Moving to Kelowna from Quebec worth it?

[Jeepaolic]

Hi guys! I may have an opportunity for a job in west kelowna and considering making the move with my family from Quebec (east).. I would like to get as much infos about the city and riding areas near by.... is it possible in one day to go sledding in came back for dinner etc, because I understand this city as no or not very much snow during the winter?

thanks a lot for helping me making my choice

Eric

 

[gmustangt]

I would jump all over that IMO. Kelowna is an awesome city, great winter activities and great summer activities with the lake there boating, golfing, dirt biking whatever your in to in the summer.

Graystokes is the riding area in Kelowna http://www.sledkelowna.ca/area-maps/ Smaller area , fairly mellow but its close.

1 hr from Kelowna is Enderby which is the Hunters Range area http://www.huntersrange.com/ Bigger and better than Graystokes.

1.5 hr from Kelowna is Sicamous, which is some of the best riding around. http://www.sledsicamous.com/

2.5 Hours from Kelowna is Revelstoke.

This is all Mountain riding

These are some of the main areas, lots of other ones in beetween.

Alot of sled shops in the area, dealers as well performance.

Living in the northern area of kelowna would put you closer to sledding.

 

[4Z]

Been to Montreal a couple times and K-town. Hands down K-town. Matter of fact I would move from anywhere to live in Kelowna.

 

[Smoke Show]

its a damn nice place to live if you can afford it.

 

[Jeepaolic]

thanks a lot for the positive responses.... I was afraid that Kelowna did'nt have any snow cause of the okanagan valley...

a lot of people talk about being able to afford it.. i was looking at houses price and it is'nt much more than here. here in Québec city a normal ''ok'' house turns arount 400 000$ and I foun =d some good one in Kelowna around that price range, maybe a little more..

is getting the groceries, wine and beer and restaurant much more than here ? here a good bottle of wine turn aroun 15-20$(usa and australia) 24 pack of Heineken around 30$, so can it be a lot more there ???

sorry for all theses questions but it is a big move for me, wife and two childs(3 and 5) so don't want to do the wrong move...

I also hear a lot about crime getting more frequent there ??

and lastly everyone talk about betting a good salary to be there...what is a good salary there then? 60k is it ok ? 80k ?


thanks again...
Éric

 

[calltrex]

I lived there for few yrs. lots of things to do with family. Beautiful place. Get a boat for summer

 

[bnorth]

thanks a lot for the positive responses.... I was afraid that Kelowna did'nt have any snow cause of the okanagan valley...

a lot of people talk about being able to afford it.. i was looking at houses price and it is'nt much more than here. here in Québec city a normal ''ok'' house turns arount 400 000$ and I foun =d some good one in Kelowna around that price range, maybe a little more..

is getting the groceries, wine and beer and restaurant much more than here ? here a good bottle of wine turn aroun 15-20$(usa and australia) 24 pack of Heineken around 30$, so can it be a lot more there ???

sorry for all theses questions but it is a big move for me, wife and two childs(3 and 5) so don't want to do the wrong move...

I also hear a lot about crime getting more frequent there ??

and lastly everyone talk about betting a good salary to be there...what is a good salary there then? 60k is it ok ? 80k ?


thanks again...
Éric

There's definitely a sunshine tax when it comes to wages. A lot of people commute to northern BC/AB for work. Not sure what your profession is but I'd say if you could do $80k working in actual Kelowna you'd have most beat.

 

[savagecanuck]

I have lived in Kelowna since 1966.Great place to live most people that have visited would move here if they could.Yes you can sled here in the mountains all day and be home for a nap and then dinner.It is true you do need a decent income the more the better to afford a decent lifestyle.Local traffic is a real PIA as its always rush hour[probably the worst thing about our city]Living on the west side is ok as long as your work is over there.We have a newish 5 lane floating bridge over the lake,but most traffic issues are from too many lights.Cost of living is definatly a little more as gas is always higher here.Food about the same as any where,lots of competition.Alcohol same.Kelowna is a pretty good sized city has all the bigger stores.Has stand alone BMW,Audi,Mercedes,Lexus dealers as in lots of people with money move here.Housing is up there but so is Calgary,Edmonton, even regina now you can get a new house from as low as $499K.Your also only 4 hours drive from Kelowna to Vancouver.We also have decent size international airport that handles close too 1.5 million passengers a year.Lots of direct destinations too sun and larger centres.PM me if you need any direct info and yes I can take you out too the mountains at least once if you can ride.

