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Not Luxe ☼ Travel
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  • WHY “NOT LUXE”
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Category:

Move Abroad

    Vancouver vs Kelowna

    Living in Kelowna vs. Living in Vancouver

    by Nick & Raychel February 25, 2021

    Living in Kelowna vs. living in Vancouver – are they really that different? What’s the difference between the lower mainland and the Okanagan? What is the weather like in Kelowna vs. the weather in Vancouver? We will be covering our most frequently asked questions about living in two of British Columbia’s most popular cities. Whether you’re moving to Canada for a working holiday visa, immigrating to Canada, or moving to BC from Ontario, this article may be helpful for you!  

    We are from Vancouver, we met in Vancouver, and we ultimately call Vancouver home. That said, we have been living in and out of the Kelowna / Vernon area for the past year, and we are completely in love with living in the Okanagan Valley as well. As with anything, there are pros & cons to both lifestyles so let’s chat.


    Prefer to watch, not read? Find our YT video on the same topic here!

    Vancouver is cheaper to live in than Kelowna 

    If you’re wondering if Kelowna is cheaper to live in than Vancouver, the answer is yet. It’s been said before and we’ll say it again – basically anywhere is more affordable than Vancouver. 

    Vancouver is Canada’s most expensive city to live in, but Kelowna isn’t in the clear either. According to CTV, Kelowna is Canada’s 6th most expensive city, closely following Victoria BC. The cost of living is undoubtedly increasing in Kelowna, and there are some arguments to say that the cities are almost equally as expensive to live in when we’re comparing Vancouver vs. Kelowna.

    One thing that we noticed is that when you’re living in the Okanagan Valley, if you really want to get the most out of your experience, you probably will want to have a car. The truth is not the same for Vancouver. We both lived very happy, eventful lives in Vancouver for over 10 years with no car and solely utilizing the public transit system that the city has to offer. We honestly can’t say the same for Kelowna. It all, of course, depends on your lifestyle. If you’re living in Kelowna, you may save on rent, but are you now making car payments, buying a ski pass and taking drives in and out of the surrounding areas every weekend, your costs pay pile up there too.

    Vancouver BC is Expensive

    Vancouver is much bigger than Kelowna, but Kelowna still has the city feel 

    The population size of Vancouver is 675,000 people, compared to Kelowna where the population is 132,000 which makes them sound like they’re not comparable at all. That said, Kelowna is one of the biggest cities in BC and definitely the biggest city in the Okanagan Valley.

    This is what we love about Kelowna. 
    Kelowna has both a small town and bigger city energy at the same time. Its downtown is obviously much smaller than Vancouver, but you really don’t miss out on flavourful restaurants, fun bars and fashionable boutiques to visit. 

    The city of Kelowna

    Vancouver has a better transit system than Kelowna

    The transit system in Kelowna is not great, and the rush-hour traffic can be (quite honestly) unbearable. Highway 97 in particular is a huge stretch of highway controlled by traffic lights with few overpasses, and the lack of thought for cross traffic is….brutal. And yes, everyone complains about it.

    The traffic in Vancouver isn’t great either (especially downtown) but for a larger city, it’s expected. That’s why we heavily relied on the transit system while living in Vancouver, and after living in some other big world capitals, we can say the transit system is pretty good. Is it perfect? No. Do Vancouverites complain about it? Yes. But in our opinion, it’s a way more enjoyable commute to work in Vancouver vs. Kelowna.

    Both cities have a lot of tourists

    … and they often visit for different reasons! Kelowna and the surrounding areas in the Central Okanagan have a thriving industry because well, duh, it’s wine country. Who doesn’t love wine country?! On top of mesmerizing vineyards, the Kelowna area is also home to orchards, lakes galore, and world-class outdoor recreation that you really can’t beat. With the two biggest attractions being the many vineyards and Big White, however, you’ll see a lot more tourists in the summer and winter months.

    Vancouver, on the other hand, has tourists year-round. Vancouver has much milder weather than Kelowna, and some of the mildest weather in all of Canada. That means people flock from all day every day, from all over the world, all year ’round. 

    The tourism industry brings a lot of jobs to both cities, but we find this fact to be more prevalent in Kelowna. In Kelowna, summer workers particularly will find plenty of jobs in agriculture, wine-making, and tourism industries.

