Essentials
- City
- Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
- Internet Speed
- Average 150-300 Mbps (Telus PureFibre widely available)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 CAD ≈ 0.74 USD; Major banks include RBC, TD, and Scotiabank on Victoria St.
- Tap Water
- Drinkable, high-quality mountain-sourced water
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets
- SIM Card
- Telus, Rogers, Bell; Public Mobile (eSIM) is a cheaper digital-first option
- Banking for Expats
- Wealthsimple, Wise, and EQ Bank for low-fee digital banking
- Accommodation
- The Plaza Hotel (historic), Sandman Signature (modern), or Airbnb rentals
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, tap-to-pay (Interac Flash) is ubiquitous
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and VRBO; average 1-bedroom suite $1,800 - $2,200 CAD/month
- Budget Accommodation
- Thompson Rivers University (TRU) Residence (seasonal/summer) starting at $60/night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Downtown (near Riverside Park and Victoria St. shops)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Sahali or North Shore (specifically near the 'Bright Eyes' area) for proximity to cafes and gyms
- Population
- 98,000
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Generator ($25/day, 700 Tranquille Rd)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Amplified Cafe (inside the Library) or Reservoir Coffee (814 Victoria St)
- Networking Events
- Kamloops Chamber of Commerce 'Social Hour' events
- Social Events for Expats
- Kamloops Immigrant Services (social mixers and language circles)
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uride or Kami Cabs (local app)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Spoke N’ Motion for mountain bike rentals ($80+/day)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Riverside Park Beach (City Center) or Pioneer Park (Dog friendly)
- Top Regional Airline
- Pacific Coastal Airlines (to Victoria/Vancouver)
- Top International Airline
- Air Canada, WestJet (connections via YVR or YYC)
- Highway Access
- Intersection of Trans-Canada Hwy 1, Coquihalla Hwy 5, and Hwy 97
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- VIA Rail Station (Lorne St) or Lansdowne Exchange for local buses
- Public Transport Passes
- BC Transit Umo app; $50.00 for a monthly adult pass
- Regional Travel
- Ebus for trips to Kelowna ($45) or Vancouver ($85)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Royal Inland Hospital (311 Columbia St)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Loft ($20 drop-in, 409 Victoria St)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- TCC (Tournament Capital Centre) - world-class facility ($8 drop-in)
- Laundry Services
- Sagebrush Laundromat (1302 Summit Dr)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- SkipTheDishes and DoorDash
- Best Local Dish to Try
- BC Bison Burger at Mittz Kitchen ($24)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- The Noble Pig (great veggie pizza/salads) or Hello Toast
- Best Dessert Spots
- Scoops Ice Cream (seasonal) or Brynn’s Bakery for fresh sourdough pastries
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- FreshCo (North Shore) or Real Canadian Superstore (Sahali)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.ca (Prime shipping is 1-2 days from Vancouver hubs)
- Grocery Delivery
- Instacart and Voila (Sobeys/Safeway)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Victoria Street (Downtown) - Blue Grotto for live music
- Local Brewery
- Iron Road Brewing (near TRU) or Red Collar Brewing
- Wine Bars
- Privato Vineyard and Winery (North Thompson Valley)
- Street Food Stalls
- The Food Truck (various locations/Riverside Park)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Jacob’s Noodle & Cutlet (Korean/Japanese fusion)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Kamloops Hoodoos (natural silt formations)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Kamloops Art Gallery or Kamloops Museum & Archives
- Historical Sites
- St. Andrews on the Square (oldest church in the city)
- Religious Sites
- Sacred Heart Cathedral
- Annual Events
- Kamloops Cowboy Festival (March) or BrewLoops (Beer/Music Festival)
- Cultural Districts
- The North Shore Central Business District
- Theater Venues
- Sagebrush Theatre or Western Canada Theatre
- Local Markets
- Kamloops Regional Farmers’ Market (Saturdays, April-Oct)
- Music Scene
- Music in the Park (Daily free concerts at Riverside Park in Summer)
- Street Art
- The Back Alley Art Gallery (over 30 murals in Downtown back alleys)
- Cooking Classes
- The Dirty Jersey (occasional guest chef workshops)
- Art Galleries
- Arnica Artist-Run Centre
- Historic Buildings
- Old Courthouse (7th Ave and Seymour)
- Local Heritage
- Secwépemc Museum & Heritage Park (Indigenous history)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Kenna Cartwright Park (over 40km of trails)
- National Parks Nearby
- Glacier National Park (approx 2.5 hours east)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Rivers Trail (40km paved pathway system)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Tower Hill in Kenna Cartwright Park (panoramic city views)
- Birdwatching Locations
- McArthur Island Park
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Paul Lake Provincial Park (designated pits only; check fire bans)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Canada Post, UPS Store (Columbia St)
- Tech Repair Services
- Simply Computing (Mac specialists) or Dr. Phone Fix
- Table Tennis Spots
- Kamloops Table Tennis Club (at Valleyview Community Hall)
- Language Classes
- TRU Open Learning (English/French/Spanish)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Thompson-Nicola Regional Library (101-465 Victoria St)
- Community Centers
- North Shore Community Centre
- Gaming Lounges
- All Around GamerZ (VR and Console gaming)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Cascades Casino (1555 Versatile Dr)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $7,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $288,000 CAD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $5,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $220,000 CAD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $6,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $408,000 CAD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $5,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $300,000 CAD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $6,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $496,000 CAD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $4,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $384,000 CAD)
- Corporate Tax
- 27% (Combined Federal 15% and BC Provincial 12%)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 25% (often reduced to 5-15% via tax treaties)
- Tax System
- Residency-based worldwide income taxation
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 53.5% (Combined Federal and Provincial for income over $240k)
- VAT
- 12% Total (5% GST + 7% PST)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, FAPI (Foreign Accrual Property Income) rules apply
- Property Tax
- Approx. 0.5% - 0.7% of assessed value annually
- Property Transaction Tax
- 1% on first $200k, 2% on remaining up to $2M
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific 0% nomad visa; standard Canadian tax residency rules apply after 183 days