Is Kelowna a good place to live?- Pros and Cons of living in Kelowna

Last Updated on July 30, 2024 by William Alexander

If you are considering moving to Kelowna, a few questions might come to mind: Is Kelowna a good place to live? Is this city safe? What type of job opportunities does this city offer? And many other questions

In this guide, I will provide you with information about what you need to know before moving to Kelowna. As a local citizen of this city, I will offer valid information about this city and answer all your questions.

After that, you will have a complete understanding of the best areas of this city and which are the prospering places of Kelowna.

Where is Kelowna?

Kelowna is situated in the Okanagan Valley, in British Columbia, along Okanagan Lake in the Okanagan village. This city lies around 80 miles north of the US border and 243 miles northeast of Vancouver, the largest city in Canada. 

This city is well-known as a famous filming location and tourist spot. Kelowna is also considered the largest fruit-growing region in the country.

How big is Kelowna?

Kelowna has a total area of about 211.83 square kilometres. It is considered the third-largest metropolitan area in the province and the 20th-largest metropolitan area in Canada.

Kelowna has a population density of approximately 850 people per square kilometre, and its total population is about 180,000 residents. This city is considered home to around 2 lac people.

Things to do in Kelowna

Kelowna offers different opportunities for outdoor, recreational, cultural, and historical activities. Let’s discuss fun things to do in Kelowna.

Outdoor activities

• You can enjoy boating, swimming, and paddle boarding at Okanagan Lake.
• Enjoy hiking and panoramic views of the city and lake at Knox Mountain Park.
• Bicycle and walk along the trestle bridge at Myra Canyon.
• Relax on the beach and have a picnic at Kelowna City Park.
• Enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and different winter activities at Big White Ski Resort.

List of famous wineries and vineyards in Kelowna

• Mission Hill Family Estate Winery
• Quails Gate Winery
• Summerhill pyramid winery
• Tantalus Vineyard

Famous historical and cultural sites

To know about the culture and history of any place, we have to visit their famous cultural and historical sites. Famous historical and cultural places.

• Kelowna art gallery
• Okanagan heritage museum
• Father pansy mission
• BC Orchard Industry Museum

Family-friendly activities

There are many family-friendly activities that you can enjoy while living in Kelowna. Here is a list of some of the famous family-friendly activities.

• H20 Adventure + fitness centre
• Kangaroo Creek farm
• Scandia Golf and Games
• Arlo’s honey farm

Famous food and dining places in Kelowna

• Kelowna farmer’s and crafters’ market
• Bouchons Bistro
• Waterfront wines
• BNA Brewing Co. and eatery

Festivals and fairs in Kelowna

In Kelowna, different types of festivals can be celebrated. Festivals are very helpful in giving a break from the burden of life. Here, I will discuss some important festivals celebrated in Kelowna with a table.

Name of festival	Month of year when celebrated	Detail about festivals
Kelowna Wine Country half marathon	September	It offers a scene of a half marathon through wine country. It is considered a wine festival
Center of Gravity Festival	July	It is a multi-day sports and music festival and also offers beach volleyball and live performances
Spring Okanagan festival	May	It is celebrated during wine season with tasting and special events in local wineries.
Fall Okanagan Wine Festival	October	This event offers tasting different varieties of food,
Great Okanagan Beer Festival	May	It offers live music performances on waterfront park craft breweries with tasting and food vendors.
Fat Cat Children Festival	June	It is a family-friendly festival offering different music performances and activities for children.
Park Alive! music concert	Various dates throughout the summer	It offers free outdoor concerts held in parks around Kelowna
Knox Mountain Hill climb	May	It is an annual car race up Knox Mountain, attracting many motorsport
Block party	August	It is a street festival in downtown Kelowna with different activities such as live music and other family activities

Studying options in Kelowna

This guide will discuss the best options for schools, colleges, and universities.

Schooling options in Kelowna 

Like other cities of Kelowna, this city also offers public schools. In public schools, the government pays for all educational expenses of a child. However, this city also provides a variety of private schools for those who want to bear the educational expenses of their child themselves. Let’s discuss some of the best schooling options in Kelowna.

Vocational and technical schools

• Sprott shaw college
• MC College 
• Kelowna high  school 
• Rutland Senior Secondary School
• Okanagan Senior Mission School

Private Schools

• Aberdeen Hall Preparatory School
• Kelowna Christian School

Specialised learning centres

• Studio9 independent school of the arts
• Heritage Christian School

Kelowna best universities

• University of British Columbia University Okanagan campus

This university offers a variety of graduate and undergraduate programs in different fields, such as arts, science, health, and business.

• This university is known for its strong research and academic support.

Best Colleges

• Okanagan college

This college provides a variety of courses, diplomas, and degree programs.

Primary educational board

• School district 23 is responsible for all types of administration of public schools in Kelowna and the surrounding area within Central Okanagan.
• Also, the board manages the standard of education in all secondary, middle, and elementary schools.
• It also manages various schools, such as Kelowna Secondary School and Rutland Senior Secondary Schools.

In short, we can say that Kelowna is a great place to live because it provides standard education.

Where to stay in Kelowna 

We worried about where we could stay and shift to a new place. And what are the prices and rent for living? In this article, I will recommend some of the best places or restaurants where you can stay. We will also discuss their rating and rent. So, let’s start 

Name of restaurant	Rent in PKR	Rent in USD dollars	Rating
Holi]day Inn Express and suites	64,200 rupees	233 dollars	4.5 stars
Coast Capri Hotel	54,989 rupees	197.09 dollars	4.3 stars
Okanagan seasons resort	34,898 rupees	126.5 dollars	2.9 stars
Delta Hotel	102,987 rupees	347.18 dollars	4.2 stars
Samesun Kelowna	40,843	148 dollars	3.8 stats
Hyatt place resort	65,432	239 dollars	4.2 stars

Where to eat in Kelowna 

If you are a food lover and want to move to any new place, you should find the best places to eat. So, I will solve your problem. I will provide you with information about the best places where you can eat in Kelowna.  Kelowna is a beautiful city that provides the best dining and eating places.