    Kelowna has lakes, Vancouver has the ocean

    Both cities have year-round recreation that you really can’t beat – but now we’re comparing apples to oranges. If you’re asking us which city is better – Vancouver vs. Kelowna – in terms of proximity to nature, you’re asking the wrong question. It’s all about preference!

    Vancouver and Kelowna are both very outdoorsy cities, but because of the bodies of water they hold, the activities can be different. Lake culture in the Okanagan is thriving. In the summer, folks in the Okanagan head to the lakes and bring their paddle boards, boats, tubes, water skis, and skidoos.

    In Vancouver, people bring their frisbees and footballs to the sandy beach and go for a salty dip in the Pacific Ocean to cool off.  

    Both cities are home to many gorgeous hikes and within an hour drive of both destinations, you’ll find even more high altitudes to explore.

    Nature in Vancouver BC

    The weather is very different in Kelowna vs. Vancouver

    Kelowna really has all four seasons and Vancouver, well, does not. If you’re looking for a textbook Canadian winter with a hot summer, orange autumn, snowy winter and rainy spring, the Okanagan Valley is the place to be. 

    If you’re trying to escape or avoid the snow, Vancouver may be your best friend. Vancouver’s winters are typically more mild and wet, with greyer but warmer days.  The winters in Kelowna are much colder than the winters in Vancouver, but the sun shines on most days during the winter months. We can’t say the same about Vancouver.

    Personally, the grey skies in Vancouver don’t bother us – but some have reported to feel as gloomy as the sky looks during the winter months in Vancouver. Again, it’s all about preference here!

    Which do you prefer: sunny & snowy winters? Or wet & mild winters? Vancouver vs. Kelowna? You be the judge!

    Both cities have an airport

    Some people may not know that Kelowna has an airport! Kelowna International Airport (YLW) offers more than 70 daily non-stop commercial flights with nine airlines. Though it’s much smaller than Vancouver International Airport (YVR),  it’s still a very convenient staple in the city of Kelowna.

    Kelowna BC downtown

    Vancouver & Kelowna are both absolutely stunning

    Kelowna is a beautiful city that expands every day.  People from all over the world are attracted to its wineries and orchards, fresh fruit, funky local businesses, and gorgeous lake culture. Surrounding Kelowna are other stunning cities like Penticton, Summerland and Osoyoos, which is Canada’s only desert. 

    Vancouver is also well-known for it’s beauty. Surrounded by mountains, ocean, and parks, Vancouver is a world-class destination for visitors to marvel at it’s lookouts and scenery.

    We can tell you this, you won’t miss out on scenery regardless of what city you choose – and although they are quite different, they are only about 4 hours away from each other! So hop in the car and explore!

    ___

    If you still want to read more on Vancouver vs. Kelowna – check out our blog here about living in Vancouver and our article here covering what it’s like living in the Okanagan Valley. 

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  • Things to do in Kelowna in Winter

    by Nick & Raychel January 30, 2021

    Everyone knows that Kelowna is a great place to spend the summer. But how is Kelowna in the winter? Find our 6 favorite things to do here!

  • Top 5 Neighbourhoods to Live in Vancouver, BC

    by Nick & Raychel January 12, 2021

    After living in a variety of apartments in Vancouver, we’ve compiled our top 5 neighbourhoods to live in Vancouver BC. If you’re moving to Vancouver, you’ll have to read this.

  • Cost of Living in Cambodia [2021]

    by Nick & Raychel January 4, 2021

    Moving to Cambodia for work? You may be wondering what the cost of living looks like in Cambodia – and we break it down in this article.

  • Living in the Okanagan Valley, Canada (What It’s Like)

    by Nick & Raychel May 29, 2020

    What is it like living in the Okanagan? We talk about the Okanagan Valley and what it’s like living in the wine country of beautiful British Columbia.

  • Living in Vancouver, Canada | The Pros & Cons

    by Nick & Raychel May 23, 2020

    What’s it like living in Vancouver or moving to Vancouver? We’re about to tell you about our experience in beautiful British Columbia here.

