Ah, Kelowna! Nestled in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, this slice of Canadian paradise is greater than only a vacation vacation spot. However what’s it like to truly dwell right here?
As Kelowna residents for almost a decade, we’ve referred to as Kelowna residence for some time now. Whereas it appears we’re nonetheless discovering new issues on a regular basis, we’ve had the possibility to expertise each the highs and the lows that this metropolis has to supply.
From beautiful sunny days trying out vineyards within the morning and paddle boarding on the lake within the afternoon to getting ready a final minute go bag because the close by wildfires bought a bit too near our residence, we’ve skilled all of it.
Whereas dwelling within the Okanagan Valley has tons of positives, like several place on the earth it additionally has a couple of negatives. So, whether or not you’re one of many few true locals who was born right here or one of many many nomads from around the globe now calling Kelowna residence like us, let’s dive in and discover the professionals and cons of dwelling in Kelowna as we offer you an area’s information to the town.
Professionals of Dwelling in Kelowna
Pondering of transferring to Kelowna?
Kelowna has loads of positives. From a few of the nicest climate in Canada to a few of the nicest lakes and mountains discovered anyplace on the earth. With nature actually on most individuals’s doorsteps, it’s simple to get outdoors and benefit from the space’s pure magnificence.
Kelowna additionally has a vibrant arts scene plus lots of of wineries, cideries and orchards that to us beat any of its Canadian equivalents. When you’re seeking to transfer right here or simply fascinated by taking an prolonged work trip to the valley, there are many work alternatives plus tons of pleasant locals that can assist you get located.
Not but satisfied? Listed below are a few of Kelowna’s greatest positives to assist make you contemplate making Kelowna your endlessly residence.
Pure Great thing about the Okanagan
With its gorgeous vistas of Okanagan Lake and the encircling mountains, Kelowna is a nature lover’s dream. From summer season days on the seaside to winter ski journeys at close by Large White (a 30 minute drive), there’s no scarcity of out of doors actions right here.
Whether or not you’re staying on one the various hills on the town overlooking Okanagan Lake or staying within the valley with beautiful views of the close by hills, nature is a giant draw for anybody dwelling on this metropolis. Fact be informed, there’s not too many areas within the 140K populated metro that you would be able to’t be away from individuals after a couple of minutes drive. When you’re sick of the crowds, there are tons of parks and native Kelowna hikes discovered all through this metropolis the place you’ll be able to not less than really feel such as you’re getting away from all of it.
Kelowna’s Wine Nation
Recognized for its award-winning vineyards, Kelowna is the proper spot for wine aficionados. The local weather and soil mix to provide top-notch grapes. Spend your weekends touring native wineries, and don’t overlook the wine festivals!
With over 300 wineries calling the Okanagan Valley residence plus dozens of cideries, micro breweries and even small distilleries, you might go to a special place daily for a 12 months and by no means hit the identical place twice. That mentioned, we have now our personal native favorites and at all times benefit from the probability to take visiting family and friends to a brand new place when the chance knocks. We’ve learnt that in Kelowna, your favourite place would possibly simply be down the road.
Kelowna’s Vibrant Arts and Musical Scene
Kelowna is a hub for tradition, providing artwork galleries, theaters, and even a symphony. Whether or not you’re into visible arts or dwell performances, there’s at all times one thing occurring within the cultural district.
All year long, there are additionally dozens of festivals occurring round city and it’s uncommon to have a weekend go by in summer season with out one thing main occurring within the metropolis. Between Kelowna and close by Penticton, most giant musical acts that hit Vancouver may also cease on the town to carry out as they head east. If an act or present doesn’t make it to the valley, Vancouver is simply a 3 hour drive away with loads of inns to make your micro journey a enjoyable one.
Shifting to Kelowna? The Rising Job Market
With its booming tech business and tourism sector, employment alternatives are on the rise in Kelowna. From startups to established corporations, there’s a variety of choices for these seeking to relocate right here. Whereas it didn’t make the checklist of greatest locations for expats, it positively isn’t a nasty place to change into an expat in Canada.
Nicknamed the little Silicon Valley of the North, Kelowna is well-known for each its small startups in addition to huge tech corporations who’ve chosen to name Kelowna residence. Whereas seasonal work brings in individuals from around the globe, Kelowna additionally grew its fame as a pleasant retirement heart for these in Canada who opted to stay round moderately than head south within the winters. That authentic assortment of younger hospitality employees who helped put Kelowna on the map caring for the retirees have now grown up and the town is booming on all fronts.
Pleasant Communities in Kelowna
One factor you’ll discover is the nice and cozy and welcoming environment in Kelowna. Neighborhood occasions, farmer’s markets, and neighborhood gatherings make it simple to fulfill individuals and really feel a part of the group. It appears there’s at all times one thing to do in Kelowna.
Because the overwhelming majority of individuals now dwelling in Kelowna have moved right here from different areas in Canada and overseas, there’s a welcoming feeling to the rising metropolis. With an enormous tourism business, loads of nature to discover and nice climate, it’s simple to get out and meet new individuals.
Kelowna’s Gentle Local weather
In comparison with different elements of Canada, Kelowna has a comparatively delicate local weather and a few of the nicest total climate in Canada. When you hate wind, it’s additionally one of many least windy main cities in Canada. Although it experiences all 4 seasons, you positively gained’t must take care of the cruel winters seen in different areas of Canada.
