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| Aerial View of Nanaimo |
Location
Nanaimo, known as the Harbour City, has a population of approximately 80,000 and is the second largest city on Vancouver Island. It is approximately 68 miles north of the provincial capital, Victoria. It is located on the protected east shore of Vancouver Island, almost directly across the Strait of Georgia from the City of Vancouver. From there, it is a short ferry ride, (less than two hours) or a quick seaplane (about twenty minutes) with breathtaking views of mountains, islands and the ocean.
History
Nanaimo was the site where five separate Native villages gathered together, a place called "Snenymo" which meant “great and mighty people”. Early explorers of Nanaimo included the Spanish and Captain George Vancouver. Coal was discovered on Nanaimo in 1851 and attracted many miners to the area. Nanaimo was incorporated in 1874 and is the third oldest city in B.C. There are a number of museums and historical sites in Nanaimo that will take you back to the past of this vibrant city.
Nanaimo boasts a diversified economy with tourism as a major contributor as well as forestry, construction, technology, and service centers.
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| Fishing Boat |
Weather
The climate in Nanaimo is one of the mildest in all of Canada, as reported by Environment Canada. It is Mediterranean-like, with mild wet winters, and dry sunny summers. People often mistakenly believe the Island doesn’t have distinct seasons, but it does. Nanaimo experiences spring, summer and fall but the changes in the seasons is generally more gradual.
Accessibility
Nanaimo is served by BC Ferries from Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver); a crossing time of 1 hour and 35 minutes and from Tsawwassen it takes two hours. Harbourlynx a passenger-only ferry travels from downtown Nanaimo to downtown Vancouver. Regional airline Air Canada Jazz flies directly from Nanaimo Airport to Vancouver Airport. In addition, two float plane companies fly downtown to downtown and three fly to the airport in Vancouver. There is also seaplane service between Nanaimo and Seattle, Tofino, Campbell River, Sechalt and Gibsons. In adddition, less than an hour’s drive north to Comox provides access to WestJet with direct flights to Calgary and other destinations including Mexico. Once on the Island bus service is available, as is Via Rail.
Local Attractions
Arboretum, Historic Regional and Military Museums, Marsh Bird Sanctuary, Heritage Walk, Marine Biological Station, Wildlife Sanctuary, Pulp Mill tours, Waterfront Lagoon Esplanade, Fisherman's Wharf, Georgia Park, Swy-A-Lana Lagoon, Newcastle Island.
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| Nanaimo Harbour |
AREAS OF NANAIMO:
- Cedar (Cranberry)/Chase River - Cedar (Cranberry)/Chase River are largely rural areas to the south of the city with rolling hills, crystal clear rivers, streams, and impressive stands of fir trees. It is a mix of real estate; large acreage, farms, land with mobile homes and million dollar mansions. New developments are going up with peaceful mountain views and bargain prices. Prices are in the low to moderate range, except for larger parcels of land and waterfront properties.
- Central Nanaimo - Central Nanaimo is an older area of smaller properties with ready access to shopping, transportation, and medical facilities around and including the hospital and the slope down to Stewart Ave. It is one of the least expensive areas in which to buy property.
- Departure Bay - Departure Bay has a mix of new homes and old and thus a wider range of prices. Many of the existing homes were high end at the time they were built. It is well protected with its own micro-climate (and hummingbirds all year round!). Views are of the sheltered harbour with the ferry, float planes and Newcastle Island. Subdivisions include Beach Estates, Country Club, Lynburn Estates and Sherwood Forest.
- Diver Lake – Diver Lake is a mixture of older housing and new developments with moderate prices. The main subdivisions include Autumnwood, Coal Tye, Dogwood, Heatherwood, Lakewood, Madison Court and Willow Park.
- Hammond Bay - Hammond Bay Road runs along the water and has gorgeous parks and spectacular views and the prices reflect this. An older and more established area than North Nanaimo, the homes in Hammond Bay have some of the best views in Nanaimo and as a result prices begin around $300,000. Some of the nicer areas in Hammond Bay include Glen Oaks, Pipers Lagoon, Rocky Point and Stephenson Point.
- Jinglepot – Jinglepot has largely been a rural area, but is currently undergoing a lot of development. Avonlea is emerging as a hot area to buy and sell real estate and prices vary based on location and views.
- Lower Lantzville - Lower Lantzville is located on the northern border of the City of Nanaimo and south of the City of Parksville and is bordered to the West by Island Highway and the East by the Pacific Ocean and large expanses of walk-on Waterfront.
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| Nanaimo at Dusk |
North Nanaimo - North Nanaimo is Northeast of the city center and is bordered by Island Highway and Dickinson Road to the West and Uplands Road to the South. Homes in North Nanaimo range from $300,000 to over several million dollars for waterfront properties and North Nanaimo is one of the most expensive areas for homes. There are many stunning views of the water, the Winchelsea Islands, and the Coastal Mountains across the Georgia Strait. Current developments include both single family and condo units and there is an abundance of shopping centers and franchise restaurants along the Island Highway.
- Old City – Old City is part of the original economic core of Nanaimo. Much of the waterfront real estate was reclaimed land that was under water. The downtown area is rapidly changing with plans for a new convention center and several large new condo complexes. A seawall from central Nanaimo leads you all the way downtown past a new open air bandstand to the inner harbour.
- Pleasant Valley – Pleasant Valley has a mixture of older housing and new developments with moderate prices. Lakeside Estates and the Meadows are some of the newest subdivisions.
- South Nanaimo – South Nanaimo is one of the least expensive parts of the city. It is quite diverse, with Malaspina University-College in the west and single family neighbourhoods in the middle. Nanaimo, in its early growing years was a working man’s town, primarily blue collar. As a result many of the homes in South Nanaimo were plain and smaller by today’s standards. With the growing demand for larger and newer homes many of the older homes are undergoing major renovations and restorations. Prices tend to be relatively low compared to the rest of Nanaimo.
- Uplands – Upland is the highest point geographically of the north end of the city. Housing is older and prices moderate with the exception of properties right on or looking over Long Lake. Homes in this area sell between $250,000 and $300,000 on average. This area runs primarily along Uplands Road and includes Glen Craig Estates Long Lake Heights, Long Lake Villa, Northridge Estates, Rutherford Hills and Sunshine Ridge.
- Upper Lantzville - Upper Lantzville is located on the northern border of the City of Nanaimo and south of the City of Parksville and is bordered to the south by Aulds Road. Upper Lantzville is a more rural area that tends to have larger properties with lots of trees, more privacy, and some ocean views.
Articles © Copyright 2006 by NanaimoRealEstateTeam.com
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