  • Working Abroad | 7 Reasons Why It’s The Best Way To Travel

    by Nick & Raychel March 30, 2020

    Living & working abroad changed our lives. Here, we outline the reasons why you should work overseas to inspire you to change yours too.

  • Move to Cambodia Without a Job | The Survival Guide

    by Nick & Raychel March 24, 2020

    Moving to Cambodia without a job? Yeah, we were in the same boat too. Here’s how we found the courage to do it.

  • How to Pass Your Teaching Demo in Cambodia

    by Nick & Raychel March 4, 2020

    If you’ve done your research on moving to Cambodia & teaching English, you would know that you will likely need to do a teaching demo as a part of your interview process. Hopefully your TEFL course has already set you up for this – but what if it didn’t? What if it did but you’re a bit rusty? Not to worry – keep calm and read our four major tips for passing your teaching demo in Cambodia.

  • Renting an Apartment in Phnom Penh | What You Need to Know

    by Nick & Raychel February 27, 2020

    All of our best tips & tricks for renting an apartment in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. If you’re looking for a place to live in Cambodia, make sure you check out these tips on how to find your perfect home away from home.

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Nick & Raychel
Nick & Raychel

In 2018, we sold everything we owned and moved to Cambodia to teach English.

Let’s make this clear: this journey didn’t start with money. This journey started with a desire to see the world and to do something different for a change.

We’re not going to fool you with photos of floating breakfasts and private jets. We know what it’s like to be on a budget. Although we like to take pretty pictures, we aren’t going to wake up at an ungodly hour to give you unachievable travel jealousy. We aren’t going to censor ourselves or lie to you.

What we are going to do is stay in cheap hostels, find ways to make money, give the advice that we would want to hear, and share our experiences with you honestly.

Are you in?

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GUIDE TO MARKETS | PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA (2018)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8v49HKtlIk

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ABOUT NICK & RAYCHEL

About Us Hi! We’re Nick & Raychel, the Canadian travel couple behind the brand ‘Not Luxe’. Far before we were married (and on a mission to see the world), we were working…

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Instagram

  • Working to TRAVEL✈️🚐

If you’ve been following along with our vlogs and stories, it will come as no surprise to you when I say that our days are long right now. When we chose to start travelling, we signed up for a work-save-travel-repeat cycle and have been living in for the past 4.5 years. 

We chose this life.
But we still get tired. 

And between fixing up the van, preparing for our next adventure and working full time in that Southern Ontario heat - it’s a lot. But our minds are set on travel, on exploration, on adventure, culture, and learning. So we adapt to the seasons and understand that this point in the cycle is  just that - a season -  and we are so damn grateful to be doing it together.

📍 Traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas.
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Tags: #notluxe #worktotravel #travelcouple #vanlifecouple #traveldiaries #vanlifediaries #travelgram #livetoexplore #vanlifeculture #budgettravel #worktotravel #traveljobs #travelblogger #vanlifestyle #vanliving
  • **CLOSED** GIVEAWAY!! 🎉

We are giving away a Bluetti EB70 portable power bank. Having a power station on hand is a sweet backup for those who are already set up completely for off-grid living and/or a good start for weekend campers looking to try out van or camper van life. We are stoked to have another way to work outside, charge more appliances and get out adventuring.

The winner will win ONE Bluetti EB70 power bank & charging cables. 

Specs:
• 716Wh capacity and 800W rated wattage
• The ultra-stable LiFePO4 battery chemistry,2500+ life cycles
• 4*110V AC outlets, 2*100W PD ports, 2*5V/3A USB-A ports, 2*regulated 12V/10A DC outputs, 1*12V/10A car port,1*15W wireless charging pad.
(Note: does not come with solar panels)
-

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Like this post 
2. Must be following @nickandraychel & @bluetti_official
3. Tag a friend in the comments below (more tags = more entries)
4. Bonus entry - share this post to story for 5 extra entries! 

Open to USA & Canada residents. Giveaway closes on June 22, 2022. 
Winner will be announced on 06/25/22. 

-

Disclaimer: No purchase necessary. Giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram.

The contest period will run from 06/15 to 06/22 2022.