Lengthy scorching summers, delicate winters (compared to most different Canadian Cities) and loads of good days in between means extra alternatives to get out and discover the area. One of the best half is that with the mountains so shut, there are tons of small micro climates you’ll be able to expertise relying in your location and elevation. It implies that in spring you’ll be able to ski within the morning and golf within the afternoon. Or, when you desire, you’ll be able to hike within the cool mornings after which bake on the seaside within the afternoon all summer season lengthy.
Cons of Dwelling in Kelowna
Whereas it at all times hurts to gripe about issues your metropolis is missing, the reality is that no metropolis on the earth is ideal on all fronts. Excessive dwelling prices, extreme tourism and Kelowna’s semi distant location (3.5 hours from Vancouver and 6 hours from Calgary) implies that whereas issues are comparatively shut in Canadian requirements, the common traveler will discover that Kelowna may be lower off from a few of the bigger facilities. Whereas that may be an enormous plus for some individuals, others won’t like it.
On that word, since we’ve already appeared into a few of Kelowna’s execs, let’s now dive into a few of Kelowna’s cons.
Price of Dwelling in Kelowna
The reality of the matter is that Kelowna isn’t low-cost to dwell in. Housing costs have soared lately, and day-to-day bills like groceries and gasoline may also be excessive. Be ready for a little bit of sticker shock.
Whereas this may be mentioned for many locations around the globe lately, it’s extra pronounced in Kelowna. Thought-about by many to be some of the costly cities to dwell in Canada, it means you’ll be able to’t survive on this metropolis when you’re solely making minimal wage until you’re a giant group all chipping in for the month-to-month lease.
Vacationer Crowds in Kelowna
Whereas tourism boosts the economic system, it additionally means crowds, particularly in the summertime. This may result in congestion, making it exhausting to take pleasure in a few of the very sights that drew you to Kelowna within the first place.
This may be simply seen when taking a look at visitors patterns over the course of the 12 months. In summer season, by far the busiest vacationer season in Kelowna, any journey round city can simply be doubled and parking downtown or by one of many many seashores may be exhausting to return by. Bonus to Kelowna is that parking downtown is simply round $1 an hour any time of the 12 months with loads of free parking outdoors of Monday 9 to five so there’s that brilliant facet.
Kelowna’s Restricted Public Transport
Public transport choices are restricted in Kelowna, particularly in comparison with bigger cities within the nation. Proudly owning a automotive is nearly a necessity when you plan on getting round with out problem. Whereas loads of College of BC college students in addition to Okanagan Faculty college students get to high school each day by way of public transport buses, getting from one space of the town to a different may be robust when you’re not planning on going by downtown first.
Although Uber and Uride are actually accessible within the metropolis, each experience sharing platforms have been sluggish to reach within the metropolis and are nonetheless missing so that you’ll typically must order a cab in the course of the busiest instances of the day when you can’t discover a bus. You can too discover each ebike and scooter leases all through the town nevertheless these aren’t supreme within the cooler winter months.
Seasonal Employment in Kelowna
Whereas there are many job alternatives, some industries in Kelowna are extremely seasonal. This implies job safety could be a concern when you’re working in sectors like tourism. Whereas late spring, summer season and early fall may be busy, until you’re heading to Large White for winter work, it is perhaps tougher to seek out one thing that pays the payments. That mentioned, anybody working within the trades or for minimal wage ought to have zero issues discovering one thing as jobs in these areas are at all times in demand right here.
Kelowna’s Distance from Main Cities
Although it has loads to supply together with a world airport, a good assortment of huge shops, a big shopping center, a nicely ranked hockey workforce within the WHL, plus a thriving artwork scene, Kelowna is considerably remoted from main cities like Vancouver or Calgary.
The drive to Vancouver takes round 3.5 hours and Calgary is pushing 6.5 hours supplied the highways are open and clear. That’s one thing that isn’t at all times the case within the winter as each instructions take you over a few of Canada’s highest routes which are susceptible to loopy quantities of snow and even within the hotter months there are occasional rockslides to deal with. Both can severely hamper your means to get to your farther vacation spot simply or shortly.
Wildfires in Kelowna
Within the final decade, the dry, scorching summers include the next danger of wildfires, which could be a actual concern. Smoke from close by fires may have an effect on air high quality in the course of the summer season months and damage an in any other case good summer season day within the metropolis.
Whereas July and August have at all times been Kelowna’s greatest months when it comes to climate (with the highs within the decrease 30’s each single day and never a cloud in sight), the altering local weather panorama has made what had been as soon as idyllic summer season days into an unknown amount these previous couple of years. We’ve gotten to some extent the place we now journey away extra typically in August simply because there’s a superb probability it will likely be smoky within the metropolis.
Conclusion
Dwelling in Kelowna provides a singular mix of pure magnificence, a rising job market, and a vibrant group. Nevertheless, it does include its personal set of challenges, just like the excessive value of dwelling and seasonal crowds. Whether or not or not Kelowna is best for you will rely upon what you’re on the lookout for in a house base.
That mentioned, we’ve beloved our time within the metropolis and each ourselves and our kids have made associates right here that may final our whole lives. There’s no denying that this Canadian gem has loads to supply and if you will get previous it’ negatives, it’s nonetheless a terrific place to dwell and work.
