See All Homes for Sale in Nanaimo
View TODAY's Newest Listings by beds, baths, lot size, days on the market, & more!
See All Homes for Sale in Nanaimo
View TODAY's Newest Listings by beds, baths, lot size, days on the market, & more!
Real Estate in South Nanaimo
Like the nearby University District, South Nanaimo is undergoing a period of revitalization, welcoming new projects from developers who are invested in the potential of this neighbourhood. Before new developments began springing up across South Nanaimo, the area mainly featured character homes built in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. Homes of this sort are still a popular property style—attractive for their affordability and size, typically featuring large yards and finished basements that offer potential as rental suites.
In the area around Harewood Centennial Park, there are charming old character homes on pleasant streets lined with mature trees. The proximity of these homes to schools, recreational facilities, and parks could make them an excellent option for young families. Because Vancouver Island University is just a short bike ride away, homes in this part of South Nanaimo also commonly serve as rental housing for students. In the more northern part of this neighbourhood—near Colliery Dam Park and a short walk from VIU—you’ll often find large, newly-built two-storey homes.
In the neighbourhood’s most southern reaches—near where the Nanaimo Parkway creates the neighbourhood’s southern border—you’ll find homes built roughly in the last decade, often featuring finished basements that offer a deceptively large amount of space. This area of South Nanaimo is not densely developed, providing a quiet atmosphere. At the same time, the proximity of the highway could make it an appealing option for commuters who work in Nanaimo’s core but want to live in a more affordable, out-of-the-way area. The newly-built homes in this community typically feature appealing, open concept floor plans and high-end appliances, in addition to well-landscaped yards and outdoor relaxation areas. Those looking for move-in-ready homes will find quality options in South Nanaimo.
Real estate investors looking to renovate will find intriguing options in the area along Harewood Road. This part of South Nanaimo has character houses from the 1940s that could use some work but have potential, especially considering their walkability from the university, the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre, and the Nanaimo Ice Centre. The older homes in this area offer some of the most affordable real estate investment opportunities in Nanaimo. If you’re looking for a property to make upgrades to or thinking of undergoing full-on renovation projects, options are often available here.
About South Nanaimo, BC
South Nanaimo is bordered by the Old City to the east and the University District to the north and offers easy access to these neighbourhoods’ amenities. Large-scale development occurred in the South Nanaimo area in the 1950s and 1960s, and newer subdivisions have been springing up in recent years on former agricultural land.
Living in South Nanaimo means excellent access to parks, lakes, and other recreational opportunities while being a quieter part of Nanaimo than the downtown core or shopping areas in the northern part of the city. South Nanaimo’s position near the city’s southern outskirts—and its proximity to the Trans Canada Highway—means you can get to Victoria by car in eighty minutes when traffic is good.
Things to Do in South Nanaimo
Colliery Dam Park
South Nanaimo has several parks and green spaces to enjoy. The neighbourhood’s largest park is Colliery Dam Park, which features excellent walking trails, including the popular Colliery Dam Loop—an enjoyable and beginner-friendly 2.5 km route. This trail offers views of a waterfall and has an off-leash area for dogs to enjoy.
Petroglyph Provincial Park
One of the most interesting things to do in South Nanaimo is heading to Petroglyph Provincial Park, home to traditional rock carvings created by First Nations peoples from the area over 1,000 years ago. The petroglyphs at this park are laid out appealingly along a walkway where you can read information about the history. At the interpretation area, there are replica petroglyphs across which visitors can stretch paper or cloth to create rubbings of the petroglyphs’ images.
Lotus Pinnatus Park
A small but beautiful bit of green space near the southern extremity of South Nanaimo is Lotus Pinnatus Park. The Lotus Pinnatus is Nanaimo’s city flower, and efforts have been undertaken in recent years to reforest this endangered species of flower. Today, most of Canada’s Lotus Pinnatus plants can be found in South Nanaimo, including at Lotus Pinnatus Park. The splashes of floral colour in the landscape make it a beautiful location for a walk or picnic.
