Kelowna has been ranked the second best small city in all of Canada thanks to its growing economy and downtown. Resonance Consultancy, a real estate, tourism and economic development consultancy, ranked Canada’s best small towns using a combination of six categories: place, product, planning, people, prosperity and promotion. “The pursuit of the holy trinity of opportunity, lifestyle and (relative) affordability post-pandemic has seen Kelowna flourish,” the report says. Kelowna received high praise for its downtown shopping options and high self-employment rate, both of which ranked second best for small cities nationwide. The Okanagan city was ranked in the top three for its theater options in the Cultural District and ranked fourth among small towns for nightlife, which Resonance believes will only improve in the coming years as visitors have the opportunity to experience the 10 local breweries, five cideries and five distilleries. Resonance says Kelowna restaurants, which ranked sixth in Canada for small cities, have used the pandemic slowdown as an opportunity to assess culinary needs and plan for the long term. The report says the city’s endless dining options almost match its outdoor pursuits with winery restaurants like Old Vines joining new concepts like King Taps restaurant on Kelowna’s waterfront. The developing city center was also observed. “Proposals for high-density towers continue to fall through planning offices as new cranes go up each week for approved projects,” the report said. Victoria, BC was named the top small city in Canada, while Kamloops came in 18th. You can read the Resonance Consultancy analysis here.
