Lake Country Real Estate
Six lakes. One community. The Okanagan's best-kept secret for families who want space, trails, and turquoise water—without the Kelowna crowds.
$900K
Avg. Home Price
15,000+
Population
6
Lakes in District
32 km
Rail Trail
Giuseppe Gaspari
REALTOR® | Okanagan Real Estate Specialist
Helping families find their perfect Okanagan home since 2018
Last updated: January 2026
Why Lake Country?
Six lakes in one district. That's not a tagline—it's literally why this place is called Lake Country. Kalamalka, Wood, Okanagan, Ellison, Beaver, and Duck Lakes all fall within municipal boundaries. And Kalamalka Lake? The turquoise water looks photoshopped, but it's real. Calcite deposits create that Caribbean colour every summer.
Lake Country sits 15 minutes north of Kelowna, and the difference hits you immediately. Traffic drops off. The pace slows down. Orchards line the highway. You'll pass fruit stands where farmers sell cherries from the same trees their grandparents planted. It's the Okanagan that existed before the real estate boom, and somehow it's held on to that character.
The Rail Trail runs right through the heart of it—32 kilometres of paved path on the old railway line. On a summer evening, you'll see more families on bikes than cars on the road. Kids grow up here learning to swim in Kal Lake, picking cherries in August, and knowing their neighbors by name. That's not nostalgia; that's what Lake Country actually delivers in 2025.
Real estate here jumped significantly after 2020. People from Vancouver and Calgary discovered what locals knew all along, and prices followed. The average home now sits around $900,000. But you're still buying 15-20% cheaper than comparable Kelowna properties, with better lake access, more space, and a community feel that Kelowna lost somewhere along the way.
Lake Country is great for:
- ✓Families wanting safe neighborhoods, outdoor access, and community
- ✓Remote workers who don't need to commute daily
- ✓Active retirees seeking lakes, trails, and quieter pace
- ✓Buyers priced out of Kelowna who want similar lifestyle for less
What you won't find:
- ×Big box stores or major retail (Kelowna is 15 min away)
- ×Much nightlife or dining variety
- ×Easy transit (you'll need a car)
- ×Quick errands in Oyama (drive to Winfield for most things)
Lake Country Communities
Lake Country isn't one place. It's four distinct communities spread across the district. Winfield and Oyama get most of the attention, but Carr's Landing and Okanagan Centre have their own appeal—especially if waterfront is your priority.
Winfield
$800K - $1.2MLake Country's hub
This is where most of the action is. Save-On-Foods, coffee shops, restaurants, the community centre. Newer subdivisions offer family homes with decent yards. Older areas near the lake have character homes from the 60s and 70s. If you need walkable errands and want to stay in Lake Country, Winfield is it.
Best for: Families wanting convenience, first-time buyers, commuters
Oyama
$900K - $1.5M+Orchard country
Ten minutes north of Winfield, Oyama feels like stepping back in time. Working orchards, farm stands, and properties measured in acres rather than square feet. Wood Lake waterfront here is premium real estate. The general store is a community institution. You're trading convenience for peace and space.
Best for: Those wanting acreage, rural lifestyle, waterfront buyers
Carr's Landing
$1M - $2M+Quiet waterfront
Tucked on the west side of Okanagan Lake, Carr's Landing is Lake Country's hidden gem. Mostly waterfront and water-access properties. No commercial services—just homes, the lake, and one of the best sunset views in the valley. You'll need to drive to Winfield for groceries.
Best for: Waterfront seekers, retirees, privacy-focused buyers
Okanagan Centre
$850K - $1.3MHeritage lakeside
A tiny historic community on the shore of Okanagan Lake. Gray Monk winery is here, along with one of the oldest churches in the region. The beach is public and rarely crowded. Properties range from modest cottages to modern lakefront builds. It has a specific charm that either speaks to you or doesn't.
Best for: Wine enthusiasts, heritage home lovers, quiet lifestyle seekers
Schools & Families
Lake Country schools are part of School District 23 (Central Okanagan), the same district that serves Kelowna. Class sizes tend to be smaller here because the population is smaller. That's one of the reasons families move up from Kelowna—the schools feel more personal.
For high school, students attend George Elliot Secondary in Winfield. It's the only high school in Lake Country, and it has a strong athletics program and good graduation rates. Some families opt to have kids attend schools in Kelowna for specific programs, but most stay local.
The community feel extends to sports and activities. Minor hockey, soccer, and swimming programs have strong participation. When your kid plays on a team, you'll recognize half the parents from school pickup.
Elementary Schools
- Davidson Road Elementary (Winfield) — Largest in Lake Country, strong parent involvement
- Oyama Traditional School — Back-to-basics curriculum, smaller class sizes
- Peter Greer Elementary (Winfield) — Newer facility, growing enrollment
Secondary School
- George Elliot Secondary — Lake Country's only high school. Strong athletics, trades programs, and a theatre program that punches above its weight. Students tend to know each other, which creates a tight-knit environment.
Daycare & Early Years
- Limited options — Childcare spots are competitive in Lake Country. Most families end up on waitlists. The community centre runs some programs, and there are a few private daycares, but start looking early if you need care.
Lifestyle & Recreation
This is why people move here. Not for the shopping (there isn't much). Not for the nightlife (there isn't any). They come for the lakes, the trails, and the feeling that summer is actually summer.
