3050 Abbot Place is a well designed & laid out 3 bed, 2 bath 1402sq.ft. rancher on a large 0.12acre lot with ample parking & a peaceful backyard with patio. Welcome to th...
Courtesy of Pemberton Holmes Ltd. (Dun)
3046 Abbot Place is a well designed & laid out 3 bed, 2 bath 1401sq.ft. rancher on a large 0.12acre lot with ample parking & a peaceful backyard with patio. Welcome to th...
Courtesy of Pemberton Holmes Ltd. (Dun)
Best location in the building! Wow factor to the max - this unit has been renovated from top to bottom - New wood ceilings, new flooring , new designer kitchen with grani...
Courtesy of RE/MAX Generation (CH)
Welcome to your dream rancher in the heart of Chemainus, where breathtaking ocean views & modern elegance converge! This meticulously maintained 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom hom...
Courtesy of Real Broker
Spacious Chemainus Patio Home - 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom townhouse with a great location in the development with a quiet and nicely treed area just across the road. Practica...
Courtesy of RE/MAX Generation (CH)
Listing content Copyright 2024 Vancouver Island Real Estate Board. The above information is from sources deemed reliable, but should not be relied upon without independent verification.
Recognized as an “artisan village” and famed for its 40+ giant murals that depict its heritage and culture, Chemainus is a small, picturesque seaside community located between Duncan and Nanaimo. Steeped in history, its name is derived from the lore and legend of the Stz’uminus First Nation and in particular from a shaman and prophet, Tsa-meeun-is (Broken Chest) who became a powerful chief after surviving a potentially fatal chest wound.
A series of bays, its earliest residents lived off the abundance of herring and shellfish, establishing a permanent village in the process, until others discovered the area, which led to the evolution of the village into a small town, in the location that is today considered the heart of Old Town Chemainus. Rich in natural resources from the water and the forests, it was only a matter of time before the forest industry arrived, with the town becoming officially incorporated as a logging town in 1858 followed by the erection of a sawmill in 1863 making mining, fishing, and forestry the main original industries. The 1880s brought with it the railway along with different industries allowing Chemainus to thrive and while its reliance on the mill and forestry industry proved lucrative for some time, as natural resources waned, it was harder to sustain the population and with the recession in the forest industry in the 1980s and the closing of the mill in 1983 after 120 years in operation, the need for a new vision emerged. And it was this new vision, which included the creation of the first murals designed to beautify the town, that helped to bring Chemainus back to life and which earned it a prestigious award, “The New York Downtown Revitalization Aware for Redevelopment” in turn attracting new business ventures and visitors and solidifying it as a tourist destination, bringing with it the moniker of “The Little Town That Did”©.
Located in the heart of the Cowichan Valley, part of the North Cowichan municipality, south of Nanaimo and Ladysmith and approximately 20 km north of Duncan, Chemainus is situated off the Trans Canada Highway, nestled between the mountains and the coast, and while residents are afforded convenient highway access, it is far enough off the highway to maintain a rural feel and a sense of peace and quiet.
With a population that is purported to be 3,900, forestry is still the dominant industry in the community however, its revitalization has led to its emergence as a tourist destination with its picturesque charm and small-town atmosphere now the ideal location for movie shoots.
Falling under School District 79, the Cowichan Valley School District, Chemainus has an elementary school, the Chemainus Elementary Community School, for K to grade 6 students from Chemainus, Saltair, and Crofton, while for grades 7 through 12, students attend the Chemainus Secondary School.
Boasting farmers’ markets and trendy boutiques that sell antiques, clothing, galleries, gifts, and many unique and locally made, grown, or sourced items coupled with the traditional amenities you would expect from a small town, shoppers in Chemainus will find that most of their daily needs will be met locally, from groceries, pharmaceuticals, and liquor sales to banking needs, hair and personal care, and health care services while larger nearby centres, such as Ladysmith, Duncan, and Nanaimo, just a short drive away, will provide a greater variety and selection.