— 

Tags: #vanlifecouple #vanlifeing #notluxe #vanlifediaries #vanlifegiveaway #campinggiveaway #campervan #vanconversion #camperliving #tinyliving #tinyhomeonwheels #tinyhomes #vanlifenewbie #vanlifers #livinginavan #livingoffgrid #offgridliving #vanlifedreams #travelinspo
  • Slowing down 🚐 

The whole appeal of van life and many alternative living options is the freedom to take a go at your own speed.

But sometimes it feels like you just want to see it all.
And we’ve seen SO much in the past twenty months. 

Especially in the past six.

As Canadian travellers, I find that our slow season is the opposite of others. We escape the cold weather and have been abroad for many Christmases and snowfalls. During those times, we’re cliff jumping, waterfall hopping, cruising, skatepark hunting, friendship building…

Then, when lake season rolls around we’re ready to take on a more conventional work schedule, to save up to do it all again.

But we have to tell ourselves to relax, to enjoy the downtime, to take in the peaceful moments just as much as the epic ones. To soak up the sun, to drink water, to slow down.

It’s a constant learning process.

📍Traditional Hohokam, Patayan, and Yavapai land ⁣

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Tags: #vanlife #vanlifeshot #vanlifemeetup #vanlifemoments #vanlifemovement #vanlifemagazine #vanlifestyle #vanlifeculture #vanlifecouple #vanlifeconversions #campulance #campinggirls #campinglife #rvliving #camperlife
  • But how do you SHOWER? 😅

This photo is from the most ridiculous YouTube thumbnail we’ve had to date. We took so many funny photos this day, we couldn’t NOT share. Or maybe we could. Oh well.

But let’s answer the question while we’re at it.

🚿 We primarily go to Anytime Fitness which is a little pricier than Planet Fitness. In our opinion, however, the equipment is way nicer, there are usually less people, they’re all over Canada & the US, it’s open 24/7, and the showers are private.

🚿 When we’re not near an Anytime Fitness (this has only happened one time when we were in Quartzsite), we find a truck stop shower to go to.

🚿 And that’s about it. We bought a camping shower at the beginning of van living and only used it one miserable time.

Do you think a shower is necessary in a van build?

___

Tags: #vanlife #vanlifeshot #vanlifeshower #vanlifecamper #campinglife #campingtrip #vanlifebuild #vanlifediaries #vanlifegirls #vanlifetravel #vanlifetravels #vanlifestyle #vanlifeexplorers #campinggirls #outsideisfree #outsideshoot #vanlifeculture #vanlifecommunity
  • We have been doing so much stealth city camping lately that we felt like we needed a break. When we first moved into our van, we set off to Vancouver Island, where we were constantly surrounded by nature - and even though we had no idea what we were doing, it was just easy to be outside.

As you guys know, we’ve lived all sorts of van life. From brick & mortar jobs, to off-grid living, to city dwelling, to full-time travelling. Lately, we’ve seen A LOT of cities and while we’re grateful to have covered so much ground, we knew we needed nature. 

So we nestled ourselves into Starved Rock State Park and reset.
Full video is on YouTube. Link in bio.

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Tags: #vanlife #vanlifecouple #vanlifediaries #vanlifers #vanliving #ambulanceconversion #vandwelling #vandweller #camperlife #campervan #camperconversion #campingbackpack #campinglife #campingtrip #illinois #starvedrockstatepark
  • “The life you have led doesn’t need to be the only life you have” – Anna Quindlen

I can’t imagine committing to being the person I was 5 years ago for the rest of my life. I can’t imagine committing to one mindset or one way of life. 

It would be impossible to put into words how much we’ve changed through travel and meeting people. And as we start to hype ourselves up for our next big journey, we’re excited to dive head first with an open mind. 

Whether you’re building a van, starting a new job, buying a plane ticket, or even walking out of the house every morning - you have no fucking idea what’s in store.

Travel has a special way of changing you. 
And the best thing you can do is allow it. 

📍 Traditional Kumeyaay land
___ 

Tags: #vanlifemovement #vanlifecommunity #vanlifecouple #vanlifediaries #vanlife #vanlifers #vanliferevolution #vantravel #vantrip #roadtrippers #roadtrippin #lifeontheroad #livinginavan #ambulanceconversion #vanlifeadventures
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