Quick Facts
Borders: The Strait of Georgia to the north, Hammond Bay to the east, Departure Bay and Uplands to the south, Pleasant Valley to the southwest, Lower Lantzville to the northwest
Setting: Suburban streets between the Woodgrove shopping hub and the Strait of Georgia shoreline, with forested parkland on the east side
Drive times: Departure Bay ferry about 20 min, Nanaimo Regional General Hospital about 15 min, downtown about 20 min, Duke Point ferry about 30 min, Parksville about 20-30 min
Typical homes: Detached homes, townhomes and condos, most built in the last 40 years
FAQ:
Where is North Nanaimo?
North Nanaimo runs from Woodgrove Centre and the Island Highway in the west to the edge of Hammond Bay in the east. Its northern edge is the Strait of Georgia shoreline. Departure Bay, Uplands and Pleasant Valley sit to the south, and Lower Lantzville to the northwest.
In everyday conversation, people use "North Nanaimo" for most of the north end. That's where it gets confusing, because the MLS splits the north end into several sub-areas. Neck Point and Pipers Lagoon, for example, belong to Hammond Bay, not North Nanaimo.
Why does that matter? The sub area decides which sales get compared when we talk about price. If you're looking at a home and aren't sure which side of the line it's on, send us the address and we'll check it.
What is it like to live in North Nanaimo?
Day to day, North Nanaimo is about convenience.
Woodgrove Centre has over 100 stores, and Costco, Save On Foods and a run of restaurants line the Island Highway around it. Most weekly errands are close to home.
Then it turns green quickly. Oliver Woods Community Centre has a playground, a pond and a walking trail. The northern part of Linley Valley Cottle Lake Park is here too, with forest trails that feel a long way from the mall. Lost Lake is a quiet loop around a small lake.
When you want the ocean, the public beach accesses at Blueback and Invermere Road lead down to the Strait of Georgia, and Neck Point and Pipers Lagoon in neighbouring Hammond Bay are a short drive away.
What kind of homes are in North Nanaimo?
Most of the housing here was built in the last 40 years, so you'll see fewer character homes than in the older parts of the city. Expect detached homes on residential streets, townhomes, and condos, many of them close to Woodgrove and the Island Highway. Closer to the shoreline, you'll also find waterfront and ocean view homes.
Newer doesn't always mean updated, though. A house from the 1990s can still have a closed off kitchen or a layout that doesn't suit how you live.
What to know before you buy in North Nanaimo
Check the sub-area on every listing. A home marketed as "North Nanaimo" can sit in a neighbouring sub-area, which changes the sales it gets compared against.
Beach access typically means stairs. The public accesses at Blueback and Invermere are long staircases down to a rocky shoreline. For a walk-on beach, Pipers Lagoon and Departure Bay Beach are a short drive.
Waterfront lots need extra homework. On shoreline and sloped lots, look closely at drainage, slope and what can be built, and bring in the right professionals early.
Test your commute. Traffic on the Island Highway near Woodgrove can slow down at peak times, so try the drive at the hour you'd be making it.
Budget for age. A 30-year-old house can still need a roof, windows or a kitchen. Factor that into what you offer.