
Moving to Vancouver Island? Tips & Resources for Newcomers
As a custom home builder on Vancouver Island, we get asked a lot for tips & referrals to local resources for new arrivals – this page is a place for us to share those resources with you! Read on!
Have you been considering a move to Vancouver Island? Great choice! Vancouver Island is one of Canada’s most beautiful regions, and also one of the warmest. The Central Island region experiences extremely temperate summers coupled by some of the mildest winters in all of Canada.
The Central Island Region boasts a strong sense of community. When moving to Vancouver Island we want you to know that there are many people here willing to help you. If you need information about the cities, neighbourhoods, transportation or accommodations available to help with your move, TS Williams has put together a page full of links and resources to assist you.
Surrounded by a continuous mountain range that is carpeted by a lush green cedar rainforest, our front doorstep is an ocean teaming with life. Orcas, porpoises, and Humpback whales are things one might see on any given day. We are a place where Bald Eagles soar high above ancient fir trees and we are also home to the world’s tiniest variety of Humming Bird. As you gaze out over the ocean you will probably see fishing boats out for a catch of salmon, cod or halibut. Float Planes buzz the horizon while ferries usher visitors to and from the mainland several times a day. Greater than average precipitation keeps our plant life giant sized and ensures that we truly are the land of rainbows.
Looking for a sense of urban life smack in the middle of a rugged natural wilderness? Vancouver Island has some of the best shopping available in the entire country but also some of the best wildlife. Here you can literally go skiing and golfing in the same day. We are also one of the world’s top scuba diving destinations, and home to the largest species of Octopus on the entire planet.
If you are considering moving to Vancouver Island, you will be coming to a special place in the world. A place that is as rich with music, food, theatre and the Arts as it is with natural splendor and wonder.
Living on Vancouver island in the summer is like being in paradise. It may be one of the nicest places on the entire planet. The weather is very temperate so even though it can get quite warm, there is low humidity and it seems very comfortable most of the time. There are very seldomly exhaustive heat waves. When it is sunny and there are beautiful green mountains covered by primordially large trees, it becomes obvious what a privilege it is to live here.
If you are seriously interested in moving to Vancouver Island be prepared to get into a lifestyle that is rich in outdoor activity and wildlife. Not only are there lush rainforests covering hundreds of kilometers of area, you will also be a stones throw away from rivers, lakes and the Pacific Ocean no matter where you choose to live. If you are looking for a laid back, oasis- like metropolis surrounded by nature and rugged wilderness then Vancouver Island is a very good place to move to.
The Central Island Region, including Nanaimo, is very easy to get around in. Ideally situated close to scores of small Hamlets, a 20 minute float plane ride from downtown Vancouver and an easy yet visually stunning hour and twenty minute drive from Victoria, Nanaimo is a great choice for those thinking of moving to Vancouver Island. Be certain to contact TS Williams if you are considering purchasing or building a Custom Built or Luxury Home here.

Vancouver Island Health Authority
Island Health provides health care services through a network of hospitals, clinics, centres, health units, and residential care locations.
LifeLabs offers laboratory testing services in a number of locations across Vancouver Island.
The Medical Services Plan (MSP) insures medically-required services provided by physicians and supplementary health care practitioners, and diagnostic procedures.
Mount Washington Alpine Resort is Vancouver Island’s largest year round family resort for skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, hiking, scenic chair rides and more.
Golf Courses
- Crown Isle Golf Course – Comox Valley
- Fairwinds Golf Club – Nanoose Bay
- Bear Mountain Golf Country Club – Victoria
- Morningstar Golf Course – Parksville
- Arrowsmith Golf & Country Club – Qualicum
- Long Beach Golf Club – Ucluelet
- Pheasant Glen Golf Resort – Qualicum
- Storey Creek Golf Club – Campbell River
- Cowichan Golf & Country Club – Duncan
- Winchelsea View Golf Course – Lantzville
Marinas
- Genoa Bay Marina – Duncan
- Salmon Point Resort RV Park & Marina – Campbell River
- Pacific Playgrounds – Black Creek (Between Comox Valley & Campbell River)
- Victoria Marina – Victoria
- French Creek Marina – Parksville
Schedule your departures, reserve and plan your travel time, see your BC Ferries and Travel Promotions, learn more about commercial travel, discover onboard amenities, learn what to expect at the terminal and more. Experience spectacular views as you come to the Island!
Get flight info, manage your flight, learn more about the experience of travel by floatplane, book charters, do parcel check-ins or call to find out how to book a private seaplane tour at their official website.
Useful information including Airline contacts, travel tips and weekly schedules. Here, you’ll find answers to your questions regarding parking, security and other frequently asked topics.
Comox Airport is a Vancouver Island Airport with full access to the island. It offers daily non-stop flights from Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.
As the 10th busiest Airport in Canada, Victoria Airport is situated about 25kms North of Victoria. Small, convenient and modern-their website offers flight times, connecting flight info, answers questions about food, service, currency exchange, shopping, parking, ground transportation and many other FAQ’s. Visit their Website for more info.
Whether you are new to driving, new to BC or an existing customer, this is the quickest route to getting started as a driver in BC.
Nanaimo, the Harbour City, “where great ideas come to light”. This Website features public notices, what’s new around town, has quick links to maps of the City, emergency information and all of the info that visitors, new residents and locals need to navigate the community.
Victoria Theatres
If you are looking to experience some of the island’s greatest stage performances, consider the Royal & McPherson Theatres. The Royal retains its original Rococo/Renaissance. The McPherson is one of the original Pantages chain of theatres. It features a variety of professional, amateur and community events year round.
Located in the heart of downtown Nanaimo, the Port Theatre is a landmark on the city’s waterfront. It offers a broad range of community events, world class performing arts, plays as well as educational events and conferences.
The Sid Williams Theatre Society operates the theatre for the benefit of all residents of the Comox Valley. They are dedicated to the enhancement of artistic, cultural and recreational activities of the Comox Valley and surrounding regions.
Festivals Links
Here you will find links to whale watching, music, wine, art, food, beaches, dance, sports, international competitions, family and children’s events for just about every region on the island, year round.
TS Williams
As Vancouver Island’s premiere luxury custom home builder, TS Williams are renowned for ageless distinction, high quality and long-term value. Here you will find links to their custom home portfolio, building process and links to contact the team.
KB Design is a full service custom home design studio with over 25 years of experience. Principal Designer Keith Baker leads a team that has designed hundreds of homes on Vancouver Island, across Canada and the United States.
We invite you to view our custom homes portfolio to see the unique elegance achieved in our past home builds. We seek to truly understand all of your needs and requirements so we can be sure to bring your dream home into reality.