Everyone who visits Vancouver Island, is wowed by the beauty of the Island. With charming towns and gorgeous cities, stunning forests, wildlife, culture and adventure, Vancouver Island is a special place. So special in fact, that between 2014 and 2021, over 89,000 people decided to permanently call Vancouver Island home! There’s a lot to consider before moving but if a relocation to Vancouver Island has been on your mind, we’re here to give you a better idea if the move is right for you!
Whether you’re thinking about just trying out the Vancouver Island lifestyle or you need a rental to bridge the gap between landing here and a permanent Vancouver Island address, EMR is the best place to start! Not only does EMR offer short term and mid term rentals, but you can find an incredible selection of family homes, downtown condos, waterfront properties and more to choose from all over Vancouver Island. With EMR you’re sure to find exactly the kind of property you need to make your relocation easy and fun!
About Vancouver Island
- Vancouver Island is a large Island at approximately 31,000 km² with a population of almost 900,000 people off the coast of British Columbia.
- There are around 500 communities all across the Island that vary greatly in size, amenities, and location so it’s important to decide what kind of Island lifestyle you’re looking for.
- With the mildest climate in all of Canada, Vancouver Islanders enjoy warm summers and mild winters – which means incredible outdoor activities year-round! Here, you really can ski, golf and surf all in the same day!
For more in depth information about moving to and living on the wild West Coast, check out these resources!
Welcome BC: A Government of BC website that provides helpful information for anyone looking to relocate to B.C., including an excellent page exclusively for information about working on Vancouver Island.
Vancouver Island Economic Alliance (VIEA): A registered non-government, non-profit society that promotes regional economic development through collaborative partnerships with members. This website provides detailed maps and regional information about the various communities on Vancouver Island.
Is Vancouver Island Affordable?
This is an important question when you’re considering a move. Generally speaking, the cost of living on Vancouver Island is high compared to cities in Alberta and Manitoba but people coming from the Lower Mainland BC or Ontario especially Metro Vancouver and Toronto will find that the cost of living on the Island is relatively similar if not more manageable.
This question also comes down to where on the Island you choose to live – are you hoping to live in the heart of Victoria, in the countryside of the Cowichan Valley or are you looking for an oasis on one of the stunning Gulf Islands? These choices will affect the cost of living that goes beyond house prices.
You’ll also want to consider:
- Transportation costs (ex. Ferries, fuel costs)
- Work and commuting
- Access to amenities and attractions
- Schools and community services
This cost of living calculator is an incredibly helpful tool to make an informed decision about how much it’ll cost to live in various regions on the Island.
Vancouver Island Housing Options and Resources
- There are many types of housing options on Vancouver Island from large family homes to chic condos and everything in between but the housing available will vary largely by the area you’re in.
- In the cities you’re more likely to find a wider variety of housing while in the country and near small towns, you may have a harder time finding condos and townhouses.
- The first step is to figure out where you want to live on Vancouver Island and what type of housing you’ll need to create a search with your criteria.
- The one thing that is important to note is that housing on Vancouver Island can be very expensive, especially in Greater Victoria and Nanaimo.
- For more information about renting, check the Find a Place to Live page or download the Newcomer’s Guide on the Welcome BC website and check the links below!
- If you’re looking for real estate on Vancouver Island, there’s no getting around it: it can take time! You have to be willing to go to showings and open houses and be prepared to put in offers that don’t always pan out. It’s an adventure and can be stressful but there’s a silver lining!
EMR has lovely short term and long term homes of every type all over Vancouver Island so you can settle in and start living the Island lifestyle right away while you look! Below, there are some incredible resources linked that will help you find your new home on Vancouver Island!
Vancouver Island Real Estate Resources:
Vancouver Island Real Estate Listings – Search for real estate listings across Vancouver Island.
More Vancouver Island Real Estate Listings – Search for real estate listings across Vancouver Island.
Vancouver Island Rental Listings – Search for rental listings across Vancouver Island.
Vancouver Island Real Estate Board – Search for real estate listings across Vancouver Island.
Vancouver Island Open Houses – Search for open houses across Vancouver Island.
Vancouver Island Rental Resources:
Main Areas on Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is home to diverse neighbourhoods, each offering a unique sense of community, stunning rainforests, and breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Here are some of the main areas to consider:
Southern Vancouver Island
Greater Victoria
Victoria: The capital city of BC with beautiful heritage architecture, a vibrant culture, and many charming neighbourhoods like James Bay, Oak Bay, Fairfield and Fernwood – it is a must see for all visitors to Vancouver Island!
Langford: A fast growing township with modern amenities, new neighbourhoods, access to natural beauty, upscale resorts and a stress-free lifestyle.
Saanich: Home to the lovely little town of Sidney and the location of the Swartz Bay BC Ferries terminal, Sannich is also the agricultural hub on the south island and offers easy access to the mainland, gulf islands and beautiful residential areas.
Sooke: The little town on the far west coast of Vancouver Island is known for its stunning coastline and endless outdoor activities.
