Moving to Peachland: Part 3

Peachland Health & Safety Amenities

Access to health and safety amenities becomes increasingly more important as we get older. As many of those moving to Peachland are retirees, it's valuable to know what's available with regard to health and safety amenities before moving. If you're thinking about moving to Peachland, BC, Peachland's health and safety amenities are quite typical of an average small town -- a few pharmacies, a community policing force, fire department, dentist office and a few other amenities. Additional health and safety amenities can be accessed in the nearby metropolitan areas of Westbank, West Kelowna (a 10-15 minute drive from Peachland) and Kelowna (about a 30 minute drive from Peachland). This post will outline these amenities in more detail so you will know what's available before you decide if a move to Peachland is right for you.

Health Amenities in Peachland

Medical Clinics in Peachland

Beach Avenue Medical Clinic, Peachland's sole medical clinic, recently closed due to the main physician/ medical director retiring and no other physicians stepping up to take his place, but the clinic may reopen in the future if a new medical director and physicians can be found to take placements there. The District of Peachland is exploring ways to help organizations recruit a medical director to take over. In the meantime, there are family doctors in nearby Westbank and West Kelowna accepting new patients. Visit the Central Okanagan Divisions of Family Practice website for an excellent list of all of the family practice and walk-in clinics in the area.

Dental Care in Peachland

Where Peachland lacks in medical care it makes up for in dental care as Peachland is home to one of the largest family dental practices in the Okanagan, the Peachland Dental Centre (4405 3rd St., Peachland).

Operating in Peachland since 1993, Peachland Dental Centre offers family-friendly dental care, cosmetic services, orthodontics, and more.

Ambulance Service in Peachland

There is a s BC Emergency Health Services ambulance service station in Peachland (Station #342, 4479 3 St., Peachland) providing the public with emergency pre-hospital treatment and transportation.

Pharmacies in Peachland

There are two pharmacies in Peachland: Peachland Pharmacy (5848 Beach Ave., Peachland), located in Peachland's city centre, and Okanagan Pharmacy, located off of Highway 97 in the Peachland Village Mall (#24 - 5500 Clements Crescent, Peachland).

Operating in Peachland since 1974, Peachland Pharmacy offers full medication reviews, vaccinations, on-site blood pressure monitoring, specialty compounding, and other pharmaceutical services. Their location on Beach Ave. offers a variety of over-the-counter medications, home health care products and rentals on medical equipment.

Recently established in 2016, the Okanagan Pharmacy Remedy’sRx is a community pharmacy that also offers online pharmacy services with Canada-wide free shipping. In addition to prescription fills, refills, and medication counseling, their physical location in the Peachland Village Mall offers medication reviews, travel medication consultations, specialty compounding, vaccinations (including travel vaccines), blood pressure monitoring, over the counter medications, home health care products, and more.

Home Health Care Providers in Peachland

Mhel's Senior Services (#137 - 4000 Trails Pl., Peachland) offers in-home health care services to seniors in Peachland and throughout the Central Okanagan.

Other Health-Related Practitioners in Peachland

The satellite clinic to KLO Chiropractic in Kelowna, Peachland Lakeside Chiropractic & Massage Therapy (4403 2nd St., Peachland) provides Peachland residents with quality chiropractic care and massage therapy. Massage therapy services are also offered at Restoration Station Massage Therapy (#105B - 4200 Beach Ave., Peachland).

Hospitals Near Peachland

The closest hospitals to Peachland residents are Kelowna General Hospital (2268 Pandosy St., Kelowna) - about a 25-30 minute drive by car from Peachland, and Penticton Regional Hosptial (550 Carmi Ave., Penticton) - about a 30-35 minute drive by car from Peachland. Both provide 24/7 emergency care and a wide variety of health care services. Visit the Interior Health Authority website for a full range of hospital services and amenities.

