Kelowna, Canada 🇨🇦
Nomad Score:
68%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Kelowna is a city located in the Okanagan Valley, known for its wineries, beaches, and outdoor recreational activities. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 140,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed of 50 Mbps; available fiber-optic connections can reach up to 1 Gbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | CAD (Canadian Dollar), with 1 CAD ≈ 0.74 USD. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable, sourced from local lakes and municipal systems. |
| 🔌 Power | 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include TELUS, Rogers, and Bell. Prepaid SIMs available at convenience stores. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Banks like TD Canada Trust and RBC; consider options like Wise for international transfers. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local rentals, and long-term apartments through platforms like RentFaster. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely, along with mobile payment options like Apple Pay. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and Vrbo are popular, with rates around CAD 100-200 per night. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel options include HI Kelowna, with rates starting at CAD 30 per night. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | KettleSpace offers great amenities and a collaborative environment. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Bean Scene Coffee Works is popular for its cozy atmosphere and reliable Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | The Kelowna Women in Business group holds monthly meetups. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Kelowna Expats Facebook group organizes regular catch-ups. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Lyft operate in the city. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Okanagan Bike Rentals offers daily bike rentals, and Lime scooters are available for quick rides. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Gyro Beach is one of the best spots, just a few minutes from downtown. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Air Canada and WestJet provide regional flights from Kelowna International Airport. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | United Airlines, Air Canada, and WestJet offer international flights from Kelowna. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Access to Highway 97 and Highway 33. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Kelowna Transit Center is the main terminal for public transport. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Monthly passes for Kelowna Transit are approximately CAD 55. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses connect Kelowna to nearby cities like Vernon and Penticton. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Kelowna General Hospital is the main healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yogaoraine offers a variety of classes for all levels. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | YMCA Kelowna has excellent facilities and membership options. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Coin laundromats are available, such as Lucky's Laundry. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | SkipTheDishes and UberEats are widely used. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try the Okanagan peach pie, a regional specialty. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | The Naked Cafe offers a variety of plant-based dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Sweet Jackson serves delicious pastries and desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Visit the Orchard Park Shopping Centre for groceries and local products. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon.ca and local stores like Valu Village offer a range of products. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Instacart partners with local grocery stores for delivery. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The downtown area, particularly Bernard Ave, is known for its nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Tree Brewing has a popular tasting room downtown. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Wine Bar at Mission Hill offers tastings and local wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Kelowna Farmers' Market hosts various street food vendors on Saturdays. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Mamma's Pizza offers classic Italian dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Kelowna Waterfront Park and Mission Hill Family Estate are must-visits. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Kelowna Art Gallery showcases local artists. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Okanagan Heritage Museum features local history. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Michael's Cathedral is a notable place of worship. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Kelowna Wine Country Half Marathon takes place each August. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Cultural District is a hub for art, food, and events. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Kelowna Community Theatre hosts a variety of performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The Kelowna Farmers' Market runs year-round on Wednesdays and Saturdays. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Downtown Kelowna offers live music at various venues, including The Habitat. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Mural tours highlight urban art throughout the city. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | The Okanagan Culinary School offers classes for aspiring chefs. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | The Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art features rotating exhibitions. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Father Pandosy Mission is a significant historic site. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Kelowna's identity is tied to its rich Indigenous, agricultural, and settlement history. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The scenic Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park is excellent for hiking. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Okanagan Valley is home to several provincial parks, including Fintry Provincial Park. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Okanagan Rail Trail offers beautiful views and is great for biking. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Knox Mountain Park provides stunning views of Lake Okanagan. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The Okanagan Lake is a preferred spot for birdwatching, especially for migratory birds. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Certain campsites in the Okanagan Valley allow bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Canada Post and UPS offer reliable delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Local shops like iRepair specialize in electronic repairs. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | The Kelowna Table Tennis Club offers sessions for enthusiasts. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | The Kelowna Cultural Centre offers various language classes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Okanagan Regional Library has multiple locations for studying. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Parkinson Recreation Centre hosts various community activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gamezilla is a popular gaming lounge in Kelowna. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | The Lake City Casino is a well-known gaming venue. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. CAD 4,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = CAD 180,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. CAD 3,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = CAD 128,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. CAD 4,300 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = CAD 258,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. CAD 3,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = CAD 180,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. CAD 3,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = CAD 304,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. CAD 2,700 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = CAD 216,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 27.0% in British Columbia (Canada's provincial rate). |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 30% for non-residents. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residency-based taxation system. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 53.5% in British Columbia. |
| 🧾 VAT | 7% Provincial Sales Tax (PST) plus 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST). |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, applicable for certain foreign corporations. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax is based on the property's assessed value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Standard rate of 1% on the first CAD 200,000 and 2% on the remainder. |