Why People Are Leaving the Mainland for Vancouver Island in 2025...

Why People Are Leaving the Mainland for Vancouver Island in 2025... Or... At least why I did!

There is a reason so many of my conversations on the Mainland ended with, “Maybe I should just move to the island...”

I would like to say it was a well thought out plan, that started as a passing thought — a daydream that came to fruition with the rising house prices.. or a quiet craving for more space... maybe a growing desire for connection — a different kind, and the search for a more grounded lifestyle.. but really, it was on a whim.. a series of moments that led up to a spur of the moment weekend away, that I just decided I didn't want to leave, and I'm going to do something about that. A solo trip with my dog, the sense of ease you feel when you drive off the ferry, walks on the beach, some time under the trees with some good books, all small moments that lead up to a pit stop to sign a lease on my way back to the ferry — how cliché, right? This wasn't my first time moving to an island on a whim, but this time, I'll stay in British Columbia (or Canada for that matter).

So, now that you know how I ended up here, let's talk about what is making Vancouver Island one of the most desirable places to live in 2025.

A Lifestyle That You Genuinely Feel Like Living

After years of chaos, the appeal of Vancouver Island feels so obvious to me. Here, people trade traffic for oceanfront coffee views (at FoggDukkers!) and lunch breaks for a dip at the the McIvor Lake Beach... at least I did! Evenings feel like they stretch longer, weekends feel slower, and priorities start to realign... especially when my weeks include beach fires and a swim at the lake. Your days can now include paddleboarding before meetings, and watching orcas from your balcony, instead of hours with brake lights shining on your car window.

That balance between ambition and authenticity is what drives many to relocate. Life here does not feel smaller. It feels fuller, with more balance and opportunity.

Affordability Meets Opportunity

Vancouver Island still offers something the Mainland cannot: breathing room... at a price you can afford.

Communities like Campbell River, Courtenay, Cumberland and Comox deliver an incredible mix of modern convenience, natural beauty, PLUS affordability. Homes come with space, privacy, and the kind of quiet that money cannot usually buy, if you came from the mainland.

But it is not just about saving — it is about gaining. Gaining time back, energy, and living intentionally.

Work From Anywhere — Live Everywhere

Remote work has changed everything, even more so over the last five years, where a good amount of workers now WFH. With high-speed connectivity and easy flight access to Vancouver and beyond, professionals no longer have to choose between career and lifestyle when they move to Vancouver Island.

Many entrepreneurs and executives are quietly setting up in places like Qualicum, Parksville, and the Comox Valley. They are close enough to the city when needed, but far enough away to really feel at ease and get that island lifestyle.

A Deeper Connection to Nature

For those who crave fresh air and open space, the Island has no equal. Cumberland’s endless mountain biking trails, Courtenay’s old-growth forests, and Campbell River’s endless coastline create a rhythm of life that slows everything down — in the best possible way. When you once split your time between business and burnout, you can now end every workday with a ride through the very forest trails that first inspired the move. It is like the Island gives you permission to exhale.

Real Estate With Return

Let’s talk about the practical side for a moment. Yes, homes here are investments — and good ones. But what sets Vancouver Island real estate apart is its emotional return.

Waterfront condos, forest-view retreats, and ocean-adjacent bungalows offer more than just strong resale value. They offer a daily reminder that success does not always look like square footage or postal codes — sometimes, it looks like a sunrise over Discovery Passage or dinner on a deck surrounded by old growth trees.

The Vancouver Island communities are built on something timeless: people seeking connection, balance, and beauty.

The Community You’ve Been Missing

The Island is a place where people still wave when they pass on the road. Where local markets, breweries, and beaches bring neighbours together. It is not about isolation — it is about integration with nature and community.

Every community, from Campbell River’s seaside charm to Cumberland’s creative pulse, carries its own character, but they share one thing: a sense of belonging that feels rare these days.

Moving to Vancouver Island in 2025 is not about slowing down — it is about finally being able to just be yourself.

For those ready to trade chaos for connection and pressure for peace, this might just be the move that changes everything.

Ready to explore what your island life could look like here?

Contact Ashley Wilson, Real Estate Agent – Real Broker Campbell River
250.288.1236 | hi@ashleywilson.ca

Or feel free to explore ashleywilson.ca any time for the latest listings and community insights across Campbell River, Comox Valley, and beyond. I have Real Estate Agents in my network from Port Hardy to Alberta!