Safety Amenities in Peachland

Policing in Peachland

Peachland Community Policing consists of volunteers from the community who assist the RCMP in keeping the community safe. They operate the community policing station (4440 – 5th St., Peachland), conduct neighbourhood and speed watch, coordinate the Seniors Contact Program, assist in stolen auto recovery and child I.D., among other assignments. Peachland is otherwise policed by the West Kelowna Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) detachment (2390 Dobbin Rd., West Kelowna. 24/7 Non-Emergency Phone: 250-768-2880). Peachland residents can call 911 in the event of a health or safety emergency.

Peachland Fire & Rescue Service

Established in 1909, the Peachland Fire Department (Station 21, 4401 3rd St., Peachland) is a paid, on-call fire department providing emergency assistance in the event of fires, vehicle accidents, first responder medical emergencies, rescues and HAZMAT emergencies. They also provide fire safety education and station tours to community and school groups as well as the general public. In addition to their emergency responder and education duties, members of the Peachland Fire Department maintain the Peachland Ice Rink (Mountain View Park, 5380 Princeton Ave., Peachland), play an instrumental role in the operation of Peachland's Annual Rubber Ducky Race, and bring Christmas greetings to residents each year by means of Fire Truck Christmas Caroling.

If you're thinking about moving to Peachland, click here to view and search for Peachland's latest listings, and sign up to receive alerts on new listings as soon as they hit the market. If you're ready to take the next step in your search for a new home, Jeff Creamer is ready to help. Contact Jeff by filling out this form, by calling 250-575-7112 or emailing jeff@shopkelownahomes.com.

*Have we missed something regarding Peachland's health and safety amenities? Please let us know!

Residential real estate sales in the Central Okanagan increased by 30% in March from the previous month, an expected upswing for the beginning of Spring; however, compared to March of last year, they are down by 17%.

Average price of single-detached residential homes and townhouses slightly decreased compared to March of 2018; average price of condos increased by 1.9%.

The number of new listings increased by 36% from last month, while March of 2019 saw 7% fewer new listings than March of 2018. A lighter housing supply this year can be attributed to the government imposing stricter mortgage rules, higher interest rates and speculation taxes.

Although a higher decrease in average days on market (DOM) is typically expected with a significant increase in sales, the overall residential market experienced only a slight decrease in DOM of 3% from the previous month. DOM is 34% greater this March than March of 2018.

If you have any questions on the information above or would like to take the next step in your quest to buy or sell a home, please feel free to contact Jeff Creamer by emailing jeff@shopkelownahomes.com or calling or texting directly at 250-575-7112. Also, receive weekly updates on the Central Okanagan real estate market by following Jeff on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Moving to Peachland: Part 2

Peachland Education Amenities

"Where will my child go to school?" is a common question that arises when considering a move to a new location. Access to schools, libraries and other educational amenities is important for your child's well-being and future success. Or, perhaps you or someone in your household is interested in attending post secondary school or a trade school in the future to further enhance an existing career or to change careers altogether. Whatever the case may be, it is helpful to know what's available in the area before moving; therefore, Part 2 of our Moving to Peachland Series will cover educational amenities and programming in and near Peachland.

Education Amenities in Peachland

There is one school within the District of Peachland, Peachland Elementary, that serves approximately 400 students grades K-6. According to the school's principal, Ross Hett, "the school's learning culture is centered in kindness, where each child is supported in their learning journeys by a caring and dedicated team of teachers and support staff."

Peachland Elementary is part of Central Okanagan Public Schools, District #23 (SD #23), serving roughly 180,000 students throughout Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Lake Country, and the Regional District of Central Okanagan. 

Peachland Elementary is located just off of Highway 97 behind the Peachland Village Mall at 5486 Clements Crescent. In 2018, the school received provincial funding to build a new playground, which opened for student use in September of 2018. Parents and guardians of students attending Peachland Elementary are invited to attend Peachland's Parent Advisory Council (PAC) meetings, which typically take place on the second Tuesday of each month during the school year. School bus transportation is available for a fee through the school district.

