Vancouver Island Relocation Guide

Ryan relocated his family of 4 to Vancouver Island and knows first hand the stress and amount of work it takes to move your entire life across an ocean. Let Ryan minimize that stress ;)

This page has been designed for anyone considering a move to Victoria or Nanaimo and the surrounding areas. Below are some super useful links and useful information when planning your adventure.

Vancouver Islanders have the ability to easily enjoy what is arguably the best year-round climate in Canada. Bask in the warm summers and stay cool in the mild winters. Imagine Skiing, fishing and golfing all in the same day! The high population of retiree's on the island solidifies the culture of being on island time🏝⏳. A lot of the west coast rainforest on the island is so majestic and peaceful🌲🦌. Lush raw powerful beauty everywhere you go🌊. The vast amount of outdoor activities awaits at your doorstep. The art, music, theatre and festivals on the island ensuring that there is something for everyone. Whatever the lifestyle you are looking for, we have it here.

Here are some resources which can help make life much easier when making a big move.

Welcome BC

A Government of BC website that provides helpful information for anyone looking to relocate to B.C., including an excellent Newcomers Guide.

Housing

Well, you've come to the right place! Island Ryan Real Estate Group is powered by Royal LePage. Canada's Brokerage. This isn't some small hole in the wall brokerage run completely online with limited management. Royal LePage has a reputation to uphold and they do so by giving you the support you need whether it is buying, selling, investing or renting. If you plan to buy, sell or invest Island Ryan is awaiting your call. He would be happy to hear from you. If you plan to rent Royal LePage has a property management sector who can assists with rentals in the area.

To help you prepare if you are planning to rent while searching for a home here is a checklist for renters:

References. Try to have at-least 3 references. Include their contact info ready and available to give to the landlord. The best kind of references are former roommates, coworkers, employers, teammates, church friends, etc… but typically not a family member.

Your address history: It is common to provide your last 1 or 2 home addresses on a rental application.

Your work history and current employement (company) & phone number. On Vancouver Island, landlords can be quite reluctant to rent to you if you are unemployed. If you are unemployed upon relocation a way around it is to pay the first 3 or 6 months’ rent upfront when you sign the rental lease. Be very sure to get the lease agreement in writing and obtain legal advice or representation from a licensed property manager to do so.

What's needed in a typical rental lease agreement:

A Deposit: This will be required on lease signing. This is often called a security deposit or a bond in other countries. In BC a the residential tenancy laws depict that the deposit cannot be more than half of the monthly rent. As an example: if the condo's monthly rent is $2000/month, the deposit can only be up to $1000.

Your first month rent payment will be due upon lease signing.

Pet damage deposit payment (optional) will also be due upon lease signing. In BC a pet deposit cannot be more than 1/2 of the monthly rent, regardless of the number of pets allowed. This will be onto of the standard damage deposit.

Healthcare

Island Health is your main source of health care on the island. They provide the public health care services to over 752,000 residents throughout the region.

Island Health has 138 facilities on the island to be of service. There is state-of-the-art services and innovative programs. Whether it’s a computerized pharmacy dispensing system, an upgraded laboratory, the latest in psychiatric emergency care or an awarding-winning emergency room triage and information tracking system, Island Health strives to provide “Excellent health and care for everyone, everywhere, every time”.

HEALTHMATCH BC

A free health professional recruitment service funded by the Government of B.C. Visit their website to learn more about moving to B.C., immigration, professional healthcare licensing and other resources and services.

Nursing home & long term care

Call the Home Care office at 250-388-2273, or, 1-888-533-2273. Website for Island Health Home Care Services: https://www.islandhealth.ca/our-services/home-care-services

Schools

Public Schools

*School Catchment Locator Tool In This Link

Use the tool in this link to find out which school catchment a property of interest is in.

*School Ranking Tool Link

Use the tool in this link to get reviews and reports on school rankings.

The public schools in Nanaimo are operated by School District 68 Nanaimo-Ladysmith. Nanaimo itself has over 30 elementary and secondary schools. In total, there are forty-eight schools within the district’s borders offering education to approximately 15,250 students from kindergarten through grade twelve.

