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British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley has become the refuge of buyers who want to live in the province but don’t want to pay exorbitant Vancouver prices.

Another quarterly real estate report, another astronomical surge in house prices.  It's been the same story in Vancouver for a decade or more, where it now costs more than $1-million to buy an average – sometimes very average – home.

Understandably, buyers are looking elsewhere, and they're discovering that the West Coast lifestyle they desire isn't limited to the Lower Mainland.

Located on a sweeping hillside just 15 minutes north of downtown Kelowna, the master-planned community of McKinley Beach has that familiar combination of city, mountains, and shoreline, with a kilometre of prime Lake Okanagan waterfront. Refreshingly, theses multi-million dollar views come without that price tag.

"We're seeing a huge influx from the Vancouver region," says McKinley Beach sales representative Sandra Matlock. "They've discovered they can maintain their coastal lifestyle, with access to the water, nice weather, all the trails and outdoors activities – and best of all, a much smaller mortgage."

Kelowna is where two mountain ranges – the Coast and the Cascades – meet the deep blue waters of Lake Okanagan. Recreational options abound, from boating, rock-climbing, cycling, hiking and golfing to world-class downhill and Nordic skiing at nearby resorts in winter. The wider world has taken note of "Napa North" too, with Wine Enthusiast magazine ranking the Okanagan Valley in its top 10 wine regions worldwide, and USA Today proclaiming it the world's second-best wine region to visit, full stop.

Little wonder then that Kelowna, with a population of 122,000, is one of the fastest growing cities in North America. Booming tech and tourism industries are driving a strong economy and bringing families to the region. To meet the housing demand, real estate developers have moved from monster homes to planned communities, but none offer the amenities or coveted waterfront location of McKinley Beach.

Lot prices start at $224,000, and for around $700,000 buyers can purchase and build their dream home. Alternatively, there will be pre-built homes for sale and ready for occupancy in the fall. The sky's the limit, as long as West Coast Contemporary design guidelines are followed, says developer Andrew Gaucher of G Group. This will ensure rooflines are kept to a maximum height to ensure that everyone retains their view. Building materials strive for a natural look using stone and wood, with plenty of windows to let in the Okanagan sunshine.

The developers have emphasized sustainable building practices and water-efficient native plantings to lessen the environmental impact of McKinley Beach, which is situated within an 872-acre swath of protected indigenous landscape. Indeed, the hillside dotted with Ponderosa pines and Douglas fir trees hasn't changed much since Ontarian John McKinley homesteaded here in 1896, and the plan is to keep it that way. The future of Kelowna lies in these hills, and the influx of young families eager to make it their home.

The single family lots currently for sale all have unobstructed views of Lake Okanagan, with access to a kilometre of shared waterfront. Boat owners have the option to lease a slip at the 92-slip marina.  When the Village area of McKinley Beach is finished, there are plans for a  small gourmet grocery, a coffee shop and health and wellness-oriented businesses. And this being wine country, an onsite vineyard is in the works.

With two post-secondary institutions, a lively nightlife, and Kelowna's booming tech sector, you've got a young, dynamic city that resonates with Gen X-ers and Millennials alike. "The technology sector is the fastest-growing industry right now," Matlock says. "People can come here and work for Silicon Valley companies but never have to leave the sunny Okanagan."

With Vancouver just a 45-minute flight away, or a picturesque four-hour drive down the Coquihalla Highway, McKinley Beach can be both home and head office for those lucky enough to make the move.

That beats being tied to an oversized mortgage any day.


This content was produced by The Globe and Mail's advertising department. The Globe's editorial department was not involved in its creation.

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