There are lots of reasons to move to Vancouver Island, British Columbia – we have the mildest climate in Canada, breathtaking natural beauty, year-round outdoor activities, low crime rates, robust healthcare, quaint small towns, a thriving artistic community and incredible food and drink. But when you’re thinking about where to live on Vancouver Island, that can get tricky. No matter where you choose to live, each city and town has pros and cons so to help narrow it down, we’ve made a list of the very best places to live on Vancouver Island! And remember, you can always find a nearby EMR rental to stay in so you can experience what living in each area would be like–whether you want to try out the wild west coast of Sooke, immerse yourself in the city vibe of Victoria or Nanaimo, go full country in the Cowichan Valley, live in laid-back Sidney or be beachfront in Parksville, EMR has all this and so much more!
Greater Victoria
Greater Victoria on the southernmost coast of Vancouver Island is a large area that includes the neighbourhoods of Oak Bay, Sidney, Langford and Sooke on the far west coast. Greater Victoria as a whole is one of the best places on the Island to live but there are certain areas that really stand!
Victoria
Victoria is the largest city on Vancouver Island and offers incredible shopping, dining and nightlife, art galleries and cultural centres and easy access to spectacular outdoor recreation–it’s no wonder that it is consistently at the top of the list! To live here, however, you’ll have to make sure you can afford it – the cost of living and rising real estate prices have created issues with current and potential residents so be sure to do your research and see if Victoria is a good fit!
Pros:
Stunning city with everything you’d want from an urban centre (culture, dining etc.)
Easy access to beaches, hiking trails and outdoor recreation
Cons:
Cost of living is very high
Langford
Langford (currently being rebranded as Westshore) is one of the fastest growing areas in Greater Victoria. With new neighbourhoods and commercial centres being built at a rapid pace, Langford offers residents more affordable housing options and a real sense of community making it by far, one of the best options for newcomers to Greater Victoria. The downside of living in Langford is the commute into Victoria. It can be slow-going and the transit system to link Langford to Victoria isn’t yet at pace with the growth of the southern Island.
Pros:
Lots of quiet neighbourhoods to choose from
Easy access to amenities (grocery stores, pharmacies etc.)
Easy access to outdoor recreation
Cons:
Commute to Victoria is very congested
Lacks some of the cultural conveniences (dining, art, heritage buildings etc.)
Sidney
Sidney is one of the most charming places on Vancouver Island. This laid-back, west coast, walkable little town centre is a popular place for retirees to relocate because it has everything you could need from grocery stores to bookshops, boutiques, pharmacies, cafes all within a few blocks! Not only is it charming, but Sidney boasts some of the most stunning waterfront walkways and is a hub for artists and nautical enthusiasts.
Pros:
Charming and walkable town centre
Lively retirement community
Gorgeous ocean views and fresh breezes year-round
Easy access to ferries via the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal
Cons:
Can be challenging for younger families
A long commute to Victoria
Oak Bay
If you’re looking for a truly authentic Victorian neighbourhood, look no further than Oak Bay. Located to the east of Victoria, Oak Bay is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Greater Victoria and is where you can find stunning heritage homes, carefully designed new buildings and a charming village centre. With easy access to sandy beaches, lovely cafes and one of the best authentic British pubs in the city, it’s no wonder people from all over the world fall in love with Oak Bay.
Pros:
Charming village
Easy access to sandy beaches and Victoria’s city centre
Numerous public transit options and easy cycling routes throughout
Cons:
Cost of living is highest in this neighbourhood
Real estate is expensive, and rentals are hard to find
Sooke
If you’re looking for a true Canadian small town, you’ll want to explore the little town of Sooke on the far west coast of Greater Victoria. This stunning, remote town on the Pacific Ocean is a hub for outdoor activities like kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, whale watching and more! Sooke is also a relatively affordable place in comparison to Victoria proper. The downside to living in Sooke is that it is quite a small town and lacks some of the amenities that can be found in Victoria or Langford. Also, the commute to Victoria, approximately an hour each way, is a long one making Sooke a difficult place for people who have to commute every day.