For students ages 3 to 5, the Okanagan Boys and Girls Club (OBGC) in Peachland operates a preschool program at Peachland Elementary. OBGC also facilitates an after school club for students ages 6 to 12. The program runs at the Historic Primary School building (5684 Beach Avenue) from 2:30-6:30pm and engages students in activities to enhance skills in the arts, sports, and personal growth. Drop-ins for youth, Parent's Nights Out and other recreational programs are available through OBGC.

Peachland has a small public library located in the Peachland Village Mall at #40 - 5500 Clements Crescent. The library provides access to books (digital and hard copy) as well as visual and audio media available throughout the Okanagan Regional Library system. The library hosts events for all ages to engage the public including children's story time, Summer Reading Club, an adult book club, and more.

Middle & Secondary School Near Peachland

As there are no middle or secondary schools in Peachland, students must travel to West Kelowna to attend public school (typically about a 15-minute drive). Students grades 7 through 9 attend school at Glenrosa Middle School, located at 2974 Glen Abbey Place in West Kelowna. Glenrosa Middle was established in 1994 and now serves nearly 500 students. The school relationship with Daiichi University Haruhigaoka Junior High School, a sister school in Japan, through which the schools facilitate a cultural exchange program for students and staff.

Mt. Boucherie Secondary School serves the student population grades 10 through 12. Located at 2751 Cameron Road in West Kelowna, Mt. Boucherie Secondary has approximately 1,500 students in attendance from the Peachland and West Kelowna area. Students come from diverse backgrounds representing 26 countries and multiple First Nation, Métis and Inuit nations, allowing for a culturally-rich learning environment that offers a comprehensive range of academic, athletic, artistic and leadership development opportunities.

It is possible for students to attend a school outside the catchment area; see the SD #23 website for the following information:

• Catchment area maps
• School directory
• Student enrollment
• Transportation

A French immersion program is available through SD #23; students must enter the program in Kindergarten or grade 1.

Private Schools Near Peachland

The following private schools are also in the area:

West Kelowna & Westbank

Okanagan Montessori School - West Kelowna Site (Preschool Ages 3-6)
1162 Hudson Road, West Kelowna, BC

Our Lady of Lordes Catholic Elementary School (Grades K-7)
2547 Hebert Road, West Kelowna, BC

sənsisyustən House of Learning (Grades K-6, open to all students)
1920 Quail Lane, Westbank, BC

Kelowna

Aberdeen Hall Preparatory School (Preschool, Grades K-12)
950 Academy Way, Kelowna, BC

CEFA Early Learning Kelowna (Ages 1-5)
#100 - 590 McKay Avenue, Kelowna, BC

Heritage Christian School (Grades K-12)
907 Badke Road, Kelowna, BC

Immaculata Regional High School (Grades 8-12)
1493 K.L.O. Road, Kelowna, BC

Kelowna Christian School (Grades K-12)
Preschool and Elementary: 3285 Gordon Drive, Kelowna, BC
Middle and High School: 2870 Benvoulin Road, Kelowna, BC

Okanagan Christian School (Grades K-12)
1035 Hollywood Road South, Kelowna, BC

Okanagan Montessori School - East Kelowna Site (Preschool Ages 3-6 & Elementary Ages 6-12)
3439 East Kelowna Road, Kelowna, BC

St. Joseph Catholic School (Grades K-7)
839 Sutherland Avenue, Kelowna, BC

Studio 9 Independent School if the Arts (Grades K-12)
1180 Houghton Road, Kelowna, BC

Willowstone Academy (Preschool & Pre-K, Grades K-9)
4091 Lakeshore Road, Kelowna, BC

Summerland

Summerland Montessori School (Preschool & Pre-K, Grades K-5)
10317 Prairie Valley Road, Summerland, BC

Unisus School (Day and Full-Time Boarding School for Preschool, Grades K-12)
7808 Pierre Drive, Summerland, BC

Penticton

Concordia Lutheran School (Grades K-6)
2800 S Main Street, Penticton, BC

Holy Cross School (Grades K-8)
1298 Main Street, Penticton, BC

Penticton Centre for Exceptional Learning (Penticton EXCEL - for students with high-functioning autism)
#120 - 3547 Skaha Lake Road, Penticton, BC

Post-Secondary & Trade Schools Near Peachland

There are two major post-secondary institutions in the area: the University of British Columbia's (UBC) Okanagan campus and Okanagan College, both of which are located in Kelowna, about a 30 minute drive from Peachland. UBC's Okanagan campus, located at 3333 University Way in Kelowna, serves almost 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students, offering 62 undergraduate programs and 19 graduate (Masters and PhD) programs. 

