Kelowna Real Estate: Where Lifestyle and Nature Are Just Steps Away

Kelowna real estate at Kestrel Ridge in the Upper Mission offers unparalleled views of Okanagan Lake.

The City of Kelowna, BC, in the Okanagan Valley has many sides to its personality.

Its aboriginal name translates as “grizzly bear” in the Syilx-Okanagan language, and in a similar vein to that of a grizzly, Kelowna has a curiosity and an industrious mind when it comes to exploring new avenues. This is no more apparent when you see the developments that have arisen in the Kelowna real estate market, and the new Kestrel Ridge development of Upper Mission.

Affordable living in a city that has it all

Built around lush vineyards and orchards that brim with fruit every summer, a glistening lake that acts as the city’s central core, award-winning golf courses and surrounding mountains with a nearby ski resort, Kelowna provides a four-seasonal playground and a lifestyle that makes it one of the fastest growing cities in Canada.

However, unlike larger BC cities such as Vancouver and Victoria, houses for sale in Kelowna are more affordable, even when it comes to high-end real estate, and the cost of living is less than those centres.

In comparing real estate prices for luxury townhomes in the more upscale and lifestyle-rich Upper Mission in Kelowna to that of the Kerrisdale neighbourhood in Vancouver, the difference can be more than $500,000 and up to $1 million.

According to Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board statistics for June 2017, Upper Mission real estate prices averaged at $891,000, while the Vancouver real estate board lists the average home in Kerrisdale to be at $2.2 million (July, 2017 stats).

To further compare the cost of living, the price of going out to eat in Victoria is 3.59 per cent higher than going out to eat in Kelowna, while groceries are 5.21 per cent higher in Victoria than Kelowna.

What makes Upper Mission homes so attractive for homebuyers is how close the area is to nature and how well it adapts to its surroundings.

Located in the most southern tip of Kelowna, the area extends from the foothills of Okanagan Mountain and is located just below the Kettle Valley Railway Trail, a low-grade abandoned and historical railroad line that is popular with walkers and cyclists. It travels 600 kilometers from Kelowna to Penticton and west near Princeton as well as to the Boundary region near Grand Forks in the east. The trail is famous for its trestle bridges at Myra Canyon and its breathtaking scenery.

For those who prefer a more challenging hike, Crawford Falls, a two-kilometre jaunt with a 300-feet elevation gain, is another attraction located in Upper Mission that gives a spectacular view of Okanagan Lake.

The area is also known for its leisurely pursuits. A round of golf can be played at nearby Michaelbrook Ranch, an 18-hole, mid-length, BCGA-rated executive par 63 course, or Mission Creek, a par 61, 18-hole mid-length course.

Upper Mission residents don’t have to travel far to entertain their visitors, as there are farms nearby that offer everything from fragrant lavender to fresh fruit to cheese as well as boutique wineries, where you can savour a rich pinot noir or refreshing chardonnay and pair it with fresh, local fare offered in many of the winery restaurant-bistros.

The area is also perfect for families, with a number of schools, shops and parks to choose from just down the road.

A new addition to Upper Mission and Kelowna real estate is Kestrel Ridge. Offering 57 paired contemporary homes, Kestrel Ridge is perched just below the Kettle Valley Railway Trail, and offers awe-inspiring views of Okanagan Lake. Built by Rykon Construction, a trusted builder with more than 20 years of experience, Kestrel Ridge homes offer the style and comfort that embraces the environment and the lifestyle that homebuyers will covet.