Thinking about moving to the Okanagan

[russm]

The wife and I are thinking about selling our townhouse in langley and moving to the Okanagan,looking at listings it looks like you can get something in vernon at a reasonable price still, she'll be working from home and I'll have to figure out work but that won't be a big deal. We're not stuck on vernon at all ut wondering the goods/bads of it, any suggestions on other places is fine too, will need to be a big enough city that missus can stay entertained.

Also curious what waterfowl hunting is like up that way

[tim3500]

Was in Kelowna yesterday what a nut house would be better to stay in the Langley at least you can drive around the lineups to some extent if it's Okanagan Valley stay at the north end

[DannyO]

Keeping an eye on this post…a man can dream!

[Huntingtyler123]

Don’t think just move out the city! Armstrong is beautiful ,

[rocksteady]

Osoyoos maybe, Oliver probably, Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon no way.. too big and chaotic..

[mike31154]

Things def getting crowded in the Okanagan. Traffic becoming a nightmare during summer tourist season. Kelowna, West Kelowna outta control, bursting at the seams. Vernon still tolerable most of the year except summer as mentioned. Traffic issues aside it's a great place to live. When the valley gets hectic simply drive up a nearby FSR, Hwy 6 to Lumby or north to Armstrong, Falkland etc. The Aberdeen/Thompson plateau east above the valley has many Alpine lakes to get away from the crowds. Same idea up the west side. Those do hold waterfowl, but it's nothing like the coast in that regard. 3 lakes pretty well in your back yard. Mind you Swan Lake is not much more than a large pond, but you can go for a quiet paddle on it without a whole bunch of ski boats etc ruining the experience. Kalamalka is my favourite for a paddle & Okanagan Lake is the other choice.

Paddling into Cosens Bay, Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park
https://dm2302files.storage.live.com/y4mbR7dkZYfONAdYJ2H4U39RUgh3w1WSy7i1JDGex5PYozJj_Q W5ju5y0ARQGDYLT9Q8GxEtOLaFe5_3k6dojcwqhT-K7NvWzz5K-w8javwvCtCeQe9i2hRlDdrQfQcaB_Q6-B04Bm_opDwKaCqGAOBw1PZ6NU9M39KU53dH7n-SHg?width=1024&height=683&cropmode=none

Brookies & a Rainbow caught at one of my favourite Alpine Lakes up in the Monashees
https://dm2302files.storage.live.com/y4mAX-SR7gdCECpHD9YBVW-on3Gfl6OLuA4JWbgIv1SCUq5ycjRNv5pNBD1Uuq7bhABQR5zks qLw59wwuwphlxDADxKBL961BuMkpCgah40Y5PnFFQCDX2GXPz4 dS0pzLPZ0mf5rpz-03GJgAw3pGQ7BXHU7Ftvm3kqUelzseFCf1RmVeayT5iiBEWzxY x9juIO?width=1024&height=1024&cropmode=none

3 Moose I spotted from a tree stand at the same Alpine Lake. Season for moose was a week down the road though
https://dm2302files.storage.live.com/y4mH9c8J3kY5dZInmnoeK1uRYeWfDVf9fOkGM0dg7mQBYLmExM qe-5tbVktG8eVDobuDjuXHRqHavcESkdHs0K7-bDFviCWWQPFfvsES_5f1B0ZQ2kyEvhORNrLY2UUf9VWB9TKmHz mjJ3i6AuKlFdJx9lwPCcBWFkhE2RBm0-S2I7irjo9c7qCryj_wkgDxVIx?width=768&height=1024&cropmode=none

[RyoTHC]

Kelowna is beautiful, with lots of sight for the eyes... but the traffic and tourist population is overwhelmingly bad, you couldn’t pay me enough to commute through that terribly laid out town on a daily basis and so help you god if you have to cross the bridge each day between 6-9 am or 330-6pm lol.

if you want to leave the city then leave the city and go somewhere nice. Salmon arm or anywhere up in that area... if you’re selling on the coast you can afford the prices there.

[adriaticum]

Good plan. I would go anywhere but Kelowna.

[ACE]

​Keremeos !

[Firstblood]

Your life will be better in the interior/okanagan. Vernon is quite nice, Kelowna is busy Kamloops is great. Not a ton of waterfowl around here, you will find a good field or two but tons of water and not a lot of moving birds after sunrise, they find a spot and chill. I jump shoot puddles at sunrise then upland hunt the rest of the day or chase big game. I head to surrey or the island for ducks and geese, I drive 15 minutes from home to hunt literally everything else in BC.

