Real Estate Blog

The Truth About the Cost of Living in Nanaimo BC in 2026 [Video + Breakdown]

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 18:45:00 GMT

Cost of living in Nanaimo 2026: housing, rent, tax, utilities & groceries with real numbers. Video + breakdown from local Rita Fraser.

Can YOU Get a Doctor in Nanaimo? BC Health Care System Guide!

Sat, 24 Jan 2026 00:53:16 GMT

What You Really Need to Know About the Nanaimo, BC Health Care System

One of the most common questions I get from people considering a move to Nanaimo is about health care — and for good reason. Relocating isn’t just about finding the right home. It’s about your quality of life, and access to medical care plays a huge role in that.

If you’re planning on moving to Vancouver Island, whether from another province or from outside of Canada, it’s important to understand how the health care system in Nanaimo actually works. I’m going to walk you through what to expect — from finding a family doctor to walk-in clinics, urgent care, and real-life wait times — and I won’t sugarcoat it.

How Health Care Works in British Columbia

British Columbia has a publicly funded health care system through the Medical Services Plan (MSP). MSP covers medically necessary services such as:

Doctor visits
Hospital care
Certain diagnostic tests

However, MSP does not cover things like:

Most dental care
Vision care
Ambulance services

These services are typically covered through extended health benefits via an employer or private insurance.

If you’re new to BC, it’s important to know that there is generally a three-month waiting period before MSP coverage begins. During that time, private health insurance is strongly recommended. The best advice? Apply for MSP as soon as you arrive to avoid unnecessary frustration.

The Elephant in the Room: Finding a Family Doctor in Nanaimo

Let’s talk about the biggest challenge: getting a family doctor.

This is an ongoing issue across Vancouver Island, and Nanaimo is no exception. Population growth combined with a large number of doctors retiring has left many residents without consistent primary care.

In my personal experience, when my family doctor in North Vancouver found out I was moving to Vancouver Island, he strongly encouraged me to stay on as his patient. That’s not always possible — some doctors won’t keep out-of-area patients — but it’s a conversation worth having if you’re relocating within BC.

One official route to finding a family doctor is through the Health Connect Registry, which places you on a centralized waitlist. When a doctor or nurse practitioner has availability, they reach out. The reality, though, is that many people in Nanaimo wait months or even years.

Because of this, most residents rely on alternative options while waiting.

HealthLink BC & Virtual Care: Your Best First Step

If you don’t have a family doctor, one of the easiest and fastest options is HealthLink BC. By calling 811, you can speak with:

A nurse
A pharmacist
Or a doctor

This service is available 24/7 and is incredibly helpful if you’re new to the area and unsure where to go for care. They can answer health questions, help determine whether you need in-person care, and direct you to the best available option.

There are also virtual care platforms like Rocket Doctor and My Telus Health, which allow you to book online appointments. These are often the quickest way to get prescriptions or deal with minor concerns, though there’s usually no continuity of care — you likely won’t see the same doctor twice.

Walk-In Clinics in Nanaimo: What to Expect

Nanaimo does have walk-in clinics for non-urgent medical issues such as colds, minor infections, or prescription renewals. That said, access can be challenging.

Most clinics operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and wait times are commonly 90 minutes or longer. Many now require you to call first thing in the morning to secure a spot, so planning ahead is essential.

Urgent & Primary Care Centres (UPCCs)

Urgent and Primary Care Centres have become a critical part of Nanaimo’s health care system. These centres are designed for non-emergency medical issues that still require timely attention.

Nanaimo currently has:

A downtown UPCC at Medical Arts
A newer UPCC at 3260 Norwell Drive

The Norwell Drive location operates 7 days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and offers same-day care, often within 12–24 hours, without needing to visit the emergency room.

Emergency Care at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital

For serious or life-threatening situations, Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH) is where you’ll go. Like all emergency rooms, patients are triaged based on severity. This means minor issues can involve long waits, while more critical cases are seen quickly.

To give you a real-life example, my partner was injured during a late-night hockey game when a puck hit his face, splitting his lip open. It was clearly a situation that required stitches, and since urgent care centres were closed, he went to the emergency room.

He waited several hours, as others with more serious injuries were treated first, and was eventually stitched up just after midnight. While frustrating, this experience is not unique to Nanaimo — it’s common across Canada.

Following Up: A Realistic Look at Access

When it came time to have his stitches removed, his family doctor wasn’t available. We attempted to go through a walk-in clinic, spent time on hold, and were ultimately disconnected. The next day, we contacted the UPCC on Norwell Drive right when it opened.

He was triaged over the phone and told he would be seen within 12–24 hours. Thankfully, he received a call within three hours, went in, and had his stitches removed quickly and efficiently.

Was the process perfect? No. But he did receive the care he needed — and that’s often how the system works here: imperfect, but functional.

The Future of Health Care in Nanaimo

While there are real challenges, there is also good news.

A brand-new Quw’utsun Valley Hospital near Lake Cowichan is set to open in 2027, approximately 40 minutes from Nanaimo.

Even more exciting is the new BC Cancer Centre in Nanaimo, opening in 2028. This facility will serve mid and north Vancouver Island, allowing thousands of patients to receive treatment close to home rather than travelling to Victoria.

The new centre will include:

A PET-CT scanner (only the fifth in BC)
Four radiation treatment bunkers
Capacity for approximately 20,000 treatments per year

This will be a game-changer for families, keeping people in their communities while receiving world-class care.

Final Thoughts

Is the Nanaimo health care system perfect? No. It has its challenges, particularly around access to family doctors and wait times. But it’s important to understand how the system works so you can navigate it effectively.

If you’re planning a move to Nanaimo or Vancouver Island and have questions about lifestyle, neighbourhoods, or what daily life here is really like, feel free to reach out. I’m always happy to share my honest perspective and help you make an informed decision.

Why Nanaimo Is Smaller Than You Think: A Look at Its Distinct Micro-Neighbourhoods

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 18:00:32 GMT

When people think of Nanaimo, they often imagine one big city stretched along Vancouver Island’s eastern coastline. But here’s the thing — Nanaimo isn’t one uniform community. It’s actually made up of dozens of micro-neighbourhoods, each with its own unique character, vibe, and lifestyle.

In this post, I’ll show you why Nanaimo is “smaller” than you think — not in size, but in how quickly neighbourhoods change from one to the next. From manicured lawns and ocean views to rustic wooded enclaves and up-and-coming urban zones, moving just a few blocks in Nanaimo can mean a completely different experience of city life.

Understanding Nanaimo’s Neighbourhood Diversity

When I say “smaller,” I’m really talking about how varied Nanaimo is. You can drive over one hill and suddenly find yourself in a completely different environment.

In one neighbourhood, you might find tidy streets, lush parks, and well-rated schools — and just a few minutes away, homes and prices look quite different. Things like:

Price per square foot
Walkability
School catchments
Views and terrain
Community feel

…can all shift dramatically in a short distance. This is what makes Nanaimo’s real estate market so hyper-local — understanding the nuances of each pocket can make a huge difference in your home search or investment decision.

Let’s take a closer look at a few examples from different parts of the city.

Linley Valley: North Nanaimo’s Natural Hideaway

Tucked between Uplands, Long Lake, and Departure Bay, Linley Valley is one of North Nanaimo’s most desirable newer communities.

Once a mix of wetlands and forest, the area has gradually transformed into a peaceful residential enclave featuring developments like Linley Point, Linley Valley Estates, and Rock City Road. At its heart lies Cottle Lake Park, a 145-acre green space with scenic boardwalks, forested trails, and tranquil ponds — perfect for anyone who loves being close to nature.

You’ll find many newer homes around Linley Valley Drive, Linquist Road, and Linmont Road, with the median sale price for a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home sitting around $998,000 in recent months. There’s also a good mix of townhouse strata developments such as Linley Park Estates (built between 2016–2022).

While Linley Valley isn’t the most walkable area — you’ll likely drive for groceries or coffee — it offers something many buyers crave: peace, privacy, and a strong connection to nature.

Cilaire: Mid-Century Charm in Departure Bay

Next, let’s head east to one of my favourite neighbourhoods: Cilaire, a small enclave perched above Departure Bay.

Cilaire offers a mix of mid-century character homes and modern infill builds, many with stunning ocean and harbour views. The streets are quiet and family-friendly, with easy access to parks, beaches, and local schools — including the recently upgraded Cilaire Elementary (seismically improved in 2022).

Most homes here were built between the 1940s and 1990s, giving the area a mature, well-established feel. Expect wood trim, split levels, and those signature mid-century details that have stood the test of time.

One of the things I love most about Cilaire is the lot layout — more regular and usable compared to nearby Sherwood Forest, where steep rocky terrain can make for challenging driveways. Cilaire Drive is ideal for walking or biking, and you’re just minutes from Departure Bay Beach.

Homes in Cilaire don’t hit the market often, so if this neighbourhood is on your radar, make sure to stay connected with your REALTOR® (that’s me!) so you don’t miss out when one does.

South Nanaimo: Emerging Potential in University Village & Park Avenue

Heading south, the landscape changes again — this time to the more urban and evolving areas around Vancouver Island University.

The University Village area is a lively mix of student rentals and family homes on smaller lots. Its proximity to the university makes it an excellent investment area, though like many near-downtown zones, it has its share of petty crime. Still, with the right local insight, this can be a fantastic neighbourhood to explore.

Nearby, the Park Avenue area tells another story of gradual transformation. In 2019, the City of Nanaimo purchased a 5-acre site at 933 Park Avenue to support affordable housing, recreation, and environmental protection — a strong sign of ongoing investment in the neighbourhood’s future.

Just down the road, 1015 Park Avenue is currently listed as a prime multifamily development site, with previously approved plans for a significant number of homes. This pocket is one to watch — especially if you’re interested in Nanaimo’s growth and redevelopment potential.

It’s worth remembering that even within South Nanaimo, conditions can vary street to street. Milton Street is a great example: one block might feel vibrant and historic, while the next could feel entirely different. That’s exactly why local knowledge matters.

Why All of This Matters

In Nanaimo, location really is everything — but not just in the traditional sense. Here, “location” can mean the difference of one block. Prices, lifestyle, school catchments, and even the view from your window can shift quickly from one street to the next.

If you’re thinking about moving to or investing in Nanaimo, take the time to explore its micro-neighbourhoods. Each one offers something a little different — and understanding those nuances will help you find the perfect fit for your lifestyle and goals.

Upper vs Lower Lantzville (2025) — Which is Best for you Vancouver Island Move?

Sun, 12 Oct 2025 19:30:46 GMT

If you’re thinking about moving to Lantzville, BC, you’ve probably already noticed there are two distinct parts of this charming community — Upper Lantzville and Lower Lantzville. They might share a name, but they each offer a very different lifestyle.

As a local REALTOR® who helps people relocate to Nanaimo and the mid-Island, I spend a lot of time helping clients figure out which pocket of Lantzville suits them best. In this post (based on my recent YouTube video), we’ll explore what sets the two areas apart so you can decide which one feels like home.

Where Is Lantzville?

Lantzville is a small seaside community located just north of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. It’s technically part of the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN), not the City of Nanaimo itself, which means you get that semi-rural charm and often a bit more space — but you’re still just minutes from all the conveniences of the city.

Many people love Lantzville for its tight-knit community feel, beaches, and slower pace of life, all while being a quick drive to shopping, restaurants, and ferry terminals.

Lower Lantzville: Coastal Living and Convenience

Lower Lantzville is the original heart of the community, with quiet oceanfront streets, older established homes, and a strong sense of neighbourhood pride.

What you’ll love about Lower Lantzville:

You’re closer to the water, with many homes offering ocean views or direct beach access.
There’s a cozy, walkable village vibe — think friendly neighbours, local events, and seaside charm.
You’re just minutes from North Nanaimo’s amenities — Costco, Woodgrove Mall, and great restaurants.
Services like municipal water, sewer, and road maintenance are generally well established here.

Lower Lantzville is ideal if you want coastal living with easy access to shopping, schools, and community life.

Potential tradeoffs: Lots here are typically smaller, and because it’s closer to the highway and ocean, prices can be higher. But you’re buying lifestyle and location — and for many, that’s worth every penny.

Upper Lantzville: Space, Privacy, and a More Rural Feel

Head up the hill, and you’ll find Upper Lantzville, where the pace slows down even more. Properties here tend to be larger, greener, and more private, often surrounded by forest and nature.

What you’ll love about Upper Lantzville:

Larger acreages and more land for the price compared to Lower Lantzville.
A rural atmosphere — perfect for those who want room to breathe, garden, or enjoy outdoor space.
Peace, quiet, and starry skies — you’ll feel removed from the hustle without being far from town.

Things to keep in mind:

Some properties may have septic systems or wells instead of full municipal services.
Roads can be more rural, and in winter, the higher elevation might mean more snow or icy conditions.
You’ll likely drive a bit farther to reach stores and schools — though you’re still only about 10–15 minutes to most amenities in Nanaimo.

Upper Lantzville is perfect if you crave privacy, nature, and a more rural lifestyle while staying connected to the Island’s urban conveniences.

So Which One Is Right for You?

It really comes down to lifestyle priorities:

If you value...	You might prefer...
Beach access & walkability	Lower Lantzville
Privacy & acreage	Upper Lantzville
Established neighbourhoods	Lower Lantzville
A rural feel with space to grow	Upper Lantzville
Shorter commute to shops & schools	Lower Lantzville

In short — Lower Lantzville offers coastal living and convenience, while Upper Lantzville delivers space and tranquility.

My Local Take

As someone who works with buyers relocating to Vancouver Island, I often describe Lantzville as “Nanaimo’s hidden gem”. Whether you choose Upper or Lower really depends on how you live your life.

If you love the ocean, want a neighbourhood vibe, and like the idea of walking down to the beach after dinner — Lower Lantzville will feel like home.

If you’re drawn to tall trees, acreage, and a little extra elbow room — Upper Lantzville might be your slice of Island paradise.

Thinking About Moving to Lantzville?

Whether you’re drawn to the coastline or the countryside, I’d love to help you explore both sides of Lantzville and see which one fits your goals, lifestyle, and budget.

📞 Reach out anytime if you’d like personalized guidance on buying or selling in the Nanaimo–Lantzville area — or start by watching the full video on my YouTube channel for a visual tour of both neighbourhoods.

North vs. South Nanaimo: Where Should YOU Live in 2025?

Mon, 26 May 2025 18:25:40 GMT

Have you been exploring areas of your potential new home in Nanaimo and wondered what the major differences are between the North and the South sides of the city? Whether you're planning to move here or just curious about the area this video will break down everything you need to know from Parks and Recreation to crime rates and nightlife, so let's dive in!

Nanaimo is a coastal city with great Waterfront access spanning its length. Parks and beaches were a major factor in our decision to relocate here, so let's explore what each area offers. North Nanaimo is home to several large Parks like Neck Point Park which is one of the best places to watch the sunrise and Piper’s Lagoon offering beautiful ocean views hiking trails and picnic areas these parks are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and families. North Nanaimo is also where you'll find some of the most gorgeous tidal beaches I have been to, starting with Blue Back Beach and down the coast that meets up with Neck Point Park. Along this route you'll come across Invermere Dog Beach- a personal favorite! The access points to these beaches aren't walk-on however, so be prepared to get your steps in up and down these lengthy stairs!

In South Nanaimo you'll find smaller Community Parks like Harewood Centennial Park and the Colliery Dam Park, which offers a quieter experience with playgrounds and swimming spots. For beaches you'll find easy walk-on Waterfront access at spots like Departure Bay Beach, where you can also grab a coffee at Drip, and Jackpoint and Biggs Park which is a lovely hike! And since I mentioned dog access in North Nanaimo, Cable Bay also has a great offleash Trail.

North and South Nanaimo each have their own recreation centers with the South having the larger facilities like the Nanaimo Aquatic Center and Ice Arena which are located directly across the street from one another.

North Nanaimo has Oliver Woods Rec Center which is great for birthday parties, sports and camps and is a beautiful facility. Whether you decide to live in the North or South side of the city, you’ll have easy access to another great recreation complex called Beban Park. It has two ice rinks (where you can catch a Clipper’s game, which is Nanaimo’s Junior ice hockey team!) and a swimming pool and is located right in the center of the city!

When it comes to schools, North Nanaimo generally has newer schools with modern facilities catering to growing families in the area. Schools are well regarded like Dover Bay secondary, (which had a 3 million Improvement to its classrooms and fitness center in 2023, and is the second largest in the city of Nanaimo) as well as McGirr Elementary. South Nanaimo on the other hand, features older schools with a strong sense of community such as John Barsby secondary. Cilaire Elementary recently reopened after being closed for an entire school year due to an $1 million seismic upgrade and more. If school quality is your priority North Nanaimo might be more appealing but both regions offer solid educational options.

Now let's talk about dining! North Nanaimo is known for its variety of chain restaurants and a few high-end dining options making it convenient for families and those looking for diverse Cuisine. You'll find popular spots like Brown’s, Cactus Club Cafe, Montana's and Boston Pizza. A few of my favorite spots are found North as well like Sushi Nori and Wa Ku Ramen which used to only be in the South but due to popularity opened a second North Nanaimo location earlier this year.

South Nanaimo offers a more eclectic dining experience with a focus on local independent eateries. A few that I can name that are so good are Gabriel's Cafe downtown, Astera's Greek Taverna in Old City quarter and also located here is Bistro Tayo- which you'll want to try for its authentic and amazing Japanese food and ramen! I also can't recommend Mahle House restaurant in Cedar enough it's a fine dining restaurant that does not disappoint!

Shopping in North Nanaimo is all about convenience, with major shopping centers like Woodgrove center and Northtown Center. Residents have easy access to everything from groceries to clothing stores. South Nanaimo is more about Boutique shopping and local markets. It doesn't have large malls like North Nanaimo boasts, but if you prefer a more laid-back shopping experience South Nanaimo has plenty to offer!

Because I know this is going to be mentioned, I thought it would be important to talk about crime rates. North Nanaimo is generally considered safer with lower crime rates and newer developments that attract families and retirees. South Nanaimo has seen higher crime rates, particularly in certain neighborhoods which is something to keep in mind if safety is a top concern. This does have an effect on the housing market here as well and if you'd like to know more about the differences in home prices I'd highly recommend watching my blog post on the cost of living in Nanaimo where I feature this topic.

North Nanaimo is quieter with fewer options for late night activities making it better suited for those looking for a peaceful evening at home South Nanaimo offers a more vibrant night life with local pubs bars and live music venues. So, if you're into socializing and enjoying the local scene, South Nanaimo might be more up your alley!

