Best Places to Live Near Kelowna: Kelowna, BC Neighboring Community Guide

Kelowna, British Columbia, is the principal city of the Okanagan Valley, with a population of about 142,146, and a greater metro population of about 217,000. It is one of Canada's fastest-growing cities, known especially for its wineries and tourism. The area is void of the extreme cold and humidity found in other parts of the country.

Kelowna's many communities and neighbourhoods feature a host of water recreation opportunities. Additionally, these areas offer residents walking trails, golf, beaches, parks, and local sports. Event venues, parks, art galleries, and eateries are other amenities that attract residents to the various communities in the valley.

Those planning a move to Kelowna should consider the following best places around Kelowna to call home.

McKinley Landing

McKinley Landing is a thinly populated, lakeside community featuring uniquely designed homes offering spectacular views of Lake Okanagan. The neighbourhood is known for its striking mansions, sprawling estates, and waterfront homes. Tiered streets, running mostly parallel to the lake's eastern shore, assure every McKinley Landing home has a view of beautiful Okanagan Lake and the mountains beyond.

The community was named after Ontarian John McKinley, who arrived from the U.S. in 1896 and homesteaded the area. His original landing, no longer visible, was used by Canadian Pacific Railway boats coming ashore for wood to fuel their furnaces, before moving on to more populated areas.

The peaceful community lies minutes north of Kelowna. Residents have ready access to the scenic, half-acre McKinley Landing Park that features a playground and trails. Dewdney Road, running along the lake's edge, features five beach access points.

Residents are drawn to the neighbourhood's privacy, pristine natural areas, and luxury lakeside living.

West Kelowna

West Kelowna, known colloquially as Westbank, comprises a number of distinct neighbourhoods, including Lakeview Heights, Westbank, and West Kelowna Estates, among others. Home to nearly 36,000 residents, the community was established in 2007 as Westside District Municipality, following a referendum in which residents narrowly chose to incorporate rather than join with Kelowna.

Bordered by the District of Peachland, Central Okanagan West Electoral Area, and two self-governing reserves of the Westbank First Nation, West Kelowna is set on the central-western shores and hillsides of scenic Okanagan Lake, serving as the west's gateway to the Central Okanagan Valley. Residents can enjoy the community's municipal and regional parks, aquatic centre, community recreational programs, hiking trails and athletic fields, as well as the Mount Boucherie Community Centre. West Kelowna also features an 18-hole golf course. Arts and culture opportunities in the area include the Westbank Museum, in addition to a number of small galleries featuring local artisans.

Penticton

Penticton is a city found in the Okanagan Valley, south of Kelowna. It has a population of just under 34,000 residents and is uniquely situated between Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake. The area was first settled by the Okanagan people. In 1866, community development soon included roads, a hotel, and fruit tree groves. The city was incorporated in 1908.

Penticton showcases many recreational opportunities, including skiing, boating, fishing, golfing, hiking and biking, and rock climbing. The city features a community centre with a number of amenities, including fitness programs, a gymnasium, dance studio, and theatre. Penticton also features an event centre and numerous art galleries and is considered the hub of the area's wine tourism industry.

Known for its many public greenspaces and hiking trails, Penticton is home to 10 parks and seven beaches. Another popular recreational pursuit is rock climbing at Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park, located just south of the city's centre. Penticton is also home to the Penticton Vees hockey team and the Penticton Pinnacles soccer team.

Vernon

Located north of Kelowna and the largest city in the North Okanagan Regional District, Vernon has a population of 43,315 residents. It offers many single-family homes and is located between two lakes: Okanagan Lake and Swan Lake.

Vernon's original centre business district was established in 1885. The city was incorporated in 1892, named in honour of a pioneer member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Development surged following service by the Canadian Pacific Railroad.

Since 1961, the city has hosted the Vernon Winter Carnival. It is Western Canada's largest, and North America's second-largest, winter carnival. The city also hosts the Sunshine Festival, a downtown celebration featuring live music, artisans, children's activities, and other entertainment.

Vernon has a state-of-the-art performing arts centre, featuring dance, theatre, and kid-friendly performances, plus touring artists. The city also has a community arts centre and a cinema.

Popular things to do in Vernon include water activities, skiing, and playing hockey, golf, curling, tennis, and pickleball. The city features several beaches, as well as mountain biking and hiking paths.

Peachland

Peachland is a district municipality located on the shores of Okanagan Lake, south of Kelowna. It is home to about 5,000 residents.

The area long served as home to the Okanagan people, but it was founded as a town in 1899 on the site of a tiny community known as Camp Hewett. It is largely located on a steep sidehill, due to the narrowness of the Okanagan Valley in the area.

Peachland is home to the first ice winemaker in North America. It also hosts the Peachland World of Wheels Car Show, held annually. One of the highest zip lines in the country, and perhaps the world, is located at Zipzone Adventure Park in Peachland.

The community offers stand-up paddling and other water recreational activities. Peachland offers several public parks, including the Hardy Falls Regional Park, which lies near the city's southern edge. It is also home to the Pincushion Mountain Hiking Trail. The city features the Peachland Community Arts Council and Art Gallery, as well as the Peachland Museum.

Summerland

Summerland is a town of about 11,615 residents, located south of Kelowna on the west shore of Okanagan Lake, with Peachland to the north and Penticton to the south. The community was incorporated as a municipality in 1906. Summerland was established and developed on an early foundation of hunting, fur trading, ranching, orchards, and transportation hubs. Today, the town's economy is driven by tourism, among other industries. Its location along the lake's shores, as well as its sandy beaches, have made it a popular tourist destination.

Summerland has become home to several world-acclaimed wineries and features the locally famous "bottleneck drive," a series of roads connecting many of the area's wineries.

In addition to beaches and water recreation, residents can take advantage of Summerland's multiple golf courses and hiking trails. The town is also home to Summerland Ornamental Gardens, featuring three stunning, year-round gardens, with magnificent views.

Explore Kelowna's Best Places to Live

Kelowna's favourable climate, scenic lakeshore beauty, and variety of recreational activities have sparked a population surge in recent decades. Likewise, the many communities surrounding the city have experienced growth, both in population and annual tourism.

Featuring the sprawling Okanagan Lake, as well as several smaller lakes and bodies of water, communities throughout the valley offer an array of water recreational opportunities throughout the summer months, as well as golfing, hiking, and biking. Many are also home to local hockey and sports teams.

In addition to outdoor recreation, many of Kelowna's suburbs feature wineries, art galleries, museums, entertainment venues, and an array of dining opportunities.

If the opportunities in Kelowna excite you, contact the agents at KelownaHomes.ca at 250-999-9844 to get in touch with a local real estate agent who can help you find the perfect home in Kelowna today.