Is Nanaimo Too Expensive? Cost of Living in Nanaimo BC

[@Stewart682]

I've lived in Nanaimo for over forty years and I combat the high ferry costs by NEVER going to Vancouver!! 😁😂

[@Nanaimore]

Last time I want over to Vancouver I realized it’s been 3 years since I left the island. Best cost saving measure!!!

[@d.matthews3103]

I moved here a few years ago from Ontario and you’re absolutely correct about the higher costs of living here. My late brother did inform of some of what you mention except for the cost of auto and home insurance. Fortunately, I’ve been able to catch some breaks on the auto insurance due to my age and driving record. As for some other issues, it’s been a challenge keeping costs down, but by shopping smart and comparing prices etc, I’ve been able to manage well enough. It’s important to note that apparently, according to what my friends tell me, costs have really risen in my former home province as well, especially housing and grocery expenses. *sigh* These days, Canadians are taking financial hits in every province. Thank you for your videos. I enjoy them! 👍🏻

[@shana9733]

It makes sense that prices on the island are higher due to the cost of transporting goods here, as you mentioned. However, I compared the prices on Numbeo, groceries in Nanaimo are actually cheaper than in Vancouver, Kelowna, and Montreal. Maybe I'm overlooking something...

[@bradzimmer239]

I moved to Nanaimo from Manitoba in 2016 and quickly learned how expensive paradise was. To be honest, there is no better place in Canada, and the winters were phenomenal. Sadly, I moved back to Manitoba Jan 2020, and have missed it everyday since.

[@Nanaimore]

You. Left. Us!!!

[@catastrophe8509]

Thanks for this breakdown, it's amazing that a lot of people don't think of these things. Keep 'em coming, love your videos ✌️

[@Nanaimore]

I think people just get very excited and distracted about relocating to an island. But there’s a real world cost to living in such an amazing place. Thank you so much for the support! I’m glad to know this helps people.

[@laurencemathewriggs8023]

Ya I live 45 mints out of nanimo. Just to get to work a month it's 240 a month on gas. Even in farmers markets it cost to mutch for food for a family. The island is crazzy expensive to live, and me and my family are getting to the point of selling everything and moving out of province.

[@Nanaimore]

Many people are. They’re very reasonable prices for homes, and the cost of living is significantly lower in the prairies. Unfortunately, it seems living next to the ocean is going to be too costly for many . have you looked north on the island towards Gold River?

[@FootWoodClimbing]

3,6$ for a croissant at Mon petit choux this morning. Coming from France, I was outrageous... I've been to the Cedar farmer market, pastries was terribly expensive as well. Anyway, I've got my croissant at Save on Food for less than a Dollar and it was as good as the one at Mon petit choux ;-) Cost of pastries (living) is probably something that I hate the most in Nanaimo (more than the cellular reception around Hammond bay ;-)) I like your videos, they inspire us. Thank you.

[@Nanaimore]

I absolutely love the roast beef sandwich at Min Petit Choux!!! Thank you for watching!!! what are you doing?

[@transactcredit]

Love the transparency, Scott. Thank you.

[@Nanaimore]

An informed homebuyer is a happy homebuyer. It's best to be upfront so people can focus on how fantastic it's to live in a temperate rainforest without any surprises. I really appreciate the comment and watching our videos!!!

[@allitm4642]

Keep up the great work Scott!! Look forward to more Nanaimo videos!!

[@Nanaimore]

Thanks for watching all my videos and commenting! It really makes all the hard work worthwhile. More to come soon! there’s almost too many things to do out here.

[@corporateshala1553]

Very informative video. Thanks for sharing.

[@Nanaimore]

So happy you liked it!

[@moongirlandsweet]

Hello, my husband is traveling to Nanaimo probably in December or January, but honestly, I’m scared of all the expensive things (rent, food, transportation)

[@troybryant4376]

Very helpful info Scott! You’re the best in the business!

[@Nanaimore]

Thanks, Troy!!!

[@emilbiga1053]

Another great info video!!!

[@Nanaimore]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@twinfeathers1212]

We are thinking of locating there this year. We are currently in Manitoba where it's too cold. My husband is from Calgary. The weather is one of the reasons why we want to move there.

