Kelowna has a massive competitive advantage when it comes to post-pandemic recovery.

It's called desirability.

As COVID has pummelled the world, people have taken stock of their lives and many are making wholesale changes.

One of those changes how you work and where you live.

"The word is out and the future is brighter than ever for Kelowna," said Mayor Colin Basran in his annual state-of-the-city address, delivered virtually this year because of the pandemic.

"People have discovered they can move to Kelowna and live here and work remotely for a company anywhere in the world."

The city's calling cards are myriad, according to the mayor — Okanagan Lake, proximity to nature, our climate, food, wine, amenities and entrepreneurial spirit.

"New comers are arriving because we are progressive and vibrant," said Basran.

"Even in a COVID year we had 2% population growth."

And that's not all.

The Kelowna economy managed to do as well as possible considering a pandemic raged.

The real estate market is booming and the unemployment rate is now lower than it was pre-COVID.

"Hospitality and tourism still has challenges, but Kelowna Tourism has encouraged people to enjoy their own backyard and is ready to welcome tourists from all over when the time is right," he said.

"Out of crisis, Kelowna will emerge stronger. We're interconnected as a community more than ever because of the pandemic. Better days are coming."

However, the mayor admitted we aren't there yet.

We need quick vaccine roll out and loosening for social and travel restrictions in order to fully rebound.

"I firmly believe the pandemic long-term will be a benefit to Kelowna," said Kelowna Chamber of Commerce president Jeffrey Robinson when he thanked the mayor.

"Kelowna is the best place to be."

Basran's address was part of the chamber's annual general meeting, where Robinson, a lawyer with Rush Ihas Hardwick, was sworn in for a second one-term as chamber president.

While the tone of the meeting was mostly upbeat, the mayor admitted the city's No. 1 issue is the complicated and intertwined problem of mental health, addiction and homelessness and how it gives the perception that downtown is sometimes unsafe.

"We are working on complex care housing for the homeless that don't fit the regular supportive housing model to get more people off the streets," said Basran.

In fact, homelessness, mental health and addictions has been identified as the most pressing issue by the 13 communities represented by the BC Urban Mayors Caucus.

Affordable housing, public transit and a better relationship with the province were No. 2, 3 and 4, respectively.