Living in Kelowna as an Asian?

[sybian]

I like to hear when someone gets what they deserve.

Absolute true Cowboy story....I've heard it with some embellishments over the years, but I know men that where there, on both sides.
It was a conflict that joined the Cowboys and Indians into a brotherhood.
For years patch wearing bikers would run out of fuel on either side of that interior town, as they wouldn't stop to fuel up in its 4 gas stations.

 

[MissingOne]

Absolute true Cowboy story....I've heard it with some embellishments over the years, but I know men that where there, on both sides.
It was a conflict that joined the Cowboys and Indians into a brotherhood.
For years patch wearing bikers would run out of fuel on either side of that interior town, as they wouldn't stop to fuel up in its 4 gas stations.

I remember that event. I wasn't there at the time, but my family used to spend summer vacations in that area, in the sixties.

I'm not sure why you guys are avoiding using the name of the place, but I'll play along, on the assumption that you have good reasons.

 

[Mr_Mercenary]

I'm Asian and I moved to the Kelowna area on SEPT 11, 2001 (yep 9/11 of all days). I've enjoyed living here even though I am a visible minority. Made better friends here than in the Lower Mainland/Vancouver. A little bit more difficult to earn a good living. However, it's an area that is up to you what you make of it. If you see racism and conservative attitudes, you will find it here. If you want to see diversity and freedom, you will find that here.

My main advantage, I rarely drive more that 1-20 mins (avg 10 mins) to get to my usual spots. It has everything the big city has but smaller
I do not have to have a fist fight getting into the Costco parking lot, and then a second fist fight with an Asian lady over a parking spot.

NYAH to the Lower Mainland.

Ciao!

 

[grizzly]

I sm thinking of moving to Kelowna, primarily for the cheaper housing and scenery. However everyone tells me that it is very conservative, with 90% white and mostly Christian. As an asian, I don’t know if I would fit in.

I also heard other bad things:

-people are racist
-cliquish
-wealthy WASPs look down on you
-hard to make friends
-people are snobbish and douchey


Also:

-no good jobs
-expensive
-Homelessness
-high crime rate
-lots if drug use and addicts

Anyone lived there or know people who have? Would you recommend it? Especially for an Asian?


100 years ago, Chinese made up 10% of the population, today it is 1%. I find that very strange. Maybe it is not hodpitable for Asians to live there?

This disturbs me. Why would your race be a factor in which you choose to live? There is no doubt that racism exists, but it exists everywhere unfortunately. I suggest you take your race out of the equation and base your decision solely on your betterment financially and your family's enjoyment.

I personally don't like kelowna. As a truck driver for many years, I felt claustrophobic when I was there. I always thought when I was there, what if an avalanche or forest fire happened. Where would I go? Just a thought.

I would reiterate, don't let your race dictate where you would enjoy your life.

 

[Big_Guy_Rye]

I know you've mentioned in the past that most smaller interior BC towns intimidate you.....there are some very nice down to earth people up here, that you most likely would really enjoy.
If you find yourself in the Ranching areas you just need to know.

Don't mess around with a mans livestock, his fence, or his family...and you'll be just fine.

There is a little town up here, that the Nomads ,and the Angels thought they would terrorize for a weekend. Back in the 70's.
They got as far as stabbing a young bull rider, and raping an local First Nations girl....they got their asses handed to them, lost their bikes, and one of them...the tough guy who did the rape.....He just went missing.
Turns out he was someone, that nobody really missed anyways.

Heard a similar story....around Chu Chua?

 

[sybian]

Heard a similar story....around Chu Chua?

Thats North of Kamloops .....but around here, that's close enough.

 

[letsplay2000]

Frankly I'm surprised by so many negative comments - however everyone brings their own perspective to the table.

I moved to Kelowna from the GTA 10 years ago - it was going to be a 2 year experiment, however once one gets a taste of life in the Okanagan, I've found people rarely want to leave. I've known many people who have reacted the same way - however also others who have left.

Kelowna has become much more multi-cultural over the past decade - though of course a far cry from Canadian megalopolises. I can't speak from a non-white perspective, however I've found people overall to be tolerant and accepting.

Traffic is actually a joke compared to Vancouver, with the exception of the highway and bridge in summer months. Solution? Avoid the highway. Mostly easy to do.

Urban planning has been sprawl oriented in the past, however recent intensification is changing things for the better. Downtown is improving, the waterfront is lovely - however there are homeless issues as in all Canadian cities.

Cost of living is on par with Vancouver in many areas, however housing, gasoline and car insurance are much less.

Nature is at our doorstep - 10 minutes drive any direction out of town and you're in the wilderness. Lots of great outdoor opportunities, and the winters are better than most parts of the country. Yes it gets grey for a while in Winter, but you can escape to the ski hills for sunshine most times. Compare to many parts of BC, the Prairies, Ontario, etc - and it's a joke. Also warm, sunny, dry summer months - and the season lasts longer than most.

Bottom line - any place you live is what you make of it - it really depends what you want out of life.

 

[Sub-Slut]

Have you guys seen the throngs of sweet, young pussy walking around this town during summertime in their short shorts and tank tops with nipples poking through?

It sort of makes up for the motherfucking lake inversions and a few traffic jams.

I even heard on the news that there are naked woman fornicating on the beach, right in front of children!

In all seriousness, this comment is why I "love" Perb. You guys are... something else?