[jac]

I live in the south okanagan, No question it’s getting busier, trouble is a lot of the roads and infrastructure are not designed for this. With the 45c weather and the smoke I’m really looking around.

[finngun]

Nobody mentioned Blind Bay yet? B- B..best of the best..

[russm]

Osoyoos maybe, Oliver probably, Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon no way.. too big and chaotic..

Coming from the mainland it's got to be big enough for the wide to be happy,im surprised she's willing to leave her grandma behind to be honest.

[Redthies]

Nobody mentioned Blind Bay yet? B- B..best of the best..

Sure. If you like hoards of Albertans with boats. I grew up in Eagle Bay. It was quieter in the 70s (obviously), but not so much anymore.

Penticton is not nearly as bad as Vernon, which isn’t nearly as bad as Hellowna. You could not pay me to live there!

[scoutlt1]

Coming from the mainland it's got to be big enough for the wife to be happy,im surprised she's willing to leave her grandma behind to be honest.

Fixed it and saved you some time in the doghouse. :-)

[luger]

Move! I just left the valley for Vernon last spring. We live in Coldstream, Great place, and lots of different options depending on housing cost and how close to town you need to be. Options are endless. Lots of work if you want it. Endless amounts of outdoor fun right out your door and the weather is always nice here compared to the valley. Once you move you will ask your self why you wait so long.

[russm]

Fixed it and saved you some time in the doghouse. :-)

Lol thank you sir

[russm]

Move! I just left the valley for Vernon last spring. We live in Coldstream, Great place, and lots of different options depending on housing cost and how close to town you need to be. Options are endless. Lots of work if you want it. Endless amounts of outdoor fun right out your door and the weather is always nice here compared to the valley. Once you move you will ask your self why you wait so long.

It's really just at matter of her getting this job that allows her to work anywhere, that way if she missing grandma she can come back down and visit for a week a d still be able to work and breaking it to the families lol I know my mom will be bent out of shape over it at first, but we can either sell our townhouse here and stay while being mortgaged to the tits,or we can sell and have little to no mortgage and enjoy life up there,I think she'll understand lol

[Arctic Lake]

Yep that simple typo had the potential to go sideways for Russ or any of us LOL !
Arctic Lake
Fixed it and saved you some time in the doghouse. :-)

[pg83]

Moved the family to Penticton from the LML 6 years ago. Best decision I've ever made.

We wanted a slower pace, but still needed close proximity to the medical system for our disabled son. Kelowna wasn't going to do much for the pace of things for us so it was down to Vernon and Penticton and we went with the place we liked more.
I'd highly suggest making a small vacation through the valley and seeing what you and your wife like best and go from there. There are pros and cons to any place, just gotta find what works best for you.

[lovemywinchester]

Hey Russ, not to rain on your parade but it's a shit show in Kamloops if you want to buy a place. My friends sold their place in Kelowna and have been trying to buy a place in Kamloops for months. Just talked with them the other day and houses are selling for 70k + over asking. They have put in offers and the house is gone the next day for 70k more than they offered. They are pretty bummed out. Imaging having 600 000 cash and you still can't buy a house.

[mike31154]

Not sure how often & what time of year you've traveled out of the LML, but just I'll just mention that winter driving in the interior including the Okanagan can be a challenge for those not used to the conditions. I avoid the Coq in the winter as there are so many nut job drivers not adjusting their speed to conditions. Travel east involves mountain passes on virtually every highway that are subject to closures for avalanche work. So if your relatives lived in say Calgary, you would quite often find yourself stranded. Winter tires will be mandatory.

[REMINGTON JIM]

I LIVED in Vernon for 37 years 65-02 and i liked it - Can go Easy to the west or east - north or south to Fish - Hunt - Camp etc - RJ

[Stone Sheep Steve]

I’d say Vernon is a pretty good choice. As RJ mentioned you can head several directions to hunt and fish.

Penticton and south is also a good bet.

I’ve lived in West Kelowna since ‘72 and the changes I’ve seen of late are just crazy. High density housing going up everywhere!

It still only takes me 12-13 mins to get to work and back so it’s not terrible for my hours.
For us, we’ll most likely head east for retirement….boundary area or East Kootenays.

