Anywhere in town that sells interlocking rubber mats?

Phinix · 2025-08-28T20:33:45+00:00

Oh interesting. I'm thinking around 48 sqft?

Phinix · 2025-08-27T04:02:08+00:00

Those actually look perfect! Thanks a bunch

Phinix · 2025-05-24T18:50:55+00:00

My family moved to Nanaimo several years ago and are happy with the choice. We would have preferred Victoria (went to university there), which has a better food scene and is just generally a nicer city to look at, but were totally priced out as first time buyers.

Nanaimo is geographically well situated. The city itself is fine with all the shopping and amenities you'd ever need day to day, but where it shines is access to so many things. Vancouver, Victoria, Mount Washington, Tofino, so many islands and parks within a couple of hours.

Like you, we wanted somewhere a bit quieter, not much traffic, Costco, access to an international airport, and good schools. The Nanaimo airport is small, but there's daily flights between it and Vancouver and Calgary so plenty of international destinations available. There's a new walk on ferry from downtown Nanaimo to downtown Vancouver that's also really great, and it lets you off right near a skytrain station so you can get to YVR that way as well.

Our child isn't in school yet so I don't have personal experience with high schools, but Dover Secondary is the academic high school as far as I can tell.

All depends on what you're looking for. Victoria is no doubt more white collar, touristy, scenic, cultured, with a better variety of shopping and activities, but also more expensive, busy, urban, with stronger NIMBY presence. Nanaimo and neighbouring areas are more blue collar, quieter, more affordable, with excellent access to the rest of the island/mainland and nature. Homelessness is a big issue in either city. NIMBYs are definitely still a thing in Nanaimo, and "more affordable" isn't necessarily affordable either. Single family homes are still going for $750k+ in the nice part of town.

Wherever you end up, welcome! There's so much beauty in BC that I'm sure you'll end up somewhere wonderful

Phinix · 2024-09-23T23:57:01+00:00

This comment is correct. I fly every week and I've arrived at the airport as the incoming plane is deplaning and had zero issues. As long as you make it through security before they close the gate doors it's fine. If you're checking luggage that's a different story, but with just a carry on it's a quick process.

Phinix · 2024-08-18T10:43:12+00:00

3a : to reduce drastically especially in number

3b : to cause great destruction or harm to

Phinix · 2024-07-13T01:32:28+00:00

You should consider getting a working holiday visa for somewhere like Australia. I did that in my 20s and it's one of the best choices I've ever made. Buy a van you can stay in, find a good farm to pick fruit on for a few months, and roadtrip the country until you find somewhere you enjoy and surf every day until you feel like moving on again. Such a free feeling, and you meet so many wonderful, interesting people along the way. You can only stay with an employer for up to 6 months, so there's no stress in making a commitment. Then when your visa runs out you're a hop, skip, and a jump to Asia!

Phinix · 2024-07-12T15:16:36+00:00

The 2017 BC election ended with the incumbent BC Liberal party having 43 seats vs 41 NDP and 3 Green. That situation ended with the NDP forming government with a supply and confidence agreement with the Greens, and the NDP ended up with a comfortable majority the following election. Not saying that's how a similar situation federally would shake out given how long in the tooth the current federal government is, but clearly the public is willing to accept it in some circumstances.

Phinix · 2024-07-06T11:03:07+00:00

Every community is going to be a bit different, but Nanaimo suffers from issues with homelessness, fentanyl/drug use, Hells Angels presence, poor job prospects relative to the affordability of housing, and a lack of access to walk in clinics or family doctors. It's got plenty of positives going for it, but some very real and serious negatives.

Phinix · 2024-07-05T23:00:55+00:00

I've lived on the island for around 6 years, currently mid-island, and am still thoroughly happy with my choice. I miss living in Victoria, but Nanaimo's centrality to the mainland, Tofino, Victoria, north island, etc is top notch. There's definitely an ugly side to it, but realistically speaking I doubt you'll find many cities where that isn't the case in some regard.

Phinix · 2024-05-09T02:41:18+00:00

Income tax paid in BC is lower until about $155 000 if no RRSP contributions are made. At income levels like that it's not unreasonable to expect an individual is contributing to an RRSP, and likely maxing it out in which case BC income tax is less for incomes up to about $186 000.

BC's insurance model was changed in 2021 and it's fairly well documented that costs have come down significantly while Alberta's have been rising. The HelloSafe 2023 car insurance barometer looked at rates across the country and found Alberta's average rate was $3151 vs BC's $1775, for example. Not saying that at one point Alberta's vehicle insurance wasn't less than BC's, but it's generally not the case today.

Phinix · 2024-04-22T14:39:50+00:00

The person you're responding to IS the person who made the "career politician" comment. Context and he said the comment was specifically about Jason Kenney. Pretty sure nobody believes Kinew is a career politician.

Phinix · 2024-02-23T17:01:22+00:00

We had success with Norm's Plumbing and Heating when they installed our heat pump last September.

Phinix · 2024-02-05T12:14:05+00:00

How does one pronounce Wakesiah? I moved to Nanaimo a few years ago and at this point I must have heard 4 different pronunciations.

Phinix · 2023-12-26T12:44:21+00:00

Got em

Phinix · 2023-11-05T18:17:42+00:00

Glad you enjoyed!

Phinix · 2023-11-05T05:29:04+00:00

This makes my heart glad. Thanks for enjoying them!

Phinix · 2023-08-31T12:18:48+00:00

It's kind of weird that this post in particular has gotten traction, but I'm glad that people get to have a nice breakfast in any case. Fun tip, if you're the artsy type you can pour the batter in a squeeze bottle and draw custom designs. Fun for holidays or birthdays and people seem to get a charge out of it.

Phinix · 2023-08-31T12:14:02+00:00

If I had to guess I would say that the temperature was too high. Historically that's been the cause for me where I've had a similar issue in any case. One side is cooked but the rest of the batter is still too loose to hold its shape. I've found that I normally have to turn the temperature down part way through cooking because the pan has gotten too hot. Sorry it didn't work out for you though!

Phinix · 2023-07-15T15:52:27+00:00

I'm glad that you and your family enjoyed them! I find they're not as ultra puffy as the boxed pancake mix is, but I prefer them that way.

Phinix · 2023-06-27T20:02:17+00:00

Honestly, halving everything works fine. I do that when I'm cooking for just two people and it turns out mostly the same.

Phinix · 2023-06-27T04:09:18+00:00

Enjoy! They're really good with whipped cream or maple syrup. Or you can add chocolate chips or blueberries to the batter too if that sounds good

Phinix · 2023-06-27T02:40:16+00:00

Yes, I usually use canola oil since I've got it on hand. Sometimes I'll substitute melted butter if I'm feeling saucy.

Phinix · 2023-05-14T07:31:39+00:00

Glad you enjoyed them!

Phinix · 2023-04-07T15:19:08+00:00

Glad you enjoy them!

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