Re: Life in Kelowna
 

Yes, those on a study permit can take dependents, and their spouse gets an Open Work Permit for the same duration as the course (which if they get a permanent job offer, can lead to PR).

Plus they'd then potentially be eligible for a Post Graduate Work Permit, which can also lead to PR.

So it's a route used by many to gain Canadian PR, and it's a good one as long as you've got the funds required.

HTH.

Re: Life in Kelowna
 

If my other half enters on a study permit I enter on a work permit and as the course is for 2 years it gives us enough time to figure out if we can settle

Re: Life in Kelowna
 

Hi Louvb

We are doing the same thing although we have no children at the moment. Be great to keep up with your journey. Are you planning to go next year?

Re: Life in Kelowna
 

We live in kettle valley and love it, in fact that's the thing we are going to miss most about Kelowna. The school of choice is chute lake elementary as it's in the neighbourhood. I have a big circle of Canadian friends who live in kettle valley and not one of them is even remotely stepford wifey. The houses are not more close together than any other new development in kelowna, so I find that comment strange.

Re: Life in Kelowna
 

I have to say though, if you are going to be without a vehicle and studying at the college, I would definitely live in the lower mission. It's walkable, has lots of amenities, and is also on the main bus route. There are a couple of nicer condo developments in that area that you probably rent in and your kid could go to Dorothy walker or raymer elementary - both good schools. If you don't mind saying, what kind of work will you be looking for?

Re: Life in Kelowna
 

True, there are many new developments where being close to your neighbour is the in thing, Kettle Valley isn't unique in that respect. I do not understand the concept of building a huge 4000 sq ft custom home with $20,000 media rooms (yes that's how much one guys theatre room cost) and then sticking them on a standard size lot where you could literally pass the pizza to the guy next door on his deck. Privacy is not a word that springs to mind yet these homes are typically $750,000 and more.
I worked in one last week on Dilworth that was an amazing and beautifully built home. 4,500 sq ft of wall to wall luxury and quality fittings, probably in the region of $700 - 800,000 yet it didn't have a decent view of anything except the houses in front and behind. I could say the same about Ironhorse developments opposite Chute Lake school. Large 3 level homes in the high price range yet most look onto each other.

Re: Life in Kelowna
 

We live in Lower Mission and me and my kids walk and bike everywhere, it's all flat and easy to get around without a car, although there are buses too. Feel free to PM me if you do end up in this area and have any questions. If it were me, I'd want to be as close to the college as possible on the main bus routes that run along Gordon, KLO road, lakeshore road so would focus my rental search in that vicinity. As for schools, you won't be able to register without a proof of address. Casorso and Raymer Elementary are probably the closest to the college.
As others have said already, renting is expensive and jobs are hard to come by and usually not well paid. Definitely something to bear in mind in your decision making.

Re: Life in Kelowna
 

There are lots of homes in Kettle Valley that are not mega mansions. The house we have just sold for $500k does not have a media room and we are pretty private as we have a detached garage. There are also 4 townhome developments up here that start at $350,000. There are big houses but most of these are built on the hillside, have lake views and are walk-outs with huge decks rather than any yard to speak of unless its just for the pool.

Re: Life in Kelowna
 

Thanks everyone. I think we will be renting for at least a year and hoping to pay that upfront. As for my work I am currently a legal secretary but also have a background in retail. We are lucky that Darren has a veterans pension which will be about 1200 dollars a month. My question is though can we rent somewhere before we arrive or do we book a B&B or similar until we have sonewhere?
Thanks all

Re: Life in Kelowna
 

so do you have lots of savings to bring with you?

Re: Life in Kelowna
 

I would imagine it would be hard to rent somewhere before you are physically here. Landlords maybe fairly sceptical about renting to someone they haven't actually met in person or done credit checks on. Equally there are some awful rentals that wouldn't necessarily be obvious to you online. We did a short term rental for 6 weeks at Playa Del Sol (pretty close to the college), while we waited for our shipment, there are a few condo developments around that do that. Castanet.net is the best place to look at to give you and idea about rentals and potential jobs. If you haven't already you might want to look at the canadian equivalent of your qualifications. Most places would want to know what certifications you have or the equivalent, as that's often more important than actual work experience.

Re: Life in Kelowna
 

So what does that tell you? You can buy somewhere at $500k with "some" privacy or you can spend $700k and get zero privacy!!
I was trying to get my head around spending mega bucks for that kind of closeness. Like i said its not unique to Upper Mission.

The original Kettle Valley idea seemed to wane in favour of more traditional Canadian housing. The varied design selections with white picket fencing and garages at rear were something totally different that attracted people and made Kettle Valley famous so to speak. I was and still am amazed that they didn't try and design the new school to "fit in" with the homes close by. I am sure they could have designed something that blended in with the original homes that now sit looking at this modern structure.

Re: Life in Kelowna
 

We have around $150,000 CD to take with us which will give us a start

Re: Life in Kelowna
 

Well good luck to your families hope you enjoy your stay :)

Re: Life in Kelowna
 

shipping your car would be really expensive. Why not sell it and buy another?