• BauDz regional table

This restaurant is famous for its farm-to-table cuisine, which uses local ingredients. The menu includes different dishes and an extensive wine list. 

• Bouchons Bistro 

It offers classical French food with a fabulous setting. It also offers fine wines and other traditional dishes.

• Waterfront wine restaurants 

It is special for seasonal dishes with local dishes and ingredients. It also offers a variety of wines.

• Earls kitchen bar

It offers various contemporary dishes and a peaceful atmosphere. It also serves junk food, such as burgers and pasta.

• Cactus club cafe

It is popular for modern Canadian cuisine and also for a relaxed atmosphere.

It offers different types of dishes, sushi, and steak.

• The Bohemian Cafe 

It offers different varieties of breakfast and lunch, with a main focus on healthy dishes. It also offers fantastic homemade dishes.

• Mad mango cafe

This restaurant is known for its southern Asian dishes, including popular laksa, pho, and pad thai.

These are the famous restaurants in Kelowna that provide standard quality food and a peaceful atmosphere.

Pros and cons of living in Kelowna 

There are advantages and drawbacks to living anywhere. Here, I will discuss some of the pros and cons of living in Kelowna.

Pros of living in Kelowna

Climate( a perfect combination of seasons)

This city provides the perfect balance of four seasons: hot summers, vibrant springs, and mild winters. The atmosphere of Kelowna is best for outdoor and recreational activities. This city has great weather. Kelowna is known for its mild climate.

Fabulous wine and culinary scene

This city has a famous winery and culinary scene, which has made it a favourite place for wine lovers. It is also famous for its delicious food and peaceful environment. 

This place has also become a favourite of food lovers. Kelowna is also home to wineries and a culinary scene.

Amenities and services

Kelowna is a small city with bigger responsibilities. This city covers a small area but provides luxuries and all the facilities of life. Kelowna has big stores and famous restaurants. It also has an international airport that provides facilities for thousands of people. Kelowna has the largest hospital in Western Canada and offers top-rated universities and colleges.

Standard Education

This city provides standard education, and Kelowna is home to many well-reputed educational institutions, such as top universities, colleges, public, private, and technical schools, such as Okanagan College and the University of British Columbia.

Community and Kelowna lifestyle

Kelowna offers a strong sense of community and a family-friendly environment. It also provides a standard lifestyle, including standard education and health care services.

Job Opportunities 

Kelowna offers a variety of jobs in sectors such as technology, healthcare, and tourism. Agriculture is also a significant sector, providing jobs in wineries, farming, and agricultural research. 

Additionally, it offers jobs in the professional services and real estate sectors and many other industries in Kelowna.

Fabulous Lake

Kelowna has a fabulous lake in BC. Okanagan Lake and other nearby lakes provide opportunities for different recreational activities in the water, such as fishing and paddle boarding, and make this city attractive for visitors and tourists.

Beautiful beaches 

Kelowna is a city in Canada that has more than 30 beaches. During the summer season, different types of events are celebrated on the beaches, such as live performances, festivals, and other fun activities. These beaches make Kelowna a great place to live.

Big white ski resort

Kelowna experiences all four seasons. In winter, Big White Ski Resort is the best place for different recreational activities. This resort is situated along with Silver Star and Apex Mountain. 

Kelowna art and music scene 

Different types of cultural activities, art galleries, and Theatres make Kelowna the best place for people who are fond of learning about other cities’ cultures.   

These are the main reasons for moving to Kelowna.

Cons of living in Kelowna

Cost of living in Kelowna

Kelowna offers a higher cost of living and a higher cost of house than other cities in British Columbia. Let’s discuss the overall cost of living in Kelowna with the help of a table.

Name of products	prices
One bedroom apartment	$ 1,500-2,000
Three-bedroom apartments	$2,500-3,500
Home purchase per square foot	$500-700
basic utilities electricity, heating, cooling, water	around $105-200
Internet 6Mbps, unlimited data	$70-100
Public transport pass monthly	$76-90
milk 1 litre	$ 1.50-2.50
apples 1 kg	$3.00-5.50

In short, Kelowna is expensive compared to other British Columbia cities.  Kelowna real estate prices are also high as compared to others.

Limited public transportation

This city provides limited public transportation facilities and also experiences traffic congestion during peak tourist season. Kelowna is one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada. Due to its population growth, traffic congestion increases daily. So, we can say that it is a more traffic-congested city than other Canadian cities. 

Tourism Crowd

This City attracts many people due to its scenic beauty. It becomes crowded at peak seasons, and people charge high prices during this time. Summer has mild temperatures, which is the best time for tourism. 

Employment Opportunities

Kelowna provides many job opportunities, but not enough compared to other larger cities in Canada.

Shopping limitations

Kelowna is one of the biggest cities in Canada. It also has many malls for shopping, but this city does not provide enough opportunities like other parts of Canada. People visit other cities for shopping. 

FAQ’S 

Final words- Is Kelowna a good place to live

Kelowna is a growing city in British Columbia.  Is Kelowna a good place to live? The answer is that this city provides stunning natural beauty, beautiful weather, a strong sense of community, and quality education; however, there are also a few drawbacks, such as limited public transportation, high cost of living and tourist crowds. 

I have provided you with complete information about the city, including its pros and cons. Now, it is your choice whether to move here or not.