Pros:
Lots of natural beauty to enjoy and explore
Hub for outdoor activities
Small, friendly community
Cons:
Lacking some modern infrastructure & amenities
Long commute to Victoria
Cowichan Valley
The Cowichan Valley is Vancouver Island’s agricultural area with swaths of farms, beautiful country roads, pristine freshwater lakes, rivers, beaches, hiking trails and stunning vineyards. In fact, the Cowichan Valley is Vancouver Island’s winemaking area and has its own, unique, marine Mediterranean microclimate. The Cowichan Valley encompasses the area from the Malahat north to Ladysmith and east to west from Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park to the east coast of Vancouver Island.
Duncan
Known as The City of Totems, Duncan is an important cultural centre for Coast Salish art and is the smallest city by area in Canada. While it might be a small city, Duncan offers residents a beautiful little city centre with lovely boutiques, breweries, cafes and restaurants. It is also a hotspot for forward-thinking farm-to-table cuisine, abundant outdoor recreation opportunities, amenities and is known as a safe place to live. While sometimes you might need to go into Victoria for certain items or experiences, for the most part, Duncan offers everything you need for daily life.
Pros:
Cost of living is significantly lower than Victoria
Friendly small-town atmosphere
Many amenities & attractions
Not too far from Victoria
Plenty of outdoor recreation
Cons:
Travelling to Victoria is a must for some activities and events
Heavy reliance on personal transportation (car or bike)
Lack of public transportation
Cowichan Bay
The little village of Cowichan Bay is a tiny gem on the water with a small houseboat community, general store, boutiques, cafes and seafood-centric restaurants. This area is perfect for peaceful country and oceanside living with lots of natural beauty and a slower pace of life to enjoy. However, as picturesque as this area is, there is almost no public transportation, and most amenities are in Duncan or Victoria so living in Cowichan Bay requires access to a car for daily life.
Pros:
Picturesque country living
Less populated beaches, trails etc.
Quaint village
Stunning natural beauty
Cons:
Relatively remote
Requires a car to do most things
Lack of nearby amenities
Chemainus
This little artisan village nestled on the edge of the west coast of Vancouver Island has a fascinating history. When the recession of the 1980’s hit, Chemainus began to quickly decline but a tenacious, young mayor revitalized the entire town with an ambitious mural project. What was a risky project was so successful that today, Chemainus has over 50 incredible murals! Additionally, the Chemainus Theater is a renowned playhouse where locals and visitors can go and see incredible live performances! Whether you love the theatre or not, Chemainus is a lovely little town that offers a low-key west coast lifestyle.
Pros:
Local ferry terminal to Salt Spring Island
Easy commute to Vancouver Island’s second largest city, Nanaimo
Great lifestyle for families, couples and retirees
Lower cost of living than major cities on the Island
Cons:
Heavy reliance on vehicles
Nanaimo is the closest large city and is 30 mins away
Fewer local career opportunities than major cities
Ladysmith
Perched on the edge of the ocean, just north of Chemainus on the 49th parallel, there is the little town of Ladysmith BC. Here, you can find incredible Edwardian-era heritage buildings, stunning natural beauty, outdoor recreation, incredible dining, boutique shopping and friendly people! If you are craving small-town living, Ladysmith might be the perfect fit!
Pros:
Easy commute to Vancouver Island’s second largest city, Nanaimo
Great lifestyle for families, couples and retirees
Lower cost of living than major cities on the Island
Cons:
Heavy reliance on vehicles
Nanaimo is the closest large city and is 30 mins away
Fewer local career opportunities than major cities
Nanaimo
Known as The Harbour City, Nanaimo has an extensive stretch of harbour walkway that is a popular place for locals and visitors to walk and enjoy the view. Nanaimo is surrounded by rich, diverse ecosystems and offers spectacular land and seascapes, endless outdoor activities, a growing shopping district, great dining and thriving arts community. There’s no doubt that Nanaimo is a perfect mix of city and wilderness! While it might be less expensive than Victoria, as the second largest city on Vancouver Island, Nanaimo is still a relatively expensive city to relocate to unless you’re comparing it to cities with very high cost of living metrics like Victoria, Metro Vancouver or Toronto.
