Nestled between the Monashee, Selkirk and Rocky Mountain ranges to the east and the Coast Mountains to the west, the area encompassing the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board is located in the beautiful, sunny Okanagan Valley. Boasting vineyards, pristine lakes, fertile valleys, an abundance of ski hills and orchards, it’s no wonder so many people are moving to this area. The main industries include forestry, agriculture, technology, tourism and light manufacturing.
Exciting changes have recently taken place with the Kelowna North campus of
Okanagan College becoming the new University of British Columbia -
Okanagan (UBCO), creating 5,500 new spaces for students. The influx of
young, educated British Columbians will meet the growing need in the Valley for
employees in our many economic sectors here in the Silicon Vineyard!
The Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board is comprised of three Zones: Central Okanagan, North Okanagan and Shuswap. Professional Realtors® in all three Zones are anxious to show off this beautiful and unique area.
The Central Okanagan Zone stretches from Peachland in the south to the bustling city centres of Westbank (pop. 24,600) and Kelowna (pop. 105,000) to the north. The City of Kelowna is the hub of the Central Okanagan Regional District (pop. 147,000) and, recognized the world over for its outstanding wines, Kelowna is home to over 15 award-winning wineries.
Truly a four-season playground, visitors and residents alike take to the beaches along Okanagan Lake in the summer and head for the slopes in the winter at Big White Mountain Resort. Hot, dry summers and temperate winters, along with outstanding scenery make the Central Okanagan a very desirable place to live for all ages.
The North Okanagan Zone encompasses the communities of Vernon, Enderby, Cherryville, Armstrong and Lumby. Vernon, the oldest community in British Columbia’s interior, is also the hub of the North Okanagan with a population of 34,600. The main industries here are forestry, manufacturing, tourism, hospitality and agriculture. The North Okanagan features three of the Valley’s premier Canadian wineries, the world-class Silver Star Mountain Resort for downhill ski enthusiasts, Sovereign Lakes Cross-Country skiing area (recent home to the World Cup) and Kalamalka Lake, named one of the top 10 most beautiful lakes in the world by National Geographic Magazine.
Comprised of the communities of Salmon Arm, Sorrento, Scotch Creek, Sicamous and Revelstoke to the North, the Shuswap area is recognized for its many lakes. Sicamous is known as the houseboat capital of Canada. Salmon Arm is the hub of the Shuswap. More than 16,000 people have settled in Salmon Arm, working mainly in the areas of agriculture, forestry and tourism. Shuswap Lake is a popular tourist destination with more than 400 kilometers of shoreline. Full of provincial parks and mountains, you’ll be able to play all year round in the Shuswap. It’s the perfect blend of work and play!