Lifestyle and affordability helping drive growth in Penticton, B.C.
Mountain biking in Penticton, overlooking Okanagan Lake. supplied
Nestled between two lakes in the southern Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Penticton has historically been a tourism hotspot and a popular place to retire. While that remains true, the city is increasingly becoming a permanent home for young professionals, families and entrepreneurs. Penticton is growing, experiencing robust development and becoming more diverse.
Penticton was ranked No. 9 in The Globe and Mail rankings of Canada’s 100 most livable cities in 2024. The assessment of the most desirable places to live in the country also ranked the city the No. 1 most livable city for young professionals and
No. 1 for midlife transitions.
In addition, Penticton ranked the third most livable city for newcomers, fifth for retirement and seventh for raising kids.
“It’s wonderful to see our community recognized as a top destination for young professionals,” says Mayor Julius Bloomfield. “All the work we’ve been doing to attract and welcome skilled workers and business leaders is paying off, and it’s exciting to see Penticton celebrated among the country’s top cities.”
Mild temperatures, an average of 2,100 hours of sunshine per year and access to high-quality outdoor activities through four seasons – these are some of the attributes of the city that attract tourists and residents alike.
“People want to live in Penticton because of the lifestyle it offers, and the true crown jewel of that lifestyle is the outdoors,” Mr. Bloomfield says. “We hear from the younger families moving here that they want to give that quality of life to their kids. They want to see their children spending their summers on the beaches alongside the Okanagan and Skaha Lakes and their winters on the hills of the Apex Mountain Ski Resort.”
Other attractions include the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, used year-round for walking, hiking and mountain biking; nearly 90 wineries within a 20-minute drive of the city; a vibrant craft beer and cider scene; the Nickel Plate Nordic Centre, and world-class rock climbing.
More than 100 festivals and events are held every year in Penticton, including the showcase Peach Festival, which offers five days of free activities each August.
Affordability and the compact nature of Penticton
Shelby Alexander moved to Penticton from Metro Vancouver in 2017 for a new job. She and her husband are now raising two young sons and are thrilled with many aspects of their life in a smaller city.
Among the selling points are affordability and the end of long commutes to work.
“Last year, we were able to buy a spacious single-family home, something that would be far out of reach for us in Vancouver,” says Ms. Alexander. “That kind of affordability takes so much financial pressure off families and allows you to actually enjoy life.”
At one point while living in the Vancouver area, both she and her husband were driving over an hour to and from work each weekday. “Everything in Penticton is within a 10-minute drive – work, child care, groceries and recreation. We’ve gained back about two hours a day, and I can’t overstate how much that impacts your mental health, relationships and overall well-being.”
Her family’s experience is a common one. According to data collected by the city, the largest group of residents who moved to Penticton in 2024 came from Metro Vancouver, with the majority of them buying a house. Among this group, 80 per cent moved to the city for a more affordable lifestyle. Penticton is also seeing more new residents coming from Alberta.
The city also has incredible resources for young families, Ms. Alexander adds. She highlights the availability of excellent prenatal and postnatal care, increasing child care options, the strong local mom and baby community, and the abundance of family-friendly activities.
Entrepreneurship and
remote working
As more people move to Penticton, they are starting new businesses and enriching the local economy. More than 3,600 businesses are serving the city and the larger region, and infrastructure development is intensifying – with recent major projects including upgrades to Penticton Hospital, Penticton Airport and throughout the downtown core. Housing construction is robust, with the five-year average for new housing starts at approximately 330 units per year.
“Businesses want to be located here because there are great workers, engineers and other professionals,” says Blake Laven, director of development services for Penticton. “And we have a strong entrepreneurial spirit here, with people drawn to the lifestyle and community excited to contribute their skills to starting businesses that will further strengthen the city.”
A category that continues to grow in the city is remote workers. “We have invested in top-quality infrastructure to support remote workers including creating co-working spaces, allowing people to get out of their homes and expand their networks,” says Mr. Laven.
To view this report on The Globe's website, visit globeandmail.com
To view the full report as it appeared in The Globe's print edition Cities driving growth