Quiet comfort in Kelowna

For decades, B.C.’s Okanagan Valley has been the place for nature lovers to visit — and set down roots. Known for its easy access to every form of outdoor recreational activity — think walking, hiking, and biking trails, skiing, beachcombing, sunbathing, swimming and picking your own fruit at an orchard — it’s no wonder the city of Kelowna, located along the beautiful shores of Okanagan Lake, is a popular destination for tourists and for anyone looking to settle down.

A desirable place to live

Kelowna is part of the Regional District of Central Okanagan that also includes Peachland, Lake Country, West Kelowna and unincorporated communities on both sides of Okanagan Lake. With a population of more than 143,000, Kelowna is the largest community in the district.

For anyone searching for a forever home or looking to make a savvy real estate investment, Kelowna is worth checking out. The area, surrounded by nature’s beauty, offers great weather (1,950 hours of sunshine per year), stunning landscapes and outdoor spaces, wineries, powder-filled ski hills, and excellent schools. It has become one of Canada’s most popular cities for families, young professionals, remote workers, and retirees alike.

Family-oriented

Recent results of a survey conducted by the city showed 90 per cent of respondents said they had a good quality of life, with top marks given to the quality of the drinking water, fire and police services, bike lanes, parks and sports fields, and community cleanliness. The four-season outdoor recreational options located close by, job opportunities in tourism, hospitality and tech, and the great weather, all contribute to Kelowna’s popularity.

As in many places across British Columbia, housing is becoming expensive, but it is still more affordable in Kelowna than comparative homes on the mainland. For families with children, there are plenty of schools, including pre-K, elementary, secondary education, and post-graduate. Kelowna also has several local theatre groups, a symphony orchestra, museums and numerous art galleries, and has cultural experiences for all ages and abilities.

The Kelowna International Airport (YLW) is one of the top-10 busiest airports in Canada, and Kelowna General Hospital is the largest and most comprehensive in the southern interior of B.C. with a full treatment cancer clinic. And, when you’re craving an exciting day trip or weekend on the mainland, Vancouver is just over five hours away by car, or about 55 minutes by plane.