Kelowna Real Estate
Buying a Home in Kelowna
Imagine a city set on the shores of 170 KM lake, surrounded by mountains, where you can golf, visit wineries, hike, ski, snowboard, or sled in the winter… Kelowna offers all this and much, much more! You can even often ski and play golf on the same day.
The largest city in the Interior of British Columbia, this is a great place for enjoying an active lifestyle. Kelowna has a fabulous quality of life with plenty of sunshine (around 2,000 hours per year), and is one of the warmest places in Canada. We have hot and relatively dry summers, and while winters are far milder than most parts of Canada we still get ample enough snow for enjoying all those winter sports.
Set on the shores of the Okanagan Lake, and with all the wineries and fruit-growing areas surrounding us, this city could almost be mistaken for somewhere in the Mediterranean, in the summer months anyway! Like the Med, we attract visitors from all over Canada and the world and have a strong economy thanks to being such a popular destination.
Things to Do in Kelowna
If you live in Kelowna, then you know there’s no shortage of fabulous things to do here. But, are you new to our community? Welcome! We are a diverse community and welcome new residents from all parts of the world. We know you’ll love living here and want to introduce you to all the things to do.
Kelowna is situated in a desert valley, giving us a moderate climate that’s unique to our little corner of British Columbia. We have an average snowfall total of just under 70 cm per year. This means that we can enjoy outdoor activities and fitness for much more of the year than the rest of our beautiful province. We are known for golfing, boating, Jet Skis, road biking, and mountain trail biking, hiking, Wineries, Craft Brewery Tours, Restaurants, Across the Lake Swim, Ribfest, and Music in the Park in the summer. We also have a vibrant scene for those who enjoy art, music, and culture.
Schools
Finding the right school for your children is one of the most important decisions for a parent. And being able to select an area to live in that accommodates your whole family's school needs is important.
Our children have been in the Kelowna school system from preschool to University and we have found that the valley has a lot to offer for educational options in English, French Immersion, Public, Private schools, Okanagan College, and the University of British Columbia Okanagan
Okanagan College Okanagan
University Of British Columbia (UBCO)
It’s a great place to study too –home to the University of British Columbia Okanagan campus, and UBCO has over 8,000 full-time students. Speaking of studying, there are many excellent schools, and as well as UBCO we have Okanagan College where a further 5,000 full-time students attend. The population of Kelowna, by the way, is close to 110,000 and because we’re attracting newcomers all the time, that number is increasing with properties more affordable than in Vancouver or the Lower Mainland, for example, and there’s less traffic here. We have many beautiful communities to choose from, from downtown to the spacious acreages of Joe Riche, and everything in between.
Luxury Homes
Kelowna luxury properties share one common goal: a home that offers the homeowner a combination of contemporary conveniences, access to the conveniences of Kelowna, and breathtaking views of the Okanagan Valley and the lake. Many of the stunning Kelowna lakefront houses you see are custom-crafted, their sites were chosen due to the proximity to Okanagan Lake.
The Okanagan Valley is a beautiful place. Every community has breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, the valley, or the lake. Each of these views is, indeed, a stunning sight to behold. However, the view that holds the most prestige and yields the best return on your investment is the view of Okanagan Lake.
Here’s some great news. Many communities in the Okanagan Valley have lakefront real estate available! Waterfront lots are available in some of the best Kelowna communities.
There’s a large variety in both lot size and price range from community to community. For example, lots in Lake View Heights and Peachland are more spacious and lower-priced than lots in Lower Mission. Another important consideration is the terrain of the lot. While some lots are relatively flat allowing you a sprawling home, others are built on a steep incline and are better suited for an architecturally unique multi-level custom home.
Waterfront
You’ve all heard the old real estate mantra: Location, location, location. This especially holds true when you’re talking about Kelowna Waterfront property, and Kelowna’s waterfront is no exception to the rule. Homes on Kelowna’s lakeshore are the premier properties of the region. Okanagan Lake houses hold their value because they are always in high demand. With views of the lake at your doorstep, you should never have a problem selling when it’s the time! This district attracts the most discriminating buyers.
Kelowna Neighbourhoods
Choosing a neighborhood in a new community can be challenging if you have not been here before. We are often asked, “What is the best place in Kelowna to live?” We are here to assist you in determining which neighborhoods meet your needs for work, travel, entertainment, and lifestyle.
