Located in the heart of the spectacular Okanagan Valley, Kelowna, B.C. is a place that anyone would be lucky to call home! From fabulous food and wine to fun and exciting activities, there are so many things to love about Kelowna. With an array of diverse neighbourhoods spread through the surrounding highlands, some of them overlooking the lake and still close to downtown, like Wilden, there is a place for everyone to call home.
If you are planning on moving to Kelowna, or you’re new to the area, here are a few things that you need to know!
Finding a great local restaurant with delectable eats is an easy task in Kelowna, and many of these hot spots serve up locally sourced food as well! A few of the wonderful eateries that you must try out when you move to Kelowna are:
One of the first things on your to-do list when making the move to Kelowna will be setting up your utilities. Start with the basics, such as power (FortisBC), natural gas (FortisBC), and water. Your water provider will depend on your location in Kelowna. There are five water providers in the city, including City of Kelowna, South East Kelowna Irrigation District, Glenmore-Ellison Irrigation District, Rutland Waterworks, and Black Mountain Irrigation District.
Next up, choose between Telus or Shaw Cable for your telephone, Internet, and/or cable provider.
Kelowna has a very competitive job market as any local can (and will!) tell you. There are several online resources and job boards that can go a long way towards helping you land a career in the Okanagan, including the Kelowna Chamber, Indeed, Workopolis, and Kijiji. If you are looking to join Kelowna’s burgeoning tech sector, check out Accelerate Okanagan.
What you may not know is that many Kelowna businesses are able to fill positions without ever advertising them. To get in on the action, create a customized resume and cover letter and deliver it to the companies that you most want to work with… they just might be hiring!
There is never a shortage of sports or activities to participate in when you live in Kelowna!
Local sports teams, such as the Kelowna Rockets, West Kelowna Warriors, Kelowna Chiefs, Okanagan Sun, and Kelowna Falcons, provide year-round entertainment for the whole family.
For those of you that would rather play than watch, there are both youth and adult leagues in the city, including:
Parkinson Recreation Centre leagues
Capital News Centre leagues
Central Sports Club leagues
And of course, when winter rolls around you have to head up to Big White Ski Resort!
If watching or playing sports just isn’t for you, there are a number of other fun activities to take in when you live in Kelowna. You can take the kids to a show at the Kelowna Community Theatre or out on a Saturday morning walk through the Kelowna Farmer’s Market. Nestled on the shores of Okanagan Lake, surrounded by mountains and valleys, Kelowna is the perfect home base for outdoor adventure seekers and families looking to take in a bit of nature.
Adults that are new to the city may want to check out the Kelowna Art Gallery, and you will definitely want to take in a winery tour and get a taste (literally) of the many wineries throughout the Valley.
Getting the kids signed up for school is another item that you will need to tackle when you move to this beautiful city. School District 23 (SD23) includes many great schools, from Kindergarten to Grade 12.
For post-secondary students, there are many reputable courses available at both Okanagan College and the University of British Columbia Okanagan Campus (UBCO).
Kelowna is the fastest growing city in British Columbia and the fifth fastest metro area in the country. As a city that offers an unparalleled lifestyle with something for everyone, from outdoor enthusiasts to fans of the ballet and theatre, it’s easy to see why people are making a move to this Okanagan wonderland.
Locals, share your favourite thing about Kelowna in the comments and help your new neighbours out!
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