Kamloops vs Kelowna?

[stinkynuts]

I am considering moving to BC. Ideally, I would like to live in Vancouver, but is is impossible to live there long term because of the insane house prices.

I am thinking of either Kamloops or Kelowna, but cannot find a good answer on the Internet. Both seem to have pros and cons.

I am looking for:

-affordable housing
-warm climate
-beautiful scenery (forests, lakes, mountains)
-friendly, down to earth people
-a sizable Asian community and Asian supermarkets
-good restaurants (Asian/sushi)
-movie theaters, malls, parks, etc.
-good roads
-fast access to Vancouver
-easy to find jobs


Has anyone lived in both? Can you tell me which is better overall?

I plan to visit both cities myself, but would like the opinion of someone who has more knowledge. Thank you in advance!

 

[stinkynuts]

Just looked at some videos on YouTube and the difference was striking. Kelowna is gorgeous! Lakes and forest everywhere. Whereas Kamloops looks barren and depressing.

 

[Lets Review]

Well, Kelowna's on a lake, Kamloops is on a river. Nuff said.

 

[girth-brooks]

I've been to both many times, but you will probably have see them both for yourself. Both have pros/cons, but if you're going to pack up and move, research can only help you so much.

 

[badbadboy]

I hear that KELOWNA has Hells Angels, so I'm afraid to go there and spend the night. Kelowna is also often on MacLeans 10 most dangerous Canadian Cities.

How about Langley or even parts of Surrey? You can get good value for the dollar in Langley. Surrey, as long as you don't live in Whalley.

I hate to break it to you Tim, HA are literally everywhere throughout the Okanagan valley.

To the OP, check out neighbouring communities of Kelowna and Kamloops. Lots of nice communities between Kamloops - Vernon - Kelowna - Penticton - Osooyoos. Personally. I'd look in Vernon with its smaller communities or south around Naramata.

 

[hedgeman]

I have an HA clubhouse not even 5 mins away from my place, and i can tell you, at least here, it's a pretty safe neighborhood, no crime, quiet, in the 6 yrs i've lived in the area

I hear that KELOWNA has Hells Angels, so I'm afraid to go there and spend the night. Kelowna is also often on MacLeans 10 most dangerous Canadian Cities.

How about Langley or even parts of Surrey? You can get good value for the dollar in Langley. Surrey, as long as you don't live in Whalley.

 

[LM987]

Chilliwack might not be too bad an area to look at either. Close, but not close to Vancouver, and affordable.

Don't worry about the HA unless you are in a rival g@ng.

 

[badbadboy]

-a sizable Asian community and Asian supermarkets
-good restaurants (Asian/sushi)

I think you may find the asian supermarkets, community and asian restaurants may be quite lacking in the Interior.

Their idea of good Chinese Food is quite "North American" and their sushi, well let's just say Vancouver wins hands down in that regard.

That said, the Okanagan is a great place to live.

 

[way.tomuch]

I guess it really comes down to what your prof is,,, teacher or sales or ??????

 

[Wolfman_jack]

It has been 3 or 4 years since I've been back to the 'loops so keep that in mind.

Asian Community? Never had much of one. South Asian yes. My high school had one Asian family. A few westernized chinese buffets. There might be a sushi restaurant but can't vouch for quality.

Warm? Yes. Hot and dry.
Friendly people? Yes.
One, maybe two theatres. Probably just the 6 plex though.
Roads are good. Takes 10 minutes to get anywhere within reason.
The drive to Vancouver is 3-4 hours depending upon your lead foot and tolerance to risk the odd speed trap.

Kelowna is a bit more "popular" so there may actually be an Asian Community worth mentioning. About the same climate. Takes about 30 minutes longer at least to get to Vancouver from Kelowna as you have to take a less accommodating connector road from the Coquihalla Highway.

Hope the move works for you.

I am considering moving to BC. Ideally, I would like to live in Vancouver, but is is impossible to live there long term because of the insane house prices.

I am thinking of either Kamloops or Kelowna, but cannot find a good answer on the Internet. Both seem to have pros and cons.

I am looking for:

-affordable housing
-warm climate
-beautiful scenery (forests, lakes, mountains)
-friendly, down to earth people
-a sizable Asian community and Asian supermarkets
-good restaurants (Asian/sushi)
-movie theaters, malls, parks, etc.
-good roads
-fast access to Vancouver
-easy to find jobs


Has anyone lived in both? Can you tell me which is better overall?

I plan to visit both cities myself, but would like the opinion of someone who has more knowledge. Thank you in advance!

 

[burcs]

Forget either if you want anything Asian, Victoria might be a little better in that regard.

Or just come to Vancouver and live a bit further.

 

[MonaBardot]

I am considering moving to BC. Ideally, I would like to live in Vancouver, but is is impossible to live there long term because of the insane house prices.

I am thinking of either Kamloops or Kelowna, but cannot find a good answer on the Internet. Both seem to have pros and cons.

I am looking for:

-affordable housing
-warm climate
-beautiful scenery (forests, lakes, mountains)
-friendly, down to earth people
-a sizable Asian community and Asian supermarkets
-good restaurants (Asian/sushi)
-movie theaters, malls, parks, etc.
-good roads
-fast access to Vancouver
-easy to find jobs


Has anyone lived in both? Can you tell me which is better overall?

I plan to visit both cities myself, but would like the opinion of someone who has more knowledge. Thank you in advance!

You've basically described Victoria, with one notable exception: affordability. Can't have it all, I suppose

I prefer Kelowna to Kamloops, but vastly prefer the smaller cities nearby, Vernon and Penticton - as mentioned by another poster. However I think you'll find most interior BC cities a bit lacking in cultural diversity. Have you considered Nanaimo? I think we're going to see a lot of growth there as people realize how affordable it is for being so close to Vancouver.