SSS

[358mag]

One thing you will have to remember is that the South Okanagan is becoming the dumping grounds for the current NDP government to buy up motels- hotels and turn them into low cost drug houses . Seeing how the NDP will never elect anyone in these regions , they could care less about who show up here or what they do . The current swing in property crime , thief etc etc + crackheads hanging around is off the chart .

[russm]

Hey Russ, not to rain on your parade but it's a shit show in Kamloops if you want to buy a place. My friends sold their place in Kelowna and have been trying to buy a place in Kamloops for months. Just talked with them the other day and houses are selling for 70k + over asking. They have put in offers and the house is gone the next day for 70k more than they offered. They are pretty bummed out. Imaging having 600 000 cash and you still can't buy a house.

Yea not looking at kamloops, leaning more towards vernon, looks like our money will go further and spoke with a realtor that said bidding wars and over asking prices aren't as common

[russm]

Not sure how often & what time of year you've traveled out of the LML, but just I'll just mention that winter driving in the interior including the Okanagan can be a challenge for those not used to the conditions. I avoid the Coq in the winter as there are so many nut job drivers not adjusting their speed to conditions. Travel east involves mountain passes on virtually every highway that are subject to closures for avalanche work. So if your relatives lived in say Calgary, you would quite often find yourself stranded. Winter tires will be mandatory.

I'm fine with winter travel,the wife not as much but that's no big deal, I do most of our driving anyway

[russm]

One thing you will have to remember is that the South Okanagan is becoming the dumping grounds for the current NDP government to buy up motels- hotels and turn them into low cost drug houses . Seeing how the NDP will never elect anyone in these regions , they could care less about who show up here or what they do . The current swing in property crime , thief etc etc + crackheads hanging around is off the chart .

Lol we're in the lower mainland nothing new there

[139grainsofhell]

The wife and I are thinking about selling our townhouse in langley and moving to the Okanagan,looking at listings it looks like you can get something in vernon at a reasonable price still, she'll be working from home and I'll have to figure out work but that won't be a big deal. We're not stuck on vernon at all ut wondering the goods/bads of it, any suggestions on other places is fine too, will need to be a big enough city that missus can stay entertained.

Also curious what waterfowl hunting is like up that way

In the middle of finalizing a home out there and moving the family out,been a grind trying to get a home last one we liked went 100 k over ,some we went to see only to be told they excepted a bully offer the night before,seems it ranges from 50to 100k over asking ,we ended up getting a place that needs some work for asking price. Most would have multiple offers we figured it would be a breeze ,but seems just as competitive as vancouver.

[CHEAM]

We also just signed for a home in the Vernon area. Sold February in Abbotsford and it took until now to secure a decent place after the market blew up in April. You would think that if you had that much money in the bank that you could easily buy a home. I would make sure you have a plan if you can not find a place that you want. I am not trying to discourage you but it was not how we imagined it was going to happen. If I ever sell again it will be in a buyers market. I would rather sit on MY couch and wonder if my house will sell than what we are doing now. Looking forward to this next years though!
Cheam

[Edzzed]

Nobody mentioned Blind Bay yet? B- B..best of the best..
It was coming, Just a bit late. We sold back in April in Cloverdale. The buyers wanted Sept 1st and we were OK with that. In the meantime we found a few houses and put an offer on one in Tappen for full ask. It was all good till we saw the gabian rock wall. The sellers also said no to a septic inspection and pump out so we did not counter their offer. We then put an offer on a place near Fintry. 15K above ask and we got knocked off. Those two offers were based on us selling here and then our buyer fell through due to financing. Wife then shows me a house in Blind bay. NICE house but I said they will never take our offer because of Sept dates here that we were OK with. We talked to our realtor and she said they are OK with Sept dates. Cool. We offered full 775 ask. Only subject was viewing in person.

I brought a buddy with us who happens to be a house inspector. He looked, I looked and we found 3 small issues. A couple weeks go by and I get an odd message on facebook asking if we can move our dates up. After figuring out who the person was I messaged them (sellers) back. Said our hands are tied due to our sale. I texted our realtor and asked if our buyer were firm on dates. Damm, I get a call from my wife 2 days later saying the buyers now want July 16th possession. I said SAY YES. Then I message our Blind bay people and get new dates from them for July 30. Been a busy couple weeks now moving stuff to Logan lake. We are filling that house up fast. I figure we have 3 trailer loads left in surrey. One goes up Monday and come Friday I officially retire. That will give me 7 days to empty and clean the house here. I keep looking at BC assessment to see what the other 2 houses sold for. FWIW, 775 will get you a nice house. It is a 3-5 minute walk to the lake and we have a slight view of the lake.

