Moving to Nanaimo

[Foxglove]

Hi there, I'm going to be moving to Nanaimo next year at the end of April. I'm coming from Ottawa, Ontario. I was wondering what areas should I start my apartment searching. If there are places to avoid living. Any help would be awesome. Thanks.

[Geoff]

Hi Foxglove and welcome in advance. As a frequent visitor to Nanaimo, I know Nanaimo fairly well. As for areas to apartment search, outskirts of the downtown area may be one area to try.. Are you looking to be close to somewhere like school? Maybe near VIU would work for you.

[Foxglove]

Oh gosh no. I'm so done with school, haha. I just want to be somewhere, where there isn't a lot of people, bus accessible, and somewhere I can work. Commuting doesn't matter to me, as living in Ottawa, it's a huge place and I have a 1hr commute to work on the bus. Now, I've never been to Nanaimo, but I love nature, and being near a forest would be a plus. But I'm sure I'm asking too much, lol.

[Geoff]

Oh ok. A lot of people I have come across on here move here for school, is why I mentioned school. Nanaimo doesn't have a lot of people. It is bus accessible, but not the best bus accessible. Being near a forest isn't asking too much. There are areas in Nanaimo, and quite a few where being near a forest would work.

[Foxglove]

See I keep flip-flopping between Nanaimo and Victoria. Now I've never been to either. But I'm sure Victoria is more city-like, even though it's a lot smaller than Ottawa, than I can handle. I don't like the hustle and bustle of city life. Plus nature is a must. I'm tired of looking at buildings all the time. Mountains would be a super bonus. So I'm sure I'll end up Nanaimo. But who knows, right now, I'm still aiming at Nanaimo.

[Geoff]

Victoria is more city like. It has nature, but may be too much city for you. Aim for Nanaimo. It has a lot of good Victoria doesn't ( like affordability ). If you still feel Victoria works, don't let me stand in your way. But I am a Nanaimo fan too, and going with Nanaimo wouldn't be a bad move.

[Foxglove]

Yeah see, that was the thing. Apartment searching, I've done extensive in both cities, you seem to get more bang for your buck in Nanaimo. And I'm ALL about saving money. As my rent is almost $800 as it is, and I want to bring it down to at least $650 when I move, whether or not that's inclusive is another story, but whatever. Nanaimo seems to have pretty decent size apartments for under $800 which is awesome for me.

[Geoff]

I'd find it tough to disagree with getting more bang for your buck in Nanaimo. You wouldn't here and you sure wouldn't in Vancouver. You are a bit like me, I am all about saving money, and I totally understand you want to bring your rent down to a reasonable level. Judging by from what I have seen and heard your chances of finding something under $800 in Nanaimo are really good. I lucked out here in Victoria as I only pay $320. Still, if I moved I couldn't see lucking out a second time here in Victoria.

[Foxglove]

Well they seem to have some nice places. I mean I saw some big one bedrooms, like 660sq ft for like $600 + utilities I'm sure. But, it's still a lot cheaper than what I'm paying now, even though I'm inclusive. Now I'm not sure what work is like out there, but in case I don't get a job that pays as well the one I have now, I need to make sure I can pay bills and the like. Damn those OSAP loans, haha. And $320 is a rockin deal. Sounds like a major score for sure. I don't know how you managed that one, but I hope I have some wicked luck when I move. It's going to cost enough as it is. But I'm hoping to get there for under 1K. Thank you cheap shipping greyhound, lol.

[Geoff]

660 sqft for $600 + utilities isn't too bad a deal, compared to what you are paying now. I'm not sure on what work is like there either, but having something reasonable enough to pay for things is no doubt a must. But who knows maybe you will luck out and find one that pays as well as what you have now. $320 is a good deal for sure. Not the best, or most glamorous place, or even the best neighborhood, but it does the job. It is adequate and the building is too. A major score, especially here, and I along with others don't know how that one got pulled off. I guess it does pay to shop around, and I did no shortage of that. Hopefully luck is on your side, and it'll be a costly move. I'm hopeful that it will be worth it for you. I think it will be.