The Okanagan Valley offers several wonderful places to retire, each with its own unique charm and appeal.

“Alongside wine tasting, festivals, and farmers-market hopping, popular pursuits include cycling the Kettle Valley Rail Trail and boating on Okanagan Lake. Sunny and hot with fragrant sage, lavender fields, and vineyards spanning the hillsides, the valley is a hub for food and drink and long, luxurious days on the water” HelloBC.

The best place to retire in the Okanagan ultimately depends on your personal preferences and priorities. Here are a few popular retirement destinations within the Okanagan Valley:

1. Retire in Kelowna

   • As the largest city in the Okanagan, Kelowna offers a mix of urban amenities and natural beauty. It has a vibrant cultural scene, numerous restaurants, shopping centers, and excellent healthcare facilities. The city is located on the shores of Okanagan Lake, providing stunning lakefront views and plenty of recreational opportunities.

2. Retire in Penticton

   • This picturesque town is situated at the south end of Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake. Penticton offers a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, making it an attractive destination for retirees. The city boasts beautiful beaches, a thriving arts community, and various outdoor activities, including cycling and hiking.

3. Retire in Vernon

   • Nestled between three lakes (Okanagan, Kalamalka, and Swan), Vernon is renowned for its picturesque landscapes and mild climate. The town offers a mix of outdoor recreation, cultural events, and shopping opportunities. It’s an ideal location for retirees who enjoy a quieter, laid-back lifestyle.

4. Retire in Summerland

   • This charming town is known for its orchards, vineyards, and stunning lake views. Summerland is a close-knit community that provides a peaceful and tranquil setting for retirees. It offers a range of recreational activities and cultural events, perfect for those seeking a slower-paced lifestyle.

5. Retire in Osoyoos

   • If you prefer a warmer climate and desert-like landscapes, Osoyoos might be the perfect fit. Situated near the U.S. border, Osoyoos is famous for its vineyards, wineries, and Canada’s warmest lake. The town’s relaxed atmosphere and abundance of outdoor activities make it a popular retirement destination.

Ultimately, the best place to retire in the Okanagan depends on your lifestyle preferences, budget, proximity to family and friends, and the type of environment you desire. Before making a decision, it’s advisable to visit the different locations, explore the local amenities, and consider what aspects of retirement life are most important to you. Consulting with a real estate agent familiar with the area can also provide valuable insights and help you find the perfect retirement spot in the Okanagan Valley. Three real estate agents we suggest are Ali Mazzei, Roma Neissen, and Gerry Fraser.

Regency Retirement Resorts, home to hundreds of retirees throughout the Okanagan, is decking the halls this holiday season. Regency makes it our mission to provide the most welcoming and festive holiday season possible. While some of our residents will go to their families during the holidays, others will stay at home on the big day, and we like to make our resorts feel like family. Our holiday season is made wondrous by using a three-pronged approach featuring festive events, warm food and holiday snacks, and cozy décor.

Events

During events and performances from guest entertainers, residents are always welcome to sing along and join in the caroling fun, but the most notable opportunity is the Regency Resident Appreciation. During this event, the staff will carol for the residents, and the residents are welcome to join. We spend an evening appreciating another great year collaborating alongside each other and wish one another a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays!

Throughout December, choirs come in and serenade the residents. These harmonic songs fill the halls and bring a warm and cozy feeling to the hearts of all. The turnout for entertainers like these is positive and increases companionship and belonging during the holiday season. Sitting with a group of peers and enjoying music creates a connection. Regency ensures everyone feels joy during the holiday season.

 Food

Regency always prepares a delicious Christmas and holiday dinner. With turkey and potatoes, stuffing, and veg, your holidays will feel like they did at home. Our amazing staff work on Christmas day to make you feel as pampered as any other day. Not only is there a hearty Christmas dinner, but we cook a luxurious New Year’s Eve meal, often with steak and champagne

Eggnog Shortbread and Gingerbread Cookies: During the holiday seasons, our chefs try to bring a little festive cheer into their desserts, namely their cookies. With flavors like Eggnog Shortbread and Ginger Snap, residents are welcome to these treats at almost all points of the day. These cookies may be small compared to larger festive food endeavors, but a bite of Christmas sure tastes better than an oatmeal raisin. 

