Hi there! I'm Carly Carey, owner of CarlyCarey.com and VanIslerealstate.com 

Recently we've decided to consolidate our websites into one website to help us ensure we are providing the best-of-breed real estate tools for our customers. CarlyCarey.com is our flagship website and is much more powerful than the older vanislerealestate.com you were signed up with before (I own both websites). 

As such we've moved all of our customer accounts to CarlyCarey.com. 


Next steps: (action required) 

We've moved your client accounts to our new site and you should be able to log into a new dashboard here (just use your email address on file). 

After you login, you will see it change to "Dashboard" and this is where you can manage your preferences.…

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Nanaimo British Columbia, an EPIC Coastal Town

Nanaimo is a vibrant and growing city located on the east coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. With a population of over 90,000 people, Nanaimo is the second-largest city on the island. It is known for its natural beauty, outdoor recreation opportunities, and a strong sense of community.

Nanaimo's History

Nanaimo has a rich history, with roots dating back to the Snuneymuxw First Nation, who have lived in the area for thousands of years. The city was named after the Snuneymuxw Chief, Nyiname, and was originally a trading and fishing village. In the mid-19th century, coal was discovered in the area and Nanaimo became a major coal-mining town.

Today, Nanaimo is a popular tourist…

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Are you thinking of relocating to mid-Vancouver Island? I’ve lived on Vancouver Island my whole life. As a mid-Vancouver Island real estate agent I’ve helped so many people relocating to the area learn about neighbourhoods on mid-Vancouver Island. Whether it’s Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Chemainus, Nanoose, Parksville or Qualicum, the mid-island has something for everyone.

How do you choose a Vancouver Island neighbourhood that’s right for you?

Vancouver Island has a neighbourhood that’s right for just about everyone. It really comes down to what you and your family are looking for. Here is a video I made recently on choosing a Vancouver Island neighbourhood:

 

 

Some examples I gave of neighbourhoods I love are neighbourhoods like Chemainus,…

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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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