Often called a Four Season Playground, nestled in the Okanagan Valley, surrounded by mountains, lakes, and forests, Kelowna, BC is a city like no other. From its thriving arts and cultural district to the growing tech sector, from a wealth of natural amenities at every turn to boutique shopping experiences, Kelowna has it all. Whether you’re moving to a new neighborhood or relocating from outside the valley, there are hundreds of reasons why Kelowna is the perfect place to call home.

The first non-native settlement in the Okanagan Valley was started by Father Charles Pandosy, a Priest in 1859 right here in Kelowna, along the banks of Mission Creek. The restored remains of his Mission site which included a church, a school, and a residence still stand today.

In May 1905, Kelowna was incorporated boasting a thriving population of 600 people. It was not until the completion of the Okanagan Lake Floating Bridge in 1958 that the area began to blossom into the thriving city we now enjoy and love.

The University of British Columbia Okanagan campus is home to over 9,000 undergrad and grad students studying in a variety of fields. It Includes a thriving campus separated into different departments, and a medical training facility attached to the Kelowna General Hospital. UBCO is a prestigious and sought after place to further your educational experience.

The Okanagan University Campus, located in the Mission area provides a close knit student community that constantly strives for educational innovation.

The Centre for Arts and Technology is for those seeking private post-secondary education specializing in the arts and tech sectors.

There are also over 46 public elementary, middle, and high schools throughout the city, along with a number of private training institutions such as Studio9 for K-12 which focuses on the arts, and Aberdeen Hall, an internationally acclaimed Prep School. There are also several faith-based private schools including Immaculata High School, Kelowna Christian School, and Heritage Christian School, and more.

To see what school your child might be eligible for and to view the cachment areas, visit: SD23.bc.ca

The weather alone in Kelowna makes for a healthy balanced lifestyle, but in addition to the abundance of Vitamin D, the city also boasts a fantastic healthcare system. The Kelowna General Hospital is centrally located in the Mission area of town, along with the Kelowna Cancer Centre which covers cancer research, education, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in the Southern Interior. Numerous walk-in clinics and family practices are located throughout the valley. Kelowna General Hospital is also now the primary teaching hospital in the Interior of BC, working alongside the UBCO Faculty of Medicine.

Without a doubt, one of Kelowna’s most obvious and enticing features is the Okanagan Lake. Running 135 km from end to end, the lake provides endless amounts of fun throughout the summer months. No matter your water pleasure; paddle boarding, kayaking, swimming, wakeboarding, kitesurfing, windsurfing, waterskiing, or you simply enjoy hanging out at the beach, the Kelowna lake life is exactly what you’re looking for.

Thanks to an amazing amount of sunshine every year (over 2000 hours), there are ample opportunities to golf from spring through to the late Fall. There are over 18 exceptional and challenging courses, in just Kelowna alone, with more on the outskirts of town or located in nearby cities. Whether you are a newcomer to the game of golf, or if you prefer the challenge of a prestigious luxury course, Kelowna offers something for everyone! If you’re looking for a place to tee off, there’s no better place than Kelowna!

https://www.golfkelowna.com/golf-courses/

Kelowna houses a thriving cultural district and nurtures a creative community through a number of venues, organizations, and festivals. The Kelowna Community Theatre and The Kelowna Actors Studio offer performances year round; everything from concerts to broadway musicals. The Kelowna Heritage Museum teaches the history of the area, while the Kelowna Arts Gallery hosts workshops and gallery presentations for all ages.

Kelowna houses a thriving cultural district and nurtures a creative community through a number of venues, organizations, and festivals. The Kelowna Community Theatre and The Kelowna Actors Studio offer performances year round; everything from concerts to broadway musicals. The Kelowna Heritage Museum teaches the history of the area, while the Kelowna Arts Gallery hosts workshops and gallery presentations for all ages.

The Kelowna area boasts over 200 wine-producing vineyards and over 40 wineries, many of them internationally award winning. Hot Summers, lush soil, gently sloping banks combine to making a winning recipe for perfect grape-growing conditions. With so many options for grape varieties, wines, and wineries throughout the Okanagan Valley, plus a number of wine festivals and events taking place throughout the year, it’s no surprise that the Okanagan Valley has become one of North America’s premier wine growing regions visited by thousands of wine lovers every year!

Kelowna is a sought after place to retire. It offers access to a strong healthcare infrastructure, a cancer clinic, a wide variety of resort style adult communities, big city amenities such as theatre and endless fine dining, and favourable seasonal weather. Kelowna has become an end zone for those looking to spend their retirement years being active while having access to life’s necessities.

Located within an hour’s drive of the Kelowna city centre, you’ll find two world class ski resorts. The closest, Big White, boasts a massive ski village, varied terrain, 15 lifts, over 105 kilometers of ski runs, and an annual snowfall of around 25 feet. Voted the best Family Ski Hill in North America, it is a destination teaming with options for your littles and middles. It’s also home of the world famous “Champagne Powder”!

Boasting the 3rd largest ski area in BC, Silverstar Mountain Resort just outside Vernon has over 3000 skiable acres, and also offers heli skiing.

Kelowna is referred to as Canada’s ‘Silicon Valley’ with a booming tech industry that’s grown in leaps and bounds over the last decade. In the past two years, the local industry has seen a 30% growth earning 1.3 billion in 2016 alone. Large companies like Bardel and Disney Interactive along with a massive amount of startups, many supported by the Okanagan Innovation Centre, continue to contribute to this thriving community.