The West Kelonwa Lifestyle: 7 Reasons to Move to West Kelowna/Westbank

Nestled along the western shores of Okanagan Lake, West Kelowna offers an unparalleled blend of natural beauty, urban sophistication, and a warm, welcoming community. With thriving local businesses, an enviable selection of vineyards, and a wide variety of housing options, West Kelowna is quickly becoming a coveted destination for homebuyers seeking a high quality of life. Let's dive into what makes West Kelowna such a unique and enticing place to call home.

7 Reasons to Love Living in West Kelowna

• 11 world-class wineries
• Hiking, picnicking, golf, and other outdoor activities
• Beautiful beaches on Okanagan Lake
• Minutes away from Crystal Mountain Ski & Golf Resort
• Opportunity for new construction homes
• A great mix of rural/urban lifestyles
• Ten minutes away from downtown Kelowna

The West Kelowna Lifestyle

West Kelowna, once known as Westbank, sits on the western shore of Lake Okanagan in beautiful British Columbia. The community is next to Highway 97 (Okanagan Highway) and connects to the larger community of Kelowna on the east side of the lake via the William R. Bennett Bridge. The area was first known as Stekatkolxne'ut, a First Nations village. In the 1800s, fur traders called it MacDonald's Plain. It was renamed Westbank in 1908 and incorporated as West Kelowna in 2007.

The waterfront at Gelatly Bay on Okanagan Lake plays a large part in West Kelowna's lifestyle and has a two-kilometre boardwalk connecting various Kelowna beaches and parks. The bay has platforms for jumping and floating, a zipline, and other outdoor opportunities. The area's regional parks are popular for camping and visitors during summer. Outdoor activities continue year-round, with a nearby ski resort and cross-country ski trails. Recreation facilities in the town include three ice skating rinks and a pool.

Types of Homes in West Kelowna

Homes in West Kelowna consist primarily of detached single-family homes, although some newer townhouses are available. The prominent architectural styles are ranch homes, bungalows, split-level properties, and 20th-century Modern style. West Kelowna offers many new construction homes for sale, so additional styles come on the market periodically.

Proximity to Okanagan Lake can have a significant impact on price. Waterfront homes for sale in West Kelowna can fetch as much as $5 million, while luxury properties sell for around $2 million on the hillsides. That's not to suggest that most people are priced out of the market in West Kelowna. Smaller homes can sell in the $300,000 range, with typical single-family residences selling between $500,000 and $600,000.

West Kelowna Amenities

West Kelowna is a fairly rural community with a population of more than 30,000 people, but it does not lack amenities. Anything that seems to be missing from West Kelowna can usually be found just 10 minutes away downtown on the other side of the lake. The area provides several community and recreation centres and maintains many sports courts and fields. Plus, most of the needed shopping is right here.

Neighbourhood Services

West Kelowna is an active community where the city government maintains many recreation and culture facilities and outdoor sports opportunities. The Royal LePage Place Arena has a full-sized NHL ice rink offering year-round skating opportunities, including minor and adult rec hockey and figure skating. The Jim Lind Arena is next door to the Royal LePage, offering a second full-sized NHL rink open from September until June each year.

The Johnson Bentley Memorial Aquatic Centre is a public pool with daily swimming times and activities requiring a reservation. The facility also has a warming pool and a hot tub. West Kelowna also maintains a spray park at Westbank Centre Park for outdoor water fun.

Neighbourhood Shopping

Most of the shopping one needs can be done at the Westbank Centre. The main anchor stores at this outdoor shopping mall include Save On Foods and a Shoppers Drug Mart. There are an additional six shopping centres in West Kelowna and another in the Peachland community, not counting all the shopping opportunities available on the other side of the bridge in Kelowna.

