Nestled in the heart of British Columbia’s stunning Okanagan Valley, Kelowna is a vibrant, four-season destination offering endless opportunities for work, play and relaxation. Located on the shores of Okanagan Lake, Kelowna has grown into a thriving community with a population of approximately 153,000 and nearly 229,000 residents in the surrounding area. Just 150 km (90 miles) north of the U.S. border, 390 km (240 miles) east of Vancouver, and 600 km (350 miles) west of Calgary, Kelowna is ideally positioned for those seeking the perfect balance of urban convenience and outdoor adventure.
Lifestyle and Demographics
Kelowna offers a lifestyle like no other. Combining the amenities of a cosmopolitan city—such as an international airport, world-class healthcare, and a thriving tech industry—with a laid-back pace, it’s no wonder so many choose to call Kelowna home. The region is surrounded by award-winning wineries, championship golf courses, pristine lakes, and rolling hills perfect for hiking, skiing, and mountain biking. It’s a community that appeals to everyone, from outdoor enthusiasts to entrepreneurs and families.
Kelowna’s demographics reflect a diverse and welcoming community. The population skews slightly older, with the average age now around 45, as retirees and families continue to relocate here for the quality of life. Approximately 18% of residents are over 65, while younger families and professionals add energy and vibrancy to the city. Kelowna continues to attract new residents from across Canada, drawn to its mild climate, abundant amenities, and growing economy.
Outdoor Recreation
Kelowna is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. From championship golf courses to world-renowned ski resorts like Big White, there’s no shortage of year-round adventure. Explore thousands of scenic hiking, biking, and running trails, or spend your days enjoying Okanagan Lake’s sandy beaches, boating, paddleboarding, and fishing. Living here means having nature’s playground right outside your door.
Thriving Technology Sector
Kelowna has earned its place as a growing hub for innovation and technology. Anchored by the state-of-the-art Kelowna Innovation Centre, the city is home to leading tech companies specializing in gaming, animation, software development, and eco-tech. With a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit and organizations like the Centre for Arts and Technology, Kelowna is attracting tech talent and startups from across Canada and beyond.
World-Class Healthcare
Kelowna offers exceptional healthcare options to residents. With a cutting-edge hospital, a regional cancer clinic, and a wide range of specialists, the city ensures access to top-tier medical care. From family doctors and walk-in clinics to naturopaths, acupuncturists, and chiropractors, Kelowna provides comprehensive health services to meet your needs.
Vibrant Arts and Entertainment
Kelowna’s arts and culture scene is as diverse as its landscape. Enjoy live music festivals, intimate concerts, and performances ranging from rock and jazz to opera and symphony. The Kelowna Community Theatre, Mary Irwin Theatre, and Actors Studio offer year-round entertainment, including plays, comedy shows, and musicals. Whether it’s outdoor events in the summer or cozy indoor performances, Kelowna celebrates creativity in all its forms.
Culinary Delights and Local Shopping
Kelowna is a foodie’s dream, offering everything from charming local eateries to fine dining experiences. The farm-to-table movement thrives here, with an abundance of fresh produce, organic offerings, and local wines shaping the city’s culinary culture. You’ll also find diverse shopping options, from big-name stores to boutique shops showcasing local artisans and products.
Outstanding Education
Kelowna is a hub for quality education, making it an ideal city for families and students. The Central Okanagan School District is one of BC’s fastest-growing, offering excellent public, French immersion, and Montessori programs. For higher education, the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) provides world-class programs, while Okanagan College is a leader in trades, technology, and business education. With additional career colleges and specialty programs, Kelowna ensures educational opportunities for every stage of life.
Why Kelowna?
Whether you’re drawn by the outdoor lifestyle, career opportunities, or the promise of a tight-knit community, Kelowna offers a quality of life that’s hard to match. Once you experience all the city has to offer, you’ll discover countless reasons to stay and call Kelowna home.
Artfully uniting extraordinary lives with extraordinary homes is what we do. Whether you are curious as to your home's current value, or you wish to discuss what improvements and staging you can do to your home that will translate into increased value when selling, let our expertise guide you. Complete this form and we will contact you to discuss how we can be of value.
Client Feedback
Thank you for everything. I am so happy we chose your team as you were all so fantastic. You made the process very seamless. I will totally recommend you to others.
Ryan and Natasha H.
We’ve been working with Justin for two years with much success. Justin and his group are organized, professional, efficient, available, and get the job done without chaos and confusion! Justin handles the clients calmly and professionally and keeps things running smoothly. We highly recommend him!"
Scott & Gina Tyerman
Moving from another city, it was easy to see Kelowna offers many choices when it comes to choosing a Realtor®. If you are looking for a knowledgeable, well-connected professional, look no further than Justin O’Connor. He is thorough in his appraisal work and negotiates with a quiet confidence. Justin takes the time to get to know his clients, listens to their plans and stay focussed on their goals. It was a pleasure to work with Justin and his Sotheby’s team. They always kept the process enjoyable and stayed in touch. Justin and his team know how to ease the stresses that come with making big decisions and… he has a great sense of humor!
Anne Johnston
I think I was still in shock last night when we went through this process. Grant and I have loved our home over the years and have always taken pride in updating it for our own enjoyment. When we decided to move to a view lot and build our dream home, we knew our home would be attractive given the location and lot size. Your advice regarding further updates and staging was obviously very advantageous. Thank you!! I would also like to let you and Justin know (as I said, I think I was in a state of shock last night) since I didn’t say so last night, we are so appreciative of everything you have done for us to make this sale happen. I totally understand all of the behind the scenes work you both did with gathering information and providing immediate response to any agent query. You both represented Grant and I very, very well! I know we can’t totally celebrate until March 23 however, the heavy lifting is done. I would not hesitate to recommend the Justin O’Connor Group to anyone buying or selling!
Grant and Joyce
Working with Sotheby's was nothing less than professional. From start to finish everything went smoothly. It's good to choose a realtor that puts the client's interest first. I would recommend anyone selling their property to not hesitate going with Justin and the team!!
Ernie and Sue
When selling your home, it is essential that you are using the most professional and experienced people to guide you through this often complex process. The Sotheby’s group met all of our criteria and requirements to ensure we valued our house at the right price and made sure the entire experience was handled properly from day one all the way through to the final closing. We would highly recommend their friendly expert services.
Guy and Sonja
We have worked with the Justin O Connor team for both the sale of our show homes over the past 5 years as well as for our own personal home sales. The professionalism and knowledge ensured the process proceeded smoothly.
They do their research and deliver first class service throughout the sale process which carries through to the after-sale support as well. As a custom homebuilder it is important that we have a smooth transition to our clients as we turn over our homes.
I recommend the team for your real estate needs. You need a great team in the ever-evolving market here in the Okanagan.