[@Nanaimore]

I made the move out here from Calgary in 2008 and have never been happier. The weather was the biggest reason. But now that I'm here, all the outdoor activities keep me so busy that a rarely leave the island. The Issue is BC.... Bring Cash. It's a very high cost of living when compared to most other places in Canada. If you every want to have a zoom call or have specific questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.

[@lhenry1693]

Expensive as heck to rent, impossible to buy and winters, yea little to no snow, but the dampness is damn cold and no sun during late fall to late spring crap loads of rain, for days and days!!!! Couldnt stand it the dark dismal raining months!!! Never experienced seasonal depression until we moved to Nanaimo!!! Nice place to visit, depressing as heck to live there. Lasted 7 months and had to leave, Alberta might be cold in the winter, but at least we have chinooks and super sunshine most all the time!!!!and its much cheaper with mountains!

[@Nanaimore]

I came from Calgary and loved my time there. But you should never take steps backwards in life. I’m currently having a walk in the fog along the waterfront and it 10 degrees. It’s just so relaxing here. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@worstchoresmadesimple6259]

good approach, shopping at Farmer's markets, to increase savings.

[@AliRaza-pj1xl]

Very nice video 👍

[@Nanaimore]

Thank you for watching and commenting 👍

[@annebenoit4158]

$1600-$1800 a month tax?..lol u mean a year Right.. yes it is affordable more on South end. Budgeting is the key, great information for anyone thinking of moving to Nanaimo

[@Nanaimore]

I have a rather large red mark on my forehead. After posting this video that was pointed out to me. 🤦🏻‍♂️ Thank you for putting this in the comments.

[@lhenry1693]

ROFL!!! South end is even more expensive!!! Want cheaper ya have to go way north, but the entire island isnt cheap compared to any other province in Canada, thats a fact! Car insurance and everything else is expensive !!

[@karenann6853]

The rural Nanaimo areas pay less property tax but we then have rural parcel tax and, at least, in Area A also fire hall tax. Not cheaper at all.

[@patricialight6546]

Just interested to know where you got the statistic about food costs being 25% higher than the rest of Canada?

[@Nanaimore]

Using a website called Nembero and then comparing Nanaimo to all other capital cities in Canada. Comapared prices for milk, bread, rice, eggs, cheese, and chicken and roughly average the percentage difference. I was a bit shocked to say the least.

[@audhdcreativity5899]

We pay for being on an island... it costs more to bring the food from the mainland... which is why island food security is one of my priorities!!! More farming and food production on the island is necessary to keep island life sustainable ♡

[@BlueAlgon]

Thanks for the video. Informative. The background music wasn't the most exciting. Perhaps too loud and slightly distractive over your voice.

[@anneballantyne3766]

Thank you, I guess I’ll stay in Saskatoon. 😊

[@a2b716]

Plus buying from local farmers helps to invest in future food security should the supply chains to Vancouver Island become immobilized again, just like they did during the pandemic, and then again during major weather events here and from the food geographical origins, labour disputes etc when suddenly the grocery store shelves started going empty. Ensuring that local industries and suppliers are thriving means we are more resilient to future crises. People here forget that this is an island and what that entails logistically, and that without the 95+% of food that gets imported to this island we will die, and we will start fighting each other for dwindling resources in the process. So why not start buying that food locally and build local food economies to prevent the inevitable from ever happening?

[@paulacervio2125]

Great info! I ve had one question how is the ferry trip is it usually bouncing a lot or is more like a peaceful ride? I m asking 'cause I usually suffer from dizziness when traveling by sea. Thank you!

[@Nanaimore]

Good question! Because the Sailish sea is a small channel between Vancouver Island, and the West Coast of Canada, the waves they relatively low. However, there are extreme examples of large storms where the boats are rocking quite violently. Obviously, if this is the case you can choose not to travel, but these are beyond rare.

[@paulacervio2125]

@@Nanaimore thank you for your answer! Looking forward to visiting Nanaimo!

[@Nanaimore]

@@paulacervio2125 if your looking for a good restaurant, visit “the Nest” downtown. It currently my favourite 👍

[@mrharry8466]

$2 Canadian dollars for a litre. What a bargain. U.K prices are bonkers. 😉👍

[@Nanaimore]

Agreed. I went to school in Finland years ago and prices for petrol were stupid expensive. Thanks for watching and commenting, mate!

