Community Information

Nanaimo Neighbourhood Profiles

To receive a catalogue of RECENT SALES or ACTIVE LISTINGS for any of the neighbourhoods on Vancouver Island, including those listed below simply email john@islandlifestyle.ca

To receive an INSTANT EMAIL NOTIFICATION every time a new listing comes to market for any of the neighbourhoods on Vancouver Island, including those listed below simply email john@islandlifestyle.ca

Cedar
It may be termed a village, but the diverse community of Cedar is so much more than that. Set aside an afternoon of exploration and you’ll quickly discover a quiet country charm unique to Vancouver Island. It is this individuality that marks Cedar as something of a Nanaimo real estate hotspot.

Located just minutes south of downtown Nanaimo, Cedar beckons that distinct group of homebuyers who crave tranquility, a cozy rural ambience and the lure of both magnificent natural surroundings and artistic finesse. That a peaceful existence such as Cedar offers can be achieved so conveniently close to the city ensures that there is increasing interest in real estate for sale here.

Set amongst stunning forests, parklands (including two provincial parks), grasslands and waterways, Cedar caters to those who want to raise a family, retire, or just escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Real estate in Nanaimo presents the buyer with many options, yet such a scenic and sedate neighbourhood as Cedar offers the best of all worlds.

Schools, shopping, community watering holes, recreational facilities, golf courses and convenient access to the Duke Point ferry terminal are all part of the appeal when living in Cedar. It is an accommodating neighbourhood conducive to good living, the perfect balance of Arcadian and municipal attracting discerning buyers seeking ideally placed local real estate.

If you’re cruising the Nanaimo real estate market and leaning towards something rural, the opportunities in Cedar run the gamut from acreages, farms and ranches to ocean view communities, waterfront properties and single family homes near the heart of this historic little community. Whatever kind of home you may be looking for, whatever your tastes in real estate, the odds are good that you’ll find it in the serene environs of Cedar.

Uplands
When you want it all – major shopping centres, schools, recreational facilities and the great outdoors (including beautiful Long Lake) – you need look no further than Uplands in the north end of Nanaimo. In the Central Island real estate market, this neighbourhood is a real treasure. Consequently, real estate for sale in this vaunted area of Nanaimo always attracts plenty of attention.

Ideal for family-friendly lifestyles and those who appreciate style, Uplands offers up some incredible environments for the discriminating buyer. You won’t find too many rigidly defined property lines in this area – more likely a rocky knoll, that impressive stand of Arbutus trees, or maybe even Long Lake itself will set the boundaries of your dream home. The variation available only serves to make this local real estate market nothing less than interesting at all times; you never know what kind of superb homes may become available.

From stunning, luxurious lakefront properties, where you’ll witness the most gorgeous sunsets anywhere in Nanaimo, to cozy single-family homes nestled in the trees, to upscale townhouses and apartments, Uplands delivers a unique living experience and spectrum of real estate opportunity. In the subdivisions of Sunshine Ridge, Long Lake Heights and Wellington, you’ll discover a peace-of-mind you didn’t think possible.

Whether you want to shop at Nanaimo North Town Centre or join the Nanaimo Rowing Club at beautiful Long Lake alongside the Island Highway, you’ll feel right at home in Uplands. Buying a home in this neighbourhood will have you feeling spoiled for choice in no time!

The Old City
It’s been said on many occasions that Nanaimo boasts one of the most beautiful and protected harbours on the West Coast of North America. Those fortunate enough to live in the Old City Quarter will surely attest to this. Consequently, real estate in this neighbourhood that affords even a tantalizing glimpse of this beautiful vista remains in constant high demand!

With virtually the entire downtown neighbourhood nestled comfortably on the side of a hill, the Old City Quarter offers stunning views of Nanaimo’s compact city centre, harbour and Strait of Georgia. With much of the architecture dating back over 100 years, it’s also one of the oldest and certainly one of the most charming communities in the city. Needless to say, vintage property is popular not only in our local real estate market, but anywhere in the world you care to mention, so there are always keen eyes permanently trained on Old City Quarter real estate!

The Old City Quarter is not all about history, however. It’s also about modern day lifestyles. Well appointed real estate in the form of waterfront and ocean view condos, townhouses and character homes blend magnificently with trendy new restaurants, upscale retailers, specialty stores, art galleries, waterfront shops, parks, schools and a recently renovated shopping centre.

