So, you’re moving to Winnipeg! It could be because of a job change, or you are married or moving in with your sweetheart, who lives in the city.
But if you are from a bigger city – Vancouver, Toronto, etc – chances are you will not know much about the Peg. Other than it’s somewhere between Saskatchewan and Ontario, and, people grow a lot of wheat here!
It’s okay to feel afraid at first and rethink your decision many times. But for a start, let us tell you Winnipeggers could seem harsh but are friendly people, in reality.
Also, this beautiful capital of Manitoba is exceptionally unique. Some extravagant hotels and neighbourhoods will capture your heart and make you in love with the city.
Though it certainly has harsh winters and long summers. However, the unique set of traditions and quirks that are sure to make you smile.
So, let us just put forward what’s in store for you when you’ll move to Winnipeg:
Real Estate – You can finally own your Home!
You may love jogging along the ocean in Vancouver or love the nightlife in Toronto but living in a bigger city comes with its costs. The first thing that you will find is that it’s more affordable to own your home in a smaller city like Winnipeg than Vancouver or Toronto.
As a result, most professionals are renters and spend a huge chunk of what they are earning to rent a place. For instance, even if you share an apartment, a tiny room just enough for a double bed and a small desk will cost around $1,300 – $1,400 in Vancouver. And, if you are looking to buy a home in Vancouver, it would require a mammoth $990,600 on average (September 2019 figures.)
On the other hand, the average home price in Winnipeg is $292,198. What a huge difference! People living in Winnipeg can easily save money and buy a home. Even rental vacancies are stable. One-bedroom apartments in the city centre can cost between $750 – $1,200.
On the other hand, the average sale price for a home in Toronto has jumped 94.6 percent and 101.5 percent in Vancouver since 2009.
Diverse Employment Opportunities
While we see most millennials dream of living in bigger cities, mainly because they offer plenty of employment options. Work is always a significant determinant for where people end up. In that case, Winnipeg offers one of the most diverse economies of all in Canada. Be it –
Aerospace, manufacturing, agribusiness, health care or public administration. Let us tell you that the unemployment rate in Winnipeg has been consistently below the national average. And, this can be credited to the diversified economic base.
The manufacturing sector is currently on the rise, with a healthy growth projection of 4%. The agriculture sector has been a strong performer year in and out for Winnipeg. Also, there is a burgeoning tech sector and tourism. The retail performance with consumer confidence has been able to rise from 3.7% in 2017 to 4.5% in 2018 and 2019.
Amazing Communities and Neighbourhoods
Finding a place to live that suits you is one of the essential things when you move to a new city. If you are from a bigger city, you know how hard it is when it comes down to match your preferred lifestyle and available real estate options. In Winnipeg, you can easily maintain your quality of life and lifestyle without worrying about money.
There are some fantastic, diverse, and welcoming communities. For example, if you are one who embraces ‘live, work, play’ concept, you’ll love St. James/CF Polo Park mall area, or Grant Park Festival and those near the Shops of Kildonan Mall.
However, if you are a family person seeking investment, you should consider Charleswood. This community boasts of an idyllic ‘small town’ feels, including an eclectic mix of traditional country style home with new builds. If you lean towards new areas, then Westdale is both affordable and has new housing developments.
Cultural Capital of Canada
Winnipeg has an impressive and long history. The city is the main cultural centre in Manitoba. Canadian Heritage declared it as the Cultural Capital of Canada in 2010. If you are a history lover, you’ll find the oldest public gallery in Western Canada here in Winnipeg along with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the oldest ballet company in the entire country. There are numerous artist-run cultural centres in the city, as well. Moreover, it is home to several general and thematic museums.
We’re Contenders – Yay!
Professional sports and city pride go hand in hand. If you are a sports lover, we bet you’ll not be able to keep with your original allegiances once you move to Winnipeg. Sports is the focus of most conversations at the office and an integral part of the day to day life. The city has dozens of skating arenas, baseball pitches, cycling trails, soccer fields. The Winnipeg Jets made it to the NHL Conference Finals for the first time in the team’s history and now considered serious contenders. And the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have the third-highest win total in the Grey Cup among both active and defunct CFL teams.
Okay, let’s talk about the Weather!
Well, we can say the weather is interesting. Due to its location in the Canadian Prairies, the Gateway to the West boasts a humid continental climate. Summers are warm and pleasant, with temperatures between mid-to-high twenties. But winters are cold, long and dry. It can get to a low of even -40 degrees Celsius. Despite the prejudice about dire weather conditions, the Peg is one of the Canadian cities with the most hours of sunshine.
Are you moving to Winnipeg in the upcoming days? Let’s give you an additional nudge in the right direction. Give all your moving woes to Two Small Men with Big Hearts Movers as we hope you have a great time in this great city. For any moving advice or to get an estimate for your move, call us on 204-654-3278.