It’s not enough to just buy a house. Millennials want a home that offers accessibility and community. They also want a sustainable home that works with, not against, the environment.
Adulthood used to follow a predictable pattern: graduate, move to the city, and when it's time to raise a family, move to the suburbs for a more natural environment, better schools, and a stronger sense of community. Gen X and Millennials are seeking alternatives. They want nature and they want a sense of community, but they also want to preserve proximity to the action in a city centre.
Enter McKinley Beach. Located in the heart of the Okanagan Valley, a short distance from downtown Kelowna, McKinley Beach seeks to break the mould of the urban/suburban divide. The community is in the heart of nature – it sits on nearly a kilometre of beach, and it is surrounded by a stunning natural environment, which has been sustainably developed.
Andrew Gaucher, from G Group, a key planner for McKinley Beach, describes the focus of the development: "It starts from the planning process. We're not even touching about 60 per cent of the site. Of the remaining land, we're restoring 20 per cent of it. We're also working directly with our builders to provide sustainable options available for buyers when they build and customize their homes."
Customization is a huge draw for younger buyers, and McKinley delivers. "Buyers can customize their homes as much or as little as they want. They can start from the ground up and move every wall and light switch and paint colour, or they can use pre-designed plans and select a lot and come in a little later in the process," Gaucher says.
The site also boasts a private marina for residents, which is an ideal meeting place for the other draw to McKinley Beach – community.
Sandra Matlock, head of sales for McKinley Beach, outlines the seamless community building aspects. "You get to know your neighbours when you go down to the beach. You have almost a kilometre of beachfront with barbecues and swimming areas. You will meet people on the walking trails within the hillside."
The need for community stems from a larger trend. Millennials are of a generation that regards work/life balance as a top priority and they are willing to pay to achieve this goal. Sites such as McKinley Beach, which boast stunning nature, recreational services and proximity to wineries, snow sports, water sports, golf destinations, and scenic hikes, are becoming increasingly attractive to a generation that wants to seamlessly integrate work life and recreation.
"You can walk out your front door and have 20 kilometres of hiking and biking trails. You can drive to work every day and stare at the hills rolling into the lake. It's all about gaining that lifestyle while still having a custom home with more space," Matlock says.
The Washington Post recently reported on this with encouraging news: studies show that living near nature can actually prolong your life. Trends among millennials of moving to non-urban housing seem to be showing faith in this idea.
Matlock explains the appeal: "Every morning you can sit and stare out at the tranquility of the lake. You can walk for 10 minutes to the marina and take a cruise on your boat before you go into the office. You can integrate these things into daily life easily."
It's not enough to just buy a house. Millennials want a home that offers accessibility and community. They also want a sustainable home that works with, not against, the environment.
Nature isn't the only thing families consider when looking for places to put down roots. Raising children in an area where there are plenty of readily accessible services is also important to this generation. McKinley Beach is a short drive from dozens of good schools and recreational facilities and a vibrant downtown.
What makes the difference? "Unlike moving to cottage country, you don't have to give up the city when you move here," Matlock says. "You are 15 minutes from downtown, 10 minutes from the airport and numerous different golf courses. You're eight minutes from shopping, groceries and other amenities. You're living in the middle of that exhale moment."
While some will still crave the glass and concrete of a busy big city, it's clear that a sense of community, sustainability, and nature are as important as being near shopping, nightlife, and activities for a new generation of buyers. For residents of McKinley Beach, they may have found the best kept secret in the Okanagan.
This content was produced by The Globe and Mail's advertising department. The Globe's editorial department was not involved in its creation.