Décor

A twelve-foot tree graces the dining room of the resort. Westwood’s tree is fit with a train while others are set in front of several windows which create wonderous reflections.

Residents are more than welcome to decorate their shelves throughout the year, but during December an annual ledge decorative competition takes place wherein the most festive décor wins a prize during the Resident Appreciation Party. Residents get out their Christmas and winter best to showcase how spirited they truly are. A walk down the halls feels like you’re in your own little Candy Cane Lane.

While to most, it’s the outdoor lights that matter most, Regency also likes to ensure that the Christmas lights indoors are just as wonderful. In some buildings, lights are strewn across the dining room, while in others the lights illuminate the three Christmas trees found in the dining room.

Garland staircases and fireplaces alike will be decked out in holiday cheer this December. This cute added touch makes the room look cozy and decorates frequently attended areas.

Santa, of course! What would the holidays look like without the big man? Whether Santa arrives on Christmas day or just for Resident Appreciation, his presence is found throughout all the resorts.

Our mission is to make the holiday experience feel warm and welcoming in the best way we know how. This holiday season, come in and experience a warm and welcoming retirement resort and see what makes Regency so enriching.

Fall may slow some of us down, but our residents will be bringing their busy summer schedules into the autumn season and you can too with these fun festive fall activities. Here is a list of five fall events throughout the Okanagan as stated on their website.

1. Scarecrow Festival

September 25th | 11am-4pm

Just picture the leaves around you, the smell of the straw, and the feeling of autumn without having to leave the city! Everybody is welcome to come and try their hand at creating their own unique Scarecrow to be entered into our contest for prizes. Come out and shop your local favorites, listen to some live music, and join in all the activities we have to offer!

2. Peachland Fall Fair

September 10th | 1-6pm

September 11 | 10am-4pm

With the atmosphere and content of an old-fashioned country fair, right in the heart of beautiful downtown Peachland, this is a September event not to be missed. Now is your opportunity to bake or preserve something, plant some seeds to nurture, crochet or knit something, quilt, carve or build, and take photographs. You might even win a prize!

3. The Great Spallumcheen Farm and Food Festival

September 25 | 10am-3pm

Experience the tastes of food and beverages produced and/or processed by local vendors. Take a stroll into the field adjacent to our mill to take in the ploughing competition or take a step back in time to enjoy the vintage tractor display and demonstrations, an antique threshing machine at work, or treats from the clay bake oven.

4. Penticton Community Market

September 3rd-24th | 8:30am-1:30pm

The Downtown Penticton Association hosts the weekly Downtown Community Market, located along Main and Front Streets and Backstreet Boulevard. Rain or shine (May to mid-October) the Downtown Community Market brings Penticton to life each Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until the early afternoon. Each season Penticton’s regular marketeers and visitors alike are delighted with the hundreds of vendors who feature handmade goods including clothing, food, and jewelry, collectibles, antiques and furniture, as well as the weekly food vendors, live music and entertainment that combine to create a fabulous downtown vibe.

5. Corn Maze at O’Keefe Ranch

Now until October 30th

As of July 21st, our corn maze is up and running! Bring your family, friends, and guests to traverse the maze together or challenge yourself to see how fast you can finish it! Each year the maze changes so don’t expect to be an expert just yet. Admission to the maze is $5/person and you may complete it multiple times in the same day!

Not only are Fun things happening all over the Okanagan, but our residents will have their hands full this fall with a packed activities schedule. Below are the fun things enriched retirees living in Regency have to look forward to in these next few months:

1. Oktoberfest, celebrated every year between September 17th and October 3, will be a fun event for Residents to enjoy with their peers and families. Resorts all over the Okanagan are set to celebrate beer and the Bavarian culture together. Fit with pretzels and cheese dip, you too can make this Oktoberfest one to remember!
2. Halloween is done in a big way throughout Regency. Across the Okanagan, residents dress up in their spookiest, whackiest, or downright cutest costumes and show up to fun parties and gatherings. Elementary school students normally stop in and show off their costumes while trick-or-treating and singing. Halloween is a wonderful time to celebrate with fellow residents and staff alike.
3. While some residents will go away for the Thanksgiving holiday, others choose to stay in the resort, either inviting their families to join them or eating their festive feast with their Regency family. Regency does thanksgiving in a big way with a LARGE holiday meal fit for an amazing finish to the long weekend.
4. Each resort will be featuring various events across their individual activities calendars this fall. Happy hours are always a common occurrence with some resorts adding evening concerts into the mix. Other fun events residents can look forward to are the exciting trips to wineries, farmers’ markets, orchards, and many more fun places. Stop in and see us enjoy a fun fall event and see what enriched retirement is all about.