[@amirmohsen5]

UK is generally a very expensive country, particularly the south. But it has far better public transport and when I lived there, I never needed to own a car. Here, I bought one in the first two weeks. Also, I never struggled to find a GP in the UK. Good luck finding a family doctor in Nanaimo! I mean I love a lot of things about living on Vancouver Island, but I also miss my cozy life in the UK.

[@user-yt1nt8jb9f]

It’s not just this one place it’s most of Canada

[@yichispiritual]

Even the price in save on goods is higher?

[@Nanaimore]

Save-on-foods is one of the more expensive grocery chains.

[@thenagustina6254]

I've watched videos on KZbin about homeless, drug addict & criminal problems in Nanaimo. Is it true? Is it still happening?

[@Nanaimore]

There’s a small group or homeless and addicts in the immediate downtown core near the Salvation Army as that’s where there housing is located. I’ve lived here for 14 years without an issue. Unfortunately there will always be these issue in city’s where the weather is warm and there’s strong social support programs.

[@thenagustina6254]

Thank you for replying. I enjoy your channel. I look forward to see more videos on Nanaimo and other areas around BC. Cheers!

[@wanderingmirage]

1500 to 1800 per month for taxes? did you mean year?

[@hank3571]

How much are taxes in the RDN? 1500-1800 per MONTH? Do you mean per year?

[@Nanaimore]

For smaller properties that roughly the amount for annual taxes in the RDN. They have increased in the last year. If you're looking for a larger property in some of the newer devemplments they can be double that.

[@Alinafox_official]

I plan move to Canada Nanaimo . I like to know we’re I need to do license for work with nails and tatto ? Thank you 😊

[@Nanaimore]

Hello! If you want to know more about a business like this, look into Island Health. Here’s a link to the resources www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/tattoos-piercings-tanning/tattoos-piercings-tanning

[@Alinafox_official]

@@Nanaimore thank you 🙏🏻

[@doozeybig4130]

The City of Nanaimo has the highest tax per person of any place on the island. The City council is horrible

[@Nanaimore]

Any chance you can link to this statistic? I’d love to do a video about this concept.

[@doozeybig4130]

I had to email you because this platform will not let me share the link

[@brettfriesen7]

It's well deserved Nanaimo elected NDP mayor that believes there are no homeless problem and to fence everything up

[@doozeybig4130]

@@brettfriesen7 Yes, that is a good point. The City council also just approved a 7.3 percent property tax hike. Completely unsustainable and irresponsible

[@brettfriesen7]

@@doozeybig4130 I was born and raised there it's sad to see the state and direction it keeps heading

[@LemonTree288]

2000/year？for insurance policy? 1m home?

[@Nanaimore]

I just saw a insurance quote for $1 million home roughly $2200 annually.

[@LemonTree288]

@@Nanaimore thanks for your sharing. Not sure why that’s so expensive, because of earthquakes? I live at Halifax DT over 1m. Insurance from TD. Coverage up to 3m all kind of package in, 1000 deduction. I pay roughly 800-900/year…….we don’t have earthquake here but we have storms lol

[@Nanaimore]

@@LemonTree288 deductible for earthquake insurance, and some cases is between 25% and 50% of the replacement value of the home. Many people don’t read that part of the policy.

[@Nanaimore]

@@starchysocks If you read the fine print on most homeowner policies, few events are fully covered.

[@bingus9984]

Man 4k in property taxes!

[@Nanaimore]

All the people moving here from Toronto, Ottawa, and Vancouver think it's low. For locals it feels very expensive. BC stands for Bring Cash!

[@dallassegno]

food cost lie as usual

[@Nanaimore]

Deep mind. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@ryananderson5202]

It's just the same video topic over and over and over. Lol

[@Nanaimore]

I like your videos

[@powshredder3716]

YES it's too expensive because of vultures like this guy

[@Nanaimore]

Fire trucks are really water trucks.

[@barniclebobca]

your obviously from away fella ? We need cheep RV spots were people can live . Simple solution to homelessness DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA