Busting Vancouver Island Myths - Canadian Island Living

[@marvinxi]

Quiet dude... gotta keep this paradise on the DL... Truth is we have three of the top apex predators here on the island and a fourth just arrived... it rains all the time and it's expensive as all heck... it's fine to "visit" and spend your money in the city, but the natural spaces are far too wild and dangerous and should be avoided at all costs.

[@Nanaimore]

I heard a grizzly and a cubs were spotted on the island!!!

[@davidford694]

And the winter months are VERY dreary. Don't see the sun.

[@Nanaimore]

@@davidford694 you need to go outside to see the sun.

[@gregpastic6910]

You are so right. My father said the same thing about Toronto in the 1960's when city officials were calling it "Toronto The Good" and boasting about how safe it was to be downtown at 2 a.m. "Be QUIET!" he'd shout. "Every crook in Detroit and Buffalo will hear about 'easy pickings' and head over here." And that's what happened!

[@davidford694]

@@Nanaimore I think I knew that.

[@Sunshinecoastphotography]

Great video! We moved to the island from Halfmoon Bay on the Sunshine Coast about a year and a half ago. We took a trip to Quadra one day, stayed for 3 days and a couple of days in Campbell River and were amazed at how beautiful the area is and there are so many amenities as well. We moved to Campbell River and have never looked back. We have more than enough water here, while the Sunshine Coast has had water restrictions every year that make it hard to have a veggie garden. In 2022, on the Sunshine Coast, we were not allowed to use any outside water until December 14! The problem is going to get worse as all the new development there adds new subdivisions every year. In CR, we have 2 highways to head to the ferry, if we need to, but on the SC, only one highway, single lane for most of the way and anything, trees falling down, garbage day, school busses or construction can really slow down a trip to or from the ferry. You don't move to the island if you'll be needing to take the ferry to Vancouver often.. Campbell River is a much easier place to live than Halfmoon Bay is, especially for boaters, as there are so many more options for getting boat work done in CR or between CR and Nanaimo. We had to wait several months, but we did get in to a great marina that is minutes from our home. There are just so many more options for different businesses in general in CR and finding people to do whatever work you need done is not hard at all.. Also, the weather in CR is essentially the same as in HMB. CR might get a little heavier rain at times, but it's very temperate and not much snow, but it can get a foot of snow like it does on the Sunshine Coast. In 2023, it snowed in HMB before it snowed in CR. Campbell River has such amazing ocean views and lots of trails for walking or biking. The city does a decent job of keeping it up as well, but like everywhere else, there is some drug fueled crime and homeless people. No different from Sechelt though, or any other city. CR has a very diverse population and the people we meet say they would never want to live anywhere else.

[@emhast2516]

In Nanaimo, I can bear watch right outside my windows because all the newbies islander leave their garbage out the night before. 😂

[@Nanaimore]

No argument here!! Thanks so much for watching and commenting ❤

[@gjmarc]

Yes it took us several years of exploring Island real estate. Ventured from Comox to Victoria, we kept coming back to one place though and eventually we moved to Cowichan Bay 4 years ago. Ferry.. well we don't go unless we have a reservation. Now there is the Hullo passenger ferry and have used it several times over to Vancouver, usually for just a day as that is all I can take after living there for 26 years. I grew up in Ontario and left when I was 30, I always dread having to go back there.

[@Nanaimore]

My current record holder is six years looking for the perfect island home. These things take time and nobody should rush into moving to Vancouver Island. Thanks for taking the time to comment and watching our videos. So happy you’re here with us on the island ❤

[@in2minutesorless64]

Scott, please consider doing a video about the fall colours on the island. Big tx

[@Nanaimore]

I promise you’llsee something like that in the next few weeks.

[@bobseguin2195]

I live on the island, endured 8 hour waits for that crappy ferry, book reservations if you can, eat before you get on......

[@Nanaimore]

I eondorse this message.

[@Jewelmind]

I agree, the greedy ferry corp. Is outrageous. They are catering to the rich and famous 😂 this should be a part of our highway system.

[@stevietalk1]

@@Jewelmindthat would mean your taxes would go up even more & making reservations is NOT for rich 😜

[@angusmoffat]

Here in Sooke, Bears are everywhere. You'll see a lot of signs warning of frequent bear sightings!

[@Nanaimore]

@@angusmoffat I’d believe that. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@Forheavenssake1ify]

An optimistic assessment. The reality is primary industries- logging and commercial fishing exist, but are almost extinct. For example, logging is heavily impacted by US saftwood tariffs. Tourism is a much more pivotal industry than stated. Real estate is also an important industry, definitely, but curtailed by the ferry system.

[@Nanaimore]

It’s better to be an optimist than a pessimist.

