How to Buy a House in Lake Cowichan or Youbou, Vancouver Island

Thinking of buying a house in Lake Cowichan or Youbou on Vancouver Island? You’ve come to the right place. My family is from Youbou (pronounced You-Bow) and my husband and I have a home on Lake Cowichan- so this is one of my favourite topics!


Youbou and Lake Cowichan then and now

Historic photo of my grandparents in the mill town of Youbou BC

The area was originally a mill town (my grandfather and uncle worked at the mill!) but over the years it’s grown into a really fun seasonal town.If you’d like to learn more about the history check out this timeline of the History of Youbou going back to the early 1900s. 


These days Youbou and Lake Cowichan have a combination of year round residents and vacation home owners. If you’re looking…

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Looking for a waterfront home with great exposure on Mid-Vancouver Island? You’ve come to the right place. I’m a mid-island waterfront real estate agent and a lifelong resident here on Vancouver Island. I love helping people determine what is the best waterfront home and community for them. Here are the things you need to consider when looking for a home with great exposure.

What is great exposure?


I define great exposure as a South or West facing waterfront property in order to maximize sunlight and be able to watch the sunset every evening. I love a good exposure and totally I find more often than not, my clients want that too!


The way this part of the island faces, we face east, so we just don’t always get the sunsets or sometimes not even…

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Are you thinking of moving to Vancouver Island? As someone who has lived on Vancouver Island pretty much my whole life I’m used to answering questions about what life is really like in Nanaimo and beyond. While everyone moves to Vancouver Island for different reasons I answer a lot of the same questions over and over again. 

What is it like living in Nanaimo, British Columbia?


Nanaimo is a wonderful small city, located on central Vancouver island. Having been raised on Vancouver Island I love Nanaimo. Questions I often get asked are, will I like living here? Will the lifestyle suit me? And what can we do here? 

Well, first of all, Nanaimo has many wonderful schools, including private schools, french immersion and english speaking public…

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Are you looking for waterfront properties on mid-Vancouver Island?  As a Vancouver Island real estate agent one of the most common questions I get is,

"Where can I find the best waterfront properties on Vancouver Island?” 

People mean different things when they ask to see waterfront homes, so I’m going to share the different types of waterfront properties we have on Vancouver Island (in particular mid-Vancouver Island) and where you can find them!

What kinds of waterfront properties are there on mid-Vancouver Island?

When it comes to waterfront on the island your choices are oceanfront, lakefront, and riverfront. What I love about central Vancouver Island is all the different options when it comes to ocean front, lakefront and riverfront homes…

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Looking for the best neighborhoods in Nanaimo, British Columbia? As a Vancouver Island real estate agent one of the most common questions I get is, "What is the best neighborhood in Nanaimo?" And the answer is... it depends. 

Carly Carey's Top 5 Neighbourhoods in Nanaimo, British Columbia

All of my favourite neighbourhoods have access to great hiking and most of them have ocean views. I love the outdoors, hiking, trekking down to the river, and spending time at our many lakes. Visiting amazing hidden ocean spots across Vancouver Island and just being outside is what makes living here great! Let's dive in to some of my favourite neighbourhoods and help you choose!

North Jinglepot

Jinglepot is located at the base of Mt. Benson and you…

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Rock formations overlooking the ocean in Lantzville, BC

With its beautiful coastal setting just a short drive from Nanaimo, Lantzville is a highly sought-after spot to invest in waterfront real estate. The small community is perfect for families, couples, and individuals who want a scenic sanctuary right by the water. If you’re considering buying a Lantzville waterfront home, these are some things to take into consideration.

Start Your Search in Lower Lantzville

 Island Highway North runs through the middle of Lantzville, dividing it into two sections: Lower Lantzville in the north and Upper Lantzville in the south. Lower Lantzville fronts the Strait of Georgia and has winding streets that run parallel to the ocean. This is where you will find all of the oceanfront homes in Lantzville. There are a…

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The community of Youbou on Lake Cowichan is a big hit for those who know about it for its close connection to nature and the many things to do throughout the region. 

Despite being one of the largest freshwater lakes on the island, Lake Cowichan is one of the region's best kept secrets, with the entire population of Youbou being only around 1,000 people. 

To celebrate the many things to do in the area, we’ve come up with a list of 4 of the best outdoor activities in the Lake Cowichan area. 

1. Houseboating on Lake Cowichan

There’s no better way to take in the natural beauty of the surrounding area than spending a few days directly in the middle of it. 

There’s nothing more peaceful and refreshing than waking up in the morning surrounded by…

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The lakeside town of Youbou is perfect for anyone looking to live in central Vancouver Island, directly on the banks of Lake Cowichan. 

Yobou real estate has everything from stately manors to nostalgic waterfront cottages to open lots that act as beautiful blank canvases for you to construct your ideal home on. 

But it takes more than beautiful scenery to make an area worth living in. To that end, we'll be taking a look at all the things that make Youbou one of the best places in the province to live.

Youbou History

Youbou has a rich and compelling history dating back to 1913 with the introduction of a sawmill that started the town's logging industry.

That industry kickstarted the economy in Youbou with a successful export trade. The…

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Sunset over beautiful Lake Cowichan

Located on beautiful Cowichan Lake, the town of Lake Cowichan is home to just over 3,000 people who take immense pride in calling this beautiful area of Vancouver Island home. It’s not just the stunning views and incredible Lake Cowichan real estate that draws people here. These are just a few other reasons why locals love living in Lake Cowichan.

Outdoor Living

When you own a waterfront home in Lake Cowichan, you have direct access to one of the largest freshwater lakes on Vancouver Island, which means endless opportunities for fun on the water. Boating, swimming and paddle boarding are popular activities on the lake. In addition, the Lake Cowichan area is a gateway to the West Coast Trail system and the beautiful Pacific Rim National Park…

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Sunset over beautiful Lake Cowichan

The Cowichan Lake area of Vancouver Island is renowned for its spectacular scenery, safe,  friendly communities and incredible luxury homes. When you own Cowichan Lake luxury real estate, you’re not just getting a beautiful home in a pristine setting, you’re also getting access to everything this incredible corner of the island has to offer. These are just a few things to expect when you buy a luxury home on Lake Cowichan.

Sublime Views

Most luxury homes in the Lake Cowichan area sit directly on the shores of the lake or on the banks of the Cowichan River, giving residents sweeping views of the forest and surrounding mountains and forests. Features like floor-to-ceiling windows and wrap-around decks allow you to soak up the scenery from the…

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