Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Pipers Lagoon Park (Ocean views and rocky bluffs)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Buttertubs Marsh Regional Park (Urban nature sanctuary)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Beach fires are generally prohibited; use designated fire pits at Rathtrevor Beach (30 mins drive)
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Mount Benson Regional Park (Difficult hike, panoramic views)
- National Parks Nearby
- Pacific Rim National Park Reserve (Approx. 2.5 hours drive to Tofino)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- E&N Trail (Paved path across the city), Westwood Lake Trail
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Canada Post, UPS Store (Metral Drive), FedEx
- Tech Repair Services
- London Drugs Tech Services, Simply Computing (Apple authorized)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Nanaimo Table Tennis Club at Bowen Park
- Language Classes
- Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society (CVIMS)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Nanaimo Harbourfront Library (Large windows with ocean views)
- Community Centers
- Beban Park Recreation Centre
- Gaming Lounges
- Drop Zone Gaming (E-sports and PC lounge)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Great Canadian Casino Nanaimo (Downtown)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $6,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $260,000 CAD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $5,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $208,000 CAD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $6,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $360,000 CAD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $4,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $288,000 CAD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $5,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $464,000 CAD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $4,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $360,000 CAD)
- Corporate Tax
- 27% (12% Federal + 15% BC Provincial)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 25% standard for non-residents (often reduced to 5-15% via treaties)
- Tax System
- Residency-based; residents taxed on worldwide income
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 53.5% (Federal and Provincial combined on income over $240k)
- VAT
- 12% Total (5% GST + 7% PST)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, 'Foreign Accrual Property Income' (FAPI) rules apply
- Property Tax
- Annual property tax based on BC Assessment value (Approx. 0.5% - 0.7%)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Property Transfer Tax: 1% on first $200k, 2% on remainder up to $2M
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific digital nomad visa; high tax burden but stable legal system
Essentials
- City
- Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
- Population
- 100,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 150-300 Mbps via Telus Fiber or Shaw/Rogers
- Currency & Banking
- 1 CAD ≈ 0.74 USD; Major banks include RBC, TD, and Scotiabank
- Tap Water
- Drinkable, high quality from South Fork Water Treatment Plant
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets
- SIM Card
- Telus, Rogers, Bell (approx. $50/mo for 20GB); Public Mobile for budget
- Banking for Expats
- RBC Newcomer Advantage, TD New to Canada Banking; Wise and Revolut widely used
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, VRBO, and local rentals via Facebook Marketplace (Approx. $1,800 - $2,400/mo)
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, contactless payments/Tap-to-pay accepted almost everywhere
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb (approx. $120-$200/night), Painted Turtle Guesthouse
- Budget Accommodation
- The Painted Turtle Guesthouse (Dorm beds from $45 CAD, Private rooms from $95 CAD)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Downtown/Old City Quarter (near the Harbourfront Walkway)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Departure Bay (scenic, quiet, near ferry) or North Nanaimo (modern amenities and shopping)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Network Hub Nanaimo (Downtown) - Day passes approx. $30, Monthly from $350
- Best Cafe for Work
- Regard Coffee Roasters (North Nanaimo) or White Rabbit Coffee Co. (Old City)
- Networking Events
- Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals, Tech Island Meetups
- Social Events for Expats
- Nanaimo Newcomers Club, Vancouver Island Expats Facebook Group
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uride (Local ride-hailing app), AC Taxi Nanaimo
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Oak Bay Bikes Nanaimo (Daily rentals approx. $45-$75)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Departure Bay Beach (Public access, swimming, paddleboarding)
- Top Regional Airline
- Pacific Coastal Airlines, Harbour Air (Floatplanes to Vancouver from $130)
- Top International Airline
- Air Canada, WestJet (via Nanaimo Airport YCD)
- Highway Access
- Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1) and Island Highway (Hwy 19)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Downtown Transit Exchange (Front Street); VI Connector for island-wide buses
- Public Transport Passes
- Nanaimo Regional Transit: Single trip $2.50, Day pass $5.00, Monthly $70
- Regional Travel
- BC Ferries (Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay), Hullo Fast Ferry (Downtown to Vancouver in 70 mins, $35-$40)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH) on Dufferin Crescent
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Mode Yoga Nanaimo (Approx. $20/drop-in), OmTown Yoga
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Nanaimo Ice Centre/Aquatic Centre ($7/drop-in), Nanaimo Athletic Club ($60/mo)
- Laundry Services
- The Laundry Room (Terminal Ave), approx. $4.00 per wash/dry
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- SkipTheDishes, DoorDash, UberEats
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Nanaimo Bar (Original recipe found at Hearthstone Artisan Bakery or Perkins Coffee)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Eve Olive (Vegan fine dining), Gabriel's Cafe (Farm-to-table vegetarian options)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Nanaimo Bakery & Confectionery, Real Food Made Easy
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Nanaimo Country Grocer, Fairway Market (for Asian imports)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.ca, Indigo.ca
- Grocery Delivery
- Instacart, Save-On-Foods Delivery
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Commercial Street (Downtown); The Vault Cafe for live music
- Local Brewery
- White Sails Brewing (Mount Benson IPA), Longwood Brewery
- Wine Bars
- The Nest Bistro (Excellent wine list with local BC selections)
- Street Food Stalls
- Mambo Pizza (Late night slices), Food trucks at Maffeo Sutton Park (Summer)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Nori Japanese Restaurant (High-end sushi), Baby Salsa (Authentic Mexican)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Bastion (Hudson's Bay Company fort from 1853), Harbourfront Walkway
- Museums & Art Venues
- Nanaimo Museum ($2 admission), Nanaimo Art Gallery
- Historical Sites
- Saysutshun (Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park) - Indigenous heritage site
- Religious Sites
- St. Paul's Anglican Church (Historic stone architecture)
- Annual Events
- Nanaimo Marine Festival & World Championship Bathtub Race (July)
- Cultural Districts
- Old City Quarter (Boutiques, historic architecture, and local food)
- Theater Venues
- Port Theatre (Downtown, 800-seat performing arts center)
- Local Markets
- Nanaimo Night Market (Summer Thursdays), Island Connect Farm Market
- Music Scene
- The Queens (Live rock/blues), Diners Rendezvous
- Street Art
- Murals throughout the Old City Quarter and Hub City Cinema art walls
- Cooking Classes
- House of Rice (Traditional Asian cooking classes)
- Art Galleries
- Artzi Stuff (Local artisan focus), Hill's Native Art
- Historic Buildings
- Nanaimo Courthouse (Neo-classical design on Front St)
- Local Heritage
- Coal mining history represented by the 'Hub City' nickname