Brentwood Bay, Saanich use Saanich School District 63 (sd63): sd63.bc.ca

Colwood, Highlands, Langford, Metchosin, Port Renfrew, Sooke use Sooke School District 62 (sd62): sd62.bc.ca

Victoria, Greater Victoria School District 61 (sd61): sd61.bc.ca

Homeschooling

Government of BC, Homeschooling: gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/support/classroom-alternatives/homeschooling

Private Schools

Brentwood College School: brentwood.bc.ca

Brooks Westshore: westshore.brookes.org

Christ Church Cathedral School: cathedralschool.ca

Glenlyon Norfolk School: mygns.ca

Island Catholic Schools: cisdv.bc.ca

Pacific Christian School: pacificchristian.ca

Selkirk Montessori School: selkirkmontessori.ca

Shawnigan Lake School: shawnigan.ca

St. Margaret’s School (girls only): stmarg.ca

St. Michaels University School: smus.ca

Trade Schools, Colleges, Universities

Camosun College: camosun.ca

Pacific Rim College: pacificrimcollege.com

Royal Roads University: royalroads.ca

Sprott Shaw College: sprottshaw.com

University of Victoria (called UVIC): uvic.ca

Vancouver Island School of Art: vancouverislandschoolart.com

VANCOUVER ISLAND ECONOMIC ALLIANCE (VIEA)

A registered non-government, non-profit society that promotes regional economic development through collaborative partnerships with members. This websites provides detailed maps and regional information about the various communities on Vancouver Island.

CHILDCARE

NICC

Day care center

Nanaimo, BC

(250) 753-9440

Kids & Company

Day care center

Nanaimo, BC · In Edgewood Treatment Centre

(250) 585-6058

Just Like Home Childcare Centre

Day care center

Nanaimo, BC

(778) 441-3008

Inquiring Little Minds

Day care center

Ladysmith, BC

(250) 924-7774

Child Development Centre

Child care agency

Nanaimo, BC

(250) 753-0251

Kory's Family Child Care

Day care center

Nanaimo, BC

(250) 756-9100

Vancouver Island School of Early Childhood Education

Day care center

Nanaimo, BC

(250) 390-0701

Spanish Nanaimo Childcare

Child care agency

Nanaimo, BC

(250) 667-7930

Malaspina Child Care

Child care agency

Nanaimo, BC · In Vancouver Island University

(250) 753-6931

Bright Beginnings Early Childhood Centre

Day care center

Nanaimo, BC

(250) 754-2499

Teachable Moments Daycare

Day care center

Nanaimo, BC

(250) 390-4641

Sonlight Christian Childcare Centre

Day care center

Nanaimo, BC

(250) 751-0049

British Columbia Child Care

Child care agency

Nanaimo, BC

(250) 751-7180

CEFA Early Learning - Nanaimo

Day care center

Nanaimo, BC

(250) 755-6502

Big Adventures Childcare

Day care center

Nanaimo, BC

(250) 751-8550

Nanaimo Innovation Academy

Day care center

Nanaimo, BC

(250) 591-7700

Enchanted Moments Early Childhood

Day care center

Nanaimo, BC

(250) 758-3521

Stepping Stones Day Care

Day care center

Nanaimo, BC

(250) 756-1787

JOBS

Despite the common misconception of not being work on Vancouver Island there is actually lots of work to be found. A very large portion of the Island's residents are retired and want to live the island life. This is how you can take advantage:

What’s the cost of living on Vancouver Island?

This isn't an exact science, but we will do our best to give you a general breakdown of the cost:

Rent: $2,147/month for 1 bedroom (average October 2022), $2,748/month for 2 bedroom (average October 2022)

Internet: $80 - $100/month, unlimited data (average)

Childcare: $1,337/month (average) according to Numbeo.com

Gas: $2.64/litre

Auto insurance: $145/month (average)

Featured Cities of Vancouver Island

Get to know the island

In total there are 50 villages, towns, and cities on Vancouver Island, BC. The largest and most populated is the city of Victoria. Victoria is British Columbia’s capital city and it is Canada’s 12th most populated city with an estimated population of over 350,000 people out of the island’s 750,000 residents. With so many spread out residential towns and neighbourhoods on the island, people looking to relocate to the island may have a difficult time deciding where to call their new home.

Oak Bay is known for its luxury and wealth. It is popular for it's tree-lined avenue's, tasty delis, petite boutiques/ art galleries, and boisterous cafes. You can easily find easy going spots to enjoy brunch and fish and chips which are buzzing with locals in nearby Estevan Village. Willows Beach is known for it's calm waters for kayaking and paddle-boarding, while yachts line up at Oak Bay Marina. A coastal drive passes the Victoria Golf Club and ritzy Uplands area.. Browse Homes for Sale in Oak Bay

Colwood is Just 10km from BC's capital city of Victoria. It is a gorgeous coastal community located along the southern shores of Vancouver Island that stretches 7 km's long of oceanfront. The City is situated for expected growth and change with new developments in the heart of Colwood and along the waterfront at Royal Bay and Royal Beach where new homes, schools, shopping, dining and businesses are currently being built on nearly 500 acres of land set along the ocean. Colwood is rapidly experiencing exponential growth and easily one of the top places to live on Vancouver Island. Browse Homes for Sale in Colwood

