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CA1001179

Victoria, Canada

living room

living room

living room

living room

living room

living room

kitchen - winner of a design award when it had it remodeled

kitchen - winner of a design award when it had it remodeled

kitchen - winner of a design award when we had it remodeled

kitchen - winner of a design award when we had it remodeled

kitchen again....

kitchen again....

Master bedroom is spacious with French doors, balcony, air conditioned.

Master bedroom is spacious with French doors, balcony, air conditioned.

Bathroon #1 off master bedroom has tub, shower, custom-made sink area w/talavera sink from Mexico.

Bathroon #1 off master bedroom has tub, shower, custom-made sink area w/talavera sink from Mexico.

Downstairs music studio.

Downstairs music studio.

One of two upstairs bedrooms.

One of two upstairs bedrooms.

Second upstairs bedroom with writing desk.

Second upstairs bedroom with writing desk.

Upstairs bathroom w/ tub.

Upstairs bathroom w/ tub.

The study

The study

Side view of house

Side view of house

Another view of front of house

Another view of front of house

View from balcony overlooks Panama Flats, a wildlife sanctuary and good place to take a nature walk.

View from balcony overlooks Panama Flats, a wildlife sanctuary and good place to take a nature walk.

Downtown.

Downtown.

Downtown Victoria - a seaside city.

Downtown Victoria - a seaside city.

Adrian Chamberlain

Adrian Chamberlain

This is Penny Chamberlain (on the right).

This is Penny Chamberlain (on the right).

Bronze

Member since

2013


Open for exchange
Exchange dates Duration
March 01, 2025 - December 31, 2025 2 weeks

Open to offers. Local exchanges can be shorter (three days minimum).

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Updated heritage home on idyllic Vancouver Island (Victoria) - forests, seaside

In 2025 we are hoping for an exchange in Vancouver, Seattle, Tofino or one of the Gulf Islands of British Columbia (Gabriola, Hornby, etc.). France and Italy are also of interest. That said, we're open to offers!

We live in a well-maintained 110-year-old home designated by the City of Victoria as a significant historical building. Although it's a picturesque "heritage home," it does have all the modern conveniences. Our home is decorated in an elegant old-world style. There are three bedrooms and two bathrooms (each with a shower and a bathtub). There is modern, award-winning kitchen. We have a gas fireplace in the living room, a study and a fully-equipped music studio.

One thing that makes this house special is its spectacular view of a natural park which is an excellent country walk. Panama Flats is a protected wildlife area, described as one of the most popular bird sanctuaries in the western hemisphere! You can watch the sun set while relaxing on one of three balconies that face the park.

Victoria is a popular seaside tourist city on the balmy southern tip of Vancouver Island off the west coast of British Columbia. It is routinely rated by travel magazines as a top tourist destination. The city is renowned for its unusually attractive downtown area with lovely heritage buildings, great shopping and dining (tons of restaurants), the world-famous Butchart Gardens, the stately Empress Hotel (famous for its high tea!) and the Royal B.C. Museum.

From our house it is a 10-minute drive to the seaside and 10 minutes to downtown - we also offer our well-maintained Volvo 240 stationwagon for transportation. We're also on a bus route going downtown.

Victoria and Vancouver Island are world-famous for great hiking, sailing, kayaking. There are beautiful old-growth rain forests and breath-taking ocean views. This is a moderate part of Canada weather-wise - it's never cold and gets to a comfortable room-to-warm temperature in the summer. The scenic Gulf Islands are on your doorstep. Vancouver is just ferry ride (or 20 min seaplane trip) away.

We are a retired couple. I am a former arts/entertainment writer for the daily newspaper in Victoria. My wife  ran the rehabilitation department of one of the local hospital. 

We have done many exchanges on Intervac over the years. We are a thoughtful, responsible couple who will treat your home as we treat our own. Our email is adrianman2@shaw.ca.

Thanks for reading our listing - and good luck with your exchange plans.

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Our Family

  • 2 Adults
  • 0 Children
  • 2 Exchanges made

Occupation

  • Journalist
  • Hospital administrator

Our Home

  • House Type: House
  • Environment: In the suburbs
  • Bedrooms: 3
  • Bathrooms: 2
  • Sleeping Capacity: 5
  • Total Area: 0 m2

References

In my house

  • Pets - Not allowed
  • Small children - Allowed

Exchange Types

  • Home exchange

Indoor

  • Free internet access
  • Air conditioning
  • Central heating
  • Fireplace
  • Washing machine
  • Dishwasher
  • Clothes dryer
  • Television
  • Piano
  • Other musical instruments

Outdoor

  • Terrace or deck
  • Balcony
  • Garage / private parking
  • Bicycles: 2

Facilities

  • Non-smoking house
  • Use/Exchange of car
  • Seclusion/Privacy

Our Destination Wish List

  • Open to any destination
  • Hornby Island, BC V0R, Canada
  • Gabriola, BC, Canada
  • Tofino, BC, Canada
  • Seattle, WA, USA
  • Vancouver, BC, Canada

Spoken Languages

  • English
  • English

Our Neighbourhood

Nearest Airport: victoria international airport -

Residential neighbourhood.

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Occupation

  • Journalist
  • Hospital administrator

Children

  • We do not have children.

Pets

  • We do not have pets.

About Our Family

My name is Adrian Chamberlain. I am an arts writer with the Victoria Times Colonist, the daily newspaper in Victoria, British Columbia. My wife, Penny Chamberlain, is a hospital administrator in Victoria. We had an adult daughter, Katie Chamberlain, who is a television journalist in Winnipeg, Manitoba. We did several Intervac exchanges years ago, and are now ready to do some more. My wife and I are both published novelists - Penny has written 3 novels for young adults. I have also written two novels for young adults, as well as a collection of humourous stories about our pug dog, titled Adventures with Ollie. I am also a musician (piano/keyboardist) who play in two local soul/ funk bands on a recreational basis. We are a very responsible couple who will leave homes in exactly the pristine condition we find them in.

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Lifestyle

My wife Penny and I are avid travelers who've visted Spain, Greece, Italy, France, England, Ireland, Mexico, and the United States including Hawaii.

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References

This member has completed 2 home exchanges. Those referenced below may contain feedback/impression from its exchange partners: