What You Need to Know Before You Move to Kelowna BC
Don’t even think about making a move to Kelowna until you finish reading this blog post and watching the video!
Here are the Top 5 Steps you need to take BEFORE you make a move across the country, across provincial borders or within BC itself!
I think we can all agree that Kelowna is known for its stunning natural beauty and growing job market, it’s a popular destination for those looking to relocate, especially within the last 3 years or so.
I know from personal experience that moving to a new city regardless if it is from a different province can be overwhelming. So it's important to have a plan in place.
In this video, I am going to break down the top 5 steps for moving here to Kelowna, so you can make your transition as smooth as possible.
Step One in Moving to Kelowna
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Research the area: Before making the move, it's important to research the area to get a sense of what it's like to live in Kelowna. Look into the job market, housing prices, and the cost of living. This will help you make an informed decision about whether or not Kelowna is the right place for you. I HIGHLY suggest, if you have the time and the inclination, to come out here for a week at different times of the year and really explore the neighbourhoods, get a sense of what it’s like to live here. Once you get here, it’s tough to go back if you don’t like it. Here's a good resource if you are interested in demographics and economics of Kelowna
Step Two in Moving to Kelowna:
- Find a place to live: Once you've decided to move to Kelowna, the next step is to find a place to live. Whether you're looking for a rental or a place to buy, research different neighbourhoods and visit them in person to get a feel for the area. Do you have kids? School districts are going to be important. Do they play sports? Communities like Lake Country or West Kelowna are something to consider when looking at commute times into the city. Do you want to be in the heart of the city? Then maybe condo living is more your style. Start with the lifestyle and work your way from there
Ok here is step #3 to Make Your Move to Kelowna
- Sort out your finances: Moving can be expensive, so it's important to make sure you have your finances in order. This may include saving up some money, budgeting for the move, will you hire movers or use a sea can? There’s a big difference in pricing there so know what you can afford. Also make sure to get your credit in check, the last thing you want is any hiccups when you come out to go house shopping. You should know that BC has a land transfer tax that is payable on closing. You’ll likely need a home inspection or a condo document review, maybe an appraisal, title insurance and or CMHC fees, of course your legal fees and depending on when you buy, you may owe property taxes. Get it all out on the table, of course, I can help you navigate through all of that.
Moving to Kelowna Step Number 4:
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Get all your paperwork in order: Make sure you have all the necessary documents for your move, including a driver's license, passport, and any other identification you may need. As for the mortgage pre-approval, make sure you have your pay stubs, an employer letter and 2-3 years of your notices of assessment depending on if you are self employed or not.
And last but not least here is step number 5
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Pack and move: Once you have all your paperwork in order and your finances sorted out, it's time to pack and move. Hire a reputable moving company, and start packing your belongings.There is a big difference in price when looking to hire movers versus the sea can option of packing it yourself and having a company like Secure Rite ship it for you. This is how we made the move and saved ourselves around $16,000 in the process.
If you have any questions about making a smooth transition to Kelowna, reach out and give me a call at 778-716-7527 or send me an email to kelley@kelleyskar.com.
