Canadian/PNW r3v'ers, Thoughts on Kelowna BC

[Pac1373]

I have a pretty decent opportunity to move back west with my current employer, I would be GM of 10 or so people, a wholesale supply store that does about 5 million in sales a year. the job is good, and more or less what I have been doing for few years. no worries here.

company pays for the move, etc.

My questions are I guess, what is the area like now? I remember it 20/15/10 years ago, but it has changed a bunch.

anyone spend much time there recently? live in the area? (I know a few guys on here do) what is the day to day living like?

I know all about the touristy shit.

Houses are bloody expensive, but how are the other costs of living and such?

anyone with recent experience please jump in.

I know the R3v population in BC is smallish, but there are a ton of PNW guys who may have some input.

Thanks all,

Patrick

[Adrian_Visser]

What a co-incidence that I would come across this thread, I haven't been on R3V in a while.

I live in Kelowna, have for the past 6 years. I've lived in the Okanagan Valley most of my life actually.

Yes Kelowna real estate is expensive, lots of Albertan oil money comes this way. It is only a little bit cheaper than Vancouver, actually it was ranked the 38th most expensive *EDIT: unaffordable based on price of real estate vs. avg. income place to live in the world in 2010. However the real estate prices have slowly been coming down for the last few years, not to say it isn't far above other places though. Rental market is on par with any nicer city in Canada. Gas is expensive because... this is Canada du-uh. I don't know what other costs of living would be anymore expensive here except "lifestyle" expenses (seems like a lot of people in Kelowna feel the need to drive jacked up $70k trucks towing $80k boats).

Lots of golf courses, several ski hills close by, the lake is awesome especially if you have a boat. More wineries around every year, wine "culture" is prevalent around here. The winters are mild with only a week or two of snow on the ground.

Kelowna does have a bit of a reputation as a haven for douchebags and bimbos -you know 'roid abusing guys with frosted tips with a fake titted blonde chick riding in a Jacked up truck- and there are a fair share of those to be found, but that is a minority. Like I said there is a lot of Alberta oil money flowing here that is where a lot of that mentality comes from.

[smerfs]

I was just down in kelowna the other weekend dropping my brother off at school. I have to say it's really grown up over the last couple of years. My brother lives there during the school semester and he said the only downside to living in kelowna compared to Vancouver is that it gets stupidly cold. I wouldn't really want to spend more than a couple of weeks there - i'm happy being in a bigger city with tons of options.

I would probably take the offer if i was you, if it's a good enough pay bump then it could be a nice change. Having big white so close, good universities around, the beach, lots of good places to eat - It's slowly feeling like a bigger town.

[Eecen]

Serious lacking in the gay bar scene.



It's a nice place to live. What Adrian said. There's a Costco, big-ish mall, schools, beaches, warm summers (oh god the tourists), and so on.

and he said the only downside to living in kelowna compared to Vancouver is that it gets stupidly cold. I wouldn't really want to spend more than a couple of weeks there - i'm happy being in a bigger city...

Dude winters are weak in the Okanagan. Vancouver has apparently moisturized his vagina.

[smerfs]

Dude winters are weak in the Okanagan. Vancouver has apparently moisturized his vagina.

I start bitching as soon as it gets below -10. From what i've heard (never actually experienced a Kelowna winter, it gets -20). This year i plan to drive my e30 down the Coquihalla to go visit my brother (first year i own my own car)

[NotColtonOrr]

I agree with basically everything Adrian just said. Im 19 and have lived in Kelowna for the past 12 years.

If this job that you have lined up pays well, (which I'm sure it does if you're willing to relocate) then I don't think you'll have too much of a problem finding somewhere nice to live here. Rutland (further uptown in Kelowna) has a rediculous reputation of being "ghetto" but there are tons of great neighbourhoods in the area. I live in Rutland and I don't get why it has such a bad rep. Housing prices are definitely more reasonable in the area compared to basically everywhere else in the city.

I think the biggest changes you will notice in the Kelowna area is the growth of West Kelowna (formerly west bank). It's basically just an expansion town of Kelowna across the bridge. The airport here has expanded quite a bit too. A lot more direct flights to further cities.

I would say its a moderate paced city. It's never too much of a hassle to drive across town if needed. If you're an active dude then there's always tons of things to do here.

Not that it should matter or make a difference but I would say Kelowna is predominantly white people with a growing population of east indian and Asian.

If you have anymore questions feel free to PM me.

[Raxe]

Oh shit yeah bro, K-Town is BOMB. I usually load up my 2013 Raptor (lifted, 22" Rockstar wheels) along with my $80,000 Mastercraft sport boat and rip over to one of my 3 houses on my 7-offs. Just the usual routine there, get my tips frosted, buy all of the latest Affliction and Tapout shirts, work out for 5 hours and then start some fights at Sapphire over who bought that slutty bar tramp with the fake tits more Patron. E-Town REPRESENT.

[zig553]

Oh shit yeah bro, K-Town is BOMB. I usually load up my 2013 Raptor (lifted, 22" Rockstar wheels) along with my $80,000 Mastercraft sport boat and rip over to one of my 3 houses on my 7-offs. Just the usual routine there, get my tips frosted, buy all of the latest Affliction and Tapout shirts, work out for 5 hours and then start some fights at Sapphire over who bought that slutty bar tramp with the fake tits more Patron. E-Town REPRESENT.

God I just hate Edmonton some days, St. Albert is even worse for this...

[cale]

Kelowna would be an awesome place to live. Sure there are bad scene's, but it's easily avoidable. I'd take that opportunity in a heart beat!

[Pac1373]

God I just hate Edmonton some days, St. Albert is even worse for this...

Dude, I grew up in St.Albert... Sounds kind of like it hasn't changed much in 25 years lol.

Thanks for the replies all, I will post back later when the. Have. More time tonight.