Working, and Climbing, from Penticton
I moved to Penticton for a better quality of life. A lifestyle that is more relaxed, has more soul/passion/purpose, is more connected to nature, where I am more engaged in the community, and where I feel that in some small way I make a difference…
Moving here was relatively easy. I already had a good social network from visiting Penticton to climb over the years, and had previously facilitated some finance courses for entrepreneurs here. After the requisite soul-searching, I declined a promotion and quit the corporate life, moved all my stuff to Penticton, went travelling for a while, then incorporated a consulting business. Cowork Penticton has been an excellent hub for a business registered address and office services, plus meeting interesting people. I had a website built, networked with some previous clients in the area, and soon had a few consulting projects in progress.
Work has been interesting and diverse. Some of my clients are local, and some are remote. I’ve done some strategic market research, management development presentations, risk management assessments, and helped with a business expansion. I mix in some pro-bono consulting and volunteer work to meet new people, and to ensure I do not come back in the next life as a rat.
After renting a furnished suite while researching the property market, I finally decided exactly where I wanted to live in town, and bought a condo near Skaha Lake. Relative to big cities, it would appear that property is still good value here.
In conclusion, this is one of my favourite quotes:
“I learned this, at least, by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavours to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”
― Henry David Thoreau, Walden: Or, Life in the Woods
Penticton Top 5 (I object to being limited to only 5, but here they are!):
- Climbing at Skaha Bluffs
- The small town community
- Skate skiing at Nickleplate XC ski area
- Biking and hiking sections of the KVR at either end of town
- Kayaking on Okanagan Lake
Author Clee Roy is a business consultant with 25 years of diverse international experience. Since writing this article, Clee has taken the position as the Executive Director of Community Futures Okanagan Similkameen. He is also the owner of a consulting business in Penticton – Strategic Risk Management Solutions Inc.