Living in Nanaimo BC: The True Cost Revealed for 2024!

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 02:10:52 GMT

We’re more than halfway through 2024 and since it’s been a minute since we’ve discussed this popular topic, I thought it was time to update you all on the Cost of Living here in Nanaimo BC.

Housing:

The idea of moving to Vancouver Island in search of more affordable housing costs is consistently on the rise and Nanaimo is particularly appealing due to its proximity to Vancouver via ferry and air transportation.

Let’s look at Buying a home and renting and what that might cost you in Nanaimo.

For rental prices, I’ve taken a look at what’s listed for rent online and determined some averages. Prices have been on the rise since last year.

For an apartment-style one-bedroom, you're looking at an average of $1,750 per month. A two-bedroom apartment will be about $2,147 and a three-bedroom will be on average $2,437.

For an entire three-bedroom home you're looking at an average of $3,000 per month to rent and a four-bedroom home, $3,200

Now let's look at the cost of purchasing your own home. Let's start with strata or attached homes and the median sale prices over the last 90 days. For a condo or apartment style home with two bedrooms and about 10 years old and under 2200 sq ft you're looking at a median sale price of $402,500 for a townhouse with three bedrooms and two bathrooms between 1100-1500 sq ft, you're looking at a median sale price of $534,900.

Don't forget to add your monthly strata or maintenance fees to these which can range quite a bit but typically will be between $300 and $500 per month1

Now let's look at single-family detached homes here in Nanaimo. For a three or four bedroom two bed home between 1,200 and 2200 ft in Nanaimo, the median sale price over the last 90 days was $769,900. I do want to point out though that Nanaimo’s real estate market is hyper-local, so to give you a more narrowed idea of home prices a four bedroom two-bed home in North Nanaimo (and I've also added areas such as Uplands and Pleasant Valley to this list) the same size house has a median sale price over the last 90 days of $849,900. With the same criteria of a home in South Nanaimo (with areas like Old City and the University District), you're looking at a 90-day median price of $764,900.

Taxes

Nanaimo’s property tax is based on the assessed value of your home on July 1st of the previous year, conducted by BC assessments. This assessed value can differ significantly from the market value of your property. Your final property tax amount is calculated by multiplying the Nanaimo property tax rate for the year by the BC Assessment value. The Nanaimo Property tax rate for residential homes has increased in 2024 to 6.41543, up from 5.83635 in 2023. So let’s use the median sale price I just mentioned for a North Nanaimo home of $849,900

$849,900 x 0.641543% = $5,452.47

A home priced the same in 2023 would have cost $4,960

If you’re looking for a neighbouring Nanaimo city with substantially lower property taxes, check out Ladysmith, which you can learn more about in this blog post.

As for provincial personal income tax, BC rates apply to specific tax brackets. According to Ziprecruiter, the average salary in Nanaimo as of July 2024 is $41,926. If you have two people in a household earning this income your tax bracket would land you in the 7.70% rate.

BC also has a GST or Goods and Services Tax of 5%.

Utilities

In BC, home electricity is provided by BC Hydro and can be billed either monthly or bi-monthly. They use a Tiered billing system to promote energy conservation so if you stay within the first tier and use the median amount of 1,350 kWh every two months you’ll be paying around $162.30. This is roughly 11 cents per kWh and a surcharge of around 23 cents per day. If you use more and enter into the Tier 2 category you’ll be charged 14.08 cents per kWh over the Tier 1 threshold.

For the city of Nanaimo's water, sewer and garbage, your household is billed 3 times per year, approximately every 4 months.
For your WATER BASE RATE (per meter 25mm or less) : $1.00613 per day and then charged with a tier system by the number of gallons you use per day.

For SEWER $0.45057 per day (per dwelling unit) and GARBAGE: $0.624658 per day (per dwelling unit)

Gas & Transportation:

The cost of gas in Nanaimo is currently hovering close to $1.80 per liter.

If you’re driving, you’ll also want to budget for vehicle insurance, which can cost you anywhere from $1,200 to $1,600 annually, depending on your driving history and the type of vehicle. I substantially reduced my car insurance premium when I moved to Nanaimo, which I was very pleased about.

Parking your car in downtown Nanaimo has not changed since my last video on this topic, and has remained at a rate of $1.25/hour. When compared to downtown Vancouver which is still $1-$7/hour and not to mention much more of a hassle to even find a parking spot, Nanaimo is winning in this category. Interesting fact, Calgary actually has the most expensive city parking in Canada, and is only second in North America to San Fransico!

For those relying on public transit, a one-way bus ticket is $2.50, while a monthly pass is $65. If you prefer taxis, the starting fare is around $3.90, and about $2.72 per KM. Taxi fares are set by the city of Nanaimo and were last set in September 2023. Comparing this to U-ride, expect similar or slightly lower rates, especially for trips to popular spots like the Nanaimo Airport. Taxi fares from downtown to the airport are approximately $45, while U-ride services might cost you around $35

Food

The rising costs of groceries has definitely put a financial strain on many Canadians. You’ll be paying a bit more of a premium for groceries on Vancouver Island for things that aren’t locally grown so shopping at your local farmer’s market can be greatly beneficial. I won’t break down the cost of food in this post but if you’d like to see me compare major grocery stores here in Nanaimo be sure to let me know!

So, that’s the lowdown on the cost of living in Nanaimo, BC, in 2024. I hope this gives you a clear picture of what to expect if you’re planning to move or just curious about the costs here!

Nanaimo Buyers Proceed with Caution

Mon, 27 May 2024 20:29:06 GMT

What’s under your home?

We always think about what’s in our potential new home, but what about the land it sits on? What lies underground and could there be anything beneath your next Nanaimo home that you should be aware of? Here are a few things you should know about before you buy!

But first, it’s important to understand land ownership in Canada. When you buy a home, it’s called “fee simple” ownership which is the highest form of home ownership. Meaning, that you own it forever, you can do with as you wish within city laws, and it will forever be passed to your heirs until it’s sold to someone else. There is a catch, and that is that if your home sits on crown land, which 94% of BC properties do, then it’s truly owned by the monarch and governed by the Canadian Government. When you look at your title, you may have certain non-financial charges such as undersurface rights, which give the crown the rights to anything under the surface of the land your home sits on.

In Nanaimo, one particular non-financial charge pops up often, M76300 called "Exceptions and Reservations" owned by the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway Company. Coal Mining was the main resource for Nanaimo from the mid 1800’s to the mid 1900’s and a railroad was built to support the industry in the 1800’s. As compensation, E&N was given a belt of land in Nanaimo along the railway line. This land has since been sold off with this encumbrance remaining on title. It doesn’t carry much significance but can be a little bit of a surprise! It means the E&N has the right to make changes like removing trees on your land, for the purpose of the railroad or stations. The reason it’s not an area of concern is that the land has mostly all be developed and very likely won’t be used for building out this dormant railroad. The charge also claims any minerals in the land, like oil. So, if you were to find some you could owe the railway line compensation. Since I’m not a lawyer though, I would strongly recommend you have these and any charges on title looked by one.

Mine shafts

As I mentioned, Nanaimo was a mining town for over 100 years with mine shafts throughout the city. Now, many neighbourhoods sit on top of Coal mines. If it’s known, this will usually be something you will see come up on a property disclosure statement, but the best way to find out is to check out the mining map of Nanaimo. If the home in question is in the area of a coal mine and if it is, you can check with the city to be certain. From there you could have a geotechnical engineer assess the risk of subsidence, or the sudden (or slow) lowering of elevation, like a sinkhole. You can also contact the Ministry of Energy and Mines (250-952-0732). In October of 2013 while working on a utility line it was discovered that a coal mine had collapsed under the surface of Pine Street in downtown Nanaimo. This left a huge void underground which could have easily led to a sinkhole, so the road was shut down for extensive repairs.

Buried Oil Tanks

If you’re buying a home in an older part of Nanaimo, then it may be super important to check for something else hidden underground and that’s buried oil tanks. When homes started using natural gas for heating, underground oil storage tanks (UST’s) were filled with sand and or/ capped off. The problem is if an old tank erodes, some of the leftover oil can seep into the surrounding soil and water, causing contamination that can spread a super long distance. If you do a scan of the property and discover a UST it should be removed, and the soil tested. Remediation can cost thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars so make sure you’ve done all you can to check for the presence of a buried oil tank before you buy! Have a scan done if you’re home was built before 1970, just to be safe.

Archeological Sites

Finally, in Nanaimo and the surrounding areas on Vancouver Island, it’s not unheard of to discover archeological or burial sites. Some examples are in Saanich in October of 2022 when construction workers discovered Thousands of years old Bison bones. Another example is in Craig Bay in Parksville where the excavation uncovered indigenous human remains. Overall, there are over 62,000 archeological sites across BC with more uncovered every year. If you ever encounter a home on an archeological site, proceed with caution as there will be a host of development and usage restrictions under the Heritage Conservation Act. And if you ever discover an artifact or remains, leave them where they are and contact the province right away. I will leave all the information in the video description as well.

If you’re interested in seeing what an archeological site looks like in Nanaimo, you can pay a visit to Petroglyph Provincial Park in the South end of the city, any time! Here you’ll see ancient stone carvings depicting mythological sea creatures, human figures, and animals that are symbolic of the spiritual and cultural history of the Coast Salish and Snuneymuxw First Nations.[3]

I hope this has helped you understand just some of the things that may be awaiting you under your next Nanaimo home. Your trusted realtor can help guide you through all of the above circumstances that you may come across during your home search here on Vancouver Island.

Nanaimo: The Most and LEAST Walkable Neighbourhoods in the City!

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 02:25:50 GMT

Sometimes it’s nice to leave the car at home! But what areas of Nanaimo make that possible and what areas will have you wishing gas prices were cheaper?

Old City Quarter

Downtown Nanaimo is not surprisingly considered to be the most walkable neighbourhood in Nanaimo. The vibe in the Old City Quarter area is more quaint, and you will be walking to more local shops and smaller cafes but it’s perfect for anyone looking to be steps away from grabbing a bite or a meetup with friends. You can walk further into downtown to the shops along Commercial Street and even enjoy Nanaimo’s seawall and Maffeo Sutton Park! And because you’re downtown, you can walk to some of the transit the city has like seaplanes and ferries. Some may argue that it may be a little more dangerous to walk in a lot of these areas but I have never felt unsafe and I also believe perspective plays a huge part in this.

University District

I recently featured this neighbourhood in this video and am happy to be able to share a little more about what makes this neighbourhood so great, you can walk to just about anything you need!

Perfect for those attending school, the University district has a lot of convenient shops that any student would be happy to have nearby: Grocery stores, Tim Hortons, Subway, Shoppers Drug Mart and more! And for after-hours and weekend fun, Sip Neighbourhood pub is located on the corner of Fifth Street and Bruce Ave. The landscape is pretty flat too, so you won’t break your back hauling your backpack to and from school or bringing your groceries back home.

Dover Bay

Dover Bay in North Nanaimo is an area perfectly situated for walking. While some areas could do with more sidewalks, you’re located in between some of the most diverse shopping in Nanaimo and the most stunning beaches. From Woodgrove center to all of the shopping that surrounds it like Winners, Cabella’s and Michaels’s. And with lots of food choices like Save on Foods and so many restaurants, you’ve really got everything right outside your door! Dover Road is long and flat, spanning from Lantzville Road to McGirr Elementary so you won’t be battling any hills to get to where you need to be. It does get steep as you head towards the water but distance-wise it’s completely doable and worth it once you reach the water! Also located in Dover Bay is an off-leash dog park called May Richards Bennett Pioneer Park, or you can walk to Invermere dog beach at the bottom of Invermere Road. If you’re really feeling like a stroll, it doesn’t take very long from Dover Bay to walk to the Lantzville town core.

Least Walkable

Hammond Bay

Although considered to be one of the most desirable neighbourhoods due to its real estate and views, Hammond Bay is definitely an area to avoid if you plan to walk or don’t own a vehicle. Not only are the roads quite hilly, there’s just not enough nearby. Even if you are planning to walk to the beach or park, you’re still going to be battling those hills and vehicle traffic along Hammond Bay Road. This busy road spans from Departure Bay Road all the way to North Nanaimo, making it a major route to navigate the city and ideal to have nearby if you have a car. And if you are out walking in Hammond Bay, keep in mind that there is very limited cell service in much of the neighbourhood which can be quite dangerous if you’re on foot and something happens.

South Jinglepot

Unless you’re walking to Westwood Lake, which actually can be quite nice to have nearby in the summertime, you’re very limited with where you can get to by foot in the South JinglePot neighbourhood of Nanaimo. It’s just much more suburban, so while it’s a nice neighborhood to take a stroll with your dog you won’t be walking them to get groceries or anything like that. There is a corner in which a Liquor store, Jinglepot Pub and a bowling alley are located, which each can give you a reason to leave your car at home, but that’s about it!

Cinnabar Valley

Located in Chase River, Cinnabar Valley is a residential subdivision made up of tree-lined streets with sidewalks but you’ll be walking a while before you reach anything besides school or a corner store. Additionally, I wouldn’t recommend this area to anyone without a car because being so south it’s just much harder to access the other parts of town you might need to get to without one. There are many other reasons you might love this neighbourhood, some of which I will cover in a future video, but walkability isn’t one of them.

And there you have it, My list of the the most and least walkable neighbourhoods in Nanaimo. If there’s more you’d like to know make sure you get in touch, I’d be happy to help answer any questions about the neighbourhoods in this video or any others in Nanaimo and the surrounding areas!

Living in Nanaimo vs Campbell River: Two DIFFERENT Vancouver Island Cities!

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 16:10:40 GMT

Have you ever heard of a place called Campbell River and wondered how it compares?

Knowing from experience, location can sometimes be one of the trickier parts of the equation of moving to Vancouver Island. I for one came when the market was hot and finding a house was a matter of timing and luck, and when we were exploring the island and Campbell River came up in our searches I had no idea what it was like. Hopefully, I’ll answer some of those questions for you here!

Campbell River is located on the east coast, mid-way up Vancouver Island, 155km north of Nanaimo. The drive from Nanaimo takes about 1h30m along Highway 19 passing the Comox Valley on your way.

Campbell River was incorporated into a city in 2005, but its history dates way back to 1792 when Vancouver Island was first charted. In 1860, many Europeans began settling in the area to set up logging camps. Between 1952-2010 it also had its own Paper Mill called Elk Falls Pulp and Paper Mill. But Campbell River is most famous for its fishing and hunting and is known as the “Salmon Capital of the World”. In 1924 it became home to the Tyee Club, which is Campbell River’s oldest organization and the world’s most exclusive fishing club due to its strict set of fishing rules to earn a membership.

The population is around 35,000 people with a density of 225.7 per km2, compared to Nanaimo’s estimated 2024 population of 108,000 people. Density-wise, Nanaimo’s is much higher at 1,147 per km2. So, Campbell River's smaller size offers tranquillity, while Nanaimo's urban setting provides a dynamic lifestyle.

Both cities have a median age of between 44-46 but with more and more young families finding their way to Vancouver Island I am expecting this to change in the coming years.

Amenities

After talking about population, it will come as no surprise to hear that if you’re looking for a wider array of shopping options, then Nanaimo is your best bet. It’s got the largest mall on Vancouver Island, Woodgrove Center, and other popular chains and a Costco. Campbell River does have some larger big-box stores such as Canadian Tire, however, you’re better off checking out the stores along Shopper’s Row along the waterfront.

As for sports and recreation, both cities offer many community and rec centers to enjoy various activities such as swimming, skating and local events.

I hate to admit that Nanaimo is not known for having amazing health care. The hospital is 60 years old and with only 340 beds, the city has a huge need for a hospital with greater capacity.

Campbell River’s campus of the North Island Hospital opened in 2017. It has a 95-bed capacity and citizens seem to be quite happy with the addition to the city.

Housing Costs and Taxes

If you’re house hunting in Campbell River, you’ll be pleased to hear that purchasing a home here is more affordable than in Nanaimo. Over the last 90 days, compared to Nanaimo’s current median sale price for a 3-bedroom home of $695k, that price is only $640k in Campbell River. Considering you can find lots of homes with breathtaking ocean views, (at a higher price point mind you) it’s definitely worth checking this city out if it will save you money.

Now let’s talk about property taxes. By now, you know that Nanaimo’s are quite high. In 2023 the final property tax rate for Nanaimo was 0.583635%.

In 2023, Campbell River’s property tax rate was 0.558529 %.

So, for a $650,000 home in Nanaimo, your property taxes will cost you $3,794 and in Campbell River, they aren’t much lower at $3,630.

Considering what your property taxes are being used for which are things like municipal services, community development and public infrastructure it’s important to factor in what you’re getting back from your city and in my opinion, Nanaimo just has more to offer.

Outdoor Rec

If you’re moving to Vancouver Island, I’m sure that outdoor recreation is something you value as much as I do. In Nanaimo, you’re centrally located making it an easy starting point to travel and experience all that the Island has to offer in terms of hiking, fishing, camping and beaches. While Campbell River is a little further up-island from the busier areas around Nanaimo, you can still access so many amazing Vancouver Island outdoor destinations that you may not feel the need to venture far very often.

Strathcona Provincial Park is located 48km West of Campbell River and is BC’s oldest, and largest, provincial park. From camping at Buttle Lake, visiting one of its many waterfalls and even grizzly bear sightseeing tours, it’s the perfect destination if you love nature. Another must-see is a visit to Elk Falls Provincial Park, which is a mere 3km north of Campbell River.

Travel

Most people get to Campbell River via Nanaimo and take the drive North. There aren’t many other options but if you don’t have a car, you can hop on the Island Link shuttle bus from as far down as Victoria up to your destination. By air, you can arrive from Vancouver or Washington via Pacific Coastal and Central Mountain Air.

Travel was one of the main reasons we decided to plant our roots in Nanaimo as Campbell River just felt too out of reach and inconvenient for our family. If this doesn’t bother you, and you like the idea of a slightly more remote location then Campbell River could be the place for you!

Weather

I won’t spend a ton of time on this topic, as both locations are very similar in terms of weather and if you’re really curious about what this looks like month to month, I did an entire post on this! However, it’s important to note that the higher up-island you go, the slightly colder it is in the winter with more snow, and it’s a couple of degrees warmer in the summer as well. And of course, your chances of rain on Vancouver Island increase as well as you head north and Campbell River gets about the same level and amount of rainy days as Nanaimo.

I hope that has helped answer some of your questions surrounding which area on Vancouver Island might suit your needs most. Thanks again for being here and learning a little more about this beautiful island I call home!

The PROS & CONS of Nanaimo Townhomes!