[@twiceuponatime886]

I live here. The cougar population is more and we’ve had 3 bad snow winters the last 3 years in a row and need full winter gear

[@Nanaimore]

@@twiceuponatime886 Which orange came first-the color or the fruit?

[@Jewelmind]

The ferry is definitely expensive, and not enough ferries. Also, the ferry corp. put in a 2 teir paying system. Which is a greedy money grab. So instead of $40 to cross, its actually $60. Unless you want to wait 6 hours in the scorching sun

[@gregpastic6910]

Great video! I love the concept of 'myth busting.' I left Ontario two and a half years ago and found a very affordable property in the Cowichan Valley six minutes drive to Duncan. If I had known thirty years ago how amazing life can be on the island, I would have moved my entire family here. Everything you say about this region is right on point. Your admission that the thought of ever leaving the island is a difficult one, says it all. Once you've been here, it's hard to imagine being anywhere else. And once you live here, there is nowhere else you'd rather live. I am sharing your video on my Facebook page! Most of my friends are in Ontario and Quebec and I'm sure they'll love it.

[@Nanaimore]

Thank you for the kind words! I’m so happy you found a great place in the Cowichan in Valley. It’s such a beautiful area. Personally, I’d give anything to live in Maple Bay, but with young children, it makes the most sense to remain in Nanaimo. I appreciate you sharing it with your friends. Thanks again for watching and commenting ❤

[@ubiquitousLeees]

I’m so grateful that you shared the island life with us. Today marks 1 year since we arrived, and we’ll never look back. 🖤

[@Nanaimore]

Happy to have you here. Everyone deserves to live in paradise. That’s for watching and commenting neighbour ❤

[@ubiquitousLeees]

@@Nanaimore happy to see you resuming your art! 🖤

[@charliepickard4875]

Love our Island. been here 14 years now. It's paradise. All the negative comment folks should choose another place to move to. Life is Good Here. People are friendly and helpful and smile a lot. We have every right to do so....

[@Nanaimore]

“If you feel stuck, move. You’re not a tree”. I love that saying.

[@elizabethnystrom9593]

Great video. I just moved to Nanaimo and looking for more things to explore

[@Nanaimore]

If you’re looking for a super short, fun little hike, I would highly recommend going to Sugarloaf Mountain. Great place for some pictures at sunrise or sunset. Thanks so much for watching and commenting. Happy to have you here ❤

[@huskavarnapunkband]

Try vancouver

[@Nanaimore]

@@huskavarnapunkband climate change makes spiders bigger.

[@yurkshirelad]

We toured various towns on the east coast of the island last month, and didn't see a single bear. Much to my wife's disappointment. Hmm. I'll have to check our life insurance policy for coverage on hugging bears.

[@Nanaimore]

@@yurkshirelad the only time I’ve seen them was going after my garbage. I can’t tell you home much time I spend WAY OUT into the woods and seen nothing but deer and elk. My guess is that they have a lot of food on the remote coastlines and stay far away from the hairless monkeys.

[@sincerewyd2285]

FACT: Sasquatch beings have been witnessed swimming across from the mainland. Island hoping to Vancouver Island. - A First Nations indigenous native from the Ojibwa tribe, Ebb and Flow, Manitoba. Resident of the lowermainland for over 30 years

[@Nanaimore]

Dammit. Now I have to go Sasquatch hunting. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@cst99003]

Enjoyed the video. Dont forgot the Grizzly bears. Black and Grizzly are not the same thing.

[@Nanaimore]

Agreed. But when they're eating me, I won't be concerned with the biological species.

[@cst99003]

@@Nanaimore true that.

[@BarryGagnon-z1c]

Loved your video, but what about health ins. for me wanting to escape California?

[@Nanaimore]

Shouldn’t be an issue once you are a resident. My uncle recently relocated from the USA for similar reasons.

[@trubblewithgrandpa]

Think the "Hills of West Virginia, Canadian style"....You'll get the idea.....

[@Nanaimore]

Is that where you hail from my grumpy friend?

[@kennethbaigent4739]

Best place to live in canada..if your homeless

[@Nanaimore]

@@kennethbaigent4739 shouldn’t you be working?

[@RolloVisionAir]

I have plenty of reasons to leave Nanaimo. It has become more seedy and unfriendly over your time here. Garbage, needles, empty, partially used, or entirely unopened pill bottles are regularly found in our streets and trails. along with abandoned or currently occupied homeless camps. I have found used needles in every park. This will continue as long as the province gives free opioids to the addicted. I would not choose to raise children in such a place.

[@Nanaimore]

You really need to move out of downtown. This is much like saying East Hastings represents all of Vancouver.