Okanagan College's Kelowna campus, located at 1000 K. L. O. Road in Kelowna, serves 5,500 students, offering a variety of first and second year university transfer courses, two bachelor degree programs (Business Administration and Computer Information Systems) and two associate degree programs (Arts and Science). There is another Okanagan College campus location located in Penticton (583 Duncan Avenue West), also about a 30 minute drive from Peachland, as well as an Okanagan College Centre in Summerland (13211 Henry Road), offering some continuing studies programs, about a 15 minute drive from Peachland.

There are also a number of trade schools in the area, some of which include:

Academy of Learning Computer & Business Centre  
#101 - 1740 Gordon Drive, Kelowna, BC

Canscribe Career College 
#340 - 1632 Dickson Avenue, Kelowna, BC

Career City College 
#201 - 1634 Harvey Avenue, Kelowna, BC

Focus College 
#10 - 1753 Dolphin Avenue, Kelowna, BC

MC College (Hairstyling & Esthetics) 
#100 - 1875 Spall Road, Kelowna, BC

Okanagan Cosmetology Institute
358 Main Street, Penticton, BC

Sprott Shaw College 
#200 - 546 Leon Avenue, Kelowna, BC
2603 Skaha Lake Rd, Penticton, BC

Vancouver Career College - Kelowna Campus
1649 Pandosy Street, Kelowna, BC

To view other posts in the Moving to Peachland Series, click here.

If you're considering Peachland for your next home, click here to view Peachland's latest listings and search for Peachland homes, and sign up to receive alerts as soon as Peachland properties come on the market. If you're ready to take the next step in your home search, we'd love to be part of your journey - contact Jeff Creamer by filling out this form, by emailing jeff@shopkelownahomes.com or calling 250-575-7112.

*Have we missed something with regard to Peachland's education amenities? Please let us know!

Residential real estate sales in the Central Okanagan Real Estate Market are up in February by 38% from last month but are down 23% from February of last year. This increase in sales from the previous few months is typical for this time of year. 

Average price for single-detached residential decreased by 1.4% to $669,073 from February 2018. The average price for townhouses remained flat, while average price for condos decreased by 11.3% from last year. The largest shift in average price for condos can be attributed to the volume of new condos coming on the market as well as a shift towards the construction of smaller, more affordable units. As the region still lacking in affordable, single-detached homes, and two-parent families with children represent the largest group of home buyers, the average price for single-detached residential has remained mostly consistent from last year.

February saw only a slight decrease in the number of new listings from January (660 versus 664 in January) and increased 1.8% from February of last year's 648. Average days on market (DOM) decreased 16% to 69 from last month's 80 but increased 15% from February of last year's 59. 

If you have any questions on the information above or would like to set up a consultation, please feel free to contact Jeff Creamer, professional real estate specialist, by filling out this form, by emailing jeff@shopkelownahomes.com or by calling direct at 250-575-7112.

Moving to Peachland: Part 1

Peachland Arts, Recreation & Wellness Amenities

When searching for a new home, there are lot of items to consider - the home's condition, approximate square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, its proximity to your place of employment, schools, and the like. However, before relocating your entire life to a new location, it is also very important to take the neighbourhood and its amenities into careful account. Access to health and safety services, parks, recreation, arts and cultural offerings, retail opportunities and transportation are all important items to think about when contemplating a move to a new area.

