Keremeos

Keremeos sits in the heart of the Similkameen Valley, where the climate has gotten noticeably warmer and more favorable for agriculture over the past few decades. This isn’t just perception — the plant hardiness zone improved from 6a to 6b between 1990 and 2020, making it one of BC’s premier fruit-growing regions.

The town calls itself the “Fruit Stand Capital of Canada,” and driving Highway 3A in late summer proves why. Roadside stands overflow with peaches, apricots, cherries, and the famous Similkameen apples that rival anything from the Okanagan. The Grist Mill and Gardens, a restored 1877 flour mill, draws visitors year-round to see how settlers processed grain using water power from Keremeos Creek.

With 47% of residents over 65, this is clearly retirement country. The median age of 63.6 years reflects people who’ve discovered what locals already know: you can grow almost anything here, the Similkameen River offers swimming holes that stay warm through September, and housing costs remain reasonable compared to the main Okanagan Valley.

The housing market shows interesting patterns — 71.6% single-detached homes dominate, but 10.5% of dwellings are mobile homes, suggesting affordable options exist for retirees on fixed incomes. Healthcare and retail lead employment, typical for communities serving an aging population and seasonal tourists heading to Manning Park or the Similkameen wine region.

Cathedral Provincial Park’s granite spires loom over the valley, creating a dramatic backdrop that photographers and hikers seek out. The park’s alpine lakes and meadows are accessible via a challenging trail that keeps casual visitors at bay, preserving the wilderness experience.

For mortgage brokers working with clients seeking rural properties or retirement homes outside major centers, Tekamar offers lending in Keremeos with a maximum LTV of 55%. The conservative ratio reflects the smaller market size, but the community’s agricultural stability and recreational appeal provide solid fundamentals for property values.