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!
