QUICK FACTS
Borders:
Departure Bay to the east, Diver Lake to the south, Pleasant Valley to the west and North Nanaimo to the north, following the VIREB sub-area map.
Setting:
Established, tree-lined streets wrapped around Long Lake, with rocky hillsides and ravines, and Uplands Drive and the Island Highway running through.
Drive times:
About 10 min to the Departure Bay ferry, 10 min to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, 15 min to downtown, 20 to 25 min to the Duke Point ferry and 25 to 30 min to Parksville.
Typical homes:
Established detached homes, some larger treed lots, lakefront and lake-view properties, and newer condos near Nanaimo North Town Centre.
UPLANDS FAQ
Where is Uplands?
Uplands is a sub-area in north-central Nanaimo that takes in Long Lake. On the VIREB sub-area map, it sits between Departure Bay to the east, Diver Lake to the south, Pleasant Valley to the west and North Nanaimo to the north.
The names get mixed up online. Depending on the website, a home on Uplands Drive might be labelled Uplands, North Nanaimo or Long Lake, and that changes which sales a listing gets compared against.
What is it like to live in North Nanaimo?
Long Lake is the centre of it. Loudon Park, on the south shore, has a sandy beach, a swimming float, a playground and a walking trail along the water. It's also home base for the Nanaimo Rowing Club and the Nanaimo Canoe & Kayak Club.
The City broke ground this summer on a new Loudon Park Activity Centre, with a community room the public can book, a new dock and improved trails.
What kind of homes are in North Nanaimo?
Mostly established detached homes, many set up on rocky hillsides or tucked into ravines, with some larger treed lots, lakefront and lake-view properties, and newer condos near Nanaimo North Town Centre.
Established means age and condition vary a lot from street to street, so look closely at what has been updated and what hasn't.
What to know before you buy in North Nanaimo
Check the sub-area. Uplands, North Nanaimo and Long Lake labels get mixed up online. Make sure the sales a listing is compared against come from the same MLS sub-area.
Lakefront takes extra homework. Docks, shoreline work and building near the water can need approvals, so talk to the City and the right specialists early.
Hillside and ravine lots need a closer look. Slope, drainage, retaining walls and driveway grade all affect what a lot can do and what it costs to maintain.
Visit at the busy times. Streets near the Island Highway and the shopping centres are busier, and Loudon Park draws a crowd on hot summer days. Drive the street when you'd be living on it.
Budget for the age of the home. Many homes here have some age on them, so the roof, windows, kitchen or bathrooms may be due. Make sure that shows up in the price you offer.