Located in the stunning Okanagan Valley, Kelowna, British Columbia is a place that anyone would be proud to call home. The diverse neighbourhoods are filled with exciting activities, incredible views, delicious food, and of course, there are some of the best vineyards in the country.
City Profile
Population: 134,234
Median cost of a home: $638,667
Top three neighbourhoods: Upper Mission, Kettle Valley, Lower Mission
Median household income: $94,629
Unemployment rate: 7.4%
Days per year with rain or snow: 137
Whether you’re looking to relocate due to your work or lifestyle, Kelowna offers residents the ideal home base. You have the daily opportunity to spend your days out on the lake, on the golf course, on the ski hill, or in the comfort of your home. You can have it all in this opportunistic and exciting area of B.C.
Here are seven of the many reasons why you should consider a move to Kelowna.
1. The Okanagan Lake
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Kelowna is right on the waters of Okanagan Lake. The lake rarely freezes, meaning boaters, fishing, and water enthusiasts can enjoy the area year-round. During the warmer months, you’ll find an abundance of people boating, kayaking, paddle-boarding, as well as enjoying the sun and sand that the lake offers. Many homes in the area provide a beautiful view of the lake, it really is the best thing to look at while enjoying your morning cup of coffee.
2. The Amenities
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Health Care
Kelowna has many medical offices, specialists, surgeons, family physicians, dentists, holistic practitioners, and chiropractors. The Kelowna General Hospital is the largest and most comprehensive medical facility in this area of the province.
Education
School District #23 provides public schooling for kids in Kindergarten through grade 12 in an array of schools throughout the neighbourhood. Okanagan College is the place to go for trades, technical trades, adult education, and transfer programs. Kelowna is also home to a campus for the University of British Colombia (UBC). The Okanagan Campus of UBC has over 60 undergraduate programs as well as over 15 different graduate programs.
Entertainment
An area rich in arts and culture, Kelowna is home to art galleries like the Hambleton Galleries and the Tutt Art Galleries. The Kelowna Community Music School is providing the area access to quality music. You can register for theatre classes and camps at the Kelowna Actors Studio.
3. The Weather
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While Kelowna is home to all four seasons, they all offer beautiful weather residents can’t complain about. The autumns are crisp and colourful, the winters are incredibly mild, and the spring and summer months are warm and welcoming. The warmer months is the time of the year when tourists love visiting the area to enjoy everything Okanagan Lake has to offer. Kelowna receives over 2,000 hours of sunshine each year and the average summer temperature hovers around 30 degrees Celsius.
4. The Recreational Opportunities
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If you’re a fan of recreation of any form, indoor or outdoor, Kelowna is the place for you. There are year-round activities for the whole family to enjoy. Sporting opportunities are countless, including skiing and snowboarding at the Big White Ski Resort, hiking and mountain biking at the Myra Canyon Trestles, or playing golf at one of the world-class championship courses such as Gallagher’s Canyon, The Kelowna Golf and Country Club or The Harvest Golf Club.
If you’re more into watching sports, there are local teams to cheer on, including the Kelowna Rockets, West Kelowna Warriors, Kelowna Chiefs, Okanagan Sun, and Kelowna Falcons.
5. The Job Market
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Kelowna is a fun place to live, but it’s also a great place to work. The competitive job market was ranked #1 in Canada. It’s also very easy to navigate, thanks to job boards and online resources like the Kelowna Chamber, Indeed, Workopolis, and Kijiji. For jobs in the technology sector check out Accelerate Okanagan. The city’s economy is strong due to big businesses that include the likes of the Kelowna International Airport, UBC-Okanagan, Interior Health, and Okanagan College.
6. The Dining and Shopping
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Kelowna’s downtown core is home to a number of fantastic restaurants, cafes, pubs, and patios. The city is full of your favourite chains and local hotspots serving up food made with locally sourced ingredients. Try Bluetail Sushi or Salt & Brick. There is an array of shopping options in the area as well. From large department stores perfect for families including Costco, Walmart, Winners, Home Depot, and Superstore chains, to boutique shops, you’ll find it all here.
7. The Wine
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We couldn’t put together a list about Kelowna without mentioning the wine produced in the area. The city is the heart of British Columbia’s wine country and is the second largest wine producing area in Canada. The approximately 9,900 acres of vineyards account for more than 90% of all wine produced in British Columbia. There are over 200 wineries in the Okanagan region, meaning you can continuously try new varieties and attend unique tours. Locals enjoy spending time visiting wineries and bringing home bottles to share with friends and family.
