Welcome to the Harbour City! Located on the east coast of Vancouver Island, Nanaimo is one of the island's most vibrant communities. It offers a busy waterfront where you can watch seaplanes land and take off, and easy connections to the mainland. Nanaimo balances big-city amenities with a welcoming West Coast lifestyle. Popular neighbourhoods like Departure Bay, Hammond Bay, Westwood, Brechin Hill, Jingle Pot, and others, each offer something unique. Start your home search with Jayda McLauchlin. A local REALTOR® and proud eXp Realty agent dedicated to help you find your next home.
Explore Nanaimo Property Types
The local real estate market includes detached homes, condominiums, acreages, townhomes, oceanfront properties, and more. Listings with a variety of newly built homes, custom builds, heritage houses, are all part of what you'll find in the area. Licensed local REALTOR® like Jayda can help you get to know market conditions and see the best and worst of each neighbourhood so you can plan your buying or selling journey.
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Nanaimo and Vancouver Island Living
A growing city, known for its active lifestyle potential and surrounded by natural beauty. Nanaimo, BC, is proudly ranked one of the top five fastest-growing cities in Canada. Those living in Nanaimo will find waterfront living with access to shopping, schools, parks, and transportation. Not two, but three different ferries to Vancouver and under a two-hour drive to Victoria make it a central hub on the island.
Nanaimo Lifestyle and Community
Best Neighbourhoods
Nanaimo offers something for everyone. Departure Bay has hillside homes with water views and a fun, unique "Robin Hood" area in Departure Bay, where the streets are named after characters from the popular story. The Hammond Bay area features Neck Point and Piper's Lagoon, two of the city's best waterfront parks, while Brechin Hill and the old city quarter offer boutique-style shopping, and heritage homes dating from the late 1800s. Find options for large lots in Jingle Pot, which runs alongside Mount Benson, and is known for large custom homes, tree-lined roads, and small farm acreages. Don't forget about Westwood, best known for Westwood Lake, a popular spot for swimming and family-friendly outdoor recreation. The neighbourhood combines newer subdivisions with established homes and gives buyers a mix of modern layout options and larger lot sizes.
Fun Ideas of Things to Do Year-Round in Nanaimo
Living in Nanaimo means enjoying the best of both worlds: community amenities and easy access to nature. Ferries and seaplanes can have you in Vancouver in no time, while the Nanaimo Airport, and proximity to Qualicum Beach and Parksville are all within a 30-minute drive. You're always just a short car ride or boat ride away from your next adventure.
- Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr: Storm-watch from safe coastal lookouts or try one of the local coffee-and-bakery crawls down Commercial Street in the downtown core!
- Feb, Mar, Apr, May: Kids can explore indoor climbing at the Romper Room Climbing Gym or swimming at the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre.
- Mar, Apr, May, Jun: Cycle down waterfront routes, especially Maffeo Sutton Park or Colliery Dam Park, or up and down the city along Island Highway's bike lane.
- Apr, May, Jun, Jul: Plan fun local tourism activities like a sunset kayak session or a whale-watching tour. Maybe even go camping in Tofino and Ucluelet. Or take the day to explore nearby islands like Gabriola and Saysutshun (formally known as Newcastle Island).
- May, Jun, Jul, Aug: Spend beach days swimming at Departure Bay beach, paddle-boarding, or building sandcastles at Westwood Lake with the kids. And don't miss the famous and historic bath tub weekend in Nanaimo!
- Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec: Enjoy end-of-summer outdoor concerts at nearby parks, the annual Vancouver Island Exhibition, and all the highly sought-after seasonal fun like the Ladysmith Festival of Lights or the Halloween Train over at the BC Forest Discovery Centre in Duncan.
- Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan: Don't forget the many farms that host haunted activities for the kids in Nanoose Bay, Parksville, Qualicum, all the way down to Victoria. Tour holiday displays, or if you're feeling adventurous, join the Polar-Bear Splash.
- Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb: Join an indoor climbing league or check out the Air House Nanaimo for some great gymnastics and parkour!
- Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar: Go snowshoeing or skiing over to Mount Washington, just over an hour's drive north of the city.
A Personalized Home Buying and Selling Experience
If you're looking for real estate in Nanaimo, BC, you've come to the right place. Born and raised in Nanaimo, Jayda knows the city inside and out. Get to know favourite local coffee shops like Drip Coffee and hidden parks and trails from someone who grew up right here. As a proud member of eXp Realty, she offers a client-focused approach rooted in connection, detailed market information, professionalism, and trust. Jayda is committed to helping sellers and buyers feel at home, whether relocating to the island, upsizing, downsizing, or investing in local real estate.
"If you are looking for a REALTOR® you can trust to do it all – look no further!! Jayda will go above and beyond to take care of you. She is so friendly and warm, and also is a knowledgeable and reliable professional in her field. She is my go-to call for any and all real estate questions and all future transactions will be through her. 10/10!" – J.T.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Where is Nanaimo located?
Nanaimo is a city on Vancouver Island's east coast, about 90 minutes north of Victoria, and 30 minutes south of Parksville. It offers ocean views, urban conveniences, unforgettable tourism experiences and quick ferry access to Vancouver. Nanaimo is right in the central location between Lantzville, Parksville, Qualicum, Nanoose Bay to the north, and Yellow Point in Cedar, Chase River, Ladysmith, Duncan and Cowichan Valley to the south before Victoria.
Are there good schools in Nanaimo?
Yes. Nanaimo has a range of public schools, French immersion programs at École Hammond Bay Elementary, Pauline Haarer Elementary, Quarterway Elementary, and Nanaimo District Secondary School (NDSS) from kindergarten to post-secondary, and even private schools such as Aspengrove School. Families will also find post-secondary education at Vancouver Island University.
What makes Nanaimo unique compared to other Vancouver Island communities?
Nanaimo, BC, has a working harbour, multiple ferry routes, a busy downtown core, and neighbourhoods ranging from urban to rural. Many buyers choose Nanaimo for the balanced options due to the variety of housing listings available, connection to nature, and central island location.
Is it a good time to buy property in Nanaimo?
Like all real estate markets, Nanaimo's trends shift. The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) is CREA's tool to gauge home price levels and trends. Reviewing price levels and trends over the past 12 months or even the past 10 years can provide a prospective buyer with a better gauge of new market conditions and sales to help you plan your next move.
How can a REALTOR® help me when I'm moving to Nanaimo or looking for sales in nearby areas like Parksville?
A local REALTOR® can guide you through new listings and explain current sale trends. They'll work with you to find the right place, whether you want to live near downtown or on the west side of the city, and tell you the pros and cons of the different options.
