Living in Kelowna, B.C.
Credit to Author: Canadian Immigrant| Date: Tue, 05 Mar 2019 08:35:25 +0000
Want to live in B.C., but can’t afford Vancouver? Think the Okanagan Valley! Here’s more about the growing hub of Kelowna in our ‘Find a City’ series
Kelowna is the largest city in the Okanagan Valley, located 471 kilometres east of Vancouver on the shores of Lake Okanagan in the southern interior of British Columbia. It is the third largest metropolitan area and its name comes from an Interior Salish indigenous word for “grizzly bear.”
The city is known for its hot, sunny summers and temperate winters. Kelowna residents enjoy 2,000 hours of sunshine a year, and a plethora of fresh fruit thanks to the many orchard growers who harvest apples, grapes, peaches and berries throughout the region. The Okanagan region is also home to a number of award-winning wineries.
Outdoor adventurers can take to the local mountains for hiking, or enjoy water sports in Lake Okanagan. Tourists and locals arrive at the lake each summer to camp, picnic, parasail, flyboard, seadoo, kayak, pedal boat and windsurf.
Skiiers, snowboarders, snowshoers and snowmobilers flock to nearby Big White Ski Resort, Crystal Mountain and Silver Star Mountain Resort in the winter months to take advantage of abundant and pristine powder.
City of Kelowna population statistics
Incorporated as a city: 1905
Population: 194,882 (2016 Census) a rise of 8.4% from 2011
Average age: 44.0
Number of citizens: 181, 895
Number of non-immigrants: 162,060
Number of immigrants: 26,455
Number of non-permanent residents: 2,055
Number of immigrants from:
U.S.: 2,035
Americas (other than U.S.): 3,520
Europe: 15,345
Africa: 780
India: 1,635
Philippines: 1,285
Korea: 450
Mother tongue:
English: 165,465
French: 3,105
Non-official languages: 22,290
Total visible minority population: 14,935
Chinese: 2,340
South Asian: 3,925
Filipino: 1,885
Black: 1,260
Southeast Asian: 770
Latin American: 1,070
Arab: 300
Neighbourhoods in Kelowna
One of Kelowna’s oldest neighbourhoods, Glenmore is located between the downtown area and Kelowna International Airport. With a distinct community feel, proximity to amenities and recreation — including the Kelowna Golf & Country Club and Knox Mountain Park, Glenmore’s single-family homes and new townhouses and condos are attractive to young families and newcomers to the city.
The Springfield/Spall neighbourhood sits northwest of Mission Creek, south of Hwy 97, and east of Gordon Drive. Residents can take advantage of shopping at nearby Orchard Park Shopping Centre, pharmacies, and grocery stores. Neither too close nor too far to downtown Kelowna, Springfield/Spall is a great place to get settled in a condo, townhome or single-family home.
The area of West Kelowna (also known as Westbank) is located across Lake Okanagan from downtown Kelowna. Rapid growth in this neighbourhood has seen an increase in businesses setting up shop here including big box stores. West Kelowna is a large enough community to comprise a number of neighbourhoods including Rose Valley, Lakeview Heights and Glenrosa.
Housing in Kelowna
Kelowna’s housing market slowed down in 2018. Mid year, the average price of of a single-family home hit a record high of $782,398 but then fell drastically to $650,785 by November. As of February 2018, the average rent for a one-bedroom unit was $1,160. For two-bedroom units, the average rent sits at $1,630. Considering the average cost of a home in Vancouver is more than $1 million, Kelowna is relatively affordable in British Columbia terms; however, when compared to the price of housing in the rest of the country, it is still quite high and shows no sign of slowing down.
Renters should expect to pay between $800 and $950 month for a one-bedroom apartment in Kelowna. Families will pay between $1,200 and $1,550 to rent a three-bedroom apartment in or around the city.
For more info on rental and housing options, visit:
Kelowna Rent Hello Apartments
Rent BC
Economy in Kelowna
Kelowna’s economy depends heavily on the marketing and distribution centre of its thriving tree fruit industry; Sun-Rype is headquartered in Kelowna, a large manufacturing company of fruit juice and fruit bars.
Forestry, manufacturing, high tech and tourism also play a significant role in the local economy. The service industry, however, currently employs more people in Kelowna than any other industry. Seasonal tourism also brings employment each winter to Kelowna’s world-class ski resorts.
Okanagan College and University of British Columbia are important employers in Kelowna’s education sector.
The top five employment sectors (by industry) are:
- energy
- environmental products and services
- architecture, engineering and construction
- life sciences
- financial service
Cost of living in Kelowna
The cost of living in Kelowna is lower than Metro Vancouver thanks to a number of factors including a lower cost of housing, house and car insurance. Kelowna residents save as much as 40 per cent on living costs compared to Vancouverites; a significant factor is cost and time spent on commuting.
Kelowna residents not only feel fortunate to live in a relatively affordable place, with better value for their dollar, they also believe quality of life is higher. It’s easier to find a new, better home in a nicer neighbourhood; and it’s hard to argue with the beauty of Lake Okanagan, the long season of sunny, warm weather, and opportunities for a healthy, active lifestyle in one of the most picturesque cities in the country.
Transportation in Kelowna
Kelowna International Airport (YLW) serves Kelowna residents and is one of the top 10 airports in Canada, serving more than 1.6 million passengers in 2014.
The Kelowna Regional Transit System is run by FirstGroup, providing public bus transportation services in Kelowna and surrounding areas. A monthly bus pass to get around the city cost just $60.
Taxi fares in Kelowna start at $2.15, and for an hour of taxi service in the city expect to pay around $40.
Climate/Weather in Kelowna
Kelowna residents enjoy four distinct seasons, with dry, sunny summers and cold, cloudy winters. Average daytime highs in the hottest months — July and August — reach 27.4°C though it’s not uncommon for temperatures to exceed 32°C. The hottest day ever recorded in Kelowna reached was a blazing 41°C.
In winter, highs hover below freezing with average lows not dipping below -10 °C. Kelowna gets on average just over 100 centimetres of snow each year, and about 350 millimetres of precipitation in total.
Things to do in Kelowna
Kelowna residents and tourists alike flock to picturesque Lake Okanagan for picnics, boating, swimming and fishing as well as water sports. City Park on the edge of Lake Okanagan is the site of Kelowna’s annual Centre of Gravity Event — a July weekend of music and beach sports.
Waterfront Park offers a beautiful waterfront walkway accessible from downtown. The park features an outdoor amphitheatre and a boardwalk that links up to Tugboat Beach, a playground and spray park.
For family-friendly fun, be sure to take the kids for a round of mini golf, a go-kart race or a session in the batting cages at Scandia Golf and Games.
Named a Cultural Capital of Canada in 2003, Kelowna is home to the new Rotary Centre for the Arts, the Kelowna Community Theatre, Ballet Kelowna, the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra and the Kelowna Community Concert Society.
Foodies will love the Kelowna Farmer’s and Crafter’s Market, which takes place at Parkinson’s Rec Centre from April to October each year, as well as the plethora of fresh markets in and around the city, including homemade jam and artisan cheese shops, and honey farms.
Helpful information
These useful resources will help you find your way around the city and the province:
Kelowna Maps
City of Kelowna
Province of BC
Tourism Kelowna