 

[uncleg]

Absolute true Cowboy story....I've heard it with some embellishments over the years, but I know men that where there, on both sides.
It was a conflict that joined the Cowboys and Indians into a brotherhood.
For years patch wearing bikers would run out of fuel on either side of that interior town, as they wouldn't stop to fuel up in its 4 gas stations.

I remember that event. I wasn't there at the time, but my family used to spend summer vacations in that area, in the sixties.

I'm not sure why you guys are avoiding using the name of the place, but I'll play along, on the assumption that you have good reasons.

I was hanging around a little place called Kelly Lake back in the sixties for awhile when a couple fellows from nearby stopped by my outfit and asked if I wanted to come into town.....seems there was some biker types showed up that were looking to make a fuss. Well, being a bit bored I joined the party, but it couldn't have been the same one being referred to here, since Clinton only had two gas stations at the time.

 

[sybian]

I was hanging around a little place called Kelly Lake back in the sixties for awhile when a couple fellows from nearby stopped by my outfit and asked if I wanted to come into town.....seems there was some biker types showed up that were looking to make a fuss. Well, being a bit bored I joined the party, but it couldn't have been the same one being referred to here, since Clinton only had two gas stations at the time.

I stand corrected...2 gas stations, if you don't count 20 mile, and the old Payne gas station as he was closed half the time anyways....you the guy who brought the rope to the neck stretching?
Kelly lake has never been the same since you left btw.

 

[uncleg]

I stand corrected...2 gas stations, if you don't count 20 mile, and the old Payne gas station as he was closed half the time anyways....you the guy who brought the rope to the neck stretching?
Kelly lake has never been the same since you left btw.

Nope, no ropes but I did have the requisite rifle rack in the back window of my pick'em up truck and the appropriate accoutrements for dealing with various size varmints.:biggrin1:

I always found it amazing that these guys would roll into a small town like that and start acting out and not notice that 90% of the vehicles had freaking armouries in their back windows. In later years I was running a club called Lasseter's Den in East Van....the S.A. types used to hang at the Biltmore. Sometimes they'd drop by the place and be what they be....some interesting reactions when I told them I was from Clinton.

As to Kelly Lake....you got to remember, when I left. a third of the "town" left....hard to recover from a population drop like that.

 

[sybian]

Nope, no ropes but I did have the requisite rifle rack in the back window of my pick'em up truck and the appropriate accoutrements for dealing with various size varmints.:biggrin1:

I always found it amazing that these guys would roll into a small town like that and start acting out and not notice that 90% of the vehicles had freaking armouries in their back windows. In later years I was running a club called Lasseter's Den in East Van....the S.A. types used to hang at the Biltmore. Sometimes they'd drop by the place and be what they be....some interesting reactions when I told them I was from Clinton.

As to Kelly Lake....you got to remember, when I left. a third of the "town" left....hard to recover from a population drop like that.

Someone should do a movie on that event.
I was told the cops were a little scared to get involved as they knew how the Cowboys would be when threatened, and a few of their own were stabbed, or raped....when the bikers where removed, it was for their own protection.
That little town, hasn't changed much in attitude since you've left btw.

 

[MissingOne]

I was hanging around a little place called Kelly Lake back in the sixties for awhile when a couple fellows from nearby stopped by my outfit and asked if I wanted to come into town.....seems there was some biker types showed up that were looking to make a fuss. Well, being a bit bored I joined the party, but it couldn't have been the same one being referred to here, since Clinton only had two gas stations at the time.

I fished at Kelly Lake many a time in the late fifties - early sixties. There was an old resort called Arden Park that was a little bit farther down the road past Kelly Lake. They used to keep a few turquoise-painted rowboats on Kelly Lake for guests to use. We would stay at Arden Park for a couple of weeks in the summer, and fish at Kelly Lake or at a tiny one called Pear Lake.

 

[uncleg]

I fished at Kelly Lake many a time in the late fifties - early sixties. There was an old resort called Arden Park that was a little bit farther down the road past Kelly Lake. They used to keep a few turquoise-painted rowboats on Kelly Lake for guests to use. We would stay at Arden Park for a couple of weeks in the summer, and fish at Kelly Lake or at a tiny one called Pear Lake.

I remember some boats on the lake, used them a few times,but I think the one(s) I used were there courtesy of the Downings... I was there with the PGE...let's see who can remember what that was...ditching with a Gradall.

 

[uncleg]

Sorry, stinky..no hijack intended. Hopefully we at least opened up the possibility of an alternative to Kelowna....if nothing else horses are a lot quieter then Harley's.

 

[MissingOne]

... I was there with the PGE...let's see who can remember what that was....

Sure - that was the "Please Go Easy".

 

[uncleg]

Sure - that was the "Please Go Easy".

Yup it sure was.....let's not forget Prince George Eventually....or something that tends to apply to me more often as of late, Puff Grunt and Expire.:lol:

 

[rdon8]

Really get real
Kelowna and or any city is what you make it...
Beautiful lakes, great activities golf, mountain biking,
Hiking, wineries.....
Semi arid region mild winters
Lol shitty place to live

 

[pilpay]

I think I’m either oblivious or think people are over sensitive to racism. I’ve lived in small towns with 99% white and find that most people are great. And when they’re not, it’s ignorance and not malice. Once they get to know someone of a different race and you get to know them, they are generous and great like most people. That’s not to say racism doesn’t exist, but not everyone is racist. Heck, I find about the asians are similarly racist.