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 20:21:15 GMT

If you've considered moving into a townhouse in Nanaimo but aren't quite sure what you're getting into you've come to the right place. Today I'm sharing the pros and cons of choosing a townhouse over a detached home in Nanaimo.

What’s a Townhouse?

Before we begin if you don't know what a townhouse is, a townhouse is part of a connected complex sharing walls with adjacent units they're often arranged in rows and individual units can be side by side or stacked. For this reason, a townhouse has slightly less privacy than a detached home but a bit more than an apartment or a condo since you most likely will have your own private outdoor space.

Townhouse ownership is typically limited to the interior space, with common areas like parking or parts of the building that are shared, like the roof, being owned by the strata Corporation as tenants in common.

Pros

Affordability
While most of the home resale Market in Nanaimo is with detached homes, Nanaimo offers a wide variety of housing options to meet any budget such, as townhomes. In Nanaimo, over the last 3 months, the median sale price for a townhome was around $613,000 for a 2 to 3-bedroom unit. At this price, you're more likely looking at a newer home compared to a 2 to 3-bedroom detached home in this price range, which most likely will require a little bit more TLC. This makes Townhomes a great entry point into homeownership for first-time homebuyers.
Community Living
townhouses often foster a strong sense of community. This is due to a lot of shared spaces and close proximity to neighbours, creating lots of opportunities for social interactions. If you're a member of your Strata Council, which is the governing body of the strata Corporation, you'll be participating in how the strata is run and forming relationships with other caring townhouse owners in your complex.
Low Maintenance
Contrary to owning a detached home, with a townhouse, the exterior maintenance is typically taken care of by the strata. This allows residents to enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle and is perfect for those who want home ownership without the hassle of extensive upkeep. Imagine not having to worry about cleaning your gutters or mowing the lawn.
Amenities
Many townhouse complexes in Nanaimo come with communal amenities such as gyms, parks and even pools and as a resident, you get to enjoy these facilities without the responsibility of personal maintenance.

Cons

Limited Privacy
As I mentioned, just as townhouse living can foster a strong sense of community, the proximity to neighbours might mean you're sacrificing a bit of your privacy. Even with a private outdoor space, you'll still most likely be in very close proximity to the people living next to you, so noise and visual disturbances can be a consideration here.
Strata Fees
Almost any townhouse complex you will encounter will have strata fees, which are to cover shared expenses and maintenance. The amount you pay will be determined by something called your "unit entitlement”, which is the share of the common property that you own. This is usually determined by a formula that takes into account the size of your home. As mentioned, the strata of fees that you'll be paying will go towards the maintenance of your townhouse complex and go towards either an operating fund, which are the more frequent upkeep items such as gardening, insurance and garbage removal; or towards the contingency reserve fund for things that occur less than once a year; generally larger repairs. If you're purchasing a townhouse you must budget for this additional cost.
Less Freedom of Design
If you want to find a home that you can customize you may find townhouse living a bit restrictive. This is because certain bylaws may determine what changes you can make to your Strata lot such as flooring, knocking down a wall or even remodeling your kitchen. You may need to get written permission before personalizing your space.
Parking Challenges
Most people will find that parking and guest parking is much more limited in a townhouse complex. If you're lucky you could score a unit with a garage and a driveway but this isn't always the case. And, referring back to bylaws, you may also be restricted on the type of vehicles you park in your driveway, such as recreational vehicles.
For all the reasons I just mentioned above make sure to read and understand all of the bylaws and rules that will apply to your future townhouse complex!

Navigating Nanaimo: Transportation Tips for a Smooth Ride!

Sun, 26 Nov 2023 18:45:58 GMT

There are so many ways to get around in Nanaimo! Don’t have a car? No problem.

Today’s topic is something I get asked a fair bit and that is, Do I need a car in Nanaimo and what is the transit system like? I’ll go beyond this and explain some other methods of transportation you’ll want to know if you’re going to be living in Nanaimo.

Driving

Let’s start with the first question and that is do you need a vehicle here? My answer to this question is always… if you can afford one these days (gas prices) then yes, I highly recommend one. This is due to the fact that it provides you the ability to get to other destinations Vancouver Island has to offer much easily. Once you move here, you’ll want to explore and you can be in beautiful destinations in a matter of hours, like in this video of my trip to Hornby Island.

If you’re in the city, having a car makes it so you’re no more than 20-25 minutes from most points. Nanaimo is a long city North to South, with two highways that run in this direction so you can get anywhere fairly quickly. Nanaimo is great at providing lots of shopping opportunities in all segments of this city though, so if you’re fine with sticking to your neighbourhood then transit or biking is probably fine.

By car, according to Google Maps, from central Nanaimo you are 1h36mins to Victoria.

2h57 mins to Tofino

1h34 mins to Campbell River

32 mins to Parksville

2 hours to Port Renfrew

1h10 mins to Port Alberni

And 1h14 minutes to the Comox Valley

If you have an electric vehicle, Nanaimo currently has 81 charging stations around the city! If not, gas prices in Nanaimo today hover around 1.58…

As far as ride sharing is concerned, Nanaimo is lucky to have U-ride which started last November! Simply download the app and request a pick-up. It functions just like Uber and Lyft in bigger cities and is an excellent alternative to Taxis. I recently used this service to get from the Departure Bay ferry terminal to the Nanaimo Airport and it was a $45 fare.

Public Parking

Parking in Nanaimo is also very affordable compared to big cities and finding parking is usually pretty easy! There are a number of parking apps to make payment and extending your parking hastle-free.

Public Transit

Now onto Bus Transit. Nanaimo does have a very thorough bus route network throughout the city which covers down to Cassidy where the airport is located and up to Lantzville in the North, as well as the intercity bus route 91 which goes to Parksville and QB. The three large exchanges are located at Woodgrove Center, Country Club Mall and at VIU.

Cycling

On top of the bus transit system in Nanaimo, the city also has a healthy network of bike lanes. Active transportation is something Nanaimo is working on, as the population grows and people need more and more cost-effective ways to get around town. There have been major bike lane improvements along Metral Drive and Bowen road, however there has been some resistance with seeing improvements downtown on Front street with the major argument being congestion issues for cars and according to one article on Nanaimo News Now “ A lengthy project to include bike lanes on Wakesiah Ave. between Bowen Rd. and Colliery Dam Park is awaiting funding and direction from council.”

There’s also a Nanaimo Cycling App, but I didn’t find this very useful other than providing a map of the city with coloured routes.

Extended Travel

Now besides ways to get around within the city, what about ways to get off the island, to and from Nanaimo?

Most people’s immediate plan of action here is BC Ferries. After this video is done, check this one out where I describe my experience using BC ferries to commute to and from West Vancouver for a year for work. As travel to and from Vancouver Island has increased, particularly during the summer months, it’s recommended you always reserve a sailing if you’re travelling with your car! Otherwise, you will risk having to wait for a sailing or more. Nanaimo has two large BC ferry terminals, one in Departure Bay which connects you to West Vancouver and one in Duke Point which brings you into Twawassen. There’s also a 20-minute sailing from the Nanaimo Harbour to Gabriola island. These smaller ferry services will take you to all the smaller islands off the coast of Vancouver Island called the Gulf Islands, like Salt Spring, Denman and Hornby. They’re well worth exploring

Of course, if you’re looking for a direct and easy way to get from downtown Nanaimo to downtown Vancouver, Nanaimo’s new high-speed passenger ferry called Hullo began service this summer. I’ve taken it twice so far and it’s been super easy, albeit a little pricier than walking on with BC ferries. A base fare for Hullo is $39, compared to $19 with BC ferries.

If you’re not into travelling by boat, then one of the smaller seaplanes from Nanaimo Harbour could be the answer. Seair offers service from downtown Nanaimo to downtown Vancouver for around $116(when booked online**) and Harbour Air, which I found fares this week for as low as $79.

Located in the same area as Hullo Ferries, Helijet offers flights to downtown Vancouver on their twin-engine 12-seater helicopter and will get you there in just 18 minutes! Flights this week were as low as $129.

Then if you really have places to go, Nanaimo’s Airport offers service to connect you to international airports through airlines such as Air Canada, West Jet and Pacific Coastal.

I hope this has answered your questions about how to get around the city of Nanaimo! If there’s something you’d like to know that I did not cover, get in touch! ritafraserrealty@gmail.com

Move HERE And You'll Never Want to Leave. Welcome to Pleasant Valley, Nanaimo!

Sun, 19 Nov 2023 19:21:25 GMT

Today’s neighbourhood feature is Pleasant Valley. I’ll let you know why I think this is a great location for families relocating to Nanaimo and all the other features that make this community great.

Pleasant Valley is a neighbourhood located in the north end of Nanaimo, mostly on the West Side of the Nanaimo Parkway which is the new highway. It surrounds Brannen Lake and the area is known for its natural beauty and recreational opportunities.

As I’ve mentioned in past videos, one of the first things you will want to consider when moving to a new city is the location. What is your lifestyle and what matters most in terms of where you will be living? Pleasant Valley is ranked highest for a quiet place to live, as well as schools and daycares, which makes it an ideal spot for families. Walkability is ranked a little lower, however, this is due to the fact that most amenities nearby are across the highway in North Nanaimo, such as Woodgrove Mall and all the other shops and restaurants I mentioned in this video. This also isn’t entirely true, however, as along Metral Drive there are excellent bike paths and sidewalks which will take you along the shops and grocery store in that area. In my opinion, the balance of having everything situated so close by but that you are tucked away from the busier side of town is a huge bonus.

Circling back to schools, Pleasant Valley Elementary is the school here located at 6201 Dunbar Road. The families I know who have kids attend school here report that they’re very happy and the school is very safe with a lovely community feel.

Another great part of this community is the Pleasant Valley Hall, which is a social center where you can rent space for different events. Looking at the calendar for the month, they offer a range of activities from Martial arts, Yoga and different dance classes!

If you’re looking for a local escape not far from home, the Black Bear Pub serves homemade Canadian cuisine with a relaxed atmosphere.

I mentioned earlier that in Pleasant Valley you will find Brennan Lake, which is a recreational lake known for its RV park and campsite. It also has a boat launch and fishing dock. So if you’re looking for a fun stay-cation with the family this is a really great option! There’s lots of wildlife to check out while you’re here as well including deer and birds of prey like owls and hawks.

Besides Brennan Lake, you are very close to the Dumont Mountain biking trails with border Pleasant Valley and North Jingle Pot. You can also hike through these trails but be mindful of the bike paths! If you want a hike with an amazing waterfall at the end, check out nearby Ammonite Falls which you can see for yourself in this video.

Pleasant Valley is a fairly new community with most builds here occurring in the 1980’s. The median sale price here for a single-family detached home over the last 90 days is $880,250 but there is also a good amount of condo buildings and townhome complexes. These sold for a median price of $530k over the last 90 days. If you’re looking at a move to Nanaimo in the near future I wouldn’t hesitate to check out the neighbourhood of Pleasent Valley and I’m always here to answer any questions you may have about this community and others!

Living in Nanaimo vs. The Comox Valley: Which should you call HOME?

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 15:30:23 GMT

Today I will be exploring the differences between living in The Comox Valley and living in Nanaimo. I want to start off by saying that in no way is this intended to say one is better than the other but is to simply highlight aspects that might make one location more desirable if you’re considering a move to Vancouver Island.

The Comox Valley is a picturesque region encompassing Courtenay, Comox, and Cumberland, about an hour's drive north of Nanaimo. It boasts a warm community vibe with a population of around 75,000 and a population density of 44.40/km².

In comparison, As of 2022, the City of Nanaimo has a population density of 1,147/km² and a population of just under 105,000 people. Keeping in mind that this is for the city of Nanaimo proper and The Comox Valley includes 3 regions, the Comox valley offers a more intimate setting compared to the hustle of the larger city of Nanaimo. If you're after that tight-knit feel, the Comox Valley might be calling your name.

Now, let's talk amenities!

While the Comox Valley provides all the essentials, the larger population in Nanaimo means a broader array of shopping, dining, and cultural experiences. However, don't count the Comox Valley out! It's got everything you truly need, including a Costco for shopping, often with shorter travel times. And while Nanaimo might have more activities for you to do on a night out, Comox also has plenty of festivals and music events throughout the year, especially in the warm summer months such as the BC Seafood festival and Vancouver Island Musicfest.

Housing Costs and Taxes

Ah, the big question: housing costs. In the Comox Valley, the median price for a 3-bedroom home hovers around $630,000. It's an attractive option for those seeking affordability without sacrificing quality. Property taxes in 2023 in Comox is 0.409651%. Now, compare that to Nanaimo's median home price of $749,950, and a property tax rate of 0.600870%. If you meet in the middle and consider a $700,000 property, that home in the Comox will cost you $2868 in property taxes whereas in Nanaimo that same home will cost you $4,206 in property taxes and remember -Nanaimo is also ranked number 3 in third highest property taxes in BC.

If you’re in the rental market, The Comox Valley offers a variety of options, with a vacancy rate of around 3%. The average cost for a 1-bedroom apartment is approximately $1,300. In Nanaimo, the vacancy rate is slightly lower at 2.2%, with an average rental cost of $1,450 for a 1-bedroom unit.

Outdoor Paradise

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast like myself, you’ll love both the Comox Valley and Nanaimo which grant easy access to stunning outdoor activities.

The Comox Valley has become a meca for mountain bikers, particularly in Cumberland which has become what they call the “Squamish” of Vancouver Island with many young active families are relocating to take advantage of the outdoor living. Cumberland was ranked number 1 in the country for mountain biking, according to Osprey.com. Many of these trails surround Puntledge River. It also has proximity to Mount Washington for skiing. Also check out breathtaking Brown’s River Falls which we had the privilege to visit a couple of times this summer, my dogs, especially Tika, and Simon had a blast!

Nanaimo offers majestic Mount Benson and there are no shortage of Mountain Biking Trails. It’s central location makes it a great starting point for exploring all of Vancouver Island’s beauty so you can take advantage of what other areas have to offer a little easier. Which leads me to my next point…

Travel

For jet-setters, the Comox Valley Airport offers convenient regional connections. Nanaimo Airport provides similar options, and both cities have BC Ferries terminals, however the Comox terminal in Little River only provides service to Powell River on the sunshine coast. Nanaimo has two terminals in Departure Bay and Duke point which connect you to either West Vancouver or Tswassen and with Nanaimo’s new Hullo Ferries service, you can be in downtown Vancouver in only 70 minutes. I think when you compare the Comox Valley to Nanaimo, Nanaimo is simply a more convenient place to live for travel due to it’s central location and transportation options.

Weather

When it comes to Vancouver Island cities, Nanaimo and Comox, Courtenay and Cumberland are very similar. Both are located on the east coast of the island and experience moderate winters and summers. The coldest month is December, with average temperatures of between 2-6 degrees C. During this month In terms of snow, Comox wins with a slightly higher snowfall than Nanaimo in terms of quantity. Comox Valley will accumulate on average 45 millimetres of snow on average compared to Nanaimo’s 31 millimetres of snow. Both areas are also similar for “wet days” or days with precipitation with at least 1 millimetre of rain. Both regions experience an over 55% chance of rain during the month of November. So if you’re trying to pick based on weather, it’s safe to say you’ll be getting about the same in both areas.

So, which one's your dream destination? The Comox Valley invites you to its warm, tight-knit community, while Nanaimo dazzles with a broader array of amenities. No matter your choice, you'll be embraced by breathtaking landscapes and the charm of Vancouver Island.

Renting Vs. Buying Your First Home: Pros and Cons

Sat, 07 Oct 2023 18:08:34 GMT

Everyone needs a place to call home, but should that place be rented or bought? That is a question everyone must answer at some point in their lives. As you earn more money, you will invariably come to a place where you want to make crucial decisions to reflect your changing status.

One of those essential lifestyle changes will involve deciding on the home you live in. Should you save money to buy your own home? Or is it wiser to keep renting and use that money for something else? What are the long-term and short-term benefits of either of these options?

In the past, most people didn’t have to think about this because owning their own home was considered the best financial decision a person could make. People viewed their homes as their most valuable asset. The home was also a symbol of a higher social status and a mark of responsible citizenship.

But all that is changing, partly due to the rising cost of home ownership in Canada. The other reason for the changing views on home ownership is that younger Canadians value the freedom that comes with renting over the stability that comes with owning their own home.

What should you do? Should you continue to rent or make plans to buy your own home? The proper answer depends on your current situation and where you think your life will be in the next ten years. In this post, we explain the pros and cons of both options to help you make the decision.

Renting

The pros of renting your own home

Lower upfront costs: Unlike when buying a home, where you must save up to 15% of the home’s value to get a mortgage, you don’t need much money to rent a decent home.
No maintenance costs: The only financial obligation you have as a renter is your rent.
The landlord takes care of all the maintenance needs of the home.
Fixed rent amount: As a renter, you know exactly what your housing costs will be every month. There is no risk of unexpected costs due to problems in the home.
Greater flexibility: Renting not only gives you more options when deciding where to live, but you also have the freedom to leave whenever you want.

The cons of renting your own home

You cannot customize the home: Most landlords will not let you change the design of the rented house to suit your tastes. You must live with the owner’s design.
You don’t control the rent amount: The landlord can increase the rent beyond what you can afford. Rents may also be out of reach in the places where you want to live.
You may be forced to move: If the owner sells their property or decides to renovate it, you will be forced to move. You are at the mercy of the owner’s decisions.
You don’t build equity: The rent you pay goes to securing the landlord’s future. Instead of building equity in your home, you help the landlord pay off their mortgage.

Owning

The pros of owning your own home

Customize your home: You can design your home to reflect your needs, lifestyle and style preferences. You can also renovate the house to make it better or improve its value.
You build equity: Unlike renting, your monthly payments are an investment in your future. You gain equity in the home by paying the mortgage.
You can leverage homeownership: You can leverage the built-up equity in your home to increase your borrowing power. It is easier to build wealth with this strategy.
Stability and peace of mind: Owning your own home will inject a level of stability into your life. It makes it easier to plan your future with confidence.

The cons of owning your own home

Heavy upfront costs: To buy a house, you need to save enough money for the down payment on the property. That can be as much as 15% of the market value of the house.
You must maintain the house: In addition to the monthly mortgage, interest and insurance payments, you have to cover the maintenance costs for your home.
Lack of flexibility: It is not easy to move when you own your own house. Even if you want to sell the house, it will often take some time to find the right buyer.
Your home could lose value: A downturn in the housing market could wipe out your home’s value, and there is no guarantee that you will recover the lost value.