Residents of the downtown Nanaimo district are afforded easy access to the ferries serving Gabriola Island, Newcastle Island and Protection Island, adding considerably to the West Coast ambience of this fantastic neighbourhood. A captivating mix of the old and the new, the Old City Quarter is a jewel of the Nanaimo real estate market and a genuine one-of-a-kind.

Hammond Bay
Picture this: You step out onto your expansive deck overlooking the Strait of Georgia one morning, embracing the day with a hot cup of coffee warming your hands. You look out over the emerald coloured water, and what do you see? To your absolute astonishment, you watch a six-tonne Orca leap clear out of the ocean, right there in your line of sight.

Millions of herring are also on the run that day and hungry California sea lions are in hot pursuit. Wow! You can’t even believe what you’re seeing. But that’s Hammond Bay for you. It may seem that living in such an extraordinary location is the stuff of dreams, but owning real estate here is well within the realms of possibility.

When you live in Hammond Bay, it’s all about appreciating the natural treasures that abound right on your doorstep. Executive-style waterfront properties and single family homes, set on the eastern slope of Central Vancouver Island, are exposed to some of the world’s most incredible sights – not only from the deck of that dream home you’ve searched far and wide for, but also in beautiful neighbourhood parks such as Piper’s Lagoon, Neck Point and Linley Valley.

It may take that few extra minutes to get into the city, but when you live in Hammond Bay the schools are close by (including French Immersion), there’s lots of green space for the family to stretch their wings, and simply put, you have direct access to some of the most amazing natural phenomena anywhere on the West Coast. Living in Hammond Bay, one of Nanaimo’s premiere neighbourhoods, is living the dream.

Jingle Pot
Talk about escaping the realities of urban living! In Jingle Pot, a neighbourhood whose very name implies coziness, where the mountain merges with the city, you won’t find a lot of services – but that’s just fine with the people that live there. They like it that way. That’s why they reside in this rural oasis at the base of Mt. Benson. Jingle Pot is a place where a sense of escapism is tangible, ensuring real estate here is in constant demand.

What will you find in Jingle Pot? Besides the ‘everyday’ spectacular mountain terrain, salmon-bearing streams, crystal clear lakes, scenic hiking trails, tranquil pastures and dramatic panoramic views of the city, harbour and Sunshine Coast, this extraordinary neighbourhood boasts a dazzling choice in prime real estate. Jingle Pot is an eclectic mix of both new and established single family subdivisions, townhouse developments, ranches, organic farms, acreages and even a vineyard. Whatever your preference, you should find real estate for sale in Jingle Pot that meets your vision of the ideal home.

Jingle Pot is the kind of place where kids still take the bus to school, though some even make it there by horseback! Yet the city and all its amenities, including the Nanaimo Parkway, are within easy reach, making this region of Nanaimo an ideal getaway every single day. This convenience while living in such a beguilingly rustic neighbourhood is another factor contributing to the desirability of Jingle Pot real estate.

Buying real estate in Nanaimo can be an exciting venture, but Jingle Pot takes it to the limit. Whether it’s the adrenaline rush of hiking to the summit of Mt. Benson, or raising grain fed chickens to relax, this expansive rural neighbourhood is a true haven on Vancouver Island. A world apart yet just a hop, skip and jump from downtown Nanaimo, Jingle Pot is a special place to live and a unique proposition in the local real estate market.

South Nanaimo
Steeped in colourful folklore, the South End of Nanaimo has stories fit for a museum… and homes to suit any lifestyle. Long-established, it’s a community with strong ties to the past, but has an evolving sense of it’s own identity as a more mature neighbourhood in a fast-growing city.

Working in Nanaimo as a RE/MAX realtor can be a fascinating career in simply observing local real estate trends and how various neighborhoods develop in this respect. As a natural consequence, I can certainly recommend the South End. There is a rich choice in real estate here by any Nanaimo standards and I state with confidence that the South End is moving forward apace.

So if you’re looking for a home that’s out of the ordinary, you’ve come to the right place. As I say, the South End has more options for housing than perhaps any other neighbourhood in the entire Central Island region. Condos, townhouses, duplexes, single family homes (including several new subdivisions), apartments, luxury homes, mobile home parks and acreages are all part of this distinct Nanaimo real estate market.

