Cinnabar Valley
This is a very pleasant community between Chase River and Extension, about ten minutes south of downtown Nanaimo. Cinnabar Valley is a green place between two ridges, and parts of it are very old and interesting.
Most of the residents of Cinnabar Valley work in Nanaimo, and it appears that these residents have been able to build some very nice homes, perhaps because of the (relative) distance from the city. There are a lot of great views of the valley and beyond, because many homes are situated high on the slopes of either ridge.
Along bus routes? There is one bus that comes down here from Nanaimo, every hour or so.
Bad part of town? No.
Nearby parks: Extension Ridge, Morden Colliery Park, Nanaimo River