Pros:
Second largest city with everything you’d want from an urban centre (culture, dining etc.)
Easy access to beaches, hiking trails and outdoor recreation
Ferries to Gulf Islands and Metro Vancouver within short driving distance
Cons:
Cost of living is high especially real estate
Parksville
Just a short drive north of Nanaimo is the little town of Parksville that offers resort-style living right on the water. With spectacular beaches, year-round golfing, endless outdoor activities and some of the best spas on the Island, Parksville is a great place to settle down. Parksville is also a great home base to explore more of the mid-Island! From here you can visit the little town of Qualicum Beach with white sand beaches and a little town centre, head to Coombs and wander through the market, or explore one of the many Provincial and Regional parks in the area!
Pros:
Incredible beaches
Popular place for families and retirees
Close to a major city
Cons:
Town is very small and lacks some amenities
Fewer local career opportunities than major cities
Port Alberni
Nestled at the end of the Alberni Inlet just west of Parksville and Qualicum beach is the little town of Port Alberni. With a small but friendly population and lots of interesting cultural and natural attractions, Port Alberni has quickly become a popular place for small families and retirees to settle down away from the hustle and bustle of major cities. Life in Port Alberni moves a little more slowly and because of that, it is an ideal place for anyone looking for a laid-back, small town to relocate to. Like most small towns on Vancouver Island, there are fewer local career opportunities making Port Alberni a great place if remote work is possible.
Pros:
Lots of interesting attractions
Close to Parksville and Qualicum beaches
Surrounded by natural beauty – especially lakes
Cons:
Heavy reliance on vehicles
Nanaimo is the closest large city and is over an hour away
Fewer local career opportunities than major cities
Comox Valley
On the north east coast of Central Vancouver Island is the Comox Valley which includes the little village of Cumberland, the city of Courtenay and town of Comox. With dazzling views of the Comox Glacier to the west and Salish Sea to the east, the Comox Valley is surrounded by stunning natural beauty and offers world-class, year-round recreation. While the Comox Valley may provide an idyllic recreational lifestyle, it can be difficult to find local career employment unless it is in one of the area’s main industries: healthcare, education, Mount Washington (seasonal) or Canadian Forces.
Comox
With beautiful parks, lots of outdoor recreation, and a little downtown area filled with boutiques and restaurants just a short walk from the marina, Comox is a quaint seaside town perfect for anyone who wants to go out on the water whenever you want!
Courtenay
As the Comox Valley’s largest urban centre, in Courtenay you’ll find a charming, small town with both urban amenities and character. You can find one-of-a-kind boutiques, great dining, gorgeous green spaces, a vibrant arts and cultural scene with local festivals and special events taking place year-round and so much more!
Pros:
Idyllic outdoor recreation opportunities
Laid-back west coast lifestyle
Friendly communities
Thriving artistic community
Cons:
Limited career opportunities
Housing costs are rising & market is saturated
Campbell River
If you’re an avid angler or an outdoor enthusiast, Campbell River is made for you! Known as one of the best sport fishing locations in the world and the gateway to the gorgeous, remote Discovery Islands, Campbell River is an adventurer’s paradise! While Campbell River is beautiful, it is remote and can be difficult if you’re hoping to find a balance between urban amenities and natural beauty.
Pros:
Lots of pristine wilderness to explore
Gateway to Discovery Islands
Best sport fishing in Canada
Cons:
Lack of amenities
Long way to travel to get to major cities
Tofino
Located on the far west coast of Vancouver Island on the Clayoquot Sound, Tofino and nearby Ucluelet offers visitors and residents the opportunity to live in and explore some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. Tofino, where the forest meets the ocean, is where you can find world-class surfing at the famous Long Beach, embark on breathtaking adventures on land and sea, and immerse yourself in a friendly, vibrant artistic community. However, there has been a concerning housing shortage in both Tofino and Ucluelet and with rising housing prices the cost of living in these towns can be a barrier for relocating here.
Pros:
Pristine wilderness to explore and enjoy
Friendly, thriving community
Best surfing on Vancouver Island
Cons:
Very remote and lacks some amenities
Housing shortage & high cost of living