Although we provide real estate and property marketing services to clients throughout the entire Greater Kelowna area, we live in Peachland, and as residents, are personally familiar with the services offered to residents day-to-day. While not all-inclusive, as the first part of a multi-part series, we have compiled a brief overview of arts, recreation and wellness amenities available in Peachland to give you a better idea of what Peachland has to offer and ultimately help you decide if a move to Peachland is right for you.

1. Peachland Historic Primary School - 5684 Beach Ave., Peachland, BC
   

   View this post on Instagram

   A post shared by Peachland BC 🍑 (@peachlandbc) on Jul 13, 2018 at 3:30pm PDT

   The Peachland Primary School building, originally built in 1908 and closed in 2003, was repurposed into an accessible location for arts, recreation, cultural programming for people of all ages. This beautiful venue is now home to the following organizations: 
   
   Peachland Art Gallery and Community Arts Council
   

   View this post on Instagram

   A post shared by Peachland Arts Council (@peachlandartgallery) on Jul 13, 2017 at 12:37pm PDT

   The Peachland Art Gallery, operated by the Peachland Community Arts Council (PCAC) and located in the Mary Smith Hall in the centre of the building, features work in an assortment of mediums of local recreational artists as well as professional artists from across the Okanagan, British Columbia, and Canada. The Gallery hosts a variety of exhibitions year-round as well as musicians, authors, speakers, art workshops and art markets. The PCAC also supports local arts and culture organizations and organizes events throughout the year to engage the community in the arts, such as their annual HeARTS Festival.
   
   Peachland Visitor Centre
   

   View this post on Instagram

   A post shared by Peachland BC 🍑 (@peachlandbc) on Jul 21, 2018 at 9:12am PDT

   The Peachland Visitor Centre promotes Peachland tourism opportunities and produces and distributes information on Peachland's attractions, festivities, dining and accommodation options. The Visitor Centre has a boutique gift shop that features Peachland, Okanagan and BC-themed merchandise such as clothing and accessories as well as artwork by local artisans and seasonal items produced by local businesses and wineries. Also home to Peachland's bats, possibly the largest Yuma bat colony in BC, and the organization dedicated to their protection and preservation, the Bat Education and Ecological Preservation Society (BEEPS), the Visitor Centre hosts a Bat Interpretive Display and educates visitors on bats and their importance to the ecosystem.
   
   Peachland Chamber of Commerce
   The Peachland Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization that supports, promotes and advocates for 140+ member businesses in Peachland and the surrounding areas. The Chamber hosts informational and networking events and business development workshops and provides benefits to its members.
   
   The Okanagan Boys and Girls Club in Peachland also operates out of the Historic Primary School building but will be covered in depth in Part 2 of this series: Moving to Peachland: Education.
   
   Prominent Peachland arts, recreation and wellness organizations not located in the Historic Primary School building include:
   
   
2. The Peachland Museum - 5890 Beach Ave., Peachland, BC
   

   View this post on Instagram

   A post shared by Peachland BC 🍑 (@peachlandbc) on Sep 28, 2018 at 1:01pm PDT

   The Peachland Museum is located in a unique, 8-sided church building dating back to 1910 and has been a British Columbia Heritage Site since 1981.
   
   The museum displays hundreds of artifacts, documents, photos and newspapers that help tell the story of the rich history of Peachland and its residents. A scale model of the Kettle Valley Railway is housed on the museum's top floor, which was built and continues to be maintained by the Central Okanagan Railway Company.
   
   
3. Royal Canadian Legion Branch #69 - 4407 2nd St., Peachland, BC
   Founded in 1926, the Peachland branch of the Royal Canadian Legion (RCL #69) has been providing support and advocacy for veterans and promoting Remembrance in the Peachland community for almost 100 years. RCL #69 hosts a wide variety of social events like crib tournaments, concerts, holiday dinner and dances, and much more. Additionally, the Peachland branch location boasts a popular restaurant and pub, Cook's Mill, which is open seven days a week, has daily specials, and also offers catering and takeout.
   