With its rural, coastal location featuring forested land, mountains, lakes with sandy beaches, rivers, and ocean inlets, and its mild climate, it is no surprise that the Chemainus area offers numerous outdoor activities and recreational pursuits in its parks, trails, and open spaces, as well as in the water. From walking, hiking, mountain biking, and skateboarding to golfing, fishing, boating, and swimming there is never a shortage of things to do, while scuba divers will be drawn to the artificial reef that has been provided by a Boeing 737 which was sunk just off the Chemainus coast in 2006, BC’s first artificial reef made from an aircraft.
In addition to its famous murals, sculptures, statues, and carvings, Chemainus is also recognized as Vancouver Island’s Theatre Destination with the Chemainus Theatre Festival offering a fully professional theatre featuring some of the finest performers and performances in Canada that has reportedly attracted talented guest actors, directors, musicians, and designers from across North America. For outdoor lovers, the many parks and outdoor spaces and its oceanfront location offer entertainment opportunities of all kinds from golfing to fishing and walking to kayaking, with all surrounding communities offering many other entertainment options for the whole family.
There are a variety of dining establishments in Chemainus to satisfy a number of tastes from Pacific Northwest craft beers and authentic farm-to-table tapas and appetizers at the Sawmill Taphouse and Grill, to Thai food at Thai Pinto Cuisine, Sushi at Sushi Kuni, and authentic Indian food at Invitation Indian Cusine. There are also cafes, such as the Maple Lane Cafe, ice cream at Scoops by the Sea, and Subway for all your sandwich cravings while surrounding area locations will offer an even greater variety to suit any taste.
Chemainus boasts a myriad of parks all of which offer a range of, or specific, activities to maximize enjoyment for locals and visitors alike from Cook Beach Park with its small stretch of beach, best explored at low tide; Fuller Lake Park which is an ideal spot for swimming, boating, and fishing, and the Kin Beach Park that offers a sandy beach, boat launch, picnic spot, and a playground; a great place to launch a kayak, at low tide you can also walk out to the lighthouse from here.
For those looking for a great hike or walk, the Askew Creek Wilderness Park located in the heart of Chemainus is home to old-growth Cedar and Douglas fir trees and offers a total of about 8 km of trails that run alongside and over the Askew Creek. The Chemainus Lake Park, also known as Weddles Lake Park, offers a 2.3 km trail loop that circles the shoreline in addition to a well-stocked lake with a fishing dock. Echo Heights Wildnerness Park is a municipal park that features self-guided forest trails which loop through 52 acres of Douglas Fir Forest complete with ponds, rock outcrops, and farmers’ fields
In addition, there are a number of City parks, such as the Daniel Street Park which includes stairs down to the ocean offering exploration of the shoreline at low tide, and the Gerry Smith Park which features a steam locomotive that was in service for 82 years, operating in Chemainus through the 1960s, until it was retired in 1969, making it one of the last operating steam locomotives in BC.
You can also access the Trans Canada Trail near the elementary school, the Chemainus section of which is an approximately 7 km round trip all on groomed level trails while nearby Saltair is a short drive away and offers its equally exceptional parks such as the Stocking Creek Park and the Diana Princess of Wales Park.
I would highly recommend Jahelka Real Estate Group to help you find the perfect property. I was so impressed at how they handled everything! Our calls, texts, and emails were answered promptly, and they went out of their way to make sure we found exactly what we wanted. I feel they went above and beyond to make the deal work for us. If you are looking for a top-notch realtor, go no further, you've found them. Jahelka Group!! ~ Donna Lovett
If the professionalism, expertise, and friendliness of Zach Simpson is anything to judge by, the Jahelka Real Estate Group figures amongst the finest real estate groups in all of North America. Not only did he give very generously of his time and energy to help us find a new home, but he did so with the utmost care and attention. I could not recommend his services more highly! The only thing more elusive than the perfect home is the perfect real estate advisor - we found him! Thank you Zach for an outstanding experience on Vancouver Island. ~ George Backhouse
I can't say enough good about this brilliant, skilled, easy to work with, powerhouse of a woman! This was our first time buying a home and Carlee came recommended to me from a colleague. We simply couldn't have asked for a better experience. From her keen eye, while we looked at homes, to her straightforward honesty while reviewing our options and sharing her insights, to her efficiency and organization with managing all of the negotiations and paperwork, this woman will bring your home buying adventure to the next level. As DIY'ers, we often like to find our own "team" of people and do our own research first. After many failed attempts at consolidating a team of home inspectors, lawyers, mortgage specialists, etc, we finally started following the mantra "Just go with who Carlee recommended!" She endorses fantastic people with similar work ethic and we were so happy with everyone she referred us to along the way. After closing, we had some issues which she promptly dealt with. This woman is dedicated and passionate about her career and that is exactly why she excels in it.
