An affordable place to retire

Photo: Google Street View

Peachland was recently named as one of the most affordable places to retire in BC.

One Central Okanagan community located just south of Kelowna has always been a popular destination for those seeking a quieter lifestyle, but more people may be arriving soon.

A recent Globe and Mail article named Peachland as one of the most affordable places to retire in BC, which came as no surprise to Mayor Keith Fielding.

He was unaware of the article before it was published, and is now quite excited about what it could mean for the area.

“It was a well kept secret, so when we saw the story, we were really pleased; it’s great publicity for Peachland,” he says.

Approximately 26 per cent of the town’s population is over the age of 65, making it one of the most senior communities in Canada. That proportion has held steady for the better part of the past decade and could increase with the development of two large neighbourhoods.

The Ponderosa/Pincushioin developments are already under way and would double the population once complete. Fielding says he has already forwarded the story to those developers.

“Both of them will be very interested to use this as part of their marketing material. We’ve also engaged the central Okanagan economic development commission and I think that will be an added boost to regional objectives."

“With all the development that is going on, the more the message can get out there – that Peachland is a wonderful place to come and live – the better all around," he adds.

Local realtor Alex Michie also took the news in stride, noting the area is very attractive to retirees.

“It’s a wonderful, sort of bedroom, community,” he says.

“It’s attractive to seniors. They like the smaller community without the hustle and bustle.”

Michie also mentions the four-season component of the area, where residents can engage in year round activities, in addition to Peachland's close proximity to a major city like Kelowna for their shopping and healthcare needs.