Things to Do in West Kelowna

From skiing during winter to golfing or going to the beach in the summer, there is no shortage of year-round activities in West Kelowna. It has dozens of parks and beaches to enjoy, along with playgrounds for children and spaces to take the dogs out for some off-leash play. West Kelowna also has a great dining scene, numerous wineries to explore, and nearby attractions to enjoy. Here's a quick look at some of the many things to do in West Kelowna.

Outdoor Activities

There are 18 waterfront beaches and parks the public has full access to in West Kelowna—and that doesn't include the many city parks located away from the water. The Gellatly Bay Waterfront is one of the most popular destinations for locals during summer. Amenities at the waterfront include a sandy beach for swimming, a zip line to a floating platform, a fenced-in off-leash dog beach, and a park with grassy fields, picnic tables, and shade trees.

The Shannon Lake Golf Club is a nine-hole public course in West Kelowna. It has a golf shop and restaurant and sells package deals for nine holes of golf and a meal voucher at the Courses restaurant for just $45.

Restaurants, Breweries & Bars

The Angel Share rooftop patio at Crowns & Thieves is not far from Gellatly Bay. This is British Columbia's first outdoor licensed kitchen, with a menu that changes daily throughout the season.

The Mission Hill Family Estate Winery is a must-visit location in West Kelowna. This is the only winery in all of Canada to win "Winery of the Year" five times! They have a gourmet restaurant in addition to some of the finest wines in the entire country.

For some nightlife fun, Kelly O'Bryan's Restaurant and Carlos O'Bryan's are two venues right next door to each other in the central part of West Kelowna. The whole family can dine at Kelly O'Bryan's, while Carlos O'Bryan's is a sports bar and pub with cocktails, beer, and big-screen TVs to watch the game.

Nearby Attractions

The Crystal Ski and Golf Resort is just 20 minutes northwest of West Kelowna. It offers wintertime skiing and summertime golf in a resort setting. A new development plan means new-construction homes, condos, and townhomes will be developed near the resort in the coming years.

Traders Cove Regional Park is about a 10-minute drive north of West Kelowna. This is a 13.5-hectare park on the western shore of Okanagan Lake. It has two swimming beaches, playgrounds, boat launches, picnic shelters, and several Kelowna hiking trails.

Employers Near West Kelowna

Tourism brings nearly $1 billion to the Kelowna area each year, providing jobs to more than 8,000 people. West Kelowna also has a large agricultural sector, particularly fruit packing. Around 4,500 residents are employed in the ag sector in the valley, and almost one in four jobs are in the healthcare sector.

Kelowna also has a sizeable and growing aerospace and technology sector, with the largest individual employer in the area being KF Aerospace. Many smaller technology and manufacturing companies are headquartered here, which account for hundreds of additional jobs.

Schools Near West Kelowna

The public schools in West Kelowna are part of School District #23 - Central Okanagan Public Schools. West Kelowna has nine elementary schools for grades K through 5. The two middle schools are Glenrosa Middle School and Constable Neil Bruce Middle School, which serve grades 6 through 8. The town's public high school is Marie Boucherie Senior Secondary School for grades 9 through 12. French Immersion is available through grades 8 in West Kelowna and 9 through 12 at Kelowna Secondary School.

Two private elementary schools serve K through 5 students in West Kelowna. Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Elementary School is next to Highway 97. Sensisyusten House of Learning is a private school offering Syilx First Nations teachings, language, and culture as part of the curriculum.

The University of British Columbia - Okanagan Campus is the largest four-year institution in the Kelowna area. It offers 62 bachelor's degree programs and 19 graduate programs. Okanagan College also has a campus in Kelowna, which offers a variety of four-year degrees and trade certificates.

West Kelowna Welcomes You!

West Kelowna is not just an ordinary real estate hotspot but a haven of tranquillity, blending the luxury of modern living with the serenity of nature. The many property options, stunning natural beauty, well-developed amenities, and promising economic growth make this place an ideal choice to call home. Whether you're looking for a retreat or a thriving community to grow in, West Kelowna offers the best of both worlds.

If the opportunities in West 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 West Kelowna today.