All of the neighbourhoods offer different advantages and some will meet your requirements more than others. There are opportunities to live close to Lake Okanagan and enjoy the waterfront, or live on Dilworth Mountain and have amazing views of the lake. If you are sports-minded then living close to The Rutland YMCA or the Kelowna H2O YMCA has many advantages for swimming indoors and state-of-the-art fitness Gyms.
If you know the area you are interested in you can search for all the homes, townhouses, and condos listed for sale in that neighbourhood. If you do not know Kelowna this is the website to help you learn about the benefits and advantages of each area and the properties for sale in each area.
The information and descriptions are here to assist you in determining which neighborhoods meet your needs for work, travel, entertainment, and lifestyle.
Some of the things to consider include parking and the distance you are comfortable to travel to-and-from work or school. Everyone is different in their personal preference. Making a list of your priorities is helpful.
- What is your most important item in a new home?
- Is this just for you or your family?
Discover which areas are best suited for your needs and the services that are available such as schools, businesses, facilities, etc. How close are you to the lake and how far are you comfortable driving each day. View a complete list of residential houses and condominiums for sale in each area by price range. Need some help …Call Andrew Smith at 1-877-330-5884
Dilworth Mountain
Dilworth Mountain is a short 5-minute drive to downtown Kelowna and Orchard Park Mall, and the airport in Ellison is a short 20-minute distance. Originally the neighborhood attracted agricultural owners and 30 years ago Dilworth Homes started building custom homes on the mountain and continue building today for families looking to live close to amenities, shop and enjoy great scenic views. Schools are close by in Glenmore and North Glenmore,
Ellison
Gorgeous acreages and horse farms attract people to this area. Peace and tranquility with a short 20-minute drive to Kelowna or 10 minutes to Lake Country shopping center.
Glenmore
The area was first settled in 1885 and started development started in 1997. The community is established with lovely tree-lined streets and is popular with families wanting to live close to schools and shop and hike on Knox Mountain. This area is has a mix of charming older homes and new modern homes that take advantage of the lake and scenic views.
Glenrosa
Glenrosa located in West Kelowna was originally a lot of large acreage properties and now has become a favorite area for families looking for well-priced homes in an established community. Glenrosa is quiet and close to hiking trails and, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. The schools include Glenrosa Middle School, Glenrosa Elementary and Miss Patty's Westside Montessori. 10 minutes to shopping in West Kelowna town center.
Kelowna South
Kelowna South has some of Kelowna's recognized heritage homes on established tree-lined streets. Some of the attractions are the Kelowna General Hospital, the Cancer Clinic, beach access, and the beautiful walk and bike lanes along Abbott Street and Pandosy Ave. The lakeshore has many new homes that have incredible lake views.
Lake Country
Lakeviews of 3 lakes including Okanagan Lake, Woods Lake, and Kalamalka Lake. There are some amazing properties with privacy and great views available in this area. Also, note the proximity to the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO). Lake Country is approximately a 30-minute drive into Kelowna.
In this area, you are always close to the waterfront and great biking trails. The airport is approximately 15 minutes away.
North Glenmore
North Glenmore was all orchards 25 years ago. Today, the acreages have been subdivided and family homes have been built along with great primary and elementary, and a middle school. There is a good selection of single-family homes, duplexes, and townhomes. The shopping center has bloomed since 1996 and now features everything you could want in local shopping. Quick drive to UBCO and Orchard Park Mall. Close to UBCO and Lake Country
Lower Mission
This neighbourhood is ever-changing with a mixture of 1970's split-level homes and recently built modern homes. Some of the attractions are the schools, H2O, a small shopping mall, and a family-friendly Gyro Beach. There is a great biking lane that goes all the way up to Upper Mission. Families gravitate to the area for the amenities and the Kindergarten, elementary, and high schools.
Peachland
Tranquil setting and amazing lake and mountain views. The community has an interesting shopping and restaurant area close to the beach and a few older homes on the lakeside of the Highway. The newer homes have been built on the hillside and capture stunning views. A popular summer event is the Rattle Snake across the lake swim at the end of summer. The event attracts swimmers from all over to challenge their open water swimming. Come stroll along the lake wall and browse through the boutiques. There is a great paved path along the lake to go for a stroll or run. Glenrosa is nearby.
Rutland North
Rutland North is an affordable community with houses, townhomes, and condos that are great for families and 1st-time buyers. Investors have purchased and rented to UBCO students as the campus is close to the neighborhood. Being an older established community, there is a large population of senior citizens and 55+ condo buildings.
