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 reside right here?
As Kelowna residents for practically 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 prospect 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 making ready a final minute go bag because the close by wildfires obtained a bit too near our residence, we’ve skilled all of it.
Whereas residing within the Okanagan Valley has tons of positives, like several place on this planet 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 residing in Kelowna as we provide you with a neighborhood’s information to town.
Execs of Residing in Kelowna
Considering of shifting to Kelowna?
Kelowna has loads of positives. From among the nicest climate in Canada to among the nicest lakes and mountains discovered anyplace on this planet. With nature actually on most individuals’s doorsteps, it’s straightforward to get outdoors and benefit from the space’s pure magnificence.
Kelowna additionally has a vibrant arts scene plus a whole bunch of wineries, cideries and orchards that to us beat any of its Canadian equivalents. In the event you’re trying to transfer right here or simply interested by taking an prolonged work trip to the valley, there are many work alternatives plus tons of pleasant locals that will help you get located.
Not but satisfied? Listed here are a few of Kelowna’s largest positives to assist make you take into account making Kelowna your endlessly residence.
Pure Fantastic thing about the Okanagan
With its beautiful vistas of Okanagan Lake and the encircling mountains, Kelowna is a nature lover’s dream. From summer season days on the seashore to winter ski journeys at close by Huge 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 numerous 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 residing 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. In the event you’re sick of the crowds, there are tons of parks and local Kelowna hikes discovered all through this metropolis the place you’ll be able to at the least really feel such as you’re getting away from all of it.
Kelowna’s Wine Nation
Identified for its award-winning vineyards, Kelowna is the right spot for wine aficionados. The local weather and soil mix to supply top-notch grapes. Spend your weekends touring native wineries, and don’t neglect the wine festivals!
With over 300 wineries calling the Okanagan Valley residence plus dozens of cideries, micro breweries and even small distilleries, you possibly can go to a unique place on daily basis for a 12 months and by no means hit the identical place twice. That stated, we’ve got our personal native favorites and at all times benefit from the likelihood to take visiting family and friends to a brand new place when the chance knocks. We’ve learnt that in Kelowna, your favourite place may 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 reside performances, there’s at all times one thing taking place within the cultural district.
All year long, there are additionally dozens of festivals taking place round city and it’s uncommon to have a weekend go by in summer season with out one thing main taking place 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 just 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 trade and tourism sector, employment alternatives are on the rise in Kelowna. From startups to established corporations, there’s a variety of choices for these trying to relocate right here. Whereas it didn’t make the checklist of best places for expats, it positively isn’t a foul place to grow to be an expat in Canada.
Nicknamed the little Silicon Valley of the North, Kelowna is well-known for each its small startups in addition to massive 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 middle for these in Canada who opted to stay round moderately than head south within the winters. That unique assortment of younger hospitality employees who helped put Kelowna on the map caring for the retirees have now grown up and town is booming on all fronts.
Pleasant Communities in Kelowna
One factor you’ll discover is the nice and cozy and welcoming ambiance in Kelowna. Group occasions, farmer’s markets, and neighborhood gatherings make it straightforward to satisfy individuals and really feel a part of the neighborhood. It appears there’s at all times something to do in Kelowna.
For the reason that overwhelming majority of individuals now residing in Kelowna have moved right here from different places in Canada and overseas, there’s a welcoming feeling to the rising metropolis. With an enormous tourism trade, loads of nature to discover and nice climate, it’s straightforward to get out and meet new individuals.
Kelowna’s Gentle Local weather
In comparison with different elements of Canada, Kelowna has a comparatively gentle local weather and among the nicest total climate in Canada. In the event you hate wind, it’s additionally one of many least windy main cities in Canada. Although it experiences all 4 seasons, you positively received’t need to take care of the tough winters seen in different areas of Canada.
Lengthy sizzling summers, gentle winters (compared to most different Canadian Cities) and loads of good days in between means extra alternatives to get out and discover the area. The perfect 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 signifies that in spring you’ll be able to ski within the morning and golf within the afternoon. Or, in case you favor, you’ll be able to hike within the cool mornings after which bake on the seashore within the afternoon all summer season lengthy.
Cons of Residing in Kelowna
Whereas it at all times hurts to gripe about issues your metropolis is missing, the reality is that no metropolis on this planet is ideal on all fronts. Excessive residing prices, extreme tourism and Kelowna’s semi distant location (3.5 hours from Vancouver and 6 hours from Calgary) signifies that whereas issues are comparatively shut in Canadian requirements, the common traveler will discover that Kelowna may be lower off from among the bigger facilities. Whereas that may be an enormous plus for some individuals, others won’t adore it.
On that word, since we’ve already seemed into a few of Kelowna’s execs, let’s now dive into a few of Kelowna’s cons.
Price of Residing in Kelowna
The reality of the matter is that Kelowna isn’t low-cost to reside in. Housing costs have soared in recent times, and day-to-day bills like groceries and fuel may also be excessive. Be ready for a little bit of sticker shock.
Whereas this may be stated for many locations around the globe as of late, it’s extra pronounced in Kelowna. Thought of by many to be one of many most expensive cities to live in Canada, it means you’ll be able to’t survive on this metropolis in case 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 financial system, it additionally means crowds, particularly in the summertime. This could result in congestion, making it exhausting to get pleasure from among the very points of interest 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 just round $1 an hour any time of the 12 months with loads of free parking outdoors of Monday 9 to five so there may be 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 sort of a necessity in case you plan on getting round with out problem. Whereas loads of College of BC college students in addition to Okanagan School college students get to high school each day through public transport buses, getting from one space of town to a different may be powerful in case you’re not planning on going by downtown first.
Although Uber and Uride at the moment are out there within the metropolis, each journey sharing platforms have been sluggish to reach within the metropolis and are nonetheless missing so that you’ll typically must order a cab through the busiest occasions of the day in case you can’t discover a bus. You can too discover each ebike and scooter leases all through town nevertheless these aren’t best 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 generally is a concern in case you’re working in sectors like tourism. Whereas late spring, summer season and early fall may be busy, until you’re heading to Huge White for winter work, it is perhaps tougher to search out one thing that pays the payments. That stated, 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 a lot to supply together with a global airport, a good assortment of enormous shops, a big shopping center, a effectively 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 can be vulnerable to loopy quantities of snow and even within the hotter months there are occasional rockslides to deal with. Both can severely hamper your capability to get to your farther vacation spot simply or shortly.
Wildfires in Kelowna
Within the final decade, the dry, sizzling summers include the next threat of wildfires, which generally is a actual concern. Smoke from close by fires can even have an effect on air high quality through the summer season months and smash an in any other case excellent 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 have 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 likelihood it is going to be smoky within the metropolis.
Conclusion
Residing in Kelowna presents a novel mix of pure magnificence, a rising job market, and a vibrant neighborhood. Nevertheless, it does include its personal set of challenges, just like the excessive value of residing and seasonal crowds. Whether or not or not Kelowna is best for you will rely on what you’re on the lookout for in a house base.
That stated, we’ve cherished our time within the metropolis and each ourselves and our youngsters have made pals right here that may final our total lives. There’s no denying that this Canadian gem has a lot to supply and if you may get previous it’ negatives, it’s nonetheless an incredible place to reside and work.
