Fernwood & Jubilee
OVERVIEW
Fernwood & Jubilee was once the home base of salty dogs and merchants. The neighbourhood known as “funky Fernwood” is one of Victoria’s oldest districts and has since become the neighbourhood of choice for artists, foodies, and bohemians who seek to experience something unique and proudly local. The Fernwood district is all those things and then some
Fernwood Population: 9,425 (as of 2011, according to 2011 Census)
Jubilee Population: 5,240 (as of 2011, according to 2011 Census)
Community
This hip and vibrant neighbourhood is tucked between Rockland/Fairfield, Oak Bay, and downtown and is a walkable community with lots of attractions for residents and visitors alike. The Jubilee community that borders Fernwood offers expedient access to both Downtown Victoria and Oak Bay Village and affords residents the closest possible proximity to one of Victoria’s largest and recently renovated hospitals: Victoria Jubilee Hospital.
Fernwood & Jubilee LOCATION
Lifestyle
Artsy Bohemian & Foodie Urbanite
85% city + 15% Island Life
Walkable and bikeable access to downtown shops and restaurants, parks, and green spaces. Immediate access to your community’s own village of boutiques, salons, cafes, arts, and dining. Easy access to Downtown Victoria while enjoying the unique culture of artsy Fernwood or the proximity to Oak Bay Village from the Jubilee area.
Small enough community to build familiarity with neighbours and community vendors, while also enjoying seeing the new faces of visitors from other areas of Victoria.
Avid gardener? Take part in Fernwood’s community gardens.
Walkability and Bikeability
Fernwood has a Walkscore of 78 (most errands can be accomplished on foot), making it the 7th most walkable district in Victoria. North Jubilee has a Walkscore of 74 (most errands can be accomplished on foot), making it the 10th most walkable district in Victoria. South Jubilee has a Walkscore of 81 (most errands can be accomplished on foot), making it the 5th most walkable neighbourhood in Victoria.
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Pet-Friendly
Fernwood’s Stadacona Park and Alexander Park, and Jubilee’s Redfern Park each offer off-leash areas for dogs to play.
Senior-Friendly
Outdoor amenities and activities including parks with paved walkways and outdoor seating, easy access to public transit, the conveniently-accessible Fernwood Square, and numerous community-based programs and opportunities to socialize make Fernwood ideal for hip, artistic, and social seniors. The Jubilee area’s direct accessibility to Jubilee Hospital, Downtown Victoria, and the tranquil Oak Bay Village make it a very senior-friendly destination as well.
Family-Friendly
Easy access to parks, schools, and playgrounds, and year-round family-friendly sporting and community events make Fernwood and Jubilee suitable neighbourhoods for families that want to live close to downtown.
Key Landmarks & Amenities
Parks & Outdoor Attractions
The district of Fernwood features several parks, playgrounds and outdoor spaces, some of which have dog off-leash areas. Following are just a few notable outdoor attractions.
Since the early 1900s, Royal Athletic Park has been a playing field and practice space for home teams--Victoria HarbourCats baseball team--as well as visiting teams, and currently features a fully-lit, grass stadium that can host sports, festivals, and music events year-round. Find out more!
Located in the heart of Fernwood and right across the street from popular Fernwood food vendors. This community park features a paved trail, picnic tables, benches, a playground, tennis court, and lots of open green space to run, picnic and play (including a dog off-leash area). Find out more!
Located directly behind the community centre, this neigbourhood park features playground equipment for kids, and open green space for running, picnicking and playing. Find out more!
Is a small neighbourhood park featuring a playground, picnic tables, benches, and a paved-pathway that’s lit after dusk. Offers off-leash access to dogs in a partially fenced area of the park, but only in the early mornings and late evenings. Find out more!
Is a small neighbourhood park featuring playground equipment that’s suited to children aged 18 months to 5 years. Find out more!
Schools
Fernwood/Jubilee is Part of Greater Victoria School District No. 61 which includes 27 elementary schools, 10 middle schools, and 7 secondary schools. The following schools are located within the Fernwood/Jubilee area and include public schools as well as independent schools and programs
Victoria High School: Public high school located in a historic building and offering instruction to students from grades 9-12.
George Jay Elementary: Public elementary school offering dual track instruction in both English and French Immersion.
St Patrick’s Elementary School: Independent Catholic elementary school offering instruction to students from K to grade 7.
Central Middle School: Public middle school that offers instruction in English as well as early French Immersion.
École Beausoleil: Francophone elementary school.
Crafty & The Woodshed: Art, music instruction and programs for kids.
Kumon Math & Reading Centre: Offers kids guided learning and enrichment in math and reading.
The Victoria School for Ideal Education: Independent K to 8 school offering smaller class sizes and an enriched, nature-based curriculum.
Nightingale Preschool and Junior Kindergarten: Offers care and education to children aged 30 months to 5 years old.
Byte Camp: Offers spring and summer programs to kids who are keen to learn about technology, digital animation, coding, and production.
Kate Rubin Drama and Theatre Studio: Offers theatre and acting classes to kids, teens, and adults.
Joe Music: Offers music lessons to kids, teens, and adults.
Bradford Werner/Fernwood Music Studio: Offers guitar lessons to kids, teens, and adults.
The Paintbox School of Art: offers art classes and programs to toddlers, children, teens, and adults.
South Island Studio: Music instruction for kids, teens, and adults.
Victoria College of Art: “Vancouver Island’s largest and school of art.”
