Nanaimo & surroundings · An area guide
University District
Campus life, with a neighbourhood around it.
The University District takes its name from Vancouver Island University, but the area is more than its campus. Established residential streets and nearby recreation make it a place to consider for a range of daily routines. The setting changes as you move away from the university and towards quieter side streets.
01 · Beyond the front door
Living in University District
The University District surrounds Vancouver Island University and extends towards the College Heights and Westwood Lake area. Character houses, apartments and newer homes connect campus life with the wider city.
An area guide from Gillette & Associates, Derek Gillette’s Nanaimo real estate practice.
01Around VIU and University Village
Fourth and Fifth Streets and University Village are useful reference points for a visit to the area around campus. Explore the streets at different times to understand the relationship between homes, campus activity and everyday errands.
The housing includes older detached properties, newer homes and condominiums. If you are considering a home with rental space, establish its permitted use and practical layout rather than treating proximity to the university as a guarantee of income or suitability.
02College Heights and the upper slopes
College Heights introduces a hillside setting, with outlooks over parts of Nanaimo from some properties. Westwood Lake and the Mount Benson trail area add outdoor destinations on this side of the city. The route, slope and access are worth checking in person.
South Jingle Pot and South Nanaimo offer useful comparisons on either side of this search. Decide how much your choice depends on reaching campus, living near the lake or having a particular style of home. Those priorities may lead to different streets.
A closer look · Local map data
Around the neighbourhood
A few places to explore around University District. Distances are approximate straight lines from our reference point on Stonewater Dr; walking and driving routes will be longer.
Parks & outdoors
- Hawthorne ParkPond≈ 200 m
- Bowen ParkRecreation≈ 300 m
- Buttertubs Marsh ParkPond≈ 350 m
- Emery Way ParkPark≈ 400 m
More nearby places
- Third Street ParkPond≈ 450 m
- Taylor Place ParkPark≈ 600 m
- Millstone Park IPark≈ 600 m
- Millstone Park IIPark≈ 650 m
- Pryde Ave ParkPark≈ 700 m
- Howard Ave ParkPark≈ 700 m
- Elks ParkPark≈ 750 m
- West Marsh ParkPond≈ 800 m
Schools nearby
- Fairview ElementaryElementary≈ 600 m
- Brechin ElementaryElementary≈ 950 m
- Nanaimo District SecondarySecondary≈ 1.0 km
- Secondaire de NanaimoSecondary≈ 1.0 km
More nearby places
- Pauline Haarer ElementaryElementary≈ 1.4 km
- Quarterway ElementaryElementary≈ 1.5 km
Proximity does not establish a catchment or admission. Check a home’s school assignment with SD68 ↗
The everyday stops
- The PlateFood & drink≈ 350 m
- Bunzl Cleaning & Hygiene NanaimoGroceries≈ 800 m
- The Bee's Knees Cafe And CateringCoffee≈ 950 m
- Pharmasave #1032Everyday services≈ 950 m
More nearby places
- Quarterway HotelFood & drink≈ 950 m
- Ondo Ramen BarFood & drink≈ 1000 m
- Pho V TaFood & drink≈ 1.1 km
- 7 Eleven Food StoresGroceries≈ 1.2 km
- Kim's Korean BbqFood & drink≈ 1.2 km
- Carbone PizzeriaFood & drink≈ 1.2 km
- Best Value PharmacyEveryday services≈ 1.3 km
- Port O Call HotelFood & drink≈ 1.3 km
Changes around you
Permits & proposals
A sample of City files near the Stonewater Dr reference point. Open a file for its current details and documents.
A file marked active can be under review or already issued. It does not confirm that construction has started.
All City applications ↗BP131663 · ACTIVE11 Acacia Street
Single / Two Family Alteration
Installation of solar panels on roof of existing SFD
- Submitted
- March 18, 2026
- Issued
- April 30, 2026
BP132003 · ACTIVE146 Emery Way
Single / Two Family Alteration
Construct and rebuild rear deck and adding a storage room slab on grade
- Submitted
- July 28, 2026
- Issued
- September 04, 2026
BP124141 · ACTIVE119 Garner Second Access
Access Permit
Checked Oct 7, 2026 · Selected places and files around one reference point, not a complete neighbourhood inventory.
Sources: City of Nanaimo and BC school data. Contains information licenced under the Open Government Licence – Nanaimo.
What to look for
The homes here
Older detached houses, updated homes and strata options sit within the wider district. Layouts and property conditions differ, as do parking arrangements and the amount of usable outdoor space. The address matters more than assuming every home shares a campus atmosphere.
When comparing a house with a townhouse or apartment, consider outdoor maintenance, parking and ownership responsibilities as well as the rooms.
02 · The local market
Every neighbourhood keeps its own time
A market has a pulse the way a movement has a beat, and it differs street by street. The numbers below are read straight from the MLS® record — counted, not estimated — and refreshed through the day.
LIVE — THE HANDS KEEP NANAIMO TIME · THE INSTRUMENTS READ THE MARKET
03 · Find your place
University District homes for sale
If University District feels like your kind of place, start with a closer look at the homes.
Gillette & Associates
Our featured homes
From the wider market
More homes on the MLS®
Active MLS® listings · Courtesy of VIREB members · Availability can change
Find your place in University District.
Explore all current listings and narrow the search to what matters to you.
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