   
4. Peachland Community Centre - 4450 6th St., Peachland, BC
   The epicentre of Peachland recreation, the Peachland Community Centre hosts a wide variety of recreational programming all year long. From fitness classes to cooking classes, art demos to social activities, the Peachland Community Centre provides Peachland residents and visitors with a place to engage in activities meeting an array of interests, skill levels and ages.
   
   
5. Peachland Wellness Centre - 4426 5th St., Peachland, BC
   

   View this post on Instagram

   A post shared by Peachland BC 🍑 (@peachlandbc) on Aug 9, 2018 at 1:09pm PDT

   Even though it operates in a small house in Peachland's city centre, the breadth of programming offered by the Peachland Wellness Centre (PWC) is huge. Computer literacy training, income tax preparation assistance, intergenerational signing, coffee socials, tai chi, non-medical home support services, a community garden program, and a weekly Sunday morning community breakfast are only a few of the many programs and services provided by the PWC. There are also a plethora of opportunities to get involved as a PWC volunteer.
   
   
6. Peachland 50 Plus Activity Centre - 5672 Beach Ave., Peachland, BC
   The Peachland 50 Plus Activity Centre provides a setting where members age 50 and over can use their talents to organize a variety of activities that benefit other members as well as support the community at large. The Centre hosts weekly social activities ranging from fitness to singing to wood carving as well as pancake breakfasts, monthly potlucks, a famous Thursday night bingo, and other activities.
   
   
7. Peachland Branch - Okanagan Regional Library - #40-5500 Clements Crescent, Peachland, BC
   Located in the Peachland Village Mall, Peachland's public library provides access to books throughout the Okanagan Regional Library system, including hard copies, digital e-books and audiobooks, as well as access to music and movies. The library also hosts programming to promote lifelong learning, including a weekly children's story time, LEGO in the Library, Summer Reading Club, an adult book club, and more.

If you are considering a move to Peachland and are searching for houses, click here to check out Peachland's newest listings and to search for homes in Peachland. Sign up to create a customized search and receive alerts as new homes come on the market.

Valentine's Day doesn't only have to be a special day for people who are in a romantic relationship - the love you feel for your friends, your family and yourself can also be celebrated. With this in mind, we've compiled a list of activities in the Kelowna area that singles, couples, groups of friends and families can enjoy this Valentine's Day!

Greater Kelowna Valentine's Day Activities for Families, Friends, Couples or Singles

1. Tour the Kelowna Art Gallery. Valentine's Day is on a Thursday this year, and Thursdays at the Kelowna Art Gallery mean free admission! From 6pm to 9pm, pick up a "Valentine's Challenge Card" at the reception and enjoy a variety of work throughout the entire gallery. After your tour, channel your creativity to make a custom Valentine's card with decorative Japanese papers. There will also be sweets! For more information on current exhibitions, visit www.kelownaartgallery.com. Gallery address: 1315 Water St., Kelowna, BC
   
   
2. Get 'in the air'. Enjoy 2 for 1 entry on drop-in training sessions all week at Airhouse Kelowna. From skiing to snowboarding, figure skating to parkour, motocross to freeride mountain biking, Airhouse trains all 'in the air.' Visit airhouse.ca/drop-in for more information on their drop-in training sessions. Open until 9pm. Address: 730 McCurdy Rd., Kelowna, BC
   
   
3. Enjoy some blues. Open to all ages, Kenny Wayne & Sherman Doucette perform at the Rotary Centre for the Arts. 7pm to 9pm; admission by donation. Food and drink available at the centre's licensed bistro. For more information and a list of other centre events, visit rotarycentreforthearts.com. Rotary Centre for the Arts address: 421 Cawston Ave., Kelowna, BC
   
   
4. Hang out at the climbing gym. From 6pm to 11pm, meet fellow climbers at a special $10 drop-in rate at Beyond the Crux Climbing Gym. If you don't have a climbing partner, the gym staff will help connect you with other climbers or 'baylay you' as available. For information on the gym and its programming, visit www.beyondthecrux.info. Gym address: #5 - 685 Finns Rd., Kelowna BC

