Looking to Live Like a Local? Experience House Sitting on Vancouver Island

By Lauren Regan.

As I took the keys and confidently climbed into the wrong side of the ridiculous SUV, I thought it would be a good idea to hire when I was back home in the UK. I considered that flying 5000 miles alone to look after two cats I'd only ever met on Zoom might have been a silly idea. 

A move to British Columbia, Canada, has been on my bucket list for a while now. Despite multiple trips for holidays and work over the years, I wanted to get a feel for what it would really be like to live there, not just vacation. 

Back in March, I was introduced to Frannie. A retired lawyer, keen traveller, and dedicated cat mom, Frannie was looking for someone to take care of her house and two cats (mother and daughter duo Daisy and Liquorice) in Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, while she travelled Europe for a month. Everything was arranged through the TrustedHousesitters app (there is a small admin fee to sign up, but they list houses all over the world, so there will definitely be somewhere that takes your fancy), and after checking credentials, sorting admin, and meeting a couple of times on Zoom, it was time to hop on a flight and start my adventure. 

While you can fly directly to Victoria, the capital of Vancouver Island, I opted to fly directly to Vancouver from the UK, pick up a hire car, and hop on the passenger ferry that runs almost hourly from Horseshoe Bay, Vancouver, directly to Nanaimo. Frannie was there to meet me at her beautiful home overlooking Departure Bay, a glittering millpond home to orcas, sea lions, and the occasional humpback whale meandering its way down the coast. 

After making friends with the cats (one more successfully than the other), getting to know the house, and enjoying a delicious welcome meal prepared by my host, it was time to sleep and plan what the next month had in store.

The following day was the first one I had completely alone. The house was quiet, and one of the cats had retreated into a cupboard and was refusing to come out, but after taking a deep breath, getting a pot of coffee brewing, and having a few video calls with people back home, I started to settle right in. 

Being a solo female traveller can be daunting, but the experience felt perfectly safe. Before I left, I'd taken sensible precautions, like sharing my location and plans with close friends and family, verifying everything through the app, and packing a 'bear whistle' kindly gifted by a friend who earnestly told me that it "also worked on men". Thankfully, the only drama came from a particularly grumpy deer that kept me trapped on the front porch for an hour or so during my first week, only deciding to move on after I tossed it an apple and darted to my car. It's definitely the most elaborate reason I've ever been late for a meeting. 

Nanaimo is a coastal town sitting around 90 minutes north of the Island's capital, Victoria, and is ideally located to explore the Island's dramatic landscapes and sweeping coastlines. Recognised as an environmentally sensitive area, Neck Point Park Neck Point is a destination waterfront park for Nanaimo and the region. The park provides visitors with 36 acres of a waterfront setting to explore, and the headland area in the north section is a great spot to take a moment and watch for Orca, Sealions and otters playing in the waves below. A local told me that the rock wall face is apparently home to a friendly octopus, but despite my best efforts, I couldn't spot him during my multiple visits. 

As most of my trip was dedicated to work and experiencing life as a local, finding a coffee shop with great flavours and free wifi was high on my agenda for my first week. After sampling a few favourites, you can't find better than drip! A waterfront coffee shop and bakery serving seasonal favourites and stunning views of Newcastle Island and the surrounding bay. If you're looking for something stronger, a glass of wine as the tide flows around the Lighthouse Bistro and Pub in Nanaimo Marina is hard to beat. 

As well as getting a feel for what it would be like to do business on the Island, I also wanted to get a feel for what weekend adventures in the great outdoors might look like, and I quickly realised that Nanaimo is perfectly placed to visit some of the islands must-see spots. Head up to Campbell River, around 2 hours North, and you can join multiple tours to spot the coast's varied wildlife inhabitants. If you want to see the Island from a different vantage point, Paradise Acres Ranch offers horseback trail riding for beginners through to experienced riders. If you're looking for an adrenaline rush, try the Eagles Flight zip tour, a 100km per hour ride that takes you 275ft about Mount Washington. 

Housesitting was the perfect way to combine exploration and adventure with home comforts, and Vancouver Island is a pretty magical place to call home for a few weeks, so much so I'm already planning when to return.

Lauren Regan is the founder and creative director of MOLE. A PR and creative communications consultancy working with clients across the UK, North America, and Canada. 

www.wearemole.com  |  [email protected]