The District of North Saanich is located on the Saanich Peninsula of British Columbia, approximately 25 km north of Victoria on southern Vancouver Island. North Stanch is one of the 13 Greater Victoria municipalities. As one of the top rural-residential areas in the province, North Saanich is made up of an abundance of agricultural farmlands, cozy bays, and more than enough protected parklands for the outdoor enthusiast. North Saanich is a highly desirable rural-residential area. Its long coastline on three sides affords many housing sites with excellent views of water, islands and mountains.. Browse Homes for Sale in North Saanich

Duncan is a city on southern Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It is the smallest city by area in Canada. It was incorporated in 1912. Duncan is a smaller community found somewhat midway between Victoria and Nanaimo with a population of 5,121 Population [2021]. Duncan is known as the “City of Totems” because it has 44 totem poles inside the city limits. The average rating given by Duncan residents for the city as a place to retire is eight on a 10-point scale. The average rating is 7.5 for the overall quality of life in Duncan, and 7.2 for the city as a place to raise children. Browse Homes for Sale in Duncan

Nanaimo is a city and has 2 main ferry ports on the east coast of Vancouver Island. At its heart, the Nanaimo Museum displays exhibits on the city’s industries and indigenous peoples. "Near the Harbourfront Walkway, the Bastion is an 1853 wooden tower with cannon firings in summer. Shops and cafes fill the Old City Quarter. Offshore, on Newcastle Island, trails lead to beaches and First Nations sites." (Google) Nanaimo has one of the longest shorelines in Canada. Not to mentions all the forested mountain views. Plus there is Nanaimo's downtown core. Entertainment, Food, Shopping, transportation all at your doorstep in Nanaimo. Being surrounded by nature wilderness Nanaimo residents are able to take advantage of all sorts of outdoor activities such as biking, golf, hiking, fishing and much more. Browse Homes for Sale in Nanaimo

Langford Langford is a city on southern Vancouver Island north west of Victoria. Langford is one of the 13 component municipalities of Greater Victoria and is within the Capital Regional District. Langford was incorporated in 1992 and has a population of over 40,000 people. It is known for the university life and is a fantastic place to buy an investment property or join the youthful energy the downtown city feeling it possesses. Browse Homes for Sale in Langford

Sidney is a seaside community found along the southern tip of Vancouver Island. The name comes from the Wsanec term set,tines which means “chest sticking out” as a reference to the shape of the land jutting out of the water. Sidney is approximately twenty minutes away from Downtown Victoria and is the home of the Sidney/Anacortes Ferry terminal. Endowed with a temperate climate, rich ecology, stunning landscapes, flat terrain, Sidney has evolved into a destination for visitors, residents and businesses alike, providing year round opportunities for outdoor activities, memorable celebrations and events, and unique shopping and dining experiences in a beautiful seaside setting. Browse Homes for Sale in Sidney

Victoria Victoria, capital of British Columbia, sits on the craggy southern end of Vancouver Island. With a surplus of designated parkland, it’s known for its pristine west coast style outdoor activities. The city's British colonial past shows in its Victorian architecture, including stately Craigdarroch Castle mansion. Butchart Gardens, with 55 acres of vivid floral displays, plus statuary, water features and a carousel, is one of many formal gardens in the city. Victoria is home to many formal gardens, rugged shorelines, beaches and boasts a temperate climate which makes it the perfect destination for boaters, vacationers and retirees. Browse Homes for Sale in Victoria

Parksville In the heart of Oceanside, on the sheltered east coast of Vancouver Island, Parksville an active community of urban professionals, families with young children and retirees who have chosen to live in our community for a quality of life and the region's natural environment. Located on the east side of Vancouver Island's shores north or Nanaimo, Parksville is quiet and peaceful. There is many shops and restaurants to visit and enjoy and is well know for its Sandcastle Sculpture competitions and community events located at community beach park. Browse Homes for Sale in Parksville

Ladysmith Ladysmith was originally named Oyster Harbour. It is a town located on the 49th parallel north on the east coast of Vancouver Island. The local economy is based on forestry, tourism, and agriculture. A hillside location adjacent to a sheltered harbour forms the natural geography of the community and allows for some pretty epic views. There are 2 major marinas in Ladysmith. Ladysmith is home to Transfer Beach where people come from all over the island to partake in concerts, community celebrations, weddings, car shows or just to enjoy the well manicured beach, spray park and playground. Browse Homes for Sale in Ladysmith