Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Kelowna is a city located in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada, known for its stunning lake views and vineyards. |
| 👥 Population | Approximate population is around 140,000. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is approximately 100 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Currency is Canadian Dollar (CAD), approximately 1 CAD = 0.75 USD. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and safe to consume. |
| 🔌 Power | Electricity is 120V, 60Hz, with Type A/B sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include Telus, Rogers, and Bell. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Common banks include RBC, TD Canada Trust, and Scotiabank, with options for international banking services. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Airbnb, long-term rentals via Rentfaster, and local property management companies. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely, including in most restaurants and shops. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Available through platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Budget options include Samesun Kelowna Hostel and Kelowna Inn & Suites. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Downtown Kelowna is ideal for tourists, with access to beaches, restaurants, and shops. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | The Pandosy Village area is recommended for digital nomads, featuring coworking spaces and cafes. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | The Vibrant Vine offers a great setting for remote work, along with high-speed internet. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Bliss Bakery is popular for remote work with its cozy atmosphere and good coffee. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Kelowna Business Alliance hosts regular networking events. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Expats in Kelowna Facebook Group organizes regular meetups. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and local service Kelowna Cabs operate widely in the area. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Okanagan Bike Rentals offers bike rental services. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Gyro Beach is a popular local beach, about 10 minutes from downtown. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | WestJet and Air Canada operate regional flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Air Canada and WestJet provide international flights. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Highway 97 provides major connections to nearby cities. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Kelowna Transit is the primary bus service with multiple routes. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Monthly passes are available for Kelowna Transit, priced at around CAD 70. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Bus services connect to nearby cities like Penticton and Vernon, operated by Greyhound and local transit. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Kelowna General Hospital is the main healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Karma Yoga offers various classes and wellness programs. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | YMCA Kelowna and Planet Fitness are popular choices. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundry Love offers affordable laundry services throughout the city. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | SkipTheDishes and DoorDash are popular food delivery services. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Poutine and locally sourced wine from Okanagan Valley. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | The Green Room offers a variety of vegan and vegetarian dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Cacao 70 and Sweet Caroline's Ice Cream are must-visit dessert places. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Local farmers' markets offer fresh produce at reasonable prices. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon and local Canadian online retailers serve the area. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Instacart and Walmart offer grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The Cultural District is known for its bars and nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Tree Brewing Company and BNA Brewing Co. are local favorites. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Wine Bar at the Okanagan Wine Estates is a popular choice. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Kelowna's Food Truck Festival features numerous local vendors. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Blue Sky Kitchen offers a diverse international menu. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Knox Mountain Park and the Okanagan Lake Waterfront. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Kelowna Art Gallery showcases local artists and rotating exhibits. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Father Pandosy Mission is an important historical location. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Kelowna's mission and local churches are notable. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Kelowna Wine Festival celebrates local wines annually. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Cultural District features art galleries and performance spaces. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Kelowna Community Theatre hosts various local performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The Kelowna Farmers' and Crafters' Market operates weekly. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music events at venues like Okanagan Lake Park. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Murals throughout downtown Kelowna add vibrant character. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Culinary workshops at local wineries offer cooking classes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Rotate Art Gallery displays and sells local artwork. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The old courthouse building represents Kelowna's architectural history. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The area's Indigenous heritage is celebrated at local events. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Myra Canyon Provincial Park offers stunning hiking and biking trails. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park is accessible for nature lovers. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Mission Creek Greenway is a popular path for walking and biking. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The viewpoint at Knox Mountain offers breathtaking views of the lake. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The Okanagan Valley is a haven for birdwatchers. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated fire pits available in certain parks like Bear Creek Provincial Park. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Canada Post and local courier services operate in Kelowna. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | The Phone Repair Guy offers device repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local community centers often have table tennis facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | English language classes available at local colleges. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Kelowna Library provides quiet spaces for studying. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Parkinson Recreation Centre hosts various community activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gaming stores like Game Quest offer consoles and gaming spaces. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | The Okanagan Star Casino provides entertainment and gaming options. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. CAD 4,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = CAD 160,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. CAD 3,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = CAD 120,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. CAD 4,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = CAD 252,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. CAD 3,100 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = CAD 186,000) |
| 🏡 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 | The corporate tax rate in British Columbia is 12% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | The tax rate applied to dividend distributions is 25% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Tax residents are taxed on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | The maximum personal income tax rate is 53.5%. |
| 🧾 VAT | The standard Canadian sales tax is around 5% (GST) plus provincial taxes. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Canada has regulations governing taxation of foreign subsidiaries. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax is based on assessed value of the property. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | The tax is generally 1% on the first CAD 200,000 and 2% on the remaining amount. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | While there are no specific digital nomad tax breaks, Canada offers a welcoming environment for remote workers. |