TL;DR -- Do yourself a HUGE favour with your next home purchase -- choose Carlee! We will every time, for the rest of our lives. ~ Jessica Callin
Amazing R/E team with tons of experience in the local market. We have worked with Zach and he has demonstrated an outstanding level of professionalism. Very detailed oriented and thorough. Being a sophisticated negotiator, he was able to act very quickly and secure an amazing property in a tough and highly competitive market. Zach is a very energetic, kind, and upbeat person. It is always a pleasure working with him. Would recommend him to anyone looking to secure a property in Nanaimo! ~ Damir Akhmetchin
My husband and I have actually had two experiences with Jahelka Real Estate Group. Our first encounter was with Charles Bentall, who was helping our son and his wife find a home in the Nanaimo area. He worked with them to procure a home in Ladysmith. We met Charles when our kids wanted us to come and see the home they were interested in. We were impressed with his manner and after our kids completed their deal, we contacted him to ask if his company would be interested in the sale of our condo in Nanaimo. Charles arranged for us to meet Devin Jahelka who organized the sale of our property. The sale was done in a very efficient and professional manner. I definitely would recommend this company to anyone looking for a realtor to buy or sell property in the Nanaimo area. ~ Doreen Friesen
My husband and I began looking long-distance for our dream home on the Island and I happened to begin talking to Devin. I felt comfortable right away and made plans to meet with him. My husband and I soon found what we were looking for in a home. Devin was wonderful, he made the process so smooth and easy. We would use him again anytime for a home purchase or sale and have already recommended him to friends and family. ~ Sherry Law
I have worked with the Jahelka Real Estate Group for multiple transactions now and am beyond pleased with all experiences! They know how to get the job done!! They are very knowledgeable and are on top of things right from the beginning. They have no problem answering any and all questions and in a very timely fashion ... and trust me, I ask a lot of questions :) If you're looking for a solid realtor for your next real estate requirement, I would strongly recommend the Jahelka Real Estate Group!! ~ Michael Chiorando
The Jahelka Group was fantastic! I felt supported throughout the whole process. Buying a house is one of the biggest decisions I've made to date and Carlee made sure all my needs were met. She was knowledgeable, professional, and patient. I highly recommend Carlee and her team! ~ Daniella
My husband and I have bought and sold six houses over the last 30 years, all in different communities throughout BC. Carlee came highly recommended by the selling realtor of our last house. We were not disappointed. Over our 2 month journey in the hot Nanaimo real estate market she helped us remain calm and focused. Carlee was extremely professional and always available. ~ Tracey
Carlee was very professional in every way. I was impressed with her market knowledge. She knew all the listings and details about each without having to stop and look anything up. She kept us well informed all the way through the purchase and continued with follow-up after we moved in to ensure everything was right. ~ Scott Hunter
It was a pleasure working with an agent who conducted every aspect of our dealings professionally. Responses to questions were prompt and detailed. Getting depreciation reports when available allowed me to narrow the list of properties and to go in as a more informed buyer. ~ Kerry V
We set an unrealistic goal for Carlee to achieve. She met our goals and surpassed our expectations in every way possible. She was extremely professional, but yet very personable. I was very skeptical at first with using a realtor, but after my experience with Carlee, I would never sell a house without one. I highly recommend Carlee and her team. ~ Jeremy
Devin is very organized and has excellent communication skills, and he gave us peace of mind with his competency as we navigated a complex real estate purchase from 3 provinces away. We highly recommend the Jahelka Group; they are professional, friendly, and effective. ~ Kyle Friesen