City-dwellers look to the Okanagan for the best in vacation properties
Buyers are flocking to Predator Ridge for their thriving, year-round community
Everyone would like a home away from home, and British Columbians who can afford it are increasingly looking inward for a vacation retreat, partly due to rising costs in other countries, partly because our province is full of hidden opportunities.
Even though it has carved out a reputation over the past 25 years as a thriving, year-round community for people seeking an active lifestyle, Predator Ridge, located just a short drive south of Vernon, is also viewed as an opportunity by those who want to own a vacation property.
Why? Because Predator Ridge continues to evolve in ways that take the best advantage of all that the Okanagan has to offer — and as anyone who has visited this part of northern Okanagan will attest, the region has something to fit everyone’s tastes, from golf courses and ski resorts to hiking trails and close proximity to campgrounds and lakes.
Predator Ridge itself is a source for adventure. It has two 18-hole championship golf courses; over 27 acres of park space currently being added to its new Commonage neighbourhood; and the recently opened 3.5-acre Commons Park, which includes a mix of four tennis and four pickle ball courts, plus a playground and open space.
There’s much more to the community, including pet-friendly hiking and biking trails, but Richard Zokol, Predator Ridge’s golf and real estate specialist, best summarizes why so many residents have purchased vacation homes in addition to those who live here year-round. “The attraction of the location cannot be over emphasized,” he says. “We sit at the northern end of the Sonora desert, which is why we have such warm springs, summers, and falls — and so many famous orchards and wineries. But it’s not brutally hot as you would find just south of the border.”
Zokol, a professional golfer who played on the PGA and Nationwide tours before retiring in 2003, made a permanent move to the Okanagan in 2012, after 55-years in the Lower Mainland. Zokol notes that, “All of the Okanagan and Vernon specifically has become a playground for North Americans. As kids, we viewed the region as the place to go on holiday, and now as older adults many of us still feel the same way, because we would prefer spending part of the year in a distinctly different environment that is still affordable and easy to get to.”
Zokol refers to the Commonage as an example of how intertwined Predator Ridge is with the spirit of fun that defines the vacationing experience. He says, “Over 100 years ago there was a proclamation that this land would be used by local farmers and ranchers as common ground for grazing cattle, horses and for safe passage, and today the use comes in the form of golf, bike and hiking trails.”
Indeed, Predator Ridge’s trails consist of 12.5 kilometres of bike-specific trails with gradual climbs in a forested setting, and shuttle access to the new 48.5-kilometre Okanagan Rail Trail that takes cyclists from Vernon to Kelowna, along the lakefront, creeks, and through unique natural habitat. There are also over 35 kilometres of well-maintained trails on property, with picnic tables and an abundance of scenic vistas.
Those seeking vacation residences need look no further than Predator Ridge’s Maverick Homes, a series of semi detached duplexes designed for this type of clientele. “It’s great for empty nesters or those who want to live in one spot only part of the year,” says Zokol. “These two-level, four-bedroom homes start from only $679,000 — and that’s for 2,500 square feet.”
Of course, there are many other types of Predator Ridge homes to choose from, including the series of 10 new Affinity homes adjacent to the first hole of the Ridge Course, the modern ranch architecture of Commonage, and even condominiums — all developed with a careful eye to architectural detail and quality, as well as affordability.
When asked what compelled Zokol, whose success as a sportsman would have allowed him to live anywhere, why he chose to invest in the Okanagan, he replies unhesitatingly, “Once our three kids found their career paths, the time was right for Joanie and I to relocate. We wanted to take that next step in quality of life — we were attracted to the four-season playground. Many people spend the summer here, but just as many arrive in winter for skiing, snowshoeing, and other activities, and then depart in spring.
“Plus, because Predator Ridge is such a tightly-knit community, you can depart knowing your neighbours are always looking out for you in your absence.”
Zokol concludes, “People appreciate that we’re a special community in one of the most beautiful places in Canada, as evidenced by strong sales every time we develop a new housing offering such as the Commonage. Quite simply, this is a fun place to be.”
For more information, visit predatorridge.com.