So, should you rent or buy your home? That is an important question, and you may not have all the right tools and information to make the best decision. Talking to an expert will let you see the bigger picture when answering this question, allowing you to make a choice that will truly benefit your future.

DO NOT start browsing the Nanaimo MLS without WATCHING THIS FIRST!

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 19:27:49 GMT

The island life is calling your name! You’re excited about the prospect of moving to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island and before you know it, you’re browsing the Nanaimo MLS and bookmarking all your dream properties. Before you start redecorating and daydreaming of the good life here, there are a few things I want you to know!

Today I’m tackling the crucial topics that can make or break your home search journey. What are the vital steps to take before you go searching the MLS for your dream Nanaimo home?

Firstly, know the difference between a mortgage pre-qualification and a mortgage pre-approval. And if you’re serious, don’t delay in getting in touch with a mortgage specialist to get the process started. You may have plugged in some numbers online to see what you pre-qualify for, but without an expert weighing things like your gross-debt service ratio (a measure of housing costs versus a borrower's gross income.) you won’t truly know how much house you can afford. Most importantly it will put you in a stronger position when making an offer. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP! Once you’re pre-approved don’t make any big financial decisions that can affect your financing like applying for extra credit or making a big purchase like a car.

Second, I strongly encourage you to find a realtor in Nanaimo whom you trust and who knows the area well. I might be biased because I am a realtor but having been through the process before I was licenced I can’t imagine having gone through it without one. We were living on the mainland and although we had the ability to come to the Island to view homes, sometimes we needed to act quickly and having an agent who represented us gave us peace of mind that we wouldn’t miss out on anything that came on the market. There are lots of other reasons choosing the right realtor is important and I’ve covered this in some of my other blog posts.

Next, DO NOT start seriously looking until you’ve established the type of home you’re looking for. I’m not talking about a list of criteria, I’ll cover that a little later. I’m talking about whether is this a starter home, or your forever home? It’s okay to buy a home with the notion that you won’t live there forever and that you can gradually make your way to your dream property.

This is important because it will streamline the process of weeding out homes you don’t want so much more by setting realistic expectations during your search.

Do you think you will be in this home 0-6 years? That’s your starter home and you may have to overlook the fact that your yard is smaller or maybe it’s not in your most desirable location.

Nanaimo is always coming up with new listings in the 500-700k price range that could use some TLC but would make for a great entry to the market. If you’re truly worried about location, you can check out this blog post next!

If you’re thinking longer term, over 10 years… start considering what that means for you. 10 years might mean you're raising your kids there for a good chunk of time so location becomes even more important. I also covered this topic about my top picks for family-friendly neighbourhoods to help!

If you’re thinking you’ll be in your home 20+ years then you really will considering dream home/forever home status and what are my must-haves? Which brings me to my next topic…

Making a clear list of must-haves and wants is going to streamline your home search and help you make informed decisions. Your must-haves are things that you know you can’t live without, usually size and number of bedrooms for example. If you say you MUST HAVE 3 bedrooms but would like 4… put that on your “want” list. Better yet, make a list of absolute deal-breakers too! If you know you need to be close to transit and there isn’t a bus stop in sight of the home you’re looking at… make it easy and click NEXT!

Now, lastly... Establish your timeline. It’s okay to be in the Nanaimo MLS once you’ve done the above and you begin to narrow down on homes that you like but this won’t do you any good if you have no clue when you can buy!

Some things to consider are: Are you renting? If so are you month-to-month or in a lease that you may have to break if you buy before it’s finished?

Do you have a home you have to sell first? Have you even started that process? Be realistic here… you may think your home is worth a certain amount of money and will sell quickly but the real estate market is super volatile. Nothing is for sure and if you’re relying on that home sale to buy your next it’s better to have the process well underway so that you can make a solid offer once the time comes. It’s possible to write offers with the condition that your first home needs to be sold, but wouldn’t you rather go into it with all your ducks in a row? How heartbreaking would it be to be so close to owning the home you want in Nanaimo only to lose it because your house didn’t sell as fast or for as much as you wanted?

Besides this, the home-buying process itself isn’t always a fast one. With a pre-approval process that can take up to 2 weeks, a home search that can take on average up to 2 months and then being under contract before closing between 30 and 60 days… your home purchase can realistically be months away and you will need to exercise patience.

Lucky for you, I’ve helped people through this before and come from my own relocation experience, so get in touch if you want to chat about moving to Nanaimo and the surrounding areas!

Moving to BC from Out of Province? Top 3 Things You MUST Know!

Sat, 02 Sep 2023 18:38:47 GMT

So you’ve decided to live the good life on Canada’s West Coast and move to Beautiful British Columbia. If you’re moving from out of province you’ll want to stay tuned as I’m going to cover some of the things you’ll encounter that you might not expect!

The first thing on everyone’s mind of course is home prices. When looking at big cities, Toronto’s home prices are actually higher than Vancouver and Vancouver Island. BC does still have some of the most expensive real estate in the country which you will feel the most coming from a province like Alberta with much more affordable housing costs. So, before you get swept away by the idea of moving to the west coast be prepared so you don’t have sticker shock.

Another thing someone moving from Alberta might find alarming is what we in BC call Property Transfer Tax. In Ontario, this is called Land Transfer Tax and is broken down as follows:

0.5% on amounts up to and including $55,000.

1.0% on amounts exceeding $55,000, up to and including $250,000.

1.5% on amounts exceeding $250,000, up to and including $400,000.

2.0% on amounts exceeding $400,000.

If you’re purchasing in the city of Toronto, that will be charged again at

0.5% of total property value up to and including $55,000.00

1% of total property value over $55,000.01 to $400,000.00

2% of total property value over $400,000.00

In BC, this is called property transfer tax and like in Ontario is the responsibility of the buyer to pay, charged at completion when the title is transfered. The property transfer tax rate in BC is as follows:

1% of the fair market value up to and including $200,000

2% of the fair market value greater than $200,000 and up to and including $2,000,000

3% of the fair market value greater than $2,000,000

If you are a first-time home buyer in BC and purchasing a home as your primary residence for under $500K you could qualify to be exempt or partially exempt from paying this amount but make sure to check with your mortgage broker and realtor.

So as mentioned before, if you’re moving from Alberta you will have to factor this into your closing costs as Alberta only has The Land Transfer Registration Fee paid which costs:

a base of $50 and an additional $2 for every $5000 of property value and the Mortgage Registration Fee also costs a base of $50 and an additional $1.5 but for the mortgage amount.

So let’s break that down for a moment.

On the purchase of a $600,000 home in Ontario, your land transfer tax will be $8475, and an additional $8475 if buying in the city of Toronto. So you could be paying as much as $16,950

In BC on a $600,000 purchase you’re looking at $10K in Property Transfer Tax.

And in Alberta your Land Transfer tax on a $600,000 home with a $30K mortgage down payment is only $511.

Dual Agency

Dual agency is when a real estate agent can act both as the buying and selling agent for the same property. As of June 2018, BC no longer allows for dual agency unless under very narrow and strict exceptions. The reasoning is the difficulty of acting in both parties' best interests when acting for both sides. In a real estate transaction, the client (you) enters into Agency with the Realtor's brokerage and the brokerage assigns the realtor as the designated agent. So you can still have two agents in the same office take part in the same transaction.

BC is the only province to have banned dual agency and all other provinces allow it although most require written consent.

Recission Period

Something that came into effect on January 1st, 2023 was the BC rescission or “cooling-off” period, where home buyers have up to 3 business days not including weekends and holidays to rescind their offer for any reason but must pay 0.25% of the purchase price. and cannot be waved. This came in at a time when the market was crazy and people were making subject-free offers so the government added this layer of consumer protection. Make sure you ask your realtor everything you need to know when writing up an offer on a home and how this works!

Renting in Nanaimo vs. Buying: Unveiling Your Perfect Home Path!

Thu, 10 Aug 2023 00:07:04 GMT

Everyone deserves a place to call home, and it's essential to find an option that aligns perfectly with your lifestyle and financial goals. So, let's dive right in and explore the benefits and considerations of each choice: to rent or to own!

Renting has some fantastic perks, especially when you're starting on your homeownership journey. It requires lower upfront costs, making it an ideal option for those looking to save and plan for the future.

Currently, rental prices in Nanaimo are as follows: 1 bed - $1622, 2 bed- $1980, 3-bed apartment $2450.

Home rentals aren’t very abundant in Nanaimo right now and for a 2-3 bed home around you’re looking at $2500-$3000/month.

Plus side to renting- no maintenance costs! You can leave those worries to the landlord while you focus on creating memories in your cozy space.

You also have more flexibility when renting as you can choose from various locations and easily relocate if you decide to explore different neighbourhoods.

With a fixed rent amount, you know precisely what you'll be paying each month. Besides that, you will only be paying your utilities. (city + gas and electric). That is of course unless there is an unpredictable rent increase. You might also face the possibility of moving if the owner decides to sell or renovate the property.

Another couple of downsides: Renting may mean limited customization options, as most landlords prefer to maintain their home's design. Additionally, if you’re a pet owner it can sometimes feel impossible to find a rental that will allow pets, especially large dogs.

Now, let's talk about the pride and joy of homeownership!

Owning your own home comes with that fantastic feeling of truly making it yours. Design, renovate, and create the perfect sanctuary that matches your unique style and preferences.

Not to mention - building equity - it's like planting seeds for your future! With the annual real estate appreciation rate in Canada for the last 15 years being around 6.11%, each monthly payment becomes an investment in your home, increasing your wealth over time.

But homeownership does come with some considerations. Owning a home requires a more substantial upfront investment for the down payment. Your down payment will be a minimum of 5% and even 20% if you’re purchasing a home over $1million. Besides your monthly mortgage payment, other costs include utilities, property taxes and Insurance. You should also factor in a home maintenance budget which should be 1% of your home's total value every year. And yes, maintenance - it's now on your to-do list. You'll be the one handling those DIY projects and repairs or calling in the experts.

Also, owning means less flexibility in moving. That’s why choosing your location is so important and my entire reason for building this channel. Think of it as putting down roots and building memories in one place. If and when you decide to move, keep in mind that the housing market can fluctuate, and home values may be affected during downturns. There’s also a larger cost to moving when you own vs when you rent, as you’ll need to factor in the home selling process and costs like preparing to list, realtor fees, lawyers, and bank penalties if you pay out your mortgage early.

In the end, it's about finding the best fit for your current situation and where you see yourself in the next decade. And I’m always happy to help you see the bigger picture and make a choice that aligns with your dreams and aspirations of moving to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.

Living in Nanaimo vs. Victoria: Which city should you make your NEXT home?

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 20:25:41 GMT

I’ve had a few requests recently about making this post to highlight the differences between living in two of Vancouver Island’s largest cities, Victoria and Nanaimo. I’m not surprised at all because I know firsthand how choosing the perfect city to call home is a huge decision and if you’ve never been here you often don’t know where to start! Both Victoria and Nanaimo are popular tourist destinations, but which is best suited for your relocation? Depending on the kind of person you are and your needs, each city will offer its own unique pros and cons. Let’s explore.

Let's talk numbers!

Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, is the larger city of the two, with a population of the greater region, of around 415,000 people and a density of 4,406/(km²). On the other hand, Nanaimo, a gem nestled on the east coast of the island, has a more intimate community with around 100,000 residents and has a density of Density 997.2 (km²). With its smaller size, Nanaimo offers a close-knit atmosphere that many people including myself find appealing. I find it to be the perfect balance of city living and having some breathing room however it’s your call if you like a busier atmosphere, then Victoria is for you!

Amenities and Driving Times

Both cities boast fantastic amenities, but the bigger population in Victoria means a wider variety of shopping, dining, and cultural experiences like concert events. However, Nanaimo is no slouch when it comes to amenities! It's got everything you need, and often with shorter driving times to access them. Also Keep in mind that Victoria might experience more traffic, especially during rush hours.

Cost of Homes and Living

Now, let's talk about everyone's favourite topic it seems: home prices! Victoria does come with a higher price tag for both homes and general living expenses. In the last 90 days, the median sale price for a 3-bedroom detached home in the greater region was $1,118,000. On the other hand, Nanaimo offers more affordable housing options, with a 90-day median sale price of $749,950 making it an attractive choice for those looking to get more bang for their buck. When it comes to property taxes, Nanaimo is one of the highest in the province behind Powell River and Kamloops with a rate of 0.600870%. So, for a $750,000 home, you’d be paying $4506. In Victoria, where the property tax rate is lower at 0.449150%, that 1,118,000 home will still cost you $5021 in property taxes.

Rental Costs

If you're considering renting, Nanaimo tends to have slightly lower rental costs compared to Victoria, making it an excellent option for those starting on the island or seeking temporary accommodations. Victoria has a rental vacancy rate of just 1.5% and the average rental cost for a 1 bedroom apartment last month was $2,049, which has remained stable since last year. Nanaimo’s rental vacancy rate is 2.2% and the average for a 1 bedroom apartment is $1,606 which has actually decreased by 6% since last year.

Proximity to Outdoor Activities

One of the major draws to Vancouver Island is its’ breathtaking natural beauty. Victoria and Nanaimo both offer fantastic access to hiking trails, mountain ranges, and nearby beaches. Victoria's proximity to the Juan de Fuca trail and Sooke Potholes is a hiker's paradise. Meanwhile, Nanaimo offers easy access to the Mount Benson trail, Nanaimo River and not to mention is centrally located on Vancouver Island making it the perfect starting point for nature lovers and water enthusiasts.

Airport Access

For frequent travellers, Victoria's International Airport offers a broader range of flights. However, Nanaimo Airport provides convenient regional connections and is just a short drive away. Also, both cities have BC ferry terminals offering another option to leave the Island, although why would you ever want to?

Weather

A hot topic for anyone moving to BC is the weather. You may have heard that we get a lot of rain but that isn’t true when speaking about Vancouver Island. In fact, Victoria is one of the sunniest cities in BC with an average of 317 days of sunshine per year and gets more sunshine than 82% of Canada’s urban population. Nanaimo also sees a fair bit of sun, with an average of around 300 days but for this particular category, if you’re looking to avoid the rain Victoria is the safest bet.

In the end, choosing between Victoria and Nanaimo comes down to your unique lifestyle preferences and needs. Victoria dazzles with its big-city amenities, while Nanaimo provides a more intimate community experience. Both cities offer an incredible quality of life, surrounded by the island's stunning beauty.

Whichever you choose, you'll be embraced by friendly locals, gorgeous landscapes, and the quintessential West Coast charm. I hope this comparison helped you gain some clarity on what each city has to offer. And make sure you get in touch if you have any specific questions about relocating to either Victoria or Nanaimo.

DEBUNKING 5 Common Myths About Moving to Vancouver Island

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 19:37:44 GMT

What have you heard about the process of moving to Vancouver Island that has you apprehensive about what the process is like, and is it worth it? I’ll be busting the top 5 myths about moving to Vancouver Island.

Starting with…

You Need to be Here to Buy

I want to start off by saying that in an ideal situation, being present on Vancouver Island for your home search is highly recommended. A home purchase is likely the biggest you will make in your life and you want to make sure you’re as certain as possible that not only are you in the right home but also the right location. For this reason, I think making an exploratory visit if you’ve never been here is a great plan. That’s what we did, and I was glad because we were able to narrow down that we really only wanted to live in Nanaimo vs other areas. With all that in mind however, it’s entirely possible that although you aren’t physically present, a property you like can come on the market and you don’t have time to visit, especially if you’re from further away or out of province. In this case, having a realtor do a virtual showing for you is a great way to get into the home for a viewing. Should you decide to write an offer on a home you haven’t seen in person you and your realtor can decide if you need to negotiate a second viewing so that you can physically see the home. It’s possible that this strategy might make your offer less appealing but it’s important that you know the risks involved in buying a home sight unseen and you and your realtor will need to have a serious discussion about this. Whether you see the home in person or not, so much of what we do these days can be done remotely such as signing contracts virtually, wire transferring of funds for deposits etc etc.

You Don’t Need a Real Estate Agent

While this might be true in theory- you don’t need to have representation when purchasing a home- that also comes with a laundry list of risks- I would argue that it’s especially important that you have a real estate agent with local knowledge and community ties that can act as your buying agent, especially if you’re from out of province. If you don’t know where to start but have someone near you that you like and trust, they can always refer you to an agent on Vancouver Island that will take care of you.

Getting set up with an agent early can be beneficial for a few reasons. You can be set up right away with a home search on the MLS which will prepare you for a possible visit and home tour. What you don’t want to do is show up in a town on Vancouver Island and see homes for sale and expect someone to just let you in to see them. Have someone who can set these appointments up beforehand as homeowners need notice to prepare their homes for viewings. While you can also go to Open Houses while here it’s always nice to have a skilled professional with you to help guide you on these viewings.

Another benefit to having a realtor on Vancouver Island when you’re buying from out of province is that they most likely already have relationships with professionals you will need during your home purchase process, such as a home inspector, and will be able to recommend their services and facilitate appointments. This can be especially beneficial when you are on a tight time frame and can expedite the process.

Having someone who works locally can work out in your favour if they have good relationships with other realtors in the area. Realtors will always act in your best interest as part of their fiduciary duties. However, when it comes time to negotiate that process can be so much smoother communication wise etc when both parties have a pre-existing relationship or have worked together in the past.

It’s Too Expensive

I’m talking housing here. We all know BC is one of the most expensive provinces to live in Canada. Even still, cities in BC are amongst some of the fastest growing populations including Nanaimo, which is the 5th and also located on Vancouver Island. While the median home price in Vancouver is $1,188,000, Nanaimo is lower at $738,250. Think this is still high? There are many other places on Vancouver Island that deliver the quality of life and the beauty you expect here for less. In Port Alberni, a small city about an hour outside of Nanaimo on the way to Tofino, homes sold a median price of $535,000 over the last 90 days. It’s considered the most affordable city on Vancouver Island but has great outdoor living and many amenities. Some other areas have lower home prices, some of which I spoke about in my video “Small Towns on Vancouver Island you can move to”. My point is you can work with a realtor to find something that works within your budget, you may just not end up in larger cities like Victoria if you want a cheap single-family detached home.

You Will Be Isolated

No doubt you will have some apprehension about moving to an Island. How remote! How Isolating! Well, it’s not actually like that at all. Vancouver Island is about 460 km’s long and has plenty to offer in and of itself. Many Islanders don’t have the need to leave the island often as you can find almost anything you need right here.

If, however, you do need to take a trip to the mainland you have many options for travel. You heard about my personal experience using BC ferries to commute to work in West Vancouver for an entire year and BC ferries terminals can be found all over the west coast of the Island.

