Living at The Strand Year-Round or Part-Time

By Sean Phillips, REALTOR®, Strand resident · September 26, 2026

Short answer: The Strand Lakeside works well both ways. Full-time residents get a low-maintenance waterfront home with a year-round hot tub, heated parking and snow removal taken care of. Part-time owners get a true lock-and-leave lake place, with the option to rent it out when they're away, since every home at The Strand qualifies for short-term rental with a City of Vernon business licence and provincial registration.

I live at The Strand full time, and a lot of my neighbours don't. Buyers often ask me which way makes more sense, so here's how I see it.

What's it like living at The Strand full time?

For me, the best part is that the lifestyle doesn't stop in September. Here's what the year looks like:

Summer: the beach, the pool and the marina. The complex feels like a resort, and the courtyard fire pits are busy most evenings.
Fall: many owners say it's the best season here. The water's still warm, the summer crowds are gone and the courtyard trees turn gold.
Winter: quiet and easy. The heated underground parkade, the year-round hot tub and strata snow removal make winter simple, and SilverStar is about 30 to 40 minutes up the hill.
Spring: gardens coming back, the first boats going in and the pool getting ready for the season.

Everyday life is easy too. Downtown Vernon is about 10 minutes away, and Kelowna's airport is an easy drive when you need to fly.

What does part-time ownership look like?

Many Strand owners are snowbirds or live in Alberta or the Lower Mainland and come for the summer, long weekends or ski season. What makes it work:

Lock and leave. Landscaping, snow removal and building upkeep are handled by the strata, and there's an on-site caretaker.
Security. Secure building entry and a heated, secure parkade for your car while you're away.
Rental flexibility. Every home qualifies for short-term rental with the right City licence and provincial registration, and long-term rentals are allowed too. See renting out a Strand condo.
Slip options. If you only boat in summer, you can rent a slip from another owner instead of buying one.

My guide to lock-and-leave condos for snowbirds covers what to set up before you head away.

How do the costs compare?

The strata fee is the same either way, and it covers gas, water, sewer, garbage, snow removal, landscaping and the amenities. The differences are mostly:

Property tax: full-time residents can usually claim the BC Home Owner Grant; part-time owners generally can't.
Speculation and vacancy tax: Vernon is in BC's speculation and vacancy tax area, so part-time owners should understand how the declaration and exemptions apply to them. See my post on the speculation and vacancy tax in Vernon.
Insurance: if you rent your home out, your policy needs to cover it as a rental.
Rental income: part-time owners can offset some costs by renting, but don't count on it to make the numbers work.

A tax professional can tell you how these apply to your situation. My post on the real monthly cost of owning at The Strand has a budget worksheet.

Which unit type suits each way of living?

Part-time and rental: one-bedroom and two-bedroom condos are easy to lock up and easy to rent.
Full time: larger two-bedroom plans, townhomes and penthouse lofts give you room to spread out, host family and work from home.

See Strand floor plans and unit types.

So which is right for you?

If you want to be on the lake every day, with the ski hill in winter and town 10 minutes away, The Strand is a great full-time home. If you want a summer place you never have to worry about, it's one of the easiest lake homes in the Okanagan to own from a distance. Come see it for yourself, and come say hi by the pool.

Frequently asked questions

Can you live at The Strand year-round?

Yes. Many owners live here full time. Heated parking, a year-round hot tub and strata snow removal make winters easy.

Is The Strand good for snowbirds?

Yes. It's a lock-and-leave community with the grounds looked after by the strata and an on-site caretaker.

Can I rent out my Strand condo while I'm away?

Yes. Every home qualifies for short-term rental with a City of Vernon business licence and provincial registration, and long-term rentals are allowed.

Do part-time owners pay the speculation and vacancy tax?

Vernon is in BC's speculation and vacancy tax area. Whether you owe it depends on your situation and exemptions, so check with the province or a tax professional.

More guides to The Strand and Okanagan Landing

Have a question about The Strand?

I'm Sean Phillips, a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Executives Realty. I live at The Strand full time and specialise in Okanagan Landing waterfront. For current listings and recent sales, visit 7343okanaganlanding.ca.

Text Sean: 778-363-0542

Call or text Sarah, my 24/7 info line: 604-227-4810

This article is general information as of fall 2026, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules, fees and conditions change, so always confirm details with the appropriate professional or authority before making a decision.

General information only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Confirm details for your situation with the appropriate professional.

Living at The Strand Year-Round vs Part-Time: A Full-Time Resident's View