Discover South Okanagan, BC
South Okanagan-Similkameen is a region in the province of British Columbia. It has a population of about 80,000 people. The region is driven by tourism but growing in many different industries. It is surrounded by hills, wineries and orchards making it a very scenic place to live. There are several towns and villages in the South Okanagan-Similkameen region, including Penticton, Summerland, Naramata, Oliver, Osoyoos, Keremeos and Princeton. Each area has a lot to offer depending on what you are looking for. Oliver, Keremeos and Naramata are more rural with a number of farms, and spectacular orchards and vineyards. Osoyoos is a pretty town that has some of the warmest weather in Canada It is the closest town in the region to the US border. Summerland is very charming and has all the amenities, schools and markets. Princeton is beautiful and is quickly developing. It is known to have some of the best climate in Canada and has spectacular beaches and rolling vineyards. Penticton is the largest city in the region, home to the local airport and famous for its beaches, festivals, and is growing as a beverage and food destination.
The geography of the region poses a lot of opportunities for socio-economic development, especially, in the agricultural sector, tourism and small business development. There is also a growing need for healthcare professionals, especially nurses and personal support workers (PSW).
Project Welcome partners with South Okanagan Immigrant and Community Services (SOICS) to match pre-arrival immigrants with mentors in their occupation in the region. SOICS is a non-profit organization that offers free services to newcomers with a head office in Penticton and outreach services throughout the South Okanagan-Similkameen region. Besides language classes, mentoring, employment and settlement services, SOICS offers several inter-cultural programs, such as an inter-generational gardening club, multicultural cooking, youth program focusing on diversity and inclusion, anti-racism initiatives, and much more.
Explore the Region