Cowichan Valley
Duncan: This tiny city has a charming, historic downtown centre and is known for its totem poles and strong First Nations culture.
Lake Cowichan: This popular summertime destination is a beautiful, tranquil place to visit in the Cowichan Valley!
Shawnigan Lake: With both luxury homes and quaint lake cottages, Shawnigan Lake is a busy lake in the summer and stunning place for peace and quiet on the off season
Cowichan Bay: Located on the edge of the water, Cowichan Bay has a small, charming houseboat community as well as pubs, boutiques and cafes.
Central Vancouver Island
Nanaimo: The second largest city on Vancouver Island known as the Harbour City offers visitors a beautiful waterfront and bustling downtown.
Tofino: World renowned for its incredible beaches and surfing, Tofino is a haven for nature lovers with spectacular hiking trails and plenty of outdoor adventures.
Parksville & Qualicum Beach: Famous for soft sandy beaches and family-friendly activities, these resort towns are popular summer destinations for Vancouver Islanders!
Comox Valley: A hub for summer and winter outdoor recreation, Comox Valley offers visitors and residents easy access to Mt. Washington, ocean adventures and so much more!
Northern Vancouver Island
Campbell River: World renowned for its fishing adventures, in Campbell River, you can spend days on the water fishing, prawning, crabbing and enjoying the pristine wilderness of the north island.
Alert Bay: A small village rich in First Nations culture, featuring the renowned U’mista Cultural Centre and vibrant totem poles.
Port McNeill: A charming coastal town offering whale-watching tours, forestry, and a gateway to the Broughton Archipelago.
Port Hardy: A bustling town known for its outdoor adventures, including fishing, hiking, and proximity to Cape Scott Provincial Park.
Job Opportunities on Vancouver Island
Whether you’re moving to Vancouver Island for a current job or looking for a new position, you’re sure to find lots of opportunities on Vancouver Island!
- A 2021 Labour Market Outlook predicted that between 2021 and 2031 there would be over 160,000 job openings in the Vancouver Island/Coastal region alone! While this report indicates that the opportunities on Vancouver Island will be mainly in healthcare, social assistance, retail and construction,
- There are also two unique industries on Vancouver Island that attract job seekers from every professional stratum: Provincial Government and Tourism.
- There are 30,000 employees in the Provincial Government who live and work in the capital region around Victoria. This industry attracts professionals with a variety of skills and is a great jumping off point for anyone looking to relocate to the Victoria area.
- Similarly, the tourism industry on Vancouver Island is massive, bringing in billions in revenue with close to 100,000 employees who serve the millions of international and domestic tourists who flock to Vancouver Island yearly.
To kick off your job search on Vancouver Island check out these employment resources on the Work BC website and get one step closer to a life on the Island!
Vancouver Island Lifestyle
So, what’s it really like living on Vancouver Island? That really depends on where you choose to live but generally, Vancouver Island, even in the cities, is a very laid-back place to call home.
- Style and Fashion: While you can find people dressed up for a night out or professionally for work, Vancouver Islanders are known for their casual, comfortable style and it’s not uncommon for some offices to have a very laid-back dress code.
- Outdoor Adventure: Vancouver Island is also known for its outdoor recreation. Whether you’re into hiking, biking, kayaking, paddleboarding, skiing, snowboarding, or boating, you’ll find pristine, natural beauty to enjoy it in and if you’re looking for people to join you, you’ll have no problem finding Vancouver Islanders who are passionate about getting outside!
- Arts and Culture: There is an abundance of arts and culture on the Island as well – you can find galleries, workshops, theatres, museums and many Coast Salish ancestral sites.
- Children and Education: For kids, the public and private schools are safe and provide children with important academic and social education by highly trained dedicated teachers and administrators. You can also find excellent universities and colleges in Victoria, the Cowichan Valley, Nanaimo, Courtenay and Campbell River where older kids can start their post-secondary education and adults can grow their professional skills.
- Healthcare: There are hospitals, walk-in clinics and doctor’s offices all across Vancouver Island. However, the healthcare system on Vancouver Island has been stretched in recent years so if you or your loved ones require specialized treatment or a regular doctor, you may want to do due diligence by:
- Finding a primary healthcare provider in your area or getting on waitlists
- Ensuring that the nearby hospitals and clinics are able to meet your healthcare needs.
- Researching where the nearest hospitals and clinics are as some communities can be remote
- Emergency Services: Reliable fire and police services are available in every community on Vancouver Island. However, some remote areas that are newly developed may not have established services yet so be sure to check before you purchase!
Groceries and Amenities: there is an abundance of high-quality grocery stores, pharmacies, and other important amenities all over the Island. No matter where you choose to live on Vancouver Island, you can be sure that you’ll have all the comforts required to thrive!
Ultimately the decision to move is a big one with many factors to consider carefully before taking the leap but if you’re determined to relocate somewhere in Canada, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better place than Vancouver Island!