The sellers invested a lot of cash in the house. New top of the line dual HW on demand with radiant in floor heating. dual split ductless top of the line AC, Top of the line generator. I know it is all top of the line, I have copies of the receipts and looked them up online. Roof is a 40 year and done 3 years ago. 2 car garage with deck out front. Told the wife I want to remove the garage door and move it to the end of the deck and enclose it. I will now have an enclosed 4 car garage. Also has a suite if we want an extra income. In short, We are quite excited.

Then the heat wave came. Then Lytton burned, Then we had to get insurance. Last time when we bought a house in Logan lake, I come home one day and see subject removed for acceptable insurance. I ask the wife and she says realtor told her to remove it. I said I have been trying to get ins. No one will issue it. Wildfire too close. I said you just gambled with our money. Everyday I checked the web site and when I saw no fires, We got a policy. So today I was at BCAA and got a policy issued. What a relief. Their concern was any evac orders in that area.

[Dirty Steve]

The whole North Okanagan and into the Shuswap is amazing. I am a local realtor working Vernon and into the Shuswap. I grew up in Kelowna, you couldn't pay me enough to live in Kelowna these days!!! Have a good hard look at Armstrong and Enderby. Armstrong is 15 mins to Vernon and is a super cool little town. I have 20 acres on the outskirts of town, I couldn't imagine a better place to bring up my kids. Enderby is amazing bang for your buck, smaller acreages can still be found in the $500-$750K range with lots to offer and Enderby has the river with some killer sandy beaches, Mabel Lake, Mara Lake etc... It's had a rough reputation in the past but its quickly changing as people realize what it has to offer.
If you want any help PM me, lots of great HBC references ;)
Brent

[tuner]

Vernon is great if your idea of some of the local sights include seeing pregnant teenagers, and crystal meth teeth everywhere you go. I know it’s a problem everywhere, but for some reason it just seems more apparent in Vernon.
No offence intended at anyone from there. :p

[Weatherby Fan]

Vernon is great if your idea of some of the local sights include seeing pregnant teenagers, and crystal meth teeth everywhere you go. I know it’s a problem everywhere, but for some reason it just seems more apparent in Vernon.
No offence intended at anyone from there. :p

Obviously you've never been to Maple Ridge......!!!

[russm]

The whole North Okanagan and into the Shuswap is amazing. I am a local realtor working Vernon and into the Shuswap. I grew up in Kelowna, you couldn't pay me enough to live in Kelowna these days!!! Have a good hard look at Armstrong and Enderby. Armstrong is 15 mins to Vernon and is a super cool little town. I have 20 acres on the outskirts of town, I couldn't imagine a better place to bring up my kids. Enderby is amazing bang for your buck, smaller acreages can still be found in the $500-$750K range with lots to offer and Enderby has the river with some killer sandy beaches, Mabel Lake, Mara Lake etc... It's had a rough reputation in the past but its quickly changing as people realize what it has to offer.
If you want any help PM me, lots of great HBC references ;)
Brent

Will shoot you a message

[Arctic Lake]

WF. Remember when people thought Dave’s World the biggest issue and let’s not forget our ambassador
Linda M . LOL
Arctic Lake
Obviously you've never been to Maple Ridge......!!!

[markm7]

I’ll have to move to Alberta to get away from all the albertians in the summer time

[REMINGTON JIM]

I really like Kamloops because of the FAST trip to Multiple (LOTS) of Fishing lakes - Hunting area's Quading Area's etc etc
Major Hub of roads to go North South - East West ! In 20 minutes you can be out in the Bush ! BUT we have our share of BUM's - Drug Addict's etc ! I think we have the new BC record for FENTANYL deaths in the last few months ! OH Well ! RJ

[igojuone]

3 hours 45 minutes to Langley from Kelowna, 4 hours 30 minutes from Vernon and only 3 hours and 20 minutes from Kamloops and no traffic and you'll get more for your money.
I grew up in Penticton, great little city, Vernon is just weird IMO, lived in Kelowna and you couldn't pay me to live there again. Now in Kamloops, though it is growing and getting busier it has all you need and you can get anywhere in 15 minutes.