The good stuff
An ordinary morning in Nanaimo
Sometimes the best part of a place is what happens when nothing is planned.
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Photo: Nanaimo Waterfront.jpg by Masterhatch, Public domain. Cropped.
Eastern Vancouver Island
Nanaimo
Follow the harbour, then find your own neighbourhood.
- Near the water
- Island living
- Milder winters
More than a place to visit
Nanaimo has kindly supplied its own dessert for the research trip.
Trying a Nanaimo bar is easy; deciding which part of the city should become home takes a little more effort. The harbourfront and Maffeo Sutton Park make a strong first impression, with water, boats and places to linger. Farther inland, Long Lake and the Longwood area suggest a different daily routine. This is a sizeable Vancouver Island city rather than one continuous waterfront village, so treat the harbour as your introduction and investigate beyond it. Retirement here could revolve around shore walks, community activities or a quieter lake setting, depending on the neighbourhood and residence you choose.
Begin at Maffeo Sutton Park and follow the Harbourfront Walkway. Boats give you something to look at while you decide where to stop, and Saysutshun offers an island excursion when visitor transport is operating. The Nanaimo Bar Trail adds a sweet project to a food-minded visit. Inland, the Long Lake setting and Oliver Woods Community Centre suggest other routines. Try more than one: the harbour may introduce you to Nanaimo, while a different neighbourhood wins your everyday affection.
Community realtor
Nanaimo Realtor
Coming soon
One local realtor, for the questions that come before a listing: which neighbourhoods suit you, what a move from out of province involves, and when to start.
People
The people who make the place
Friendly, down-to-earth and proud of where they live.
Places
Harbourfront Walkway
A daily destination and a community gathering place.
Stories
Why people stay
It’s the combination of lifestyle, community and natural beauty that keeps people here.
Things
A morning by the water
Fresh air, changing views and a calmer pace.
Serious research
The top three bars in Nanaimo. Dessert, that is.
A city with a square of chocolate, custard and crumb named after it. We took the assignment seriously.
Read the article
Money
What would your next chapter cost?
A clear look at the costs that matter, from housing to everyday expenses.
Read the articleRetirement living in Nanaimo
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Berwick on the Lake
Nanaimo, BC
Long Lake is the backdrop at Berwick on the Lake, an independent retirement community on Ross Road. Landscaped grounds, dining and social programming give residents places to gather beyond their own suites. This is a lake setting within Nanaimo, so compare it with a harbour-area address if your ideal routine centres on downtown walks. A tour is a good time to ask how outings and any separately arranged care would work.
Origin at Longwood
Nanaimo, BC
Origin at Longwood puts a saltwater aquatherapy pool and fitness studio on the list of reasons to leave your suite. Located on Oliver Road near Oliver Woods Community Centre, it advertises independent living, assisted living, memory care and short stays. The theatre, pub and salon add social options. Ask how each care level operates in practice; a broad menu of services is most useful when it matches your particular needs.
We haven’t profiled a residence with this living option in Nanaimo yet.
Local businesses in Nanaimo
Six positions in each community: the realtor above, one seniors care provider and four local partners. Each one stays an empty spot until a local business takes it.
How positions workSeniors care
Nanaimo Seniors Care
Coming soon
A residence, assisted living or home care provider that serves this community.
Local partner
Nanaimo Moving & Downsizing
Coming soon
The movers, downsizers and estate-clearing help for leaving a long-time home.
Local partner
Nanaimo Financial & Estate
Coming soon
Financial, legal and estate advice for the money side of a move like this.
Local partner
Nanaimo Home & Health
Coming soon
Home support, health services and the trades that keep a house easy to live in.
Local partner
Nanaimo Local Life
Coming soon
The dentist, the café, the club — the everyday places that make a town feel like yours.