The University District
Not to be confused with College Heights, the "University District" (aka college area) is a new name for the parts of Harewood closest to Vancouver Island University (formerly Malaspina U-C). There are some efforts to give this name to all of Harewood, but this may never come to fruition entirely. Most people would say that the University District encompasses most of Harewood, down the hill from VIU until Bruce Avenue, south to 7th St perhaps, and north to 2nd St or Comox Ave.
This area is quiet if you're not on Wakesiah, Bruce, or Fifth, and University Village (formerly Harewood Mall) is nearby, with a Quality Foods, Value Village, Starbucks, Subway, Shoppers Drug Mart, and more. There is some property crime here, and some drunken shouting and fighting at night, especially near the 7-11 at Fifth and Bruce. But it isn't out of hand, and there aren't a lot of homeless or junkies like in some of the areas closer to downtown and parts of South Nanaimo.
Homes in the University District mostly come from every era: There are old character homes, many of them wonderfully maintained; there are also newer homes, and everything in between.
Along bus routes? Yes.
Bad part of town? Some parts could be a little better.
Back to Nanaimo Neighbourhoods page
Historic map of the University District, 1955 (the university's present site is marked)
