Growing up in Vernon, BC and living here most of my life, I admit I am a bit biased! However, I do believe that since I moved to Vancouver for 9 years and then chose to return to the Vernon area, I feel I am qualified to pass along to you all the many benefits I have experienced being a long time Vernonite.
Reason #1: Location – Location - Location
Vernon’s location between two major centers, Calgary and Vancouver, makes it an ideal place to own property. Whether you live here full-time or like to own a vacation home, it’s a short puddle jump from either of those major centers.
Driving Distances
|
From: |
To: |
Time: |
|
Vernon |
Silverstar Mountain |
30 minutes |
|
Kelowna |
Vernon |
30 minutes |
|
Vernon |
Predator Ridge Golf Resort |
15 minutes |
|
Vernon |
Lower Mainland |
4 1/2 hours |
|
Vernon |
Calgary |
Less than 6 hours |
|
Vernon |
Edmonton |
9 hours |
Vernon is close to most essential amenities and is pretty much 15 minutes from almost anywhere!
Reason #2: Small Town Feel
I love Vernon and why people who moved to Vernon love it is because of the small-town feel. People just seem to be friendlier in a smaller city.
If you opt for an even smaller town atmosphere, you can take advantage of all the North Okanagan has to offer. Some of the smaller, popular North Okanagan communities are Armstrong, Enderby, Falkland and Lumby. If Vernon has too many street lights for you check out one of these gems. And all within 15-30 minutes of Vernon.
Reason #3: Three Beautiful Lakes
One of the top reasons people move to Vernon’s to take advantage of the beautiful lake views and the opportunity to live right on Vernon lakeshore.
Greater Vernon has three fabulous lakes to take advantage of:
Okanagan Lake: Okanagan Lake reaches from Vernon in the North to Penticton in the South, passing through Kelowna and numerous other towns and cities, including Oyama, Lake Country, West Kelowna, Peachland, Summerland and Naramata.
A vast, deep, 135 kilometers long lake in total, Okanagan Lake is called a fjord lake as repeated glaciations have carved it out.
Most lakefront homes in Vernon exist on the Okanagan shores in the sub-areas of Okanagan Landing, Bella Vista, Adventure Bay and Westside (Okanagan North and Fintry).
On the Vernon end of Okanagan Lake, some notable lakefront developments are The Outback Lakeside Resort, The Strand Lakeside Resort, La Casa Cottage Resort, Vista Verona, Lakeside Residences, Silverton on the Lake, Paddlewheel Villas, Adventure Bay Condos, Peregrine Point Condos and Tuscan Terraces.
Kalamalka Lake: “Kal” Lake, or the “Lake of Many Colours,” is arguably the most beautiful lake as well as the most expensive to buy real estate on. Touted by National Geographic as one of the world’s most beautiful lakes, Kal is a “marl” lake, meaning a process that happens with the lake warms and calcium carbonate or limestone forms crystals that reflect the sunlight and creates its distinct blue-green colours. On a warm, sunny summer day, the colours are what you would expect to see in the Caribbean – spectacular!
Lakeshore homes on Kalamalka Lake are at a premium at any given time, not only in price but also in quantity for sale. Far fewer homes are being built on Kalmalka Lake due to its smaller size (only 16 kilometers long compared to Okanagan at 135 kilometers) and rugged terrain on parts of the lake. You will find some beautiful homes on the Greater Vernon (Coldstream) side, as well as the southern Oyama end.
On Kalamalka Lake, some notable lakefront developments are Summertree on the Lake, Kalanish Estates, Kalamalka Park Estate in Cosen’s Bay and Long Lake/Lisheen Estates.
Swan Lake: Swan Lake is a smaller, placid lake that offers simple boating, kayaking, water skiing and fishing experiences. If you’re a bird watcher – the Swan Lake wetlands are for you! There are many, many species of birds migrating and nesting around the lake. Also, if you are looking for a lake to ice fish on, Swan Lake is it as it’s shallow and almost always freezes over.
Lakeshore homes on Swan Lake are the least expensive of the three lakes, mostly due to the inability to construct a dock for moorage for your boat and the fact that you can’t wade or swim from your property due to the swampy nature of the shore.
Within an hour or so of Greater Vernon, there are many other lakes and water bodies to experience, including the Shuswap River, Mabel Lake, Mara Lake, Sugar Lake and more. The Okanagan region is home to over 50 lakes!
