Kelowna, BC Area Guide

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Kelowna, BC

Kelowna in southern British Columbia lies on the tranquil shores of Okanagan Lake, located five hours east of Vancouver. With great weather, inexpensive real estate, growing employment opportunities and a high quality lifestyle, it’s easy to see the reason behind Kelowna’s recent growth. Our Kelowna Livability guide will take you through the best of what this beautiful city offers, from housing and education to recreation and entertainment.

One of the primary reasons Kelowna sees a high rate of immigration is the extremely affordable housing, which is lower than the national average and significantly lower than in Vancouver. In addition, recent years have seen an increasing number of students from across the province choosing to study at the Okanagan College and the University of British Columbia Okanagan campus. However, with the influx in population, housing and rental prices are starting to rise steadily. While the cost of living including amenities and utilities is relatively low, one of the area’s you’ll end up spending is on transit costs. Residents rely quite heavily on their cars to get around and you should factor in the costs of car ownership and insurance into your budget.

Lifestyle costs such as shopping and dining out are also relatively inexpensive and the city offers an unparalleled lifestyle with something on offer for sport lovers and cultural enthusiasts alike. Most restaurants and shops are located downtown around Wilden. Local favourites in this area include The Fixx café and Pasta Bar, BNA Brewing Co. and Eatery and Bohemian Café and Cafeteria. For shopping, head to the big box stores and the Orchard Park Shopping Centre in Harvey. For those who want to make the most of Kelowna’s great outdoors, Knox Mountain and Crawford Falls are popular spots, particularly in the summer. In addition to the hiking and water sport opportunities offered by Okanagan Lake and waterfront trails, fitness enthusiasts can sign up for one of the many adult leagues in the city for football, baseball and football.

One thing that you may find noted in a Kelowna guide is a relatively high crime rate, however you shouldn’t let this deter you from moving to the city. Task forces have been effectively assigned to deal with the situation and crime rates have seen a sharp decline in recent years.