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Originally Posted by Codes
I grew up in Kelowna, well more precisely, on the Westside. It was a great place to grow up. As others have mentioned, there are 4 seasons, it isn't as cold in the winter (but it can be for short spells), and the summers tend to be long and hot (with a constant threat of forest fire).
I haven't lived there as an adult, so I can't give you much detail on the financial side of things, other than it's not cheap place to live. Houses are a little cheaper, can't comment on property taxes, but things are more expensive with the extra taxes, especially gas. I think insurance is more expensive. Seems like hydro is a lot cheaper just comparing my bill with that of my parents. Anyway, that's anecdotal.
Summer is awesome. Got the lake right there, easy access to camping. But it is VERY busy. It's still a pain in the ass getting across the new bridge at certain times of the day, or if there is any kind of traffic problem. The winter is great if you are into winter sports. However, it tends to be very gloomy; the valley is often socked in, which reflects off the lake, and combined with the burnt mountains, there's not a lot of colour. So if you require sunshine, that is a major detractor.
Someone mentioned hostility towards Alberta/Albertans...that's kinda true it seems.
Sometimes lost in all this is Kelowna is still a relatively small city. And if you're one of those people that enjoy a really diverse city life, Kelowna might get a bit boring. Culturally/politically, Kelowna and area on a scale is closer to Calgary than Vancouver, IMO.
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Codes - i agree with a bunch of what you said, but this i don't...
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However, it tends to be very gloomy; the valley is often socked in, which reflects off the lake, and combined with the burnt mountains, there's not a lot of colour
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have you been back to kelowna since the fires of 2003?? those mountains are green again... have been for a number of years. yes the valley gets socked in with clouds, but that's just part of life - it doesn't really bother me.
to the OP...
i think the weather in kelowna is awesome. sure, right now it's stinkin' hot (we're in mid-high 30s), but spring and fall are soooooo nice. we didn't need to turn on the a/c until early july this year! it will be on most of july/august and then back to cooler temps. i recall reading one of the threads here this past winter when many were going on and on about the crappy winter in calgary (and from what i read - i don't blame you one bit!). this past winter i shoveled my driveway twice... that was it (and i'm one of those people that HATES driving over/packing down snow on their driveway). most of the days it snowed the temp got back up above zero and just melted the snow away.
a couple of posters have mentioned a huge gang/drug/homeless problem in kelowna. maybe i live under a rock and don't get out much, but i honestly don't see much of this. sure, i know a few of the guys from hockey that like to smoke up before/after a game, but most of the guys i know take 'beer league' to heart!
traffic can be bad... but that's true of pretty much anywhere... i've driven/crawled down deerfoot when there is an accident... just like kelowna. there was an announcement a week or so ago that kelowna could have a second crossing to the westside within 8 years... but i'm not holding my breath! ha! ha!
one thing that i do think kelowna is really lacking is 'culture'. on many of my visits to calgary there have been awesome festivals going on, which are always a blast to take in. maybe kelowna isn't big enough yet for that stuff?
i've lived in kelowna since 1986 (we moved here from southern ontario when i was 13). i love it. my wife and i have talked about moving away but each time we discuss it we just don't know where else we'd want to be - it's a great place to live.... even though we are surrounded by canuck fans
oh... and my door is always open for flames & stamps games!