Reason #4: Lack of Gridlock
One of my huge loves for Vernon is driving almost anywhere in 15 to 20 minutes. Generally, we don’t have to deal with the gridlock that larger, more densely populated cities do (unless you’re coming down Highway 97 on the Friday of the August long weekend!).
Rush hour most would agree is waiting through one whole traffic light. If you are in an unusually long line up, you may have to wait for two!
Ask us about the back roads! We can help!
Reason #5: Unlimited Outdoor Activities
Are you a lover of the outdoors? It doesn’t get much better than Vernon. Regardless of which of the four seasons you’re in, there are always activities.
Some of the most popular activities include Golfing, Water Sports, Boating, Sailing, Water Skiing, Snow Skiing, Snow Boarding, Cross Country Skiing, Hiking, Biking, Fishing, Ice Fishing, Camping. Horse Back Riding, Softball, Curling, Lawn Bowling, Racquet Sports, Pickle Ball, Tennis, Racquet Ball and Squash.
Some of the more extreme sports available nearly are Ziplining, Hang Gliding, Paragliding, or you can even Jump out of a perfectly good Plane! Alternatively, you can play it safe and just hang out and suntan.
Reason #6: Silver Star Mountain Resort
Within 30 minutes, you will arrive at one of Canada’s 5 Star ski resorts, Silver Star Mountain Resort. Silver Star features downhill skiing, snowboarding and cross country skiing (as does the adjacent Sovereign Lake Nordic Center). With over 3200 acres, the ski hill is the third-largest in Canada.
Although skiing is a major attraction, one can enjoy many other winter activities, including Tubing, Skating and Snow Shoeing, inside recreation such as shopping, eating at fabulous restaurants, and maybe a drink or two pubs.
Silver Star has expanded to become not only a winter destination and is enjoyable in the other three seasons as well, offering Hiking, Mountain Biking, Wild Flower Tours, and don’t miss the Gondola ride to the top!
Silver Star consists of 5 distinct neighbourhoods as follows:
Cabin Colony – "The Original": Established in 1959. The trees have had enough time to grow beautifully around this perfect residential area of Silver Star. Easy access to the Village restaurants and pubs and the new Des Schumann Summit Express gondola. Many cabin style homes here with the classic Victorian style building.
The Village - "Access to everything": The Village is where you will find restaurants, pubs, sport gear stores, general stores, café’s, health and wellness offices and even bowling. This perfect ski-in and ski-out location contain condos, townhomes and hotel accommodations
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The Knoll - "Family living with a view of the Monashee’s Mountains": Beautiful Victorian-style homes began being built out in 1989. This family-first residential area was built to get you far enough away from the busy Village, to make you feel like you are home—excellent access to Silver Queen chair, Silver Wood chair and the Silver Wood trail. Access not just for downhill skiing but also cross-country skiing and summertime fun for hikers and downhill bikers.
Alpine Meadows - "The ultimate ski-in and ski-out location". Located right on the famous Attridge ski area, this location features beautiful views of the hill. Up here, you are the King of the Castle!
The Ridge - "Newest community": In 2006, the hill reached its western edge to start building the Ridge. Beautiful new homes with great mountain views here. Easy ski-in and ski-out from the Attridge ski area and eventually a ski-out over the Silver Star skiers’ overpasses down to Brewer’s Pond and Silver Queen chair.
Silver Star has many real estate options in a vast assortment of price ranges in all the above neighbourhoods. In addition, there are many different complexes to choose from: condo units, Chilcoot Lodge, Creekside, Firelight at the Pond, Grandview, Lord Aberdeen, Pinnacles Suite Hotel, Silver Creek Lodge, Silver Queen Mews, Silver Views, Snowbird Lodge and Vance Creek.
View Silver Star Real Estate, Vernon BC
Reason #7: 4 Distinct Seasons
Although folks usually consider a move to the Okanagan to enjoy the summer and winter activities, Spring and Fall are two of Vernon’s most beautiful months. At certain times of the year, a person can enjoy Spring skiing in the morning and golf a full round in the afternoon! And don’t forget the extended golf season offered in the Okanagan (this alone is the number one reason quoted by numerous golfers in favour of moving to Vernon!).
Reason #8: A Wide Variety of Real Estate Choices and Price Ranges
Whether your budget is for a mobile home or a mansion, Vernon and the North Okanagan have a vast assortment of property types, and price ranges for every buyer.
We hope these 8 reasons will give you more than enough reason to move to Greater Vernon BC!
For more information on moving to Vernon, please download our full Vernon BC Relocation package here.
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