You'll Love it Here
Our outdoorsy lifestyle is appealing to a growing number of young families, virtual workers, entrepreneurs and new business owners. We have world-class wineries, award-winning restaurants, craft breweries, local food markets, festivals, concerts and ski areas – plus entertainment and recreation facilities right in town.
Find the perfect balance of work, adventure and opportunity. Choose to live in a welcoming community where your kids can safely walk to school and you can go for a paddle on your lunch break. Pop up to the ski slope for some fresh powder after work.
Join us – and make your dream the new reality.
Here are some things to love about living in Penticton.
- 88+ wineries within just 20 minutes
- 7 craft breweries, named the craft beer capital of Canada, according to Lonely Planet
- #1! Home to the best beach in Canada (Skaha), according to Chatelaine Magazine
- 7 public beaches stretching 5 km along two lakes
- 10 minutes’ drive from one side of the city to the other
- 0 traffic jams
- One of just two cities in the world situated between two lakes (Skaha and Okanagan)
- 4-season playground to swim, boat, bike, hike, golf, rock climb, snowshoe and ski (Apex Mountain Resort for downhill, Nickel Plate Nordic Centre for cross country and snowshoeing)
- 120 km of spectacular hiking and biking on the famed Kettle Valley Rail Trail
- 2,100 hours of sunshine annually
- 30C is the average temperature in summer
- Live events each year at Penticton’s 5,000-seat South Okanagan Event Centre
- One of the largest outdoor farmers’ and community markets in Canada
Have questions? Need advice? Our Economic Development team is here to help.
Phone: 250-490-2590
Email: economicdevelopment@penticton.ca
Just Moved? Here's Your Penticton Checklist!
Have you just moved to Penticton? Follow the tips below to help you get settled - or download your copy below to print off and work your way through the list.
For everything you need to know about finding short-term accommodation, renting a home or buying a home, visit our Find a Home page.
To set up a utilities account, you’ll need two pieces of ID with your signature, and if you’re renting, a copy of your rental agreement. Visit our Electric & Water Accounts page for everything you need to know.
View your residential garbage collection schedule online. You'll also find lots of information about waste collection on our website.
After you move, you’ll have a lot of packing materials and other household items.
Tips
- Once a year, large items such as furniture or appliances are picked up at curbside.
- Yard waste and recycling is collected on alternating weeks.
- You can purchase stickers for additional garbage (over the 2 bag limit) at City Hall, 171 Main St.
Recycling & Landfill Items
Other waste such as glass, plastic wrap, beverage containers or paint can be taken to J&C Bottle Depot (200 Rosetown Ave).
You can also return many items, including old appliances and household hazardous waste, to the Campbell Mountain Landfill (1765 Reservoir Road). This is also a great place to recycle your cardboard boxes after unpacking!
Visit our Recycling page for further details about what can go in your blue bin.
Here are some helpful tips of where you can go to change your address details for various items.
- Contact FortisBC to transfer your existing natural gas account. If you’re new to B.C., you’ll need to set up an account. Calling at least two days prior to your move-in date is recommended. 1-888-224-2710.
- Transfer your telephone, internet and/or cable account. If you require a new account, you’ll find several telecommunications in Penticton, including Shaw, Bell, Telus, Rogers and the local service provider, ABC Communications.
- Visit any auto plan agency to update your auto insurance and address.
- Visit Service Canada at 386 Ellis Street to update your passport or to discuss issues including your EI, CPP, Disability Benefits or Foreign Credentials Referral.
Visit Service B.C. at 40 Calgary Avenue for the following:
- Updating the address on your B.C. driver’s licence or to switch to a B.C. driver’s licence from another province or country.
- Updating or enrolling in the provincial healthcare program (Medical Services Plan), which is required for B.C. residents. You can also apply online.
- Updating or registering to vote provincially.
To find a family doctor, you can add your name to a centralized waitlist at divisionsbc.ca/sos. You can also check the find-a-physician tool maintained by the BC College of Physicians and Surgeons and call around to add your name to specific doctors' waiting lists.
While waiting for a doctor, you can visit a walk-in medical clinic.
Penticton's Walk-In Clinics
- Apple Plaza Walk-In: 1848 Main Street
- Peach City Medical & Urgent Care: Cherry Lane Mall
For more information about local healthcare, visit our Medical & Healthcare page.
Do you have a business idea? Or are you looking to relocate to Penticton? Penticton’s Economic Development Office can provide advice and answer your questions (250-490-2591, economicdevelopment@penticton.ca). Also visit our Economic Development pages for plenty of information that can help you get started.
Want to learn more about local market statistics? Visit our online interactive Penticton Business Toolkit to glean some valuable information.
Need a business licence? Contact the City’s business licencing representatives to find out what’s required. They’ll point you in the right direction and provide everything you need to know about zoning or possible health or building code requirements. 250-490-2488 or businesslicences@penticton.ca. You'll find lots of information on the City's Business Licences & Permits page.
Penticton is becoming a hub for these independent workers who value an active lifestyle with more flexibility. Visit our Remote Workers page for a breadth of information.
Why Penticton?
- No time wasted in traffic
- A close-knit community that celebrates sports, arts, the natural environment, local food and beverages
- High-speed fibre optic internet options
- Two airports within easy access
A new city can be daunting, but Penticton is a welcoming community with robust networking and social groups. Here are some to get started, with more options on the City’s Business Directory page.
- South Okanagan Immigrant & Community Services: provide a range of free services to immigrants, temporary foreign workers, post-secondary international students and refugees, including your job search and language training
- 100 Women Who Care & 100 Men Who Care (networking & charitable giving)
- Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce
- Community Futures Okanagan Similkameen: builds entrepreneurial capacity in the community through business loans, support and advisory services
- Two Rotary clubs: Penticton Okanagan Rotary and the Rotary Club of Penticton
- Penticton Women in Business
- Junior Chamber International for young professionals (JCI Penticton)
- Accelerate Okanagan: mentorship and coaching for tech companies
- South Okanagan Tech Professionals
- Cowork Penticton: coworking office space and independent worker community
- Penticton meetup groups
- Penticton Newcomers Club
- Foundry Penticton: youth resource and gathering centre
- Seniors Drop-in Centre
- And check out the events listings on VisitPenticton.com to find out about activities that catch your interest
Visit our Child Care page for everything you need to know!
Explore all your options on our Schools page.
Within the city, you can drive from one side to the other within 10 minutes. Your options to get around include driving, cycling, taxis and public transit.
Local bus service is provided by BC Transit. You can view route information and current schedules on the website or download the Rider Guide for a handy reference. Find out more on their website about how to pay.
Other bus services include a handyDART service for those with disabilities, and regional bus services to neighbouring communities and a $5 fare for the route to Kelowna.
Read more on our Roads & Transportation page.
Access personalized business relocation and development assistance and services through our Economic Development Office.
Phone: 250-490-2590
Email: economicdevelopment@penticton.ca