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Moving To Nanaimo
Thinking about relocating to Vancouver Island? Discover Nanaimo, the Harbour City—a captivating blend of natural splendor and vibrant urban energy. Nestled in one of Canada’s most picturesque regions, Nanaimo is a haven of towering mountain ranges, emerald cedar rainforests, and breathtaking ocean vistas.
Immerse yourself in a city rich with parks, scenic trails, and pristine beaches, all complemented by an array of delectable dining options, unique shops, and a warm, welcoming community. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or the quintessential West Coast lifestyle, Nanaimo promises an unforgettable experience at every turn.
A charming growing city, with a small-town feel.
Nanaimo offers the perfect balance of a growing city with a charming small-town feel, making it easy to fall in love with the Island lifestyle. Say goodbye to the stress of traffic and hello to a community that combines convenience with serenity. Centrally located, Nanaimo is just a 90-minute ferry ride to Vancouver’s Horseshoe Bay, a 90-minute drive to Victoria, and three scenic hours away from the stunning beaches of Tofino. For those looking to access the mainland quickly, the Hullo ferry departs from Nanaimo Harbour and arrives at the Vancouver Convention Centre, providing a 70-minute ride to downtown Vancouver. Additionally, it’s just a short 15-minute flight to Vancouver, with Harbour Air Seaplanes offering quick access.
Situated along the southern coastline of Vancouver Island, Nanaimo boasts warm, pleasant summers and mild winters. Thanks to its diverse climate, the west coast’s frequent rain keeps the landscape lush and green, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of nature year-round. For outdoor enthusiasts, Nanaimo is a haven of activity, offering kayaking, scuba diving, skiing, snowboarding, sailing, boating, and much more! Whether you’re drawn to adventure or relaxation, Nanaimo has something for everyone.
A paradise for any outdoor enthusiast, locals enjoy walking, hiking, and biking with over 170 kilometres of trails to explore.
Visit Neck Point Park and immerse yourself in nature with a rejuvenating walk through beautiful trails under the sound of singing birds and soaring bald eagles. Or, if you’re feeling extra adventurous, check out WildPlay Elements Parks and fly through the air above the Nanaimo River gorge on a guided zipline tour!
Looking for the ultimate excursion?
Looking for the ultimate excursion? Let somebody else do all the planning and preparation and choose from a selection of local tour operators for your next adventure. Take in breathe taking new sights with an aerial tour with the Straight of Georgia Seaplane Tour, go cave diving at Horne Lake, or introduce yourself to Vancouver Island’s diverse ecosystems through whale watching, diving, birding, or salmon and trout fishing.
After you are fresh off your latest outdoor adventure, how about treating yourself to some shopping?
Visit Woodgrove Mall to discover all the latest fashion trends, or visit Nanaimo’s downtown for a fantastic selection of unique shops, art galleries, charming bookstores, and boutique clothing shops. Pick up a fresh new look at NYLA Fresh Thread and then decorate your new home with with some contemporary decor from Flying Fish.
Never a dull day, Nanaimo is a social and fun city that is rich with food, craft beer, music, theatre, and festivals.
Take the 10-minute ferry or even paddle to Protection Island and visit the Dinghy Dock Pub & Floating Restaurant. Relax with a drink in your hand and the melodious sounds of music as you and gaze into a sparkling ocean until the sun fades into dusk behind the surrounding mountains. No matter the time of year, come fall or winter, there is always entertainment close by.
Home to many festivals, locals enjoy the smooth sounds of jazz with the Summertime Blues Festival at Maffeo Sutton Park, an action-packed spectacle at the world famous Bathtub Races at the city harbour, or the perfect duo of craft beer and amazing tunes at the Longwoodstock, an all-day music fest.
Moving to Nanaimo means enjoying some of the best seafood in the country.
Fresh salmon, halibut, trout, oysters, mussels, you name it! If seafood doesn’t tickle your fancy, enjoy a farm-to-table breakfast at Gabriel’s Gourmet Cafe, or maybe you’re in the mood for local fusion dishes with a twist at The Nest Bistro. Once your belly is full, take a leisurely stroll along the Harbourfront Walkway and satisfy your sweet tooth with a creamy, decadent Nanaimo bar. If eating out is not your style, no problem, the Bastion Waterfront Farmer’s Market at Pioneer Plaza is full of fresh, local products to take home.
There is a reason why the locals are among the happiest, most relaxed, and genuinely helpful people you will ever meet.
They’ve discovered a true slice of island paradise – and so can you. If you’re ready to breathe in the crisp ocean air, marvel at the lush rainforests, and savor the sweet fragrance of the West Coast rain, then it might be time to make Nanaimo your new home and start living life to the fullest.
For a list of local resources &
referrals, check out our list below:
Health Services
Vancouver Island Health Authority
Island Health provides health care services through a network of hospitals, clinics, centres, health units, and residential care locations.
Life Labs
Life Labs offers laboratory tests to help diagnose, treat, monitor and prevent diseases in a number of locations across Vancouver Island.
Medical Services Plan of BC
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp
The Medical Services Plan (MSP) is a provincial insurance program that pays for required medically necessary services provided by physicians and midwives, dental and oral surgery performed in a hospital, eye examinations if medically required and some orthodontic services.
Nanaimo Regional General Hospital
islandhealth.ca/our-locations/hospitals-health-centre-locations/nanaimo-regional-general-hospital
Nanaimo Regional Hospital’s team of staff, nurses, and physicians offers care to the residents of Nanaimo and surrounding area.
Theatre & Arts
Port Theatre
Nanaimo’s premiere theatre on the waterfront showcases a broad range of world class performing arts, art exhibits, a variety of educational and artistic programming for Vancouver Island youth, and educational events and conferences.
Nanaimo Art Gallery
Located in the heart of downtown Nanaimo, the Nanaimo Art Gallery enhances the cultural environment of Vancouver Island through exhibitions by contemporary artists, educational workshops, lectures, and hands-on activities for both children and adults.
Recreation
Mt. Washington
Mount Washington Alpine Resort is a year-round recreation destination located on Vancouver Island, British Columbia for skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, hiking, scenic chair rides and more.
Vancouver Island Whale Watch
Vancouver Island Whale Watch, owned and operated by marine scientists, offers whale watching aboard an open zodiac-style boat or semi-covered vessel. The waters surrounding Nanaimo are home to a variety of Transient orca, humpback, whales, sea lions, harbour seals, porpoises, eagles, and more.
Travel
BC Ferries
BC Ferries provides all major passenger and vehicle ferry services for coastal and island communities.
Nanaimo Airport
Find flight information, airport operating hours, check in times, luggage specifications, parking, pet info, and more.
Government
City of Nanaimo
This websites features everything locals and visitors need to navigate the community, including public notices, parks & recreation facilities and schedules, parks & trails maps, quick links to maps of the City, and emergency information, to name a few.
ICBC
Everything you need to know as a driver of BC, including driver licensing & ID, vehicles & registrations, auto insurance, and claims.