Additionally, and you may have already heard, a new passenger ferry service called Hullo connecting downtown Nanaimo to downtown Vancouver in 70 minutes is coming in late August!

If you’re not into taking a boat you can hop on a float plane via a few different services like Harbour Air. There are also airports all over Vancouver Island, some with commercial services like Nanaimo and Comox.

However, if you choose to travel I have no doubt you won’t feel as cut off from the world as you might imagine. This place offers so much and it’s hard ever to want to leave at all!

You Won’t be Welcomed

I admit that I was weary of our reception to moving to Nanaimo. It’s common to hear people comment that the Island is overpopulated and that they don’t want any more people moving here. It’s true that the island is seeing a lot of growth… Nanaimo itself grew by 10% between 2016 and 2021. Every time I would meet new people I would hesitate to tell them we had recently relocated from the mainland but when I finally did I found that the other person was either a transplant themselves or they were happy to have us! Honestly, what you see online are usually just cranky people hiding behind their keyboards and wouldn’t say the things they do to you in person. I can only speak from my own experience but I have found people in Nanaimo to be some of the friendliest and my friend circle has grown tremendously since relocating here.

So there are my top 5 myths about moving to Vancouver Island and why it can be one of the best decisions you will make! I hope to see you soon on Vancouver Island!

Discover UPLANDS: Your Next Nanaimo Neighbourhood!

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 02:27:28 GMT

Today’s neighbourhood feature is an area called Uplands, located in the northern central part of Nanaimo just above Long Lake. You will drive by Long Lake if you’re taking Island Highway north and the homes on the ridge are what is considered Long Lake Heights. More on this later!

The Uplands location is really great for a few reasons! It runs parallel to the highway so you can easily get to areas like downtown in no time, but the highway is on the other side of Long Lake so it’s not noisy. It’s the location for two of Nanaimo’s larger shopping centers, North Town Center and Country Club Center. Both of which have everything you need- from groceries to liquor stores, fashion and a movie theatre and each one is just a 5-minute drive from the other. Woodgrove Center, the largest shopping mall on Vancouver Island, is also very close.

Homes in Uplands were mostly constructed between 1961-1980, many on tree-lined and flat residential streets but also some interesting cliffside and rocky terrain, mainly in Long Lake Heights. Long Lake Heights is a Bareland Strata community located on Long Lake. This freshwater lake is a hot spot for kayaking, swimming on a sandy beach and fishing! The views of the lake and beyond Mount Benson are really great as you feel perched up above the city taking everything in! A downside to this is the hilly landscape makes the roads in the neighbourhood very steep and dangerous in the wintertime. If you’re not familiar with what strata living entails, make sure you get in touch with a real estate professional like me. We looked at a few homes in Long Lake Heights before realizing they were strata and ultimately decided it wasn’t for us. The Knowledge I’ve gathered from those I’ve met is that it’s a well-run strata and a well-maintained area, including frequent snow removal for the steep roads I spoke about.

Single-family detached homes in the Uplands community over the last 30 days were sold at a median price of $672,500. There are also many condominium and townhouse complexes, making it a great starter neighbourhood for families.

There are other great reasons that make Uplands a great neighbourhood for families! It’s rated highly for being quiet and safe, and the school here is called Uplands Park Elementary which is a feeder school for Wellington Secondary not too far away in Departure Bay. Both schools are highly regarded in the city of Nanaimo. Uplands is home to one of the city's best recreation centers, Oliver Woods Community Center. So many of Simon’s summer and school break camps take place here and he’s always enjoyed them and the camp staff are amazing with kids! It doesn’t have a pool but facilities can be rented out for birthday parties and events.

There are some great local parks in Uplands that you can walk to and the neighbourhood is home to a smaller hike called Rutherford and Radar Ridge, a 3.5 km loop up Cottle Hill where you can take in views of the Valley below from the top.

If you’re looking for somewhere to eat on date night, consider Eve Olive. This is the best plant-based restaurant in Nanaimo with a cozy vibe you’ll really love!

If this sounds like somewhere you’d like to be and are considering a move to Nanaimo or Vancouver Island, be sure to get in touch with me soon!

Bad Areas of Nanaimo? BEWARE of these challenging neighbourhoods.

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 20:12:15 GMT

It’s essential to know what you’re getting into when deciding to relocate to a new city. The things that matter to you the most might not correspond with your ideal home and its location. Today I’ll be diving into areas you might want to avoid when moving to Nanaimo BC

Before we relocated to Vancouver Island, I had never spent a substantial amount of time in Nanaimo. It was just a starting point for us to access other areas and I really had no idea what living here would be like. Like everyone, I had an idea of what my ideal neighbourhood would be that would fit my ideal criteria such as access to parks and trails, lower density and safety. In this video, I’ll cover a few of these and list areas you may want to avoid.

High-density and traffic

If you’re looking for a quiet place to live, then I would definitely avoid anywhere near downtown Nanaimo. Although Nanaimo’s city center is quite small, it still has a higher volume of apartment buildings and condos because of how many businesses and shops there are. The streets are small as well, so driving can be trickier to navigate although I will say parking isn’t as bad as it is in bigger cities. If you’re in any of the harbourfront buildings, expect bustling crowds of tourists, especially in the summer months!

Areas like The University district and Central Nanaimo around Bowen Road (which is a super busy street) are also higher density due to a mix of residential, commercial, recreational and learning institutions. Keep in mind that someone seeking proximity and walkability to amenities will also favour these locations!

Many neighbourhoods in Nanaimo are expanding to meet the housing demand and influx of people moving to Vancouver Island. The BC government has also announced it’s “Homes For People” action plan, part of which will legalize secondary suites province-wide and allow for zoning of 3 to 4 units per lot. This is great news for housing in Nanaimo but things might get a little tighter as they are province-wide.

If you’re looking to be removed from the Hustle and Bustle, I’d recommend looking into communities such as Cinnabar Valley, Extension and North Jinglepot.

Crime

This one is a touchy subject. I personally consider Nanaimo to be a safe place to live but as in any city, there are areas that you might want to be extra cautious in or maybe avoid altogether if you want to avoid things like vandalism, theft and drug use.

Old City (downtown) is one of these areas for sure and trickles out to other areas around central Nanaimo and the hospital. There is a police station located on Milton Street which adds a sense of security and many neighbourhoods have enrolled in the block watch program. I also found this interesting crime map online but it isn’t updated very frequently so your best bet is to follow the Nanaimo RCMP online and just be active in your community.

Many neighbourhoods that are considered to be family-friendly, such as Diver Lake, I have heard have a higher occurrence of smaller crimes but it’s believed this is due to the population of teenagers in these areas. And again if you’re watchful for your neighbours this can really help.

Walkability

Is being able to walk places important to you? Nanaimo is a very long city, and although getting from one end to the other by car isn’t excruciatingly long it’s nice to know you have things close by that you can reach without driving far or even better, walking.

I touched on this when I covered the Hammond Bay neighbourhood. You’re just not close enough to anything to dart out at a moment’s notice to walk where you need to be and it helps to have a car there. This is also super relative to what you’re needing to walk to. Like in Hammond Bay, your walk to parks and beaches is very short which is the same as Westwood Lake but again you’re close to the lake so it’s a nice trade-off! Also in South Nanaimo, College Heights which has some of the most impressive views in the city isn’t your ideal walking area due to it being up on a ridge, the same as Upper Lantzville.

Things To Do In Nanaimo This Summer: The Hottest Summer Activities!

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 20:17:57 GMT

It’s gearing up to be an amazing summer in Nanaimo. Plan your visit around these fun Nanaimo events and activities!

Summer is the best time to visit Nanaimo, as the beaches are the highlight of this oceanside city and the community really comes alive with festivals and family-friendly activities! Today I’ll be sharing just a few of the things I look forward to this summer in Nanaimo!

I shared about the fun events Nanaimo organizes in my “Don’t Move Here” blog post where I talk about the things locals know that make this place so special. The Bathtub races are a true staple to Nanaimo summer, beginning back in 1967!

Another event that I can’t wait to check out with my family this year on July 16th is the Silly Boat Regatta!

This community-sponsored event is to raise funds for the Nanaimo Child Development Center.

The rules are pretty simple! You sign up your team and together you have 4 hours to assemble a boat out of recycled materials only. It needs to carry at least 2 people and only be propelled by people or wind! The Regatta takes place in Mafeo Sutton Park with the race itself leaving from Swy-A-Lana lagoon into the Nanaimo Harbour.

Keeping on the theme of Boats the Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival is in its 20th year and happens this year on July 8th and 9th also at Maffeo Sutton Park! This is a 500M paddle with around 70 teams participating this year, in support of the BC cancer foundation with their “Make every second count” campaign. Come enjoy a market, food trucks and a beer garden!

If you’re already at Maffeo Sutton Park why not try WildPlay’s downtown Zipline which shoots you 300 feet across Swy’a’lana Lagoon? You can do one zip is $14.99 and $7.99 each time after!

Speaking of WildPlay, this is a place I mentioned in my “Things to do in Nanaimo” blog post and is a definite must if you have kids this summer! Maybe go bungy jumping over the Nanaimo River (a 150-foot jump!) and then calm yourself at the river’s edge after where so many Nanaimo locals spend their summer days. It’s a great spot to pack a lunch and hang out in the sun with the option to cool off in the freshwater.

My next fun Nanaimo activity is The Dinghy Dock Pub on Protection Island. Sure, pubs are great… but why not go to a floating pub? This is supposedly Canada’s only floating pub and was originally built as a bait shop and marina in 1989 and has since transformed into a family pub where you can take in views of Nanaimo and the harbour. As of June 19th, it will be open 7 days a week and you can get there by using the Protection Island Ferry from front street, downtown Nanaimo. You can also take small watercraft like kayaks to the pub, and tie up along the dock! I went for a visit here last summer and the atmosphere was awesome! Such a nice place to sit in the sun and drink a beer with some food. Take the time to explore protection island afterwards as well! I’ll be doing an upcoming post on this really cool place soon.

If you’re thinking of staying cool inside this summer, a great option is axe throwing at Axe & Grind! I love the slogan as you enter their website “There’s a lumberjack in all of us”, although I might be the exception haha. Regardless, it’s something different that you and your friends can do together and not just your average hang-out. Maybe save the beers for afterwards, though.

I will sign off by highly recommending you check out my other blog posts “Things to do in Nanaimo” and “Is Nanaimo a good place to live?” as I deliver some other really fun options you can do while visiting Nanaimo. And if you decide you want to call Nanaimo home make sure you get in touch!

Nanaimo Off-Leash Dog Parks

Fri, 26 May 2023 17:59:46 GMT

Today I’m sharing my top pics for off-leash dog parks in Nanaimo, including Invermere Beach, May Richards Bennett Pioneer Park and Cable Bay Trail! There are also some other more fenced-in off-leash dog areas but I’m not a fan of those and won’t be mentioning them in this post but you can find their locations online easily.

Our first stop takes us to stunning Invermere Beach dog park, located on the scenic shores of North Nanaimo. This picturesque park is accessed from the bottom of Invermere road where it becomes a cul-de-sac and is street parking only. Be warned, there is a pretty large set of stairs leading down to the off-leash beach which you will have to hike back up! Once you reach the beach you’ll be greeted by an open space for your dog to enjoy what I consider doggy-heaven. I always check the tide charts to make sure there is enough sand to play on, otherwise, you’re just on rocks. When the tide is out be careful of some of the rougher areas with clams and barnacles that can cut your dog’s paws. Have a look up in the nearby trees and you’ll most likely spot some bald eagles, super cool.

Also located in North Nanaimo is May Richards Bennett Pioneer Park which I will be referring to as Pioneer Park. This is a haven for active and energetic dogs in the heart of North Nanaimo and my local favourite. Pioneer Park is a dream come true for dogs and owners alike as it’s tucked into the city and provides plenty of space for dogs to run, jump, and play. You’ll often run into other dogs here, it’s pretty popular, especially on weekends. I like to go in the quiet times in the morning and later evenings and have built a nice community with the regulars and their dogs! To access the park, you can enter either off Dickinsen road or off of Schook road. The park had a fence installed this year which encloses it from the traffic of the nearby roads. There is one spot where your dogs can sneak out onto the fields near where the water tap is for dogs so just be mindful of where your dog is when you reach this spot on the southwest side.

Pioneer Park and Invermere Beach are such huge bonuses to living in North Nanaimo if you like to be active with your dog, besides everything else I mentioned in my video highlighting this neighbourhood! It’s known for its waterfront properties and beautiful residential areas but location is everything and imagine living just a stone's throw away from these fantastic dog-friendly destinations!

Lastly, we make our way to the breathtaking Cable Bay Trail, a hidden gem for dogs and their owners. The drive is about 30 minutes out of North Nanaimo but totally worth it. You can access the trailhead by driving to the end of Nicola Road in Cedar. This trail, surrounded by lush greenery and towering trees, provides a fantastic opportunity for your four-legged friends to stretch their legs and explore nature's wonders. The walk to the ocean is just over 2km but is an easy walk for just about anyone Once you reach the end, the trail opens up to a really nice ocean playground with plenty to explore and frequent marine life sightings. Even though the walk down is easy enough make sure you have decent footwear for making your way down the rocks to the ocean bed when the tide is out, and also for climbing back up! Cable Bay Trail is situated near popular neighbourhoods like Cedar and Yellow Point, offering a rural and serene living environment with larger properties and acreages. You and your furry companion can experience the best of both worlds—secluded trails and a peaceful neighbourhood.

And there you have it! We've explored three incredible off-leash dog parks in Nanaimo: Invermere Beach, Cable Bay Trail, and May Richards Bennett Pioneer Park. If you’re a dog lover like me, I know you want to ensure you have some great places to take them. As someone who used to live in North Vancouver where outdoor recreation is huge, Nanaimo has pleasantly surprised me and isn’t lacking places to explore with my dogs!

Neighbourhood Feature: Hammond Bay Nanaimo

Mon, 15 May 2023 20:50:42 GMT

Hammond Bay is one of the most sought-after neighbourhoods in Nanaimo. Want to know why? Keep Reading! I’ll be covering why this area is so desirable such as the incredible ocean views, and if you stick around until the end I’ll share a HUGE frustration people have with Hammond Bay.

Hammond Bay Road stretches along the northern coastline in Nanaimo until it intersects with Island Highway going West. The neighbourhood itself is located on the northeastern tip of Nanaimo between Departure Bay and North Nanaimo, but its boundaries are a bit ambiguous. For the sake of this video, I will be using the Vancouver Island real estate boards parameters.

When considering where you want to live in Nanaimo or anywhere, location is very important and you’ll need to consider what’s important to you and your family. Hammond Bay is ranked quite high on the scale for a quiet place near parks and good schools but low if you’re looking for amenities and walkability.

If beach access and nature are high on your list, this can be a great location for you. Neck Point Park is situated here and is where Simon and I did our Polar Bear dip! You can walk the just-under 3km loop around the park in around 45 minutes and the vantage point gives you awesome ocean views as well as views of “Shack Island”. There are public washrooms and picnic tables if you want to spend the afternoon outdoors as well.

Just down from Neck Point Park is another popular destination for locals and tourists alike, Piper’s Lagoon Park. This is another great place to come during the day, both when the tide is in and out. During low tide the Page Lagoon get’s a bit mucky, so if you plan to walk there be prepared for your shoes to go missing. It’s a great place to see otters and other marine life as well as bird watching.

When you are at Piper’s Lagoon Park you will see that there are homes built at the edge of the lagoon on Place Road and Lagoon Road. The homes with beach access are some of the most sought-after as there are few walk-on waterfront homes in Nanaimo. Many in Hammond Bay are cliffside making these property unique and pricey, for that reason alone.

Where this neighbourhood is located you will notice that you will be using your car to get to places a bit more. Roads can be hilly and your amenities aren’t in this area, albeit not far away either. Think of this neighbourhood as more residential with your shopping and restaurants being about 5-10 minutes away by car, unless you’re going to Piper’s Pub just off Hammond Bay Road as you drive towards Neck Point. If you don’t have a car, many bus routes drive the long stretch of Hammond Bay road and will take you where you need to go, from downtown to the ferry terminal, to the mall.

Hammond Bay is home to one of the best French Immersion schools in Nanaimo, Hammond Bay Elementary or, Ecole Hammond Bay. Located just off Neck point park, this school is nestled into a quiet area and is one of 3 French immersion schools but is the only exclusively French immersion school. Side note- french immersion school placements are done by a lottery system here in Nanaimo.

Now for the reason you’re all really here- the views! Many homes in Hammond Bay are either built on the rocky embankments up from the beach or high up on the hilly terrain. Either way, there isn’t a lack of ocean views in this neighborhood making it some of the most expensive real estate in the city. Imagine living with the views on Gulfview Drive?

Even if the ocean isn’t directly in sight from your home, the drives from Golden Oaks Estates, which is a newer development, and the Glen Oaks communities for example make up for that.

Hammond Bay in my opinion is a dream location if you’re looking to relocate to Vancouver Island as you’ll be reminded every day of its beauty.

I promised I would be candid and share ONE THING that drives me bananas about Hammond Bay and that is the cell service reception. I know I’m not alone. And Frankly, I don’t understand how it’s 2023 in this city and there is a huge zone with ZERO bars as you drive along Hammond Bay road. I’ve been completely lost and can’t pull up my GPS or even make a phone call and have just had to drive until I get to somewhere with 1 bar. Why?!

Small Towns on VANCOUVER ISLAND You Can Move To!

Tue, 02 May 2023 04:15:00 GMT

I love sharing my passion for living in Nanaimo since my move here in 2021. If you’ve landed on this video you might be in the same boat we were which is you’ve decided you want to live on Vancouver Island but aren’t quite sure where! If you’ve gotten as far as Nanaimo, I obviously can’t recommend it enough and you can learn more about the reasons I love it in this blog post!

But what are your other options? What do places that hug Nanaimo like Lantzville, Ladysmith and Nanoose Bay have to offer? Let’s dive in…

Lantzville

Drive North just out of Nanaimo, and you’re in Lantzville. The district is divided into two subareas, Lower Lantzville, which is the town center near the water, and Upper Lantzville, which is above the highway and incorporates the residential area known as “The Foothills” and also where you’ll find the Copley Ridge Recreation Trail, one of my favourite spots to hike.

Lantzville has a large population of retirees, so you’ll find this community strikes a nice balance of quiet living but with close proximity to the amenities of Nanaimo. Most of the homes were built before the 1960s into the 1980s and this is the kind of place you’ll want to be if you’re looking for a single detached home, without any large condo developments and a low rental market. Lantzville home prices now are steadily listed at a median price of $1.2Million dollars.