As you search out the perfect home in Nanaimo, consider some of the South End’s many redeeming features: close proximity to elementary and secondary schools (as well as French Immersion and Malaspina University-College); the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre and Nanaimo Ice Centre; shopping malls and numerous home-based businesses; easy access to downtown Nanaimo as well as major thoroughfares. Add to this a veritable plethora of parks, lakes and other lush green spaces and the sum of the parts is one enchanting neighbourhood.

Chase River
Finding the perfect home is made easier in one of Nanaimo’s picturesque south end communities. Take Chase River, for example. It’s a charismatic, well-established and close-knit neighbourhood that you will find welcoming, full of character and optimism about its future. What more could you ask for when combing Nanaimo, the ‘Harbour City‘, in search of your dream dwelling? And the term ’dream dwelling’ is no exaggeration in respect of Chase River, as there is a wide range of real estate possibilities open to you, with spectacular homes to suit all tastes.

Chase River is a delightful rural community located a mere 10 minutes drive from downtown Nanaimo, marking it a standout in the local real estate market. It’s surrounded by pretty nature, including three running creeks on their way to the Nanaimo estuary, yet it has easy access to all the amenities one could ever need. With downtown Nanaimo so close, investing in real estate in Chase River presents a getaway environment while remaining in the heart of the action!

In particular, executives with young families will find Chase River’s rural setting a great place to raise the kids. Perhaps you may wish to buy a home in one of the three subdivisions? Or perhaps even a farm? The choice is yours, but wherever you decide upon to purchase real estate for your family in Chase River, rest assured that you are never far from the two excellent neighbourhood elementary schools.

There are also ball diamonds, parks and a par 3 golf course to help keep the family fit and healthy, adding another dimension to why Chase River is such an idyllic location in which to live. Choosing this Nanaimo neighbourhood to purchase real estate ensures you will be joining a vibrant and active community that will be delighted to welcome you amongst them.

Diver Lake
Any time you live in a neighbourhood bearing the word “lake”, you know you’re in for something special; Diver Lake in Nanaimo is no exception. A truly alluring location ensures that any real estate that becomes available here is usually pounced upon pretty quickly.

Centrally located and in close proximity to virtually every conceivable attraction and amenity, the neighbourhood of Diver Lake counters the bustle of the city with lakefront tranquility, generously proportioned lots and enough flora and fauna to make you feel like you landed a home in the woods. A quiet life is perfectly achievable in such surroundings, which is why Diver Lake is seen as a desirable locale in which to consider buying real estate.

The amazing reality, however, is that you’ve entered a Nanaimo neighbourhood that sits smack dab in the middle of our rapidly developing, vibrant city. It’s not a hindrance, though. After taking that leisurely walk around the lake with the dog, you can hop in the car and be at any one of Nanaimo’s major shopping malls within minutes. Recreational facilities lay close by, such as Beban Park with its swimming pool, skating rink and other attractions. And if you need the main highway for getting where you need to get to fast, it‘s on your doorstep. It is little wonder that real estate in this neighbourhood is so feverishly snapped up.

Whilst Diver Lake is a such a favourable place to live, it is comforting that there are still many great deals to be found whether you’re looking for a single-family residence on the waterfront or maybe a townhouse with a view of Mt. Benson. With schools and parks close by, this neighbourhood is a winner in every respect.

Central Nanaimo
When you live in Central Nanaimo, you’ve got it made. Everything you could possibly need for your family’s quality of life is close at hand: numerous shopping malls; both elementary and secondary schools (including French Immersion); recreation and sports facilities; incredible green spaces such as Bowen Park and the Buttertubs Marsh Conservation Area; convenient access to the ferry terminal at Departure Bay, as well as Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. Owning real estate in Central Nanaimo places you right at the heart of Vancouver Island’s second city.

Central Nanaimo is all about choices. When shopping for a home, the selection is extensive with single family and duplex dwellings, condos, townhouses and apartments for sale or rent. Homes built as early as the 1940s, in subdivisions such as Townsite, Brechin and Forest Park, are now undergoing extensive renovations, so the timing couldn’t be better to find yourself a fetching character home.

With Nanaimo developing into a city confidently ready to meet its considerable long-held potential, buying real estate in its hub can be considered a sound investment.

Being an older, more established Nanaimo neighbourhood, the area is well treed yet offers up some of the most incredible ocean views of Departure Bay anywhere in the city. These views bring real estate investors flocking, so check out Central Nanaimo for that sweet real estate deal you’ve been searching for!

