Moving to Vancouver Island – Your Insider Guide
Whether it’s lifestyle, more access to nature, affordability, or just a change of pace, the data is clear: People are moving from the main urban centers, like Vancouver, to instead call Vancouver Island home.
I’ll let you in on a secret; this author did exactly that 6 years ago. As a proud Vancouverite with a desire for more balance and to raise a family rooted in nature, we took the plunge to trade in our East Vancouver postal code for one in Central Island.
For all our readers from the Mainland, Calgary, or even embarking on an international venture to our lovely island, this blog is for you! Here are my top tips for moving to Vancouver Island.
More Beaches Out, More Coffee In
One of the most touted pros of city living is the array of quick grab-and-go and sit-and-type coffee shops. Be prepared on the island, these are a bit fewer in accessibility, but I always say you trade in your coffee walk dates for forest and beach ones. So, all in all, a great trade-off.
Seriously though, investing in a great at-home coffee system is a great tip to ease the transition!
Island Time is a Real Thing… and It’s Kind of Great
Things kind of do move a bit slower here, and guess what? We are all pretty much fine with that. I remember taking a while to stop rushing and stressing about traffic and worrying about being on time because things just are easier to access and traffic, though some who have lived on the island their whole life have seen an uptick, it really is never that bad.
Stay Put Summers
Okay, but about that traffic... if you are trying to head up-island towards Parksville, Qualicum, Tofino, etc., in the summer, it is going to be a bit busy! The same MUST be said for ferry reservations. If you need to travel by car on a summer weekend in August and don’t have a BC Ferry reservation yet, run – don’t walk – and book that now. Or you can try my tactic. It might sound strange, but I don’t leave the island on long weekends in summer. See above: the ferries can be challenging, but I find out-of-town family and friends LOVE to come to the island, so it is the perfect time to host and show off the beauty of the island in the summer.
Know Your Neighbourhoods
When new to the island, it is important to take some time to get to know your neighborhoods. In Nanaimo, especially with its geographic structure of a long, thin island, the neighborhood vibes and styles can be quite different. Obviously, we would vote for The Foothills as top of the neighborhood list for that true live-work-play lifestyle, but knowing which neighborhood suits you and your family the best is a critical step in moving to the island.
Planes, Helicopters, Fast Ferries, You Choose
One thing is clear: Compared to all other cities on the Island, nowhere is more connected than Nanaimo. Getting to and from Vancouver has never been easier, and there is a choice for every budget, timeline, and need. Whether the newest and one of the quickest options by boat, Hullo, a 15-minute float plane ride with Harbour Air, Helijet, or, when you need a car, of course, BC Ferries, there are many ways to make getting off the island when needed easier than ever.
Thinking of calling Nanaimo or Central Island home? Call our team today to find out how to make a life lived surrounded by nature, beaches, and calm a reality.
I don’t know about you but living close to beaches, dealing with less traffic, being surrounded by a laid back energy and having a closer connection to nature sounds like a lifestyle I want to live every day!