 

[savagecanuck]

Yes we get snow but mostly in the mountains

 

[Jeepaolic]

Wow thanks for the great infos guys!!!

Those picts are sweet. Talking about money do you think we could survive there for the first year with just one salary of around 60k, with a family of four, a renting fee of 2000$ a month w/o amenities. Since we would be new there I would prefer my wife to stay at home with the two childrens and not having to deal with daycare etc... Then the 2nd or 3rd year she could found a partial time job... Or am I dreaming and you need a 100k &+ family income to be there...

Keeping faith... It's bad I begin to find bad things about the east coast hehehe

 

[calltrex]

You should be fine. I would find something on the west side. Cheaper overthere too

 

[Leaf27]

Wow thanks for the great infos guys!!!

Those picts are sweet. Talking about money do you think we could survive there for the first year with just one salary of around 60k, with a family of four, a renting fee of 2000$ a month w/o amenities. Since we would be new there I would prefer my wife to stay at home with the two childrens and not having to deal with daycare etc... Then the 2nd or 3rd year she could found a partial time job... Or am I dreaming and you need a 100k &+ family income to be there...

Keeping faith... It's bad I begin to find bad things about the east coast hehehe

if you can survive on 3400 per month and paying 2000 for rent w/o utilities, supporting a family of 4 you are an extreme budgeter.

 

[bnorth]

Family of four in Kelowna earning $60k, I don't think you will need to worry too much about sledding areas.

 

[calltrex]

My brother lives on westside. He rents a house for $2000 but its huge and a block from the water

Im sure u can find a house under $2000 easy

 

[Leaf27]

My brother lives on westside. He rents a house for $2000 but its huge and a block from the water

Im sure u can find a house under $2000 easy

Ya probably in Rutland.

 

[savagecanuck]

Of course you can survive on 60k.just don't spend more than you bring in.

 

[snowyo]

If I were you I would look for a place in winfield(lake country) or i would head North towards Vernon or Armstrong(nice farm style living) but real close to some nice areas.

 

[Leaf27]

Of course you can survive on 60k.just don't spend more than you bring in.

Be realistic he is moving across the country, the rent is 2000 and household bills are roughly 800 per month and then add food to feed 4 people per month (easy 150 per week) ohh ya add in fuel for your vehicle 50 a week depending on what car you drive. 3600 per month just to live. 60,000 a year job is 1700-1800 every 2 weeks depending on how much tax is taken from your check. Looks like your tapped out.

Maybe you guys still live at home with your parents or your to old to remember what it was like to scratch away a living.

 

[Jeepaolic]

By the way how much is it in bc to license a snowmobile and insure it for a relatively new one(2012)
I have the same questions about car insurance.... That icbc is new to me since here we have a lot of insurances company to choose from...

Any other infos about how much is this and how much is that would be very appreciated....

Thanks

 

[savagecanuck]

Be realistic he is moving across the country, the rent is 2000 and household bills are roughly 800 per month and then add food to feed 4 people per month (easy 150 per week) ohh ya add in fuel for your vehicle 50 a week depending on what car you drive. 3600 per month just to live. 60,000 a year job is 1700-1800 every 2 weeks depending on how much tax is taken from your check. Looks like your tapped out.

Maybe you guys still live at home with your parents or your to old to remember what it was like to scratch away a living.[/QUOTE

Good figures there to go by.My house is payed for,I heat with wood,make over 100k so I'm a little out of the reality of starting out.
You can always rent a town house or older house dropping rent to $1500.ICBC is a monopoly and if you have a perfect driving record you get a 43% discount. My 2014 Silverado with full coverage is approx $1900/year with discount of 43%.Register a sled is a one time cost of $10 been that amount forever.