Kalamalka Lake
The jewel of the Okanagan. Turquoise water that rivals the Caribbean. Kal Beach is popular, but Jade Bay and Cosens Bay offer quieter spots. Water hits 24°C by July.
Rail Trail
32 km of paved path on the old railway bed. Runs from Kelowna through Lake Country toward Vernon. Perfect for biking, running, or evening walks. Families use it daily.
Wood Lake
Warmer and calmer than Kal Lake. Oyama waterfront faces Wood Lake. Great for paddleboarding, kayaking, or teaching kids to fish. The Oyama dock is a local hangout.
Orchards & Farms
Cherry season brings out the fruit stands. Apple picking in fall. Local farms sell at the Wednesday market. The agricultural roots here are real, not staged for tourists.
The Lake Country Pace
Morning routine here looks different. Coffee on the deck watching the lake. A bike ride on the Rail Trail before the heat sets in. Kids walking to the beach with towels over their shoulders. It's not an Instagram fantasy—it's just Tuesday in July.
Winter slows things down, but not as much as you'd think. Cross-country skiing on the Rail Trail. Skating at the outdoor rink. Big White is 45 minutes away, Silver Star about 30 minutes north. The community centre stays busy with programs.
What you give up: spontaneous dinners out (options are limited), late-night anything, and the convenience of having everything within walking distance. The trade-off is space, quiet, and a community where people actually know each other.
Most Lake Country residents work in Kelowna but chose to live here intentionally. The 15-minute commute feels like a small price for coming home to a quieter life.
What Your Money Gets You
~$500K
Rare at this price point. Maybe an older mobile home with land, or a small condo in one of the few multi-family buildings. Most buyers in this range end up looking at Kelowna or Vernon instead.
~$750K
Entry point for single-family. Older rancher in Winfield (1970s-80s build), likely needing updates. Smaller lot, but functional. 3 bed, 2 bath, around 1,400-1,800 sq ft. Some townhome options as well.
$1M+
Where Lake Country opens up. Updated family homes with views. Larger lots in Oyama. At $1.2-1.5M, you're looking at acreages or water-view properties. Waterfront starts around $1.5M and goes well into the millions.
Lake Country vs Kelowna Comparison
Average price: $900K (Lake Country) vs $1.09M (Kelowna)
Lot sizes: Generally larger in Lake Country
Lake access: Easier in Lake Country—less crowded beaches, more public access points
Inventory: Lower—fewer listings means competition for good properties
Days on market: 45-60 days for priced-right homes
Trend: Strong family buyer demand continues
Why Work With Giuseppe?
Lake Country isn't the kind of market where you can just browse listings online and figure it out. Inventory is tight. The difference between streets matters. And some of the best properties sell before they hit MLS because sellers here often know their neighbors.
I know which roads in Oyama are paved versus gravel. I know which Winfield subdivisions have the best construction quality. I know where the new development is planned and what it means for nearby properties. That local knowledge matters when you're making a decision this big.
My approach is simple: figure out what you actually need, show you properties that match (including ones that aren't publicly listed), and give you the honest take—good and bad. If something isn't right for you, I'll say so.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the commute from Lake Country to Kelowna?
From Winfield to downtown Kelowna, you're looking at 15-20 minutes in normal traffic. From Oyama, add another 10 minutes. Rush hour (7:30-8:30 AM, 4:30-5:30 PM) can stretch that to 25-30 minutes, but it's nothing like Vancouver traffic. Most Lake Country residents work in Kelowna and don't find the commute burdensome.
Is Lake Country good for families?
It's one of the best family communities in the Okanagan. The Rail Trail provides safe biking paths, beaches are less crowded than Kelowna, schools are well-regarded, and there's a genuine community feel. Kids grow up knowing their neighbors. The slower pace and outdoor access make it ideal for raising a family.
How do Lake Country home prices compare to Kelowna?
Lake Country prices are about 15-20% lower than comparable Kelowna properties. A home that costs $1.2M in Glenmore or Upper Mission might be $950K-$1M in Lake Country. You're trading some urban amenities for more space, better lake access, and that small-town feel.
Can you swim in Kalamalka Lake?
Absolutely. Kalamalka Lake is one of the best swimming lakes in BC. The water turns brilliant turquoise in summer due to calcite deposits—it looks tropical. Kal Beach and Jade Bay are the most popular spots. Water temperature reaches 22-24°C (72-75°F) by mid-summer. It's cleaner and less busy than Okanagan Lake beaches in Kelowna.
What amenities does Lake Country have?
Winfield has a Save-On-Foods, Shoppers Drug Mart, restaurants, coffee shops, and most daily essentials. For bigger shopping, Costco and major retail are 15 minutes south in Kelowna. Lake Country has a growing food scene with local cafes and farm-to-table spots. You won't find big box stores or chain restaurants, which is part of the appeal.
What's the difference between Oyama and Winfield?
Winfield is the commercial centre—most shops, services, and newer developments are here. It feels more suburban. Oyama is 10 minutes further north, more rural, with orchards, acreages, and a quieter pace. Oyama waterfront on Wood Lake is highly sought after. If you want convenience, look at Winfield. If you want space and quiet, Oyama is your spot.
Explore Other Okanagan Communities
Ready to Find Your Lake Country Home?
Whether you're looking for a family home in Winfield, an acreage in Oyama, or waterfront on Kalamalka Lake—let's have a real conversation about what matters to you.
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