Moving to Nanaimo soon for School. Have some Qs

[Spanish_Thunder]

Hey everyone, I'm moving to Nanaimo in July,with my girlfriend. We are both going to be students at Malaspina. From what we've heard and what we've seen (Just browsing through the Internet and some brochures. We want to drive down there on May long weekend to take a peek), we think it would be a great place to stay for university. I just had a few questions about Nanaimo, just wondering if anyone can answer them:

> What is the average cost for rent? Both bachelor and 2 bedroom.

> Is everything in moderate walking distance? If not, what is the transit system like?

> My friend told me that islands have an " Island tax" is that true? If so, how does it work?

> I heard from one source that employment is hard to find in Nanaimo. But, I heard from a different source that the unemployment rate was at 6.3%. Based on your experience, what is employment like in Nanaimo?

> If there are any other students living in apartments out there, what is your average Monthly spending like?

Thanks to anyone who replies, this really helps us a lot !

[sarah1234]

"Island tax" - You've got some pretty funny friends! Besides the ferry fare if you want to go to the mainland, there is no such thing.

Nanaimo is pretty spread out, but if you're living near the university you should be able to find everything you need in a 5-10 km radius. I don't know much about the transit system, rent prices, or employment opportunities for part-time work. I did work at Sportmart when I was in university, and it was an awesome job as I got my sporting goods at below cost, which was unreal when I was still snowboarding and golfing!

I graduated from Mal, love the school. Good cafeteria food

Good luck!

[riverrat]

Between walking and intelligent use of the buses, it's easy to live here - just make sure you get a place that isn't farther north than, say, Townsite Rd, if you can help it.

Can't say what rent prices are like - I have a whole house (2.5 bdrm rancher) on Protection Island (15 min paddle from downtown) that costs less than 800/mo. Sounds like the same thing in Harewood would cost, maybe, 1250?

Employment is easier in some industries than in others. What can you and your girlfriend do for work? I think there's lots of retail, and restaurant, and tourism, and some tech, and lots of construction....

Welcome!

[stanley strazza]

Spanish Thunder.....the only thing I know about anything resembling a tax to the Island here is, the Nanaimo Harbour Commission receives a buck a head from any tranportation carrier that lands people here.........a down-right tax grab as usual.....the walking distances are not to great, just ups and downs (hills that is) ......Stan (the man) Strazza

[Ceilidh]

Hey there. If you live in the harewood/southend it's a 5-40 min walk to the school depending on where exactly you are(tends to be longer going to the school as it's uphill, but a lot faster on the way home). The bus system kinda sucks, but if you know the schedule and time your travel accordingly, it works out OK. As for rent, we've been really lucky getting two and three bedroom houses for under 900 a month. try this website, it's fantastic and the company is great, http://www.islandrent.com/listings.htm . I'm not sure about how it is getting a job here, so I can't help you with that. But if you don't have a car, I would definitely recomend living a lot closer to the school (as I said before the transit system kinda sucks, buses go about once an hour, as opposed to say every 5 minutes in Van.) Good luck!

[Sly fox]

The bus system kinda sucks, but if you know the schedule and time your travel accordingly, it works out OK.

Actuall I tried using the Transit system for getting around for 6 months last year and found it very easy. Then again I live really close to the harbour front and its an quick easy walk. IF you can find a place around departure Bay it only takes 15 minutes to get to the north end where the malls are. Plus departure Bay is close to several grocery stores.

[Apathy]

They better not come up with an Island tax!!!