Moving to KelownaKelowna

Kelowna from the air

Kelowna is the largest city in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, which is located in the south central region of the province. It is easy to get to by road or air. It is 395 km. (247 miles) east of Vancouver.

Kelowna has all the amenities of a major city - fine dining, unique shops and a lively cultural life. But, being in the heart of the Okanagan it is only minutes away from orchards and vineyards.

Lake Okanagan and vineyardYou can spend a wonderful day or two sampling the award-winning wines from the area’s many wineries. And if you are a golfer, then you can find championship golf courses to test your drive!

We have friends in Kelowna who have moved from the UK and are shortly moving into their brand new house overlooking the golf course.

Kelowna’s Prospera Place stadium has the best reputation for a venue under 10,000 seats drawing top name performers such as Elton John and Rod Stewart. It is also the home to the 2005 Western Hockey League champions, the Kelowna Rockets.

Kelowna is on the eastern shore of Okanagan Lake mid-way between Penticton in the south and Vernon in the north. The lake is a wonderful place for boating, swimming or fishing in the summer.

Apex Ski Resort Apex ski resort
Picture courtesy Penticton & Wine Country Tourism Development Services.

Local mountains are great for hiking or skiing or simply admiring for their beauty. Three major ski hills are within a one-hour drive (Apex, Big White, Sun Peaks).

Kelowna’s airport is the 11th busiest in Canada with approximately 35 scheduled flights a day. (We lived near Heathrow, so aren’t overly impressed with that statistic!) It is, however, one of the fastest growing airports in North America - a sign of Kelowna’s success.

You can explore Kelowna’s Cultural District on a free guided tour. Learn the history within the area and explore the marvel of art, and take part in the many activities the district offers. Entertainment is offered all year long … enjoy the sounds of Okanagan Symphony, see latest theatrical productions from the Kelowna Actor’s Studio or Viva Musica, and visit some of the Museums and Art Galleries that can be found in the area.

It is another sign of Kelowna’s growing importance that UBC is opening another campus in Kelowna. (see http://www.okanagan.ubc.ca/).

Distance to Kelowna From Major Cities:

Banff, AB 474km/296mi
Calgary, AB 602km/376mi
Edmonton, AB 809km/553mi
Vancouver, BC 395km/247mi
Seattle, WA 504km/315mi
Spokane, WA 408km/255mi

By Air

Kelowna International Airport welcomes daily flights from all over Canada and the Western US with the following carriers: Central Mountain Air, Westjet, Air Canada and Horizon Air and Regional 1. Connections to international carriers and destinations are easily arranged via Calgary and Vancouver. Penticton Airport offers regional service and a convenient portal into the South Okanagan-Similkameen. Car rentals are readily available.

Real Estate Statistics

COMPARATIVE SALES STATISTICS

CENTRAL OKANAGAN

(covering Peachland, Westbank, Greater Kelowna, Winfield/LakeCountry, Oyama)

Description AVG Price June 2007 June 2006 Incr/Decr %
Acreage/House $757,450 $744,275 1.77%
Duplex $353,879 $334,175 5.90%
Mobile Home $102,994 $88,665 16.16%
Recreational $369,125 $297,325 24.15%
Residential $504,912 $414,418 21.84%
Residential WF1 $1,491,500 $2,412,500 -38.18%
3/4-Plex $711,000 $340,000 109.12%
Timeshare $5,000 $0 0.00%
Apartment $288,826 $237,019 21.86%
Townhouse $341,650 $286,882 19.09%

1 WF = Waterfront

More information:

See also

Family skiing in B.C. for tips on making the most of B.C.’s fantastic winter sports.

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