In Lower Lantzville you’ll find a quaint little oceanside town with small businesses and restaurants including the Lantzville pub, which is a great spot if you’re looking to grab a bite with a view! There’s also the Winchelsea Golf Course and Huddlestone Park and Lantzville’s elementary school is Seaview Elementary.

The foothills in upper Lantzville is an ever-growing community which I touched on briefly in my new Nanaimo development videos. The location has prime ocean views, some of the most beautiful I’ve seen since moving here. But, you’ll be paying a pretty penny to live up there, think over 1.5-1.6 to well over $2milion. Because of the elevation, expect a bit of a windier climate with a bit more snow and fog in the wintertime.

Nanoose Bay

As you exit Lantzville going north you get to a peninsula village called Nanoose Bay. Again, this is an area with an older population and resort-style communities such as Fairwinds, which is home to one of the best golf courses on Vancouver Island. People love Nanoose Bay for the outdoor recreation opportunities, like world-famous scuba diving at Madrona Point and Notch Hill Loop Trail. There are three marinas here making it a popular spot for boaters. If you’re picking up on the luxury note, you’re correct. Most homes here are custom-built and come with stunning ocean and golf course views, which are reflected in their pricing. Just check out any of these homes in the Beachcomber peninsula and you’ll see what I’m talking about. However contrary to Lantzville, you can find some townhouses and condos living here at a much more affordable price point.

Nanoose Bay is located between Nanaimo and Parksville and be prepared to have to drive to anywhere you need to go! One thing I will mention is that the cell service here is awful. There are so many pockets of dead service zones as your drive through Nanoose Bay, so beware!

Ladysmith

I’m going to take you now in the opposite direction to a town called Ladysmith. Just South of the Nanaimo Airport, Ladysmith has recently garnered some attention due to Pamela Anderson’s relocation to her hometown. She documented this on Netflix and her HGTV show “Pamela’s Garden of Eden”. Yep, that beautiful oceanfront home is located roughly 30 minutes from Nanaimo.

It’s bigger than the two previous areas I mentioned in this video and although home prices have risen drastically throughout the years, you can find a nice range of modest family homes priced between $500-$700k. Of course, oceanfront homes will be much more than they would be anywhere else.

People love the community of Ladysmith and I know many people who were born there and have stayed to raise their own families. There are larger grocery stores and chain restaurants but you will have to drive to nearby Duncan or Nanaimo if you want to go to the movies or shop at bigger stores for example. There are three schools here, Primary (k-3) Intermediate (4-7) and Secondary (8-12) and Ladysmith shares the school district with Nanaimo which is district 68.

Ladysmith is a great location in between two larger city centers on Vancouver Island and close to transportation like the airport which I mentioned and the Duke Point Ferry terminal.

If any of these communities have sparked your interest make sure you get in touch!

Why you need to move HERE if you have kids. Nanaimo Schools and Family Neighbourhoods!

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 02:01:21 GMT

Have kids and want to know where the best place to live as a family is in Nanaimo? Keep reading as I cover schools and family-friendly Nanaimo neighbourhoods!

So many families, like ours, have been deciding to relocate to Nanaimo in recent years. If that’s you, amazing! I’m so glad you found my blog as that’s exactly what I help people do. My name is Rita and I’m a local realtor in Nanaimo and the surrounding areas on Vancouver Island. Today I’m going to share my top picks for family-friendly neighbourhoods and schools!

You’ll see some numbers when I mention schools as I’ll be using the Fraser Institute school rankings website to give scores for each neighbourhood school. The website ranks schools between 1-10 using academic markers like reading, writing and numeracy. It also ranks them compared to all other schools in the province of British Columbia.

As helpful as this is I would still strongly suggest that you do your own research when looking at which schools fit your child’s needs and please feel free to leave a question in the comment section for others to help!

So in no particular order, let’s get started

Departure Bay

Departure Bay is the area where the ferry terminal which leads into horseshoes bay is located. The median price for a home during the last 3 months was $684,900 and people really love this area due to the family-friendly vibe it gives off. Driving down many of these residential streets you’ll spot “slow down kids playing” signs but this is also a popular spot for retirees as residents who’ve lived here for years have stuck around this well-established neighbourhood. You’re far enough from the downtown area to feel much safer, but close enough if you want to visit some museums and theatres.

In Departure Bay you are within walking distance of many beautiful parks such as Sugarloaf Mountain and Kinsmen Park which is right off the beach.

The Sherwood Forest area of Departure Bay is a really neat little spot with all the street names coming from Robin Hood. I really love the uniqueness of the homes here and some of them have killer ocean views. Living here, I’m sure kids, and big kids, would love seeing the ferries returning and leaving Departure Bay each day.

The catchment for Departure Bay gives you the option of Departure Bay Elementary (Score 5.5/ Ranking 521/870), Rock City Elementary (Score 4/Ranking 750/870) and Wellington Elementary (score 4.7/Ranking 201/252)

Diver Lake

This neighbourhood is full of young families with small children for your kids to play with and also lots of teenagers around. As the name suggests the neighbourhood surrounds a small lake which hosts fishing, small trails and even a bike park with jumps.

Most of the homes here were built between 1961 and 1990, with the median sale price at around $770K. A new development at 2229 Boxwood Road is underway with a proposed 31-unit Townhouse complex as well. I’ll be following this closely!

This centrally located neighbourhood is close to Country Club Mall and restaurants and you’re right in between both highways making commuting that much easier. You also have Beban Park which has a public pool and driving range.

The elementary school here is Coal Tyee Elementary, but actually, it was recently renamed Syuẁén'ct Elementary School which means “our traditions” in the language of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. (Score 2.9/Rank 832/870)

North Nanaimo

What can I say? I love North Nanaimo! I love it so much that I dedicated an entire blog post to my neighbourhood which you should definitely watch next!

The neighbourhood is very safe, safe enough that I don’t worry about my son walking to the store with friends or to and from school. And speaking of walkability, this area is great for that. Nearby you have beach access, Woodgrove Center, and plenty of restaurants to choose from for a night out with the fam! There’s also a really great skatepark for kids to enjoy.

If you have a family, you know your best bet with shopping is always Costco which is located here as well!

Homes sold at a median price of $866,500 these last 3 months and people continue to move to this area of Nanaimo. I think one reason for this is the schools here are really great.

You have Mcgirr Elementary (Score 6.1/Ranking 399/870), Dover Bay Secondary (Score 7, Ranking 63/252) and Randerson Ridge Elementary (Score 6/Rank 417/870).

I can speak from experience here when I say that the sense of community at these schools is excellent and my son has flourished since his transition from his previous school.

I hate to cut this list short as I do strongly believe there are other wonderful family neighbourhoods here in Nanaimo. If you’re from here and I missed one, and want to let us know what you love about your neighbourhood, share it with us in the comments!

If you’re thinking of relocating here and have questions about what spots can fulfill your family’s wish list, be sure to get in contact with me! As always if you liked this video don’t forget to give it a thumbs up and subscribe so you never miss one of my weekly updates!

UNBOXING these BRAND NEW Modular homes on Vancouver Island for UNDER $550k!

Sat, 22 Apr 2023 17:30:16 GMT

Today I had the pleasure of visiting a new development that has gotten so much buzz, Sitka Landing in Campbell River. 3 styles of west-coast contemporary rancher homes are being installed beginning this summer. You’ll have the option of:

The Estero

featuring 950 sq ft of living space with 2 beds and 2 full bathrooms. Currently priced at $472,303 +GST

The Sonora

featuring 1,070 sq ft of living space with 2 beds, 2 baths and a flex room. Currently priced at $489,900+GST

The Cortez

featuring 1,200 sq ft of living space with 3 beds, 2 baths and is currently priced at $509,975+GST

Besides affordability, the open floor plans and design of these homes are super thoughtful and work for everyone. There is more to learn about Sitka landing that I can’t cover entirely in this post alone but please feel free to contact me directly if you’re interested in knowing more about this new Campbell River community!

These brand-new modular homes are built by a Vancouver Island-based company called Supermod. But don’t let the word modular scare you into thinking this is your average pre-fab home.

Pre-fab simply means pre-fabricated. What Supermod does is this, but better.

Using a highly specialized technology, called CNC Manufacturing (which stands for Computer Numerical Control) to produce perfectly sized 3D-printed steel frames for their modular homes, the result is a sleek home design, in a shorter time. We’re talking from months to weeks, as the components of the home are assembled in the factory, then installed on-site.

Because of their building method and by using galvanized steel, Supermod homes are much more sustainable. They are produced with such accuracy that there is much less wasted building material, and steel is 100% recyclable! Not to mention it’s stronger and more durable. Compare steel to wood. With wood, you have the potential for rot due to moisture absorption, pests, mould, and warping. All of this can compromise the structure of your home over time, costing you money and even your health.

Not only does building with steel prevent these issues but steel is also non-combustible, preventing fire spread. The lighter material also cuts back on shipping costs, again saving you money!

But enough from me! Supermod was gracious enough to open its doors to its factory to give you a glimpse of how the process works, so check out the footage from this visit in the video above!

LET'S EXPLORE...Colliery Dam, Nanaimo!

Tue, 04 Apr 2023 02:03:00 GMT

Looking for a place to visit that has it all in Nanaimo? Today I took a trip to Colliery Dam Park and cover what you can find here. From swimming, hiking and fishing... this has to be your next Nanaimo family destination! Bring the dogs too ;)

Exploring Nanaimo College Life: A Comprehensive Guide for Students!

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 02:50:00 GMT

I’ve had lots of questions recently from soon-to-be Nanaimo college students so I thought it was time for me to do a bit of research on this topic. I did not attend school in Nanaimo so I’ll be going based on what I know and imagine to be true about college life here.

Firstly- Nanaimo’s largest industry currently is construction and was forestry for many years before that. Nanaimo’s colleges have excellent trades programs that people from all over the world come to attend.

If you are an international student or coming from out of province, Nanaimo is a city located on the east coast of Vancouver Island, about 60 km east of the city of Vancouver. The easiest path is to fly to Vancouver or Calgary and connect by another flight to Nanaimo. Option for BC ferries or float plane.

Internationally, you can also fly to Seattle which isn’t far from Vancouver Island and connect to B.C.’s capital, Victoria, by either flight or ferry and drive about 2 hours north to get to Nanaimo. You can also drive from Seattle to B.C. , crossing at the Peace Arch border crossing which is just over a 2-hour drive. Don’t forget your passport!!

One thing I want to quickly mention is the application process for international students is different than for domestic students so make sure you check out your respective college’s admissions page for details and links on how to apply!

Now onto your Nanaimo Colleges:

Sprott Shaw

Sprott Shaw Community College is a BC-based college with campuses throughout the province. The Nanaimo campus is located downtown on Terminal avenue. This college offers no waitlists with monthly start times. They provide accelerated programs which earn you a diploma in under 2 years with programs ranging from health care assistant, business and administration, early childhood education and, trades and design.

If you're a brand new student in the city you will be happy to hear that according to their website, The Nanaimo campus is known for an engaging student lifestyle with events and holiday celebrations throughout the year.

The Nanaimo Campus does not offer residential living but later in this post, I will summarize the rental costs in Nanaimo.

Discovery Community College

Discovery Community College is a career training college located on Dunsmuir street in downtown Nanaimo. Their mission statement reads

“Discovery Community College is committed to hands-on training and to graduating work-ready students who are sought after by employers.”

They use a hands-on “work by doing Philosophy” in fields such as business and finance, healthcare such as medical and dental, community support work and justice and community safety work.

Vancouver Island University

VIU was founded in 1969 as Malaspina College, they formally became Vancouver Island University in April 2008. The main campus is in Nanaimo, University district or Harewood. VIU’s core programs range from master’s degrees, to one-year diplomas and there are 120 to choose from. From business to science, arts, trades and social work you can learn a skill in almost any field here. Additionally, VIU offers English language certificate programs for English as a second language (ESL) students for the thousands of international students Nanaimo welcomes each year.

They also have really great exchange programs, co-ops, and practicum programs for schools all around the world and sister school agreements in Japan, Korea and Thailand.

Vancouver Island University has an acceptance rate of 60-70%.

VIU gives you the opportunity to live on-campus in one of their 10 residence buildings, housing up to 500 students. I’ll provide a link to the VIU res site in the description of this video.

Renting in Nanaimo

VIU provides Tenancy information for Nanaimo provided by VIU - because rents are high here you can find information on boarding and finding roomates. https://services.viu.ca/housing/off-campus-housing

These options are worth taking a look at If plan on studying in Nanaimo as rents here are not the most affordable. Over the past month, the average rent for a studio apartment in Nanaimo is $1,495. The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is $1,653, and the average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $1,995.

Transportation

If you’re off campus and do not own a vehicle, you have a few options to get around if you aren’t within walking distance of your destination.

The obvious is the Regional District of Nanaimo transit system. You’ll be happy to hear that VIU has a bus exchange, and if you’re at another campus the bus system seems pretty thorough and spreads across the city of Nanaimo. I’m not so sure about their schedules but if you have personal experience with BC Transit in Nanaimo I’d love to hear about it!

They also offer students a semester pass for $170 for 4 months. This equates to only $42.50 a month- saving you money compared to if you were to just buy a $50/monthly pass.

Although Nanaimo as a city has been extremely slow at introducing larger ride-share companies as a transportation option, a new Canadian owned and operated company called U-Ride launched on Dec 2nd of 2022. And from what I can tell people are loving it!

Jobs

If you’re student workload allows you the time for a part-time job, there are plenty in Nanaimo. Just scroll any job posting board and you’ll see many services industry jobs here as just like everywhere else in the province it seems, they are severely understaffed at the moment. Of course, if this isn’t what you want to do then there are other options out there too!

Food

Nanaimo’s got anything you’re looking for in terms of yummy food, from my personal favourite, poke, to ramen, sushi, fast food and big chain restaurants. Eating out can obviously be expensive but so can groceries here. My recommendation for groceries at a low cost is Superstore or hit up Costco. I always find their fresh berries and salads to be less expensive and you get so much more for your money! You will need a membership to shop here though.

As always I hope this video has helped you if you plan on studying in Nanaimo. There’s so much to do here in the outdoors and if you like road trips, check out my most recent trip to nearby Hornby Island!

3 Most Affordable Nanaimo Neighbourhoods

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 21:29:22 GMT

I relocated to Nanaimo in the summer of 2021 and spent a hectic and enormous amount of time house-hunting here. In our home search, I’ve come to be familiar with which neighbourhoods are a little more affordable than others. Some of the more expensive places to live here tend to have some proximity to the water with ocean or mountain views and are located near to amenities. Hopefully, that isn’t a surprise to you. But I know you’re here to find the most affordable spots to find a home, so here we go!

Old City

Old City is the area downtown Nanaimo which has so much charm. There are many small businesses downtown like boutique shopping, restaurants, and cafes. Just like most downtown core areas, there isn’t a lot of extra space for large parcels of land to build homes onto. The average price according to my MLS system for a single-family detached is $614,913…. But that’s if you can even find one. There's a very small number of detached homes for sale in this area which comes as no surprise because of the location. Condos for sale and apartments in Old City average $652,949 and outnumber detached homes by almost triple.

While you might want to avoid certain areas due to crime. And yes- Nanaimo just like any city has crime, the Old City Quarters is a really charming and well-maintained part of downtown Nanaimo. Living here also has you living close to Maffeo Sutton park (a community favourite) as well as the seaplane terminal and soon-to-be high-speed ferry service between Nanaimo and Downtown Vancouver. Hello Canucks games!

South Nanaimo

South Nanaimo encompasses the area just above Old City, south of The University District and Westwood Lake.

The average-priced home here (today) is $682,956 which is well below the city of Nanaimo’s Median price of $919,900. Unlike Old City, there are many more detached homes in this area.

Being more removed from the downtown area makes it a more appealing spot for a family home. And with the prices the way they are and proximity to the University, is somewhere to consider buying an investment property as well! South Nanaimo is where you will find Colliery Dam park which I will highlight in an upcoming blog post. You’re also only about a 7-8 minute drive to the Aquatic and Ice centers.

Chase River!

Coming in at $753,016 for a single-family detached home, this area of Nanaimo makes it our third most affordable neighbourhood in Nanaimo. You’re about a 10ish minute drive south of Downtown and about a 25-minute drive from the North end of the City, just off of the “new Highway”, so it’s an easy place to get to and from. Chase River is a mix of older but well-built homes and some new developments, which has caused prices to rise slightly in this area. If your looking for a quieter lifestyle this is a nice balance of outdoor space, parks and shopping with lots of amenities right in the neighbourhood. If you need to get to the airport you’re a 10-minute drive away. Chase River is also situated at an even distance from both Departure bay and Duke Point ferry terminals.

I’m extremely happy we made the move from North Vancouver to Vancouver Island as it was much more attainable to afford a detached home here. I’m going to finish this video by saying I KNOW I’m going to get comments about these prices not seeming very affordable by most standards. B.C.’s home prices are some of the most expensive in the world, we are well aware of this but for some of us, we just can’t imagine living anywhere else! If you want to live the island life make sure you get in touch!

Don't Move to Nanaimo! What the Locals Don't Want You to Know.

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 21:42:43 GMT

Interested in knowing why Nannaimorites are so protective of the Island Life? I’m going to let you in on all our secrets which make living in Nanaimo the best!

I help people relocate in and around Nanaimo, just like I did… even though we really don’t want you to. JUST KIDDING. Although it can definitely feel that way sometimes. If you read any social media threads you're sure to come across comments like "Don't move here, stay away!" or "The Island is full!". Nanaimo’s population growth shows no sign of slowing down and here are a few things they don’t want you to know to keep you away! The things that make us want to stay in Nanaimo, not necessarily what brought us here in the first place.

The Malls Don't Suck!

Before online shopping being able to access the shops you loved was a pretty big deal. So with the magic of the internet aside, our malls are actually really good. Nanaimo is home to Vancouver Island’s largest shopping mall- Woodgrove Center. This mall has over 150 stores including The Bay, Walmart, Toys’r ‘us, Sports Chek… all the staples. But then it has all the extra stores like Lush, Sephora, Lululemon and even opened a location for the trendy boutique store, The Latest Scoop recently. Besides this mall, there are numerous other large and small shopping malls throughout Nanaimo where you can find almost anything you need!

Getting from Nanaimo to Downtown Vancouver is About to Get a Whole Lot Easier

In Summer 2023… like this summer, the long-awaited high-speed passenger ferry service will launch. What does this mean? It means if you want to live the island life but are committed to working on the mainland, you have a much faster commuting option. Even considering it for day trips and downtown events like sports games and concerts makes it such a convenient way to travel. The 70 minute trip will take you directly to Vancouver Harbour Flight Center, letting you avoid the added trip to either Horseshoe Bay or Tsawwassen, then taking a 1:40+ ferry ride home.