Dr. Vodder School International: Independent school offering instruction in Dr. Vodder Method of Manual Lymph Drainage and Combined Decongestive Therapy.
Community Centres, Facilities & Libraries
Greater Victoria Public Library - Oak Bay Branch, located in neighbouring Oak Bay Village, and the Greater Victoria Public Library - Central Branch, located downtown.
Royal Jubilee Hospital: Part of Island Health and offers public healthcare and medical imaging.
Oak Bay Recreation Centre: Located where the Jubilee district and Oak Bay meet and offers an indoor swimming pool, gym, tennis courts, sports field, lounge, and ice arena. Fernwood Community Centre: Includes a daycare and offers various family, arts, recreation, and community programs to kids, teens, and adults.
Arts, Cultural Attractions & Festivals
The Fernwood and Jubilee districts offer an eclectic variety of annual events and attractions. Following are just a few of the most popular ones.
Once a 19th century Baptist Church that has since been renovated to host the works of a professional, adult, theatre company. Find out more!
Adult theatre group offering seasonal performances. Find out more!
A fun and creative annual event where local artists, families, kids, and neighbours get together to take part in beautifying poles throughout Fernwood. Find out more
Fernwood’s annual neighbourhood celebration for everyone, involving vendors, an outdoor market, face-painting, kids’ activities, garden walking tours, performances, food & drink, a silent auction and live music in Fernwood Square. Find out more!
Annual 4-day long music festival hosted across multiple venues within the Greater Victoria area. Find out more!
Fernwood’s annual food & drink tasting event for adults 19+, complete with live music and a silent auction in Fernwood Square. Find out more!
Retail, GROCERY & DINING
Fernwood Square: Serves as the Fernwood community’s own public square and retail district, most notably known for the historical Belfry Theatre that adorns it, lending to its old English roots and rustic charm. Fernwood Square features a cache of niche vendors and restaurants that are worth driving from other areas of Victoria for. Excite your palate with Mexican fusion-style fare served up at Mesa Familiar. Sip lattes with the locals in the warm ambiance of The Cornerstone Cafe, a non-profit business owned and operated by the Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group. Unwind and enjoy the share plates at Stage Wine Bar, or experience the strange & wonderful flavour concoctions offered by Cold Comfort Ice Cream. Fernwood Square and its surrounding community feature an artsy and eclectic treasure-trove of shops, salons, cafes, and eateries including the historical Fernwood Inn and its popular watering hole, The Fernwood Inn Pub.
Stadacona Centre: A small neighbourhood plaza nestled where Pandora and Fort Street meet and the Jubilee district begins. The somewhat retro Stadacona Centre features a Subway Restaurant, the Stadacona Food Market, small vendors, and epic eateries including Origin Gluten-Free Bakery, the Tartan Toque, and Shine Cafe.
Fort and Foul Bay: Located across from the Jubilee Hospital, where Fort Street and Foul Bay Road meet, you’ll find a large Save-On-Foods, Starbucks, a liquor store, and other neighbourhood-centric vendors.
Accessibility
easy access
Fernwood has a Public Transit Score of 64 (good public transportation) | North Jubilee has a Public Transit Score of 60 (good public transportation) | South Jubilee has a Public Transit Score of 59 (good public transportation).
Proximity
Within 5 minutes' drive to Victoria’s downtown core | Within walking or cycling distance to Victoria’s downtown core | Within 5 - 10 minutes' drive to Victoria General and Jubilee Hospitals | Within 30 minutes’ drive to Victoria Airport and Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal | Within 10 minutes’ drive to Seaplane and Clipper Ferry terminals.
Iconic Condo & Townhouse Communities
The Fernwood/Jubilee area showcases a mix of heritage homes, renovated historical buildings, apartments, and modern condominiums. Fernwood is Victoria's most artsy/bohemian feeling neighbourhood while Jubilee offers a quaint, “urban meets gardens and picket fences” feel with its lovingly maintained pre-war, cottage style homes and mid-century and older facaded apartment buildings.
Mid-century modern influenced design with ultra verve! The Wade reflects a truly unique and modern aesthetic, and offers 1, 2 and 3 bedroom suites that are pet-friendly and include access to the building’s pristine rooftop gardens and amenities. Search our MLS Victoria search engine for condos for sale in The Wade building.
Built in 2013, this 10-storey, 93-suite concrete building offers attractive and contemporary studios, 1, 1 + den, and 2 bedroom, pet-friendly suites. Search our MLS Victoria search engine for condos for sale in The Mondrian building.
Want to view discover new pre-sale opportunities?
Check out our Developments Page!
Shop for a Home in
FERNWOOD & JUBILEE
Considering a move to the eclectic Fernwood district or Jubilee area? Townhouses, houses and condos for sale in Fernwood & Jubilee don’t remain on the market for long, so now is the time to start looking for your ideal abode. Get started with your search today with a Real Estate Expert. Here are some tips and resources to help get you started with your search!
PROPERTY SEARCH TIPS
If you’re seeking a quiet neighbourhood without a lot of traffic noise, when you use our MLS Victoria Search Engine below to shop for properties in the Fernwood & Jubilee area, also refer to the provided map for townhouses and condos for sale which are situated a little further back from Fort Street, Bay Street and Foul Bay Road, which are the area’s main thoroughfares.
Enjoy shopping and shortlisting your favourite ones, and when you’re ready, give us a call at (250) 382-6636 to arrange a viewing.