[@robertsemenoff4970]

Ya the ferry too expensive. Foot passengers pay $20 one way...were subsidizing heavy vehicle and thats bullshit

[@trubblewithgrandpa]

The climate is nice, the weather is terrible. The ferries are unreliable and expensive. The freeways have traffic lights everywhere making hiway travel a chore. Most specialized medical care requires leaving the Island. The hospitals are overcrowded and unkept. Homelessness is rampant as well as associated crime. A disturbing number of dwelling appear run down uninhabitable (paint is unheard of). There is a great tendency for residents to dispose of garbage, furniture and appliances along any side road. The overwhelming attitude among residents is to have the "government do everything" to compensate a complete lack of personal responsibility. There is total hypocrisy on the environment, a complete lack of stewardship by residents and governments. Mostly to be noticed by the stench from pulp mills everywhere you travel. After many years on Vancouver Island, those are the real observations of Island life....

[@Nanaimore]

@@trubblewithgrandpa you seem lonely. You should get a dog 👍

[@jessekiks]

I agree with most these things.

[@stevelavery4766]

Visited Vancouver Island (lived in White Rock 30 years)… no idea where you lived but in 100’s of visits up and down the island … I have no idea what you’re saying. Did you buy a house beside a smoke stack? Wtf? Also… keep spreading the word ‘)

[@cameronlarocque464]

Made by someone who has not lived here very long at all mostof these are down played

[@Nanaimore]

Who made this?

[@thecount1001]

Zeballos, Holberg and Gold RIver baby! come get your reasonable real estate and proper rural living!

[@Nanaimore]

Yup... thats where I plan to retire to in the future. Fantastic area.

[@miji2286]

@@Nanaimore Please consider doing a video at on Gold River at some point. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

[@JohnRyan-f2n]

This island should be a wildlife reserve

[@Nanaimore]

It is!!! Have you met some of the animals out here? It’s a wild life on the island. Thanks for watching and commenting ❤

[@huskavarnapunkband]

The surrey residents have already focused their next moves to mid island. Watch out.!!!

[@Nanaimore]

I met with Jack and Sally at L’ilette Boulangerie this morning. What’s wrong with them coming here from Surrey? They seem nice to me…

[@greghorne8678]

Not your Island to sell.

[@Nanaimore]

Treat objections as requests for further information.

[@stephenweber5314]

Posting these videos is ruining the island.

[@Nanaimore]

@@stephenweber5314 Every broken clock tells you the exact time it passed away.

[@stephenweber5314]

@@Nanaimoreare you a realtor trying to drum up business?

[@Nanaimore]

@@stephenweber5314 just trying to keep the beat. Everyone needs a creative outlet. What’s yours?

[@stephenweber5314]

@@Nanaimorewhat the hell does that even mean?

[@1122nickthegreat1122]

Typical real estate agents - go back to the mainland and pump some condos there

[@Kylelyon-pt1ls]

Send me those links please to see hidden gems!

[@susanhenderson2322]

Ferry service unreliable and expensive, cost of living high, to much rain, to many retirees sticking their uninvited noses into everone else's business. Homeless population is exploding along with drug use.

[@Nanaimore]

So why don’t you leave? Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@loveorama]

Rain isn't required to be gloomy

[@Nanaimore]

Word

[@billoldfield2843]

bring cash gas property taxes food booze not cheap here

[@Nanaimore]

@@billoldfield2843 learn to walk. Choose to rent. Drink water. Grow what you eat. Fixed it for you 👍

[@Diesel735]

Ferries are not relaxing! Fees are ridiculous.... Breakdowns are common....Lineups and waits are frustrating. Try towing trailer to the island $$$$. You could drive to the Okanagan and back and still save money.

[@Nanaimore]

You need to chill out bud. Try living here. Very relaxing.

[@Islandguy385]

I have one question why are you doing this it’s already to crowded please find another place to promote

[@Nanaimore]

You do realize by commenting it promotes the video further to other users? Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@Michaelblecich]

ferries are a joke and over priced...crime in Victoria is as bad as east vancouver, the province stole and then illegally sold 80% of the island to forrest companies that log old growth....illegally ...110km hwy is only north of nanaimo...there are cougars and bears and every small town has a micro climate..snowing in ladysmith? It's hot and sunny 20 min south ...stay away from vancouver island.. we like it quiet and relatively tourist free...go to Spain...😊

[@Nanaimore]

Drawbridge mentality.

[@Michaelblecich]

@@Nanaimore yes now float off

[@trubblewithgrandpa]

You should get a life....

[@Nanaimore]

I'm living the island life, my friend!

[@christinecamley]

Coming from Vancouver Nanaimo is a hole. I don't recommend it.

[@Nanaimore]

@@christinecamley what’s Vancouver Nanaimo?