Athens Pool and the Rutland YMCA are great amenities for fitness. Ben Lee Park offers skateboarding and groomed lawns.
Rutland South
Rutland South is flat and has a lot of homes built in the '70s on large lots and has some great newer areas with new subdivisions with larger homes on smaller lots. There are good English and French immersion schools. Mission Creek Park has a beautiful walking and biking trail that runs on both sides of the creek. 10 minutes to Orchard Park Mall.
Upper Mission
The spacious lots, beautiful architectural details, and swimming pools galore will have anyone mesmerized. The community has some of the finest collections of properties in the entire province with stunning views of the hills on one side and the lake on the other.
Those wishing to step away from the downtown core are going to appreciate the overall potential and value of this location. Most investors find the homes and the location to be one of the reasons why it is an appealing neighborhood to consider.
Kelowna Waterfront
The waterfront properties put Kelowna BC on the map for luxury homes and fabulous sandy beaches. Okanagan Lake is favored by locals and tourists for fresh clean water, boating, sailing, kayaking, swimming and paddle boarding sports. The breathtaking luxury properties and condominiums attract people from all over the world
West Kelowna
Once known as Westbank the community changed its name to West Kelowna in 2015. The city offers beautiful beaches, parks, hockey, and ice skating at Royal LePage Place and Jim Lind Arenas and an indoor pool at Johnson Bentley Memorial Aquatic Center. In the winter enjoy cross-country ski trails and snowshoeing at Telemark Ski Club.
Education facilities include preschool to high school and there is a large selection of shopping centers and medical clinics.
Westside
Westside is now known as West Kelowna. The Westside Road neighborhood offers fabulous lake views and views across the lake to the city of Kelowna. Built on the mountain side homes enjoy quiet breathtaking views of the bridge and the water,
Westside Road also has a mix of condos and townhomes for more affordable real estate, and luxury homes on the water and on acreages. Okanagan Lake Shopping Centre is close by and has a variety of stores including a cinema, drug store, banks, dollar store, and restaurants.
Lakeview Heights
Beautiful wineries and vineyards all with great views of Lake Okanagan. This is a great choice for people wanting the quiet of the area and a quick commute into Kelowna. In the summer Quails Gate Winery and Mission Hill Winery are sought after for dining outdoors on the patios and enjoying gourmet lunches and dinners accompanied by award-winning wines. Both wineries offer wine tasting and the tours often stop at these locations.
Smith Creek
Smith Creek has well-priced homes and a lot of new subdivisions. It is a quiet, rural lifestyle and some properties have horses and pastures. If you are looking for a country lifestyle this could be the area for you. Shopping in West Kelowna is approximately a 15-minute drive.
Shannon Lake
Another beautiful community enjoyed by golfing and hiking enthusiasts. Shannon Lake Golf Club is in a lovely setting with well-groomed fairways and some challenging terrains surrounding Shannon Lake. There is a choice of newer subdivisions and older homes.
Kelowna Restaurants
Dining out has grown to be a popular form of entertainment. There is a large choice of fun eating places from casual Craft Breweries with unique food trucks stationed outside, to Japanese Ramen, and local cafes on Bernard Ave and Pandosy Ave. Wineries with dining rooms and outdoor patios as well as wine tasting rooms, and popular lakeshore dining in the Grand Hotel, Cactus Club, and Eldorado Hotel
What Kelowna promises is an urban-rural charm, top-of-the-charts sceneries, a thousand ways to have fun, and most importantly the best meals in Canada. Let’s now train our focus on one of the aspects that makes this small town punch way above its weight in terms of attractions:
With over 30 heavenly parks, you are justified to find it hard to choose where to go; it happens to many people all the time.
Kelowna International Airport YLW
Yes although Kelowna is located in a valley in the Rocky Mountains we do have an international airport located 10 minutes outside of the city with direct flights to Germany, the USA, and Mexico. Daily nonstop flights to Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, Whitehorse, Calgary, Cranbrook, Edmonton, Prince George, and Seattle Washington. Seasonal services to Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Varadero, Cancun, Phoenix, and Winnipeg. The airport is home to Air Canada, West Jet, Pacific Coast Airlines, Air North, Yukon’s Airline, Central Mountain Air, Alaska Airlines, Flair Airlines, Air Transat, and Sunwing Airlines.