Nanaimo is an Outdoor Playground

There’s so much to do here and so many hidden treasures locals don't want you to know about. Buuuut because all it really takes is a quick google search on the topic, I don’t mind sharing a few of them here ;)

From scuba diving one of THREE sunken shipwrecks to the Hole in the Wall which is a short drive to Port Alberni from Nanaimo:

photo credit: Sandra Hurst Fisher

The Abyss in Extension which is a 16” fissure (or crack) in the earth:

photo credit: Mick Bailey

Petroglyph park, which is just a short drive from downtown Nanaimo and beachcombing for beach glass and exploring hidden waterfalls… There's so much to do!

photo credit: Shari Lemieux

Fun, Quirky Events!

Bathtub racing, which began in 1967, is an annual race where participants use bathtubs to race from Departure Bay around the Winchelsea Islands and back. The race used to be across the Georgia Straight to Nanaimo until 1997. The Mayor of Nanaimo from 1968-1984 was a huge promoter of this annual event and would dress as a pirate. A statue captures this image in Maffeo Sutton Park.

Nanaimo also has some “Haunted History” and the Museum holds a Haunted lantern tour. This 90-minute walking tour of downtown takes you on a historical and spooky journey through the landmarks of Nanaimo. This event seems to sell out for every single night from October 1-29th even with added nights, so get your tickets early for this one.

People Are Really NICE!

Living on an island in the Pacific, people are just more relaxed. I was super nervous about coming here and relying on people visiting me for my social life. I’ve quickly found that with most people I come across, from the dog park to my volunteer position with Scouts Canada, I’ve been able to make friends easier than I did on the mainland.

So there you have it, I hope leaving it on that note shows you that I don’t actually mean to say people don’t want you to move here because I’d certainly love to have you. And if I can help in any way make sure you shoot me a message!

5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Moving to Nanaimo

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 19:47:32 GMT

There were a few things that caught me by surprise when I moved to Nanaimo. I’m about to give you a heads-up on 5 things I wish I knew before moving to Nanaimo!

Population Growth

We weren’t the only ones with the bright idea to ditch the Mainland and head to the Island. Population growth on Vancouver Island has been steady since the 80’s, with a 10.3% population increase between 2016-2021. According to Chek news, Nanaimo saw the second largest population increase between July 2020 and July 2021 which is when we moved here, at 1,177 people with 1116 of those people migrating from other parts of B.C.

The Regional District of Nanaimo which includes places like Nanaimo, Lantzville, Parksville and Qualicum Beach, is predicted to see an increase of 12, 025 people by 2026. The largest growth is also predicted to be in the “early working years” category which is the ages of 25-44. We definitely noticed the increase in families moving when we did as it was a bit of a squeeze to get Simon into his catchment school and classes that year took a while to become established. If you’d like to know more about the process of relocating here, you can always reach out to me directly or check out some of my other blog posts on this topic!

Authorized Campsites for our Homeless Population

Because of its generally warmer climate, many people experiencing homelessness come to B.C. and particularly Vancouver and Vancouver Island. The Homeless population increased in 2020, with about 433-600 unsheltered which at minimum is a 29% increase from 2020 and current numbers on the rise.

A Nanaimo bylaw states that a person experiencing homelessness can sleep in parks from 7pm to 9am the following day. According to the city of Nanaimo website, the shelter has to be completely removed from the park by 9am and there is a list of parks that are prohibited for overnight use. These more open-spaced parks mainly downtown were deemed to be busier with tourism, and events and could potentially cause conflicts with park users. Victoria has a similar by-law except there, the shelters must be removed by 7am.

The Homeless population increased in 2020, with about 433-600 unsheltered which at minimum is a 29% increase from 2020 and current numbers are on the rise.

Early School Dismissal

School is out at 2pm! Elementary schools in District 68 which is Nanaimo-Ladymith have an end bell as early as 2:06pm or 2:10pm which is the case at my son’s school. The latest elementary school’s let out is 2:25pm which to me, is way too early! In Vancouver and growing up in Nova Scotia I recall the bell always being around 3pm. Even though it’s not that big of a time difference, 2pm just feels way too in the middle of the work day and I’m sure I can’t be the only one who’s moved here to have been surprised- and annoyed- by this!

Highway with Traffic Lights?!

The Nanaimo Parkway has a very interesting design in that it has many sets of traffic lights throughout its stretch through the city. By Interesting I mean, super annoying. The highway is known to locals as the “new highway” even though it was completed in 2001. With the population on the rise, accidents are already significantly higher than anywhere else in the province and there have been many recommendations to change the design. So far none have been approved. Although I am grateful to have this highway, as Vancouver is the only Major North American city without an inner-city freeway. And they have traffic light warning systems so you have enough time to slow down and make the appropriate lane switch if you need to make an exit.

No Roaming Cats

This last topic may or may not interest you but Nanaimo adopted a new bylaw in September of 2021, called the Animal responsibility by-law. Cats are a subject of this by law and they are now required to have identification and be sterilized if allowed outside. They are now not allowed to roam at large or on another person’s property which, if you’ve owned a cat, means they’d pretty much have to be leashed while outdoors.

So hopefully none of these are deal breakers for you and will give you a bit of a heads-up on what to expect before you move to Nanaimo! And again if you have any questions you’d like to ask me directly leave a comment below or contact me directly by going to my website ritafraser.com

What is the Difference Between a Buying Agent and a Listing Agent?

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 04:20:00 GMT

If you’ve never bought or sold Real property, or it’s been a while, then this topic is for you. What the heck is the difference between a buying agent and a listing agent?

I get asked questions all the time regarding how my role changes when representing a buyer or a seller. There are key differences with each role but let me begin with the similarities when representing a client in a real estate transaction!

Firstly, we are all able to do both. Help people sell, and help people buy. Because of this, we owe the public certain fiduciary duties which we disclose very early on in relationships with clients and potential clients, like at an open house.

These duties are:

Loyalty (we will only act in your best interest)

Full disclosure (we must tell you everything we know which might influence your decision-making)

Confidentiality (what you say to me remains private… forever!)

Avoid conflicts of interest (for example if I’m selling your home, and a buyer of mine wants to purchase your home). This is especially important as dual agency (representing both sides of the transaction) isn’t allowed in B.C. unless you meet very narrow exceptions criteria.

We all have the same process for getting licensed and are required to work under a brokerage and maintain educational requirements to stay licensed in B.C. So although some agents prefer to work with buyers and others with sellers, we have the ability to help you with either.

Your Buying Agent

Your buying agent is the person who will walk you through purchasing a home. Sometimes, after a sale, you will hear them referred to as the “selling agent”. One major difference with a buying agent relationship is it’s not always contractual. This will depend on how your realtor conducts their business. You may meet and agree to work together and go through the entire process without a signed contract to work together. Others will include this as part of their business model and you will sign what’s called a “Buyer’s Agency Exclusive contract”. This is simply an agreement that you (the client) will only work with that agent for the purchase of your home.

Remember that these are all relevant factors when deciding who you’d like to team up with so make sure you’re asking all of the right questions. (Hint: find a free download on the main page of this website called "Questions to Ask Your REALTOR® When Buying Your First Home")

Something to remember is that the commission is paid to a buying agent from the seller’s side of the transaction. So, though usually you aren’t paying them directly, this is important to know if you are looking to buy a for sale by owner home or a home being represented by a discount brokerage. The commission or the difference of commission your agent charges (there are no set standards) will still need to be paid… which probably means you’ll be responsible.

Your buying agent will be the person you go to when you want to view homes, as they will organize the showings and go with you, and subsequently negotiate on your behalf once you’ve found the home you want to offer on. They’ll walk you through the writing of your contract, to the steps you take after your offer is accepted, all the way to completion and ultimately possession day!

Your Listing Agent

The agent you chose to represent you and your best interests in the sale of your home is called the listing or “seller’s” agent. Contrary to a buyer’s agency relationship, once you’ve found the agent you want to work with you will be presented with a listing agreement, which is a contract. This contract is between you and your agent’s brokerage, where your realtor is assigned as the “designated agent”. The agreement will not only outline all aspects of the sale of your home such as price, commission, and terms but also what’s called a “schedule A” which are the services your realtor commits to providing to you.

Services your REALTOR® will offer you are marketing your home for sale, coordinating showings and representing you in the negotiation process. They’ll also arrange open houses to present your home to potential buyers. Which leads me to another way buying agents and listing agents differ during an open house:

If the agent holding the home open represents the seller, it can be quite challenging as remember, they have agency with the seller and all the fiduciary duties that come with that. If they hear any information from a potential buyer they must disclose it to their client. For this reason, listing agents will often have another agent hold the Open. This agent will be able to assist any unrepresented buyer who shows interest in the home, as they aren’t obligated to disclose information to the sellers. But, they must still make full disclosures to the public entering the open house regarding their duties as an agent so expect to see a disclosure document.

Hopefully this helped clarify your real estate agent’s role, whatever side of the transaction you are on!

Dine Out Nanaimo Festival 2023

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 22:18:58 GMT

One of my favorite activities is dining out! I tried out one of Nanaimo's Dine Out Festival restaurants, Beefeaters Seafood and Steakhouse.

This is Nanaimo's first annual Dine Out Festival which ran this year from January 20th to February 5th, so I made it in just under the wire if you're from Vancouver you'll be familiar with the concept as they've had their dine out experience for 21 years and in Toronto, they have what's called “Dine TOgether”. The idea is simple, to promote local restaurants for tourists and locals to enjoy their menus at a discounted price. Usually, this consists of a set menu and a three-course meal but other variations exist such as take out only options. In Nanaimo this year the price range is $20 to $65 per person. We went out with two other couples so for this reason we chose Beefeaters Seafood and Steakhouse as it had the most variety for more people. From chicken to beef to fish, at only $49 a person for a three-course meal-you can't go wrong with that! The location is also ideal for our visiting friends, as it's located on Nanaimo's Waterfront walkway next to Newcastle Island and has amazing mountainscape and waterfront views. This is the waterfront dining experience I've been waiting for!

Beefeaters was recently acquired by two new owners, Josh and Erralyn Joseph, who have a genuine desire to run the restaurant with the same Integrity as its original owners of 35 years, Petros and Helen Mihilatoes. You can read their full and thoughtful bio on their website where they also give thanks to the legacy of everyone who's made the restaurant a success over the years. What I was most excited about was trying their new menu, which is an integration of Josh and Erralyn’s First Nations culinary background with the original Mediterranean and Canadian-style cuisine that the restaurant is known for.

When we arrived at the restaurant I realized it’s located very near the Departure Bay Ferry terminal. In fact, you drive just past it and can walk to Beefeaters from the terminal if you had a delayed sailing. Unfortunately it was also dark, so the views I was anticipating weren’t visible. From a short stroll around though you can still tell this would be a beautiful spot on a sunny day!

To begin, the menu had cocktail options that they don’t normally offer and I was immediately drawn to their “Beefeater’s Martini” featuring blue cheese stuffed olives. This isn’t my typical choice however I was craving something a bit more savory and this definitely hit the spot!

The Dine Out menu consisted of quite a few options for appetizers and I had a hard time choosing between the french onion soups or the seared scallops with the citrus pork belly. In the end my decision to choose the scallops was a sound one and was the perfect starter to my main choice- The Bison short ribs.

Our food arrived quickly and everyone’s dishes looked amazing. Those of us who had mashed potatoes with our meals found out quickly that they weren’t served as hot as the rest of the food but without missing a beat our server brought a fresh bowl of steaming hot potatoes. Delish!

The final course was a Vanilla creme brulee served with the perfect hard shell and was an amazing way to end the meal. I walked away with a VERY full belly!

Everyone was super attentive which is good, because the restaurant wasn’t very busy. In fact by 8:30pm we were the only diners left. Turns out it’s been a slow return back to normal for this lovely restaurant after Covid - both staffing-wise and patron-wise. If you’re in Nanaimo I would highly recommend you come here for a bite- I’ll certainly be back!

My First Visit to Westwood Lake Park

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 03:06:00 GMT

It's one of Nanaimo's most loved and visited parks, and I'd never been… until today! The sun was out so I decided to take my first stroll around Westwood Lake Park.

My first experience with Westwood Lake Park was during our home search. We absolutely loved this neighbourhood and found ourselves comparing so many others to it! The homes near the lake are beautiful and what a cool spot to come home to. Westwood Lake Park is located in the South Jinglepot neighbourhood, near Mount Benson. Considering so many Nanaimo residents come here for outdoor activities, I figured it was about time for me to check it out for myself!

The main reason I have yet to explore this area is that it's about a 15-minute drive from my house… my purpose for today was to explore with my dogs which usually for me means a walk to Pioneer Park or to Invermere Beach. Westwood Lake offers an almost 6km loop trail around it, with many others to explore! These trails are on-leash only until you reach the off-leash area if you're with your dog. Today was an absolutely beautiful day and I'm so disappointed I was short on time because I didn't even make it to the off-leash area! it's located on the opposite side of the parking lots, halfway around the trail and I just didn't have time. Regardless, we did enjoy our time walking around.

Many people use the trails here for running which I quickly learned when trying to wrangle my leashed dogs out of the way of passing runners!

Speaking of Runners!

The park has hosted the Westwood Lake Triathlon for coming up on 6 years, with the next one taking place on May 14, 2023. The triathlon begins with a swim on the lake, followed by a cycle around the rural neighbourhoods of Jinglepot, Brennan Lake and Dumont Road. The run to the finish line is through the trails surrounding Westwood Lake!

Family Recreation

I mentioned in my Blog “Things to do in Nanaimo” that Westwood Lake is a popular swim destination in the summer, and I can see why! It's the city's only lifeguard-patrolled Freshwater Beach and is a great spot to hang out for the day, as there are washrooms and change rooms available on location. Their Campground is also open year-round for RV and tent camping, making it the perfect Vancouver Island staycation with the family. Rates are about ~$40 a night to tent, ~$50 a night for an RV and their cabins and cottage range from ~$90 to $170 a night.

Community Events

Westwood Lake hosts so many community activities! One of the more fun ones occurs at Halloween which is the Westwood Lake Witch Paddle! This is hosted by the VIU Student Union and is a free event which began in 2021, where people show up dressed as witches and paddle board around the lake. There are also extra activities like bouncy castles, a food truck and a bonfire to roast marshmallows! They've also set up fun treasure hunts on the trails. They do collect donations for this event but it always is for a good cause!

Fishing on the Lake!

Westwood Lake is a very popular spot for fishermen in Nanaimo. Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C. releases catchable-sized rainbow trout in the lake each year. You can also find cutthroat trout and smallmouth bass. One interesting article I found was from 2019, where Anglers actually caught piranhas in the lake!! The belief is that some locals thought it was a good place to release their aquarium fish… which obviously was a not-so-great idea!

On Father's Day every year, the lake hosts a “Family Fishing Day” which coincides with B.C.'s Family Fishing Weekend. This is where the B.C. government waives the requirement for a fishing license for a three-day period.

I have to admit my time spent here today was very minimal. But, the good news is I live here now! And you know what? I think you should too! so if you want to know more about relocating to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, contact me here!

The Downsides of Living in Nanaimo

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 19:08:07 GMT

What could possibly be the downsides to living in beautiful Nanaimo on Vancouver Island? The people have spoken! I surveyed my neighbours to ask them what their dislikes are about living in Nanaimo.

First Time Buyers BC, PLUS BC's new "Cooling-Off" Period

Thu, 05 Jan 2023 23:53:17 GMT

If you're a first-time Homebuyer in BC, don't be surprised if you feel like you don't know where to begin! You're not alone. From a consumer perspective, the process is still very fresh for me as I moved to Nanaimo myself in 2021. In this blog post, I'll be summarizing the process of home buying and the information I'll be providing is for British Columbia only.

To help, my brokerage McDonald Realty has a very handy infographic laying out the process.

Money Money Money

The first question you might have already asked yourself is “Am I financially ready to own my own home?”. Your realtor will be asking you what your budget is and the best way to know this is to speak with your financial institution and get pre-approved for a mortgage amount. They'll do this by factoring in your income as well as your “Gross Debt Service Ratio”. I'm not a financial specialist and won't be elaborating too much on this process but the CMHC website has a Nifty little calculator which you can use to help get a better idea of where you stand:

https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/consumers/home-buying/calculators/mortgage-calculator

Not only will you be looking at getting pre-approved, but you'll have to calculate how much to set aside for a deposit- typically 5% of the purchase price. If you're putting down 20% or more as a deposit you'll need to qualify for a “stress test”. This is the greater of the Bank of Canada's Benchmark rate or your bank's mortgage rate plus 2%. This is because your mortgage will be uninsured and they want to make sure you can cover your monthly payments.

You'll also need to factor in closing costs, which are typically between 2% - 4% of the property value. These closing fees include things like insurance, inspection and appraisals and legal fees. Your mortgage specialist will be able to go through all of this in detail, so make sure you understand the costs involved.

Finding your Realtor!

Now it’s time to find a Real Estate Agent! Lucky for you- I’ve created a handy document on questions to ask your REALTOR® when buying your first home. That's available for free on my website www.ritafraser.com. Finding the right Realtor is a very important step in your home buying Journey. Realtor compensation is typically covered by the seller’s side of the transaction, which is great news for you but it's still important to understand what your Real Estate Agent charges for commission, in case you encounter a home that's being represented by a discount brokerage for example.

Should he decide to work with the realtor you've interviewed, they'll go over certain disclosure documents with you- one of these documents is the brand new Home Buyer Rescission Period which I'll cover a little later!

Do Your Research!

Once it's game on and you found the Real Estate Agent that you like and trust, they'll set you up on whatever MLS search platform they're using. This involves search criteria- preset by you- so that you can have listings sent to you directly to your email inbox. Create a list of homes that match what you're looking for and set up a time with your Real Estate Agent to view them. It's best to have these appointments set up with 24 to 48 hours' notice minimum, as a courtesy. Your agent will give you valuable advice on areas that you'll be viewing and be able to get you any additional property information you’ll need to help you make the most informed decision!

Make An Offer!

So you found the home you love and it's time to make an offer! This part can be scary and exciting all at the same time. Your Real Estate Agent will be there to guide you every step of the way so that you feel like you're putting your best foot forward during the negotiation process. Besides price, other things can be written into your contract as “subjects”- which means should the seller accept your offer, there are additional items that need to be fulfilled before the offer is completed. These can include things like home inspection, appraisal and financing. When writing your contract it's also important for you and your Realtor to go over included and excluded items in the home such as appliances and window coverings.