North Nanaimo
If you like it where the action is, and being able to get what you need and where you have to go fast, you’ll love North Nanaimo. A stone’s throw from the charms of Lantzville and Nanoose Bay , North Nanaimo is an excellent and fast-developing neighbourhood with a wide range of real estate options.

Home to Vancouver Island’s largest indoor shopping centre, along with numerous other big box retail outlets, business centres and outdoor malls, this really is a neighbourhood on the move. Real estate here is attracting the discerning purchaser, especially in the cozy communities gathered close to the gargantuan Woodgrove Mall, where the ocean views are simply spectacular.

As you scope out the perfect home in Nanaimo – maybe, indeed, one of those incredible deals right on the edge of the ocean – think about the 19 islands of the Winchelsea Archipelago. They are likely what you’ll see when you look out of your kitchen window each morning. Oh yes, and some of the most incredible sunsets on the planet. Mere sales banter? Not in the slightest!

Adding to all the glorious surroundings of North Nanaimo is a plethora of real estate opportunities that simply can’t be beaten. Great deals on waterfront homes, executive townhouses and stylish condos are there for the taking and remember that much of this real estate has been designed to take advantage of those breathtaking views North Nanaimo is so famous for. When you’re looking for that consummate real estate deal – the one where you know you’ve found home – look north.

North Nanaimo has been a fashionable neighbourhood for some time now and is expected to remain so for some time to come.

Departure Bay
Do you want to wake up every morning thinking the world is your oyster? If that sounds like your cup of tea (or coffee, of course), you may wish to take a closer look at the incredible real estate opportunities in Departure Bay. In a Nanaimo neighbourhood that acts as a major gateway to our city, you would be perfectly placed to welcome many visitors if you chose to purchase real estate in this incomparable location.

In fact, ‘incomparable’ might just be the perfect word to describe Departure Bay, with its stunning, unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean and Gulf Islands. Here, there are also waterfront properties to die for, abundant recreational opportunities, nature at its very best, plus the enchanting ambience of Nanaimo’s very own Sherwood Forest. Imagine owing real estate where some of the streets are named for characters in the Robin Hood stories!

Lifestyle is the name of the game in Departure Bay, with nearby shopping malls including Country Club Centre and Brooks Landing; the Nanaimo Golf Club (the city’s year round championship golf course); all levels of schools for those with families, and of course access to Nanaimo’s premiere beach right in the bay. And for those heading to the mainland, the BC Ferries terminal is conveniently located right in the neighbourhood. If it all sounds too good to be true, there is no catch this time!

For the discerning homebuyer, Departure Bay has it all in the way of superb real estate: single family units, townhouses, apartments and waterfront homes to suit every possible taste. This is where you’ll discover what true Nanaimo living is all about.

Pleasant Valley
One definition of “pleasant” includes that which is “pleasing in appearance”. Another is “giving or affording pleasure or enjoyment”. Effortlessly underlining these definitions, Pleasant Valley really is a nice place to call home. In this very pretty Nanaimo neighbourhood, a stunning range of wonderful real estate opportunities awaits buyers seeking that perfect property.

Situated in North Nanaimo, seemingly in a world all its own, this endearing neighbourhood of single family homes and townhouses sports no less than two beautiful lakes, Brannen and Green, for the enjoyment of local residents. It is certainly no oversell to state that these gorgeous bodies of water alone act as powerful magnets to those looking to invest in local real estate in a scenic setting.

In fact many of the real estate opportunities available in Pleasant Valley are right on the waterfront in subdivisions such as Lakeside Estates and Brannen Lake Estates. Taking advantage of the water, whether hitting the beach or going boating, has never been so easy. Try to imagine owning real estate in such a wonderful location!

For those with young families, Pleasant Valley is home to both Brannen Lake and Green Lake elementary schools, and with plenty of shopping close by, you never have to stray far to get what you need for those growing kids. Looking for pleasure in life? Then check out this unique lakefront community, where you will find it in abundance through the perfect home location in a magnificent setting.

To receive a catalogue of RECENT SALES or ACTIVE LISTINGS for any of the neighbourhoods on Vancouver Island, including those listed below simply email john@islandlifestyle.ca

To receive an INSTANT EMAIL NOTIFICATION every time a new listing comes to market for any of the neighbourhoods on Vancouver Island, including those listed below simply email john@islandlifestyle.ca

Catalogues and notification services also available for South Jinglepot, North Jinglepot, Extension, University District, & Brechin Hill & any other neighbourhood on Vancouver Island.