backyard and the neighbours complained, (this one was at night...but we weren't THAT loud)

anything we did we felt we were watched...

[Anonymous Posts]

Thanks for your replies and your heart-warming stories...I love hearing about your families, lives, dreams, and your happiness!!

Botticelli babe...I love the way you 'express' your story....Makes me think....mabey we should sacrifice our basement right now...and get a student...or rent it out.....help us pay for this house..so we can save.... (which we bought it for $135,000. 7 years ago, now worth over $400,000)...our house needs a touch-up of paint now...as having kiddies all day here...you get all colors of paint, food, etc...on your walls! But we would like to sell, in the next 2 years...and like you...end up in fairfield (love it), or near Oak Bay boarder.... and I am going to get motivated and do whatever it takes to get there...You are my motivation!!!!-REALLY! Thanks!!!

There are so many awesome areas on Vancouver Island...But I'm drawn to the beaches (Willows/Dallas), the small coffee shops/villeges/ parks for my kids, Beacon Hill, Inner- Harbour, Dallas road, the clean neighbourhoods of Fairfield/Oak Bay, the character houses and...the less garbage, junk..laying around in yards/streets..etc. I getting into running, walking, and the outdoor activities, with my family/friends..and I love to work-out in that area!

I'm not so happy in the neighbourhood that I live in now; I feel that for me..."Environment" is a 'big need' for me to feel comfortable and happy, a place where I should feel safe and proud of where I live! ---I'm not interested in LOTS of garbage, junkies, graffiti, drug-selling renters, and interesting houses..which need lots of work and care, in my hood. I know you get it in all areas, but I just don't see it as much in other areas! I'm not judging my neighbourhood compared to others..There are lots of nice people here who do take care of their homes, families...etc... but when I go out to Fairfield/ Uplands/Oak Bay direction....I feel like I'm ME.. I'm at HOME..comes with my expensive Tastes I guess!--I love name brands, but also love to find good deals too! I love to help others in need.....ex. I gave a homeless man a sandwich the other day, as he was searching for food in garbage cans....I feel for people who need help! I just need to relocate to make ME happy....I feel that If my husband makes good money now, and I will be making good money soon, in my new job.... then we should be able to live where we want...it just takes time and effort!! I'll keep you posted on my PLANS!!!

Is there other's out there like me who want to relocate to a different area..because of their DREAM neighbourhoods, houses, etc? Where do you DREAM of LIVING (on the island)?.... and why it that area sooooooooooooooo important for you? Did your DREAM come true?

[Jamie-Lyn]

You could read "The Secret"

[Nanny]

giggles yeah just watch the secret


seriously though..my Grandparents ownd a mansion in the upalnds when i was a kid..(my dad grew up there)
it was a gorgous old house, that i would absolulty love to take a tour of some day (would love to have my wedding at ..however)
she sold it when seh moved in to a retirement home..yes we probaly could have kept it in the family but as stated above property taxes were absolutly rediculas

we have driven by it ...its been totaly updated..driveways been bricked, theres a huge addition on it, its been restuckod..its not the same house.
but on my birthday we took a trip down the path next to the house (public path) to see if i could see hte backyard my sister and i had so many adventures in, and came face to face(within 2 feet) with these two beautiful Deer.

in all the time my grandparents lived there we never once saw deer anywhere near the house..it was sooo neat.