Greater Kelowna Valentine's Day Activities for Singles, Couples or Friends

1. Dance the salsa. Singles and couples of all ages and levels are welcome to enjoy a 30-minute salsa lesson with dance to follow. Starts at 8pm at the Rotary Centre for the Arts. Entry is $10/person or $15/couple.  For more details on this reoccurring event (every Thursday night), visit rotarycentreforthearts.com. Rotary Centre for the Arts address: 421 Cawston Ave., Kelowna, BC
   
   
2. Enjoy some local comedy. The Kelowna Arts Council, in partnership with Kelowna Comedy, presents "My Funny Valentine Show," featuring the top comics in the Okanagan. The show is free and takes place from 7pm to 9:30pm at Dakota's Comedy Lounge. Visit kelownacomedy.ca for more information on this show and other hilariousness. Lounge address: 1574 Harvey Ave., Kelowna, BC
   
   
3. Take a dessert cooking class. Quails' Gate Estate Winery is offering a special Valentine's Day inspired dessert demonstrative cooking class led by French-born pastry chef Ange Gaudino-Vallejo. The class will feature desserts from chocolate fondant, to vanilla macarons and lemon cake paired with the winery's award-winning dessert wines. Starts at 5:30pm or 7:30pm; $109 per person, $99 for wine club members. For more information on this and other winery events, visit www.quailsgate.com. Winery address: 3303 Boucherie Rd., West Kelowna, BC
   
   
4. Get a heart tattoo. If you're feeling daring and/or charitable this Valentine's Day, get a pre-drawn heart tattoo Don't Look Down Tattoos in support of the Heart & Stroke Foundation. $25 minimum donation (cash only). Designs to be posted a few days before the event. 12pm to 8pm; first-come, first-served. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/dontlookdowntattoos. Shop address: 1484 St. Paul St., Kelowna, BC
   
   
5. Do some yoga. Partake in a "Galentine's Day" women's only event to celebrate the women in our lives. Join a 75-minute flow and restore yoga at Solstice Yoga followed by a glass of bubbly and dessert (included in the ticket price) at Bar Norcino. Tickets are $45 with proceeds going to Karis Support Society, a safe, loving place for women struggling with addictions and mental health challenges. Starts at 7pm. For studio information, visit www.solstice.yoga. Studio address: #406 - 460 Doyle Ave., Kelowna, BC.

If you attend any of the events listed above, please take a selfie at the event and post it to our Facebook page! We'd love to see you having some Valentine's Day fun in the Kelowna area!

Please note: not an all-inclusive list. Please contact the event organizers using the links above with any questions regarding the events.

The Central Okanagan residential real estate market saw a slight decrease in residential home sales in January 2019 from December 2018 and a 31% decrease from January of 2018. The year-over-year decline can be attributed to mortgage stress tests, the speculation tax, and higher interest rates posed by the government. 

New listings in January 2019 more than doubled from the previous month and are up by 26% from January 2018. Time of year contributes greatly to the number of new listings hitting the market.

Average days on market (DOM) in January 2019 experienced slight increases from the previous month and year. Average price for all residential decreased by 4% from last month and by 6% from this time last year. Longer average DOM will cause the average price to further moderate.

If you have any questions on this information or would like to set up a consultation, feel free to contact Jeff Creamer by filling out this form, calling 250-575-7112 or emailing jeff@shopkelownahomes.com.

Although most widely known for its wine and tourism industries, the Okanagan Valley has seen a boom in its tech sector, with Kelowna at the epicentre of this boom. A recent survey by Accelerate Okanagan (AO) reveals that there are nearly 700 tech companies in the Okanagan, a 24% increase since 2013. These companies employ over 12,000 workers in the region and contribute $1.67 billion dollars to the region's economy. While Vancouver is still BC's largest technological hub, what is attracting so many 'techies' to BC's wine country? The following are some of the major reasons tech companies are moving to the Okanagan, and more specifically, moving to Kelowna.

