Buying after a year

[harrietslade]

Hello,

Thanks to admin I have had a great night of researching a heap of info packed with ideas, pros and cons on our move to Kelowna. All down to this very useful forum too.

I have agreed with my other half to put aside a deposit for a house once we move, and let it sit in a bank for the one year and then buy after, once we get a feel of the community and neighbourhoods in Okanagan. Does anyone have any recommendations on realtors out there and info that could help us. What are deposit and house prices like out there for a 2-3 bedroom place. It doesn't have to be big just a garden would be nice. Its something we are deprived of now as we have to share and have two young boys aged 4 and 20months.

Can anyone recommend nice, child friendly neighbourhoods with good first schools close by too where we could find some good rentals .. My eldest will start school in September 2015 I think when he is 5 (is this right?) so I would like to be in walking/cycling distance but at the same time close to the city nature parks too if my other half is to have the car. Unfortunately we cannot pop out for a weekend to get a feel of the place as it is too soon and we are already doing our big move on what we have been told (a tight budget) $27,000. This isn't including the $9,000 deposit for the first year.

Do many rentals provide a pet friendly option or is this hard?. In many cases we have already experienced how hard this actually is, which is why we still haven't got our family dog we've always wanted.

Thanks Guys, Harriet

[Torrent]

Hi Harriet

It's really difficult to recommend one certain neighbourhood as everyone is different and to be honest you are very spoiled for choice here in Kelowna anyway. It also depends on how you want to live as well. If you want to be within walking distance of lots of amenities or live further out of the way. House, condo, townhome? Some areas have a higher concentration of some than others. I would say most areas in Kelowna are very family oriented with the exception of downtown (Kelowna North and Kelowna South).

Tracy

[sauspop1]

Hi Harriet
My family and I have been in the Okanagan for nearly 3 years now and I have to say we are loving it after moving from the hassle and bustle of England. We now live in Winfield, Lake Country just outside Kelowna so having the benefit of more small community living while being close to the amenities of Kelowna and we were told that the schools were good which has proved to be true so far.
As Tracy so wisely said it is very difficult to recommend an area as there is no right or wrong answer, everyone that has moved here tends to just end up somewhere and I haven't heard of one person that was disappointed with their choice and wanted to move areas.

It is wise to rent for a year and find your feet, we did and I have to say we love the house we ended up in and would not even have looked at it when we first arrived. However we did have the help of a wonderful Realtor that guided us through the whole process, which can be quite different from buying in other countries. (Don't blush if you are listening Tracy) I would highly recommend that you get in touch with Tracy ( now, and set up a mailing list to give you an idea of what is about and what prices different areas are. Tracy would also be able to recommend areas close to schools, parks, shops etc as she specialises in Relocation home hunting for people coming from outside the area. She was sending me house information for 2 years before we actually bought and gave us so much advice on areas etc. She is a licensed Realtor and a pleasure to work with.

Hope this helps and remember we are always happy to help, there isn't a question you could ask that we haven't thought of. 3 years down the line the road has sometimes been rocky but Okanagan life is good and well worth the upheaval.

Nicol

[harrietslade]

Hi Tracy,

Have you a personal Email I can get you on to enquire with you further about properties

Harriet

[Torrent]

Hi Harriet

I'm not allowed to post it on the forums so I'll send it to you in a PM

[admin]

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