Fall may slow some of us down, but our residents sure are going to be bringing their busy summer schedules into the autumn season and you can too with these fun festive fall activities. Stop in and see us enjoy a fun fall event and see what enriched retirement is all about.

We know that summer days are hot and the last thing on your agenda is to go home and spend time cooking on the hot stove. Salads are a great meal to add to your summer rotation and help you feel refreshed during those hotter days. We’ve provided you with the recipe for some great salads to add to your menu.

Chef’s Salad

Ingredients:

• Lettuce
• Hard-boiled Egg
• Ham
• Chicken
• Avocado
• Blue Cheese
• Cheddar Cheese
• Tomato
• Cucumber

1. We suggest washing all the vegetables before you begin cutting them for your meal.
2. Then take a large bowl and chop the lettuce into 1-inch ribbons
3. Place the lettuce in the large bowl.
4. Cut the cucumber, tomato, and avocado into ½-inch matchsticks. Place these in the bowl. We suggest you do so artfully so you may Instagram the salad later.
5. If you need to boil your egg or cook your ham or chicken, we suggest you do so. (Good substitutes include pre-pulled chicken from Maple Leaf, Back Bacon, or any assortment of deli meats). Cut all these ingredients into bite-size pieces. Add them to your salad in an artful manner.
6. Finally, Crumble Blue cheese onto your salad and use the ranch to dress (or use a blue cheese dressing)
7. Take a picture of your #saladgoals and enjoy!

Waldorf Salad

• Grapes
• Walnuts
• Lettuce
• Celery
• Chicken
• Lemon zest
• Apples
• Sweet cream mayo

1. Wash all the fruit and vegetables before beginning the assembly process.
2. Then take a large bowl and chop the lettuce into 1-inch ribbons
3. Place the lettuce in the large bowl.
4. Cut grapes in ½ lengthwise and place them in the bowl
5. Cut celery into ½-inch slices and huck them in the salad
6. Cut up your apples into bite-sized pieces and sprinkle them into the mixture
7. Cut or pull apart chicken and add it to the salad
8. Sprinkle walnuts over the salad
9. Add the zest of lemon to your tasty creation
10. Lastly, add a sweet cream mayo and stir until combined
11. Bring that salad to your next great BBQ and be the talk of the town.

Taco Salad

• Avocado
• Lettuce
• Cheese
• Ground Beef
• Tomatoes
• Bell peppers
• Red onions
• Salsa
• Sour Cream
• Small strips of tortilla chips

1. Wash all the fruit and vegetables before beginning the assembly process.
2. Then take a large bowl and chop the lettuce into 1-inch ribbons
3. Place the lettuce in the large bowl.
4. Grate cheese and add to your bed of lettuce
5. Cut tomatoes, bell peppers, 1/2 a red onion, and an avocado into bite-sized pieces
6. Cook and season ground beef with taco seasoning
7. Add tomatoes, avocado, onion, bell pepper, and beef to the salad bowl
8. Dress in sour cream and salsa
9. Mix
10. Sprinkle each bowl of salad with strips of tortilla chips

Our residents enjoy these salads and more on both our wonderful salad bars and within our menu options, all of which would not be possible without the help of our wonderful kitchen staff.

We are expanding our team. Join the culinary team at Northwood or Westwood and you will discover why so many great people from the culinary industry chose to work in a retirement home! As we provide excellent service to retirees, we are experiencing a need to expand our kitchen team. As a cook, you will oversee prepping and cleaning items such as vegetables and fruits, preparing salads and desserts, and preparing meats and fish. You will be supported in this undertaking by excellent kitchen staff headed by our Chef. At Regency, we support an excellent work-life balance. In this role, you must be able to work weekends, and being comfortable working in a fast-paced professional Kitchen is essential to your success at the Regency. All services in the organization are designed to meet the needs and well-being of residents. Come create and play with flavors, textures, and presentations to make a positive impact on our resident’s life!

Go to our Careers page and send us an email

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