BC’s new Home Buyer Recission Period

Beginning on January 3rd, 2023, a brand new “Cooling-off” period will come into effect. The Home Buyer Rescission Period is a period of three business days after your offer is accepted for you as the buyer (for residential properties only) to rescind your contract to purchase. This period cannot be waived and bear in mind that should you choose to exercise this right, there is a financial penalty of 0.25% of the purchase price.

There are some key dates that you'll be writing into your contract with your realtor that will become big days in your home-buying journey, once subjects are removed and the purchase of your new home is a go!

Completion Day

The completion date is the day that funds and the title of the home are transferred. This ideally occurs between Tuesday and Thursday so that there's a business day on either end and occurs before you move in. This is also the date that you'll have to have your home insurance begin as well.

Possession and Adjustment Day

Time to book your movers! Possession day - also known as key day! Typically, possession day occurs a few days after the completion date, in case something happens during the transfer of funds. Usually, the same day as the possession is also the adjustment date. This is the day that adjusts for prepaid financial payments, such as taxes (which cover the entire year) or strata monthly fees.

I've left some more helpful tips in my blog “Moving to Vancouver Island BC Checklist” which you should definitely read next!t I hope this has helped you figure out some of what you'll encounter when purchasing your first home!

Nanaimo BC Weather and My 3 Tips For Making It Through The Rainy Season

Tue, 03 Jan 2023 04:28:00 GMT

We've all heard the “Doom and Gloom” stories about how much it rains in Vancouver, but is the Nanaimo BC weather just as bad?

Vancouver Island certainly is beautiful, but how does Nanaimo weather factor into this? If you already live in Canada, you're used to all that comes with four full seasonal changes. Cold winters, mild springs, hot summers and brisk falls. But on Vancouver Island there are some slight nuances to each of these seasons that I personally really enjoy! (And speaking of Canada, we use Celsius instead of Fahrenheit to measure temperatures)

So let's start with why you all came here in the first place: to find out which month is the rainiest in Nanaimo? Well, the answer to that question is not surprising, it's November! In comparison to the mainland though, you won't see quite as many rainy days here on Vancouver Island. We average about 14 wet days here in Nanaimo, so compare that to North Vancouver with a whopping 19(!!) rainy days and your mental health alone will notice a huge boost! In my experience, we also don't see the same amount of torrential downpours at the same consistent rate, with many more sunny breaks throughout the day.

With the exception of an early November snow dump this year, we usually don't get hit with the white stuff until just before Christmas. I've had two winter seasons here in Nanaimo, both with huge amounts of snow… which I hear is very unusual Nanaimo weather! The snow doesn't usually stick around though, which is good because the streets aren't as regularly plowed here making it tricky to navigate through the city if there is snow on the ground! Temperatures hang out just below 10 degrees Celsius this time of year and rarely dip below 1.

Now on to my favourite time of year, Springtime: March until May. The days start to feel noticeably longer and the rain subsides… but just a bit! You'll see about a third of the month through cloudy skies but given that Vancouver, and especially North Vancouver, still has about half of the month with rain, there's definitely light at the end of the tunnel! You'll be spending more and more time outside with temperatures climbing back up from about 10 degrees into the warmer mid-teens during the day. Come late April and May and you'll definitely be seeing more and more people joining you at the beach!

Summertime in Nanaimo: there's nothing like it! We moved here during the extremely hot BC summer of 2021. Lucky for us, we chose to move to a beautiful oceanside city which made the heat that much more bearable, as trips to the beach were an almost everyday occurrence. This summer was definitely super odd as we didn't start to get warmer weather until about mid-July. I'd say I have yet to see a “typical” Nanaimo summer season. During the months of June till September, you'll see less than a week of rain, if that, and have beautiful warm temperatures in the mid-20s. One interesting fact is there's less rain here this time of year than in my hometown of Halifax Nova Scotia!

Besides spring being my favourite season weather-wise the month of October is my favourite simply due to how beautiful the fall changeover is. We had what was called “Hot-umn” this October, with high 20-degree weather days… which again is not usual Nanaimo weather! Typically, October is that really nice transitional month between Summer and the rainy season with temperatures still in the mid-teens during the day. We've had two Halloweens here so far with clear skies!

My 3 Tips for Making it Through the Rainy Season

Rain Gear

This goes without saying but rain gear will be your best friend through the winter season! A good rain jacket that's actually water-repellent is a must-have! You won't need to have anything too insulated in my opinion, but something you can layer underneath is definitely helpful. Have a good pair of rain boots and more than a couple of umbrellas stashed in a few different places!

Prep Your Home!

Prep for the rain wind and snow by clearing your drainage pipes and gutters and have trees trimmed before the rain starts. Dried-out tree limbs from the hot summer can break easily once they become saturated by water, potentially causing damage to your home. Homes with flat roofs are especially vulnerable to water damage (I speak from experience). Look for anywhere you could have a water breach and protect against leaks.

Positive Mindset!

Do what it takes to stay positive! If you work from home, switch up your environment and go check out a local cafe to work from instead! Make plans to meet with friends or have friends over and cozy up next to the fire with some wine and cheese. Whatever it takes to stay connected! Also find reasons to get out of the house, which will do wonders for your mindset! In my opinion, this is a huge benefit to being a dog owner <3

Top 4 New Nanaimo Home Developments RIGHT NOW

Mon, 26 Dec 2022 04:57:00 GMT

Searching for a New Nanaimo home? Have you considered a brand new build? I've researched where some new development is happening right here in Nanaimo to help you with your search!

Our Top 5 Reasons for Choosing North Nanaimo

Tue, 06 Dec 2022 04:52:00 GMT

North Nanaimo is a highly sought-after neighbourhood in Nanaimo, but for more reasons than you may think! In this video, I outline the reasons our family chose North Nanaimo as our new home!

Inside Scoop on The Cost of Living in Nanaimo

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 01:52:00 GMT

Besides moving to Nanaimo for obvious reasons, is it even worth it cost-wise? Allow me to give you the scoop on Nanaimo's cost of living!

We moved to Vancouver Island because we couldn't (and didn't want to) keep up with the rising costs of North Vancouver living. The allure of a substantially sized home at a much better price point was very appealing. This was during the pandemic and we didn't know it at the time but it seemed everyone else was preparing to jump ship for Island living.

British Columbia is a very expensive province to live in and it's been that way for a long time. You're still looking at more affordable housing prices in Nanaimo than you would be in let's say Vancouver or Toronto. Now that the buying frenzy has calmed down a bit, you'll be in a better position to snag something that you really like at a better price. No settling! To summarize, when buying a home in Nanaimo, you'll likely be buying a bigger and newer home on a larger lot.

Taxes Taxes

Property taxes in Nanaimo are similar to what they will be on the mainland. The difference is in the area that you choose to live in. For example, the price differences you'll see if you compare North Nanaimo to South Nanaimo would be similar to what you would see if you compared North Vancouver to let's say, Langley or Aldergrove.

Gas Prices

Now on to everyone's favourite topic to talk about besides the weather: gas prices. Gas prices are crazy these days! Luckily, in comparison to some larger cities, there will be a slight decrease in what you're paying for gas here in Nanaimo. This is because we don't have all of the same tax levies as well as Transit taxes. As of this video being filmed gas prices today in Nanaimo are $179.9. I compared this to some other prices on Vancouver Islands such as Victoria, which currently sits at $188.9 and Comox gas prices today are $182.9. When I looked on the mainland, Vancouver and Langley were both $183.9. Abbotsford was sitting at a little less at $181.9. And then, just out of curiosity, I went further east and checked out gas prices there. On the same day, Toronto was $150 and Halifax was $173.

I did just briefly touch on Transit Taxes: public transportation in Nanaimo isn't what it is in bigger cities. It's not the worst, but unless you're within walking distance from what you need you'll want to have a car. For this reason, living on Vancouver Island I feel like your eyes are always on gas prices.

A silver lining to this is that we found that our car insurance was substantially less expensive in Nanaimo!

Commuting

Parking your car in downtown Nanaimo in my opinion is completely stress-free! This is because the average hourly rate is about $1.25 to park your car downtown. Compare that to Vancouver which is between $1-$7… that can definitely add up! Out of curiosity, I looked at Burnaby which was $3 an hour and then at Victoria which was about $2 an hour.

As I mentioned in my blog “Is Nanaimo a Good Place to Live?” The Nanaimo airport will connect you to almost anywhere you need to go but without the added Airport Improvement Fee that YVR has, which adds about $20-$25 extra onto your ticket.

An important thing to mention when considering your cost of living on Vancouver Island is your commuting cost coming off of the island using BC Ferries. A one-way ticket with a vehicle is about $80 and that's only for one person!

Food!

Unfortunately, for someone who likes to eat as much as I do, the cost of food in Nanaimo is high. The price of groceries is increasing and unless you're buying local, your food probably had to make the extra journey to the island, adding to its cost. One way I like to look at it is by being able to snag yourself a larger plot of land, you'll hopefully be able to plant yourself a lovely garden, relieving some of that cost!

Fitness

So this is a fun one: according to my research, it's about 53% less expensive to obtain a membership at a fitness studio here in Nanaimo! I know many of you are not aware of my background but I used to manage a boutique Fitness Studio in west Vancouver called The Bar Method. I had a little bit of investor interest in opening one of these studios here in Nanaimo. Upon my research, I noticed that renting space was much more affordable than in the city. This isn't a surprise but this is probably why these Fitness studios are charging less for their memberships due to less overhead, which is a bonus for you!

After hearing all of this and considering Nanaimo's cost of living, I want you to strongly consider the value that you place on things like quality of life and know that this is entirely in your hands!

My Favourite Things to do in Nanaimo

Tue, 22 Nov 2022 05:46:00 GMT

Whether you've made the great decision to move to Nanaimo or you're just here for a quick visit, you might be wondering “What is there to do in Nanaimo?” Here are some of my favourite things to do in the area!

Shopping!

I thought I'd start out with this topic since it's not my favourite thing to do BUT I'm sure you might be wondering if there is some good shopping in Nanaimo. The answer to that is YES! I was super surprised when we moved here and I walked into our local shopping center called Woodgrove Center in North Nanaimo and saw all of the shopping that there was in the mall! I'd say that it's on par with some of the bigger shopping centers in Vancouver! There are stores inside Woodgrove Center like Lululemon, which began as a pop-up but I guess it was super popular and that one stuck around! In Nanaimo, you'll find all of your big box stores such as Canadian Tire, Lowe's, Home Depot as well as Walmart. Basically, anything that you would need is in the city.

If you're like me and shopping at the mall is not your favourite, then I'd recommend maybe taking a trip downtown to Commercial Street. There, you can shop locally and explore some of the fun boutiques that downtown has to offer! I have found lots of unique gift ideas there and I would highly recommend it.

Kids Need to Have Fun Too!

My son has had no problems finding things to do in Nanaimo from indoor playgrounds like Jumping Jiminy’s to escape rooms like the Exit Room, there are so many things to do on the weekends!

If you're a little more adventurous you can head out to Wild Play. It’s an outdoor adventure park, the type that's gained a lot of popularity in the last little while with zip lines and rope courses! It's something that the whole family can do together!

There's also the Nanaimo Aquatic Center if your family likes to swim and the local skating arena where you can go and rent some skates and hang out for the afternoon.

My kid LOVES Airhouse. It is an indoor trampoline park and the sessions that they offer are an hour and a half long. Spots fill up quickly, so I'd recommend looking ahead and booking your spot early so you can make sure you get in! If you're not into jumping on the trampolines with your kids, there are some really nice viewing areas where you can sit and have a good bird's eye view of what your kids up to in the park! Inside, they also have a mini skate ramp so you can book a skateboarding session. They often offer Pro D-Day or summer camps for your kids!

Enjoy the Harbourfront!

One of my son's favourite activities that he took part in this summer was crab fishing! It's all he could talk about afterwards! Crab fishing takes place at Swy-A-Lana Lagoon Fishing Pier, downtown Nanaimo. While doing a little bit of research for this blog, I actually found out that Dungeness crab fishing is open all year round! This would make the perfect winter activity with Nanaimo's milder temperatures! While you're already downtown, you can explore the harbourfront and if you really want to make a day of it at that point, you could hop on one of the whale-watching tours that depart from the Nanaimo Harbour.

Also departing from Nanaimo Harbour, you can hop on a 10-minute ferry ride to Newcastle Island. This island offers some really nice walking trails and a campsite in the summer; there's also a cafeteria if you get hungry! It's a really fun place to go beachcombing, check out some local Wildlife or even just take in the views of Nanaimo!

History!

Nanaimo offers some really great museums. One of these is the Vancouver Island Military Museum. I had the chance to take some Cub Scouts recently for Remembrance Day. The guides at the Museum are very knowledgeable and do an amazing job of telling some of the stories of our local war heroes.

So many lakes!

I know I talk about this a ton in my videos but you can always check out all of the amazing beaches in Nanaimo. If instead of the beach, you're looking for maybe a freshwater swim, Nanaimo has some really great weights that you can check out! I haven't had the chance to visit them all yet but we've been to Long Lake quite a few times as my son did a kayaking camp there! There's also Westwood Lake which is a popular swim spot and many more!

Leave the Kids at Home.

If you're craving some adult time there are a lot of local breweries to check out in Nanaimo! One of them that I recently had the chance to visit was Longwood Brewery. This isn't to be confused with “Longwood Brew Pub”... I did make the mistake of thinking I was meeting my friend there and had to turn around and go all the way down to the other location. It was such a nice little spot to sit outside and since they don't have food you can actually order food to be delivered to you, which is an added touch if you get hungry! I've got a long list of all the breweries I want to visit here in Nanaimo!

Last but not least and I'm sure this list is going to grow but there are two movie theatres in Nanaimo. Both of them are located in North Nanaimo. One of them is “Landmark” which is a smaller movie theatre located in Woodgrove Center. The other bigger theatre is called Galaxy. That's your “big ticket” theatre with reclining seats - all the good stuff!

I sincerely hope this has helped you come up with some fun activities to do if you're visiting Nanaimo or if you plan to relocate here!

Moving to Vancouver Island Checklist

Sun, 13 Nov 2022 05:48:00 GMT

Sometimes, it's just nice to be told what to do when undertaking something as big as a move. Here's my checklist of things I wish I knew before relocating to Vancouver Island.

Am I new to the area? Fairly, we moved here a year ago in July.

The good news is you can learn from my mistakes and use this checklist to make sure you're starting your big move on the right foot!

I'd like to start off by saying that if you're considering relocating to Vancouver Island I'm so happy you're doing it now and not when we did. We sold our home in January of 2021 and spent the next six months not knowing where we would end up due to the crazy market. I'll spare you the details but any plan we would have made would have been useless due to how much we had the rug swept out from underneath us. Looking back and considering the current friendlier buyer environment here's what I think should help you on your journey.

I'm going to go a bit deeper on this one, sort of a “pre-checklist”. When you're searching for a place to live on Vancouver Island, unless you have to be in a certain area I'd recommend opening up your map to a larger geographic area. Search in areas you've never considered! When we first thought of moving to Vancouver Island we had in mind that we wanted to move to an area called Maple Bay. We even did a day trip over and spent the majority of our time looking in that area.

I even remember declaring loudly at the dinner table one night that I would “never move to Nanaimo” but, I'm forever grateful that the housing market forced us to look in more regions because I know I'm so much happier here. Perhaps knowing that you'll have a more “leisurely” buying experience makes you want to narrow down more. I would encourage you to stay open-minded! The distances from one place to another on Vancouver Island are actually a lot shorter than you might think, so even though you end up in one location you might be closer to your desired location. You can do day trips there or visit and explore on your days off!

Now while you're doing the fun part of shopping for a home it's essential to think of the transitions you'll have to make moving to the island. If you have kids, it's going to be important for you to look into schools and when registration is open in certain cities. You're going to need an address in the catchment where you're considering registering your child, so please think of this one early!

Our child was in French immersion and although we put them on every single wait list in Nanaimo he didn't make it in. The school in his catchment was almost full at that point! I don't have all the answers for you and I'm sure I jumped through some hoops to get him into the school that we needed to but I'm just saying this is an important one to think of early.

An important thing to mention is that it's almost impossible to find a doctor in Nanaimo or on Vancouver Island right now. If your doctor has moved to doing virtual visits since Covid I'd recommend maybe having a chat with them and seeing if you can stay on as a patient. Otherwise, you might be waiting a while.

If you're moving from out of Province, you'll have some additional things to consider. Think of things like setting up your BC care cards, your BC driver's license and also your ICBC auto insurance. On that topic, we found our insurance to be quite a bit less expensive than on the Mainland, so that might be a nice perk for you! Make sure you're prepared ahead of time for any deviances from what you're used to in terms of cost and service. (Some of these differences I'll be covering in a future blog regarding Nanaimo's cost of living)

Plan to have things such as utilities like cable, internet and hydro installed on the day that you arrive. Think of your home insurance as well (this is a good one to shop around for!)

Once you found your home and you know your possession date, make sure to book your mover early! This is essential because they'll have to book a ferry reservation - and they'll want to do that early in the day! We had a great experience with a company called One Pro Moving. They're experts at Island moves and we would highly recommend them!

Scope out some local restaurants so that you can order takeout on the day of your move!

Even if you're organized enough to bring food, you probably won't have the energy or have any of your kitchen stuff unpacked. Just trust me on this one! The good news is if you are relocating to Nanaimo there are tons of food options, so you will not be disappointed!

If you have a dog, make sure that you do some research to find out where you can take them along your journey and also once you've arrived at your new home.

There are some really great off-leash trails in Nanaimo! One of my favourites is Pioneer Park. This one would be really good on moving day when you're short on time because the loop is fairly short but there are lots of fun paths for your dog to explore! Last but not least on my list: give your friends and family your new address and update all of your bank cards and online services. Canada Post also has mail forwarding for up to a year, for six people in your household. That's about $75.

When it comes time for your big move, you'll be so happy you thought ahead and I really hope this checklist has helped! Speaking of checklists, I made a free download on my website titled “Questions to Ask Your Realtor When Buying Your First Home”

My experience using BC Ferries - Nanaimo to Vancouver!

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 01:09:00 GMT

Here I share ways you can make using BC Ferries to commute to and from Nanaimo a fun experience! Learn about what ports BC Ferries has in Nanaimo and the easiest ways you can navigate your journey!

Is Nanaimo a Good Place to Live?

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 21:49:14 GMT

If you've asked yourself "Is Nanaimo a good place to live?" then watch me share my experience and observations during my first year after moving to Nanaimo.