Penticton, BC

We recently moved to a new town. Penticton is in the heart of the Okanagan, a warm and relatively dry part of BC. The 35,000 people currently living here agree it is a little piece of paradise. There is a strong tourism economy, so that number swells to 80,000 during the summer months.

The scenery - One of the most fabulous things about this area is the surrounding beauty. BC is known for its breathtaking views, mountain ranges, seascapes, and green valleys, but the Okanagan Valley is awe inspiring. Every time we get in the car to drive to the store for milk, a panoramic landscape greets us. On our runs around the area we are constantly boggled by the countryside wheeling by. The hills surrounding the valley, the orchards and vineyards, the two lakes calmly resting among the quaint towns… everywhere I look is like another postcard!

Image via WikipediaThe produce - this part of the province is famous for the abundant fruit and produce. Also known as “Peach City”, Penticton and the surrounding area supply fruit to the rest of the province. The land we are renting along with this house has peach, apricot, and walnut trees, and a row of grape vines. The day we moved in the peaches were ripe and falling off the tree, so the kids and I collected as many as we could and I made jam, pies, cobblers, and frozen mush. That was several days of work, but now we are enjoying fresh, homemade jam for breakfast and we don’t feel like so much food has gone to waste. Now the grapes are ripening and I’ll have to find a way to preserve them in turn. Sometimes I feel amazed at how lucky we are to be up to our ears in such abundant, indigenous food!

The weather - Sunny and blue sky. Well, not every day, but often enough to confidently say that we are enjoying the best weather in Canada! Kent is sensitive to weather (as are we all) and it is such a nice feeling to know that the sunshine will grace us as often as possible all year. Penticton still gets four seasons, and even snow, but we won’t be suffering the deep freeze of the prairies or the water drenching of the coast. After being spoiled by winters in Mexico, having the mildest weather possible this first winter back in Canada will be a blessing.

The community - Having lived in much smaller, more isolated towns, as well as larger and more bustling centres, I am pleased with the happy medium. This town has an intimate, friendly feel while still having all the desirable amenities and infrastructure. The people here have been warm and welcoming so far, and the kids are finding it easy to make friends. And if we decide we can’t go another day without that awesome Costco cinnamon, Kelowna is only an hour away.