1. Lifestyle. 81% of the respondents of the AO survey listed lifestyle as the number one advantage of operating a tech business in the Okanagan. Due high demand for skilled tech workers across the country, many could operate just about anywhere but choose to live and work in the Okanagan due to the lifestyle the region offers. Year-round recreational activities provided by the lake and mountains coupled with a plethora of wineries and craft breweries to enjoy among breathtaking scenery makes the Okanagan an attractive place to live and work. Furthermore, Kelowna's former fruit packing district was converted to a Cultural District with the intent of further promoting a creative and innovative lifestyle appreciated by many working in the tech industry while maintaining the heritage of the local area.
   
   
2. Cost of living. While still considered a challenge to some respondents of the AO survey, the cost of living in Kelowna is considerably lower than that of other Canadian cities with significant tech industries. According to a pricing index published by Expatistan, Kelowna's overall cost of living is substantially lower than most major Canadian cities including Vancouver. The housing prices in each market certainly reflect this as the average price of a single-detached house in Kelowna is approximately $580,000 as opposed to $1.5 million in Vancouver; the average price of a strata condo in Kelowna is approximately $270,000 compared to $664,000 in Vancouver.
   
   
3. Civic and provincial policy and investment in technology. The Intelligent Community Forum’s Smart21 Communities for 2018 listed the City of Kelowna as one of the world's 21 smartest cities based on its approach and investment in technology. One noteworthy investment includes the city's deployment and continued development of a dark fibre network, providing businesses across multiple industries with Internet speeds of above 10GB, high reliability and security, among other benefits. The Innovation Centre, a state-of-the-art building in Kelowna's Cultural District, was established to "help build Canada's most innovative, creative, and entrepreneurial technology community," from solopreneuers to large technology and innovation companies. Additionally, new funding was announced last year by the Province of British Columbia that will increase students' access to tech-related programs at the University of British Columbia's Okanagan Campus and at Okanagan College.
   
   
4. Climate. Considered another major advantage of operating in the Okanagan by respondents of the AO survey, those who live and work in Kelowna and throughout the region enjoy all four seasons, including over 2,000 hours of sunlight and only 28 cm of rain. The climate certainly supports the lifestyle engaged in by many Kelowna residents.
   
   
5. Commute time. AO survey respondents also listed commute times as a big benefit of living and working in the Okanagan. Though communing in Kelowna is challenging at times, especially in the summer months when tourism season is in full force, according to the 2016 Census conducted by Statistics Canada, commute times in Kelowna are seven minutes less than the Canadian national average. Canadians spend 26.2 minutes on average traveling to work; commuters in Kelowna spend an average of 19.8 minutes. Average commute times in the Canadian cities with the largest tech industries were reported by Statistics Canada as 29.7 minutes in Vancouver, 30 minutes in Montreal, and 34 minutes in Toronto.

Though there are many upsides for tech companies to move to Kelowna, one of the main challenges facing tech companies surveyed by AO is the small pool of talent available in the region. Finding skilled employees is currently a struggle across many industries; however, this is a plus for those seeking employment in the tech sector as jobs are plentiful. If you are seeking a job in the tech sector, check out AO's job board for job listings throughout the Okanagan. 

Housing Options

If you are interested in relocating to Kelowna to work in the tech sector, we've compiled lists of housing options located close to some of Kelowna's major tech companies. These lists are current and updated every five minutes:

Housing options near The Innovation Centre

Housing options near Bardel Entertainment (the animation studio behind the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

Housing options near The Centre for Arts and Technology (around which many Kelowna tech companies are located, including Csek Creative)

Housing options near Acro Media (a rapidly-growing software company)

If you'd like to receive customized home search options as soon as they come on the market, click here to sign up; or, if you'd like to take the next step in your search for Kelowna homes, contact Jeff Creamer, licensed REALTOR® by filling out this form, by emailing jeff@shopkelownahomes.com or by phone or text at 250-575-7112. Jeff would be happy to assist more 'techies' in relocating to Kelowna.