A Guide to Moving to Manitoba, Canada
With unspoilt natural beauty, friendly inhabitants and a bustling, vibrant capital, Manitoba encompasses all that is wonderful about Canada. Unemployment remains lower than the national average and there are excellent prospects for skilled tradespeople and professionals. Moving to Manitoba could even leave you better off financially as housing is relatively affordable and costs of living are lower than much of Canada. It is also a great place for families to flourish with an excellent school system and plenty of scenic countryside to explore. Manitobans take pride in their clean, safe cities and go out of their way to support their communities and look out for their neighbours. Winters are undoubtedly cold, but soon forgotten during the warm, sunny summers.
City and Town Profiles
Winnipeg
As the province’s largest city as well as its capital, Winnipeg is a popular choice for expats moving to Manitoba. It boasts a celebrated cultural scene, high employment and historic architecture. The city still maintains a warm, small town feel with a relaxed atmosphere and low commuting distances.
Brandon
Brandon is a friendly, pleasant city on the banks of the Assiniboine River which has twice been voted one of the top ten cities in Canada. It is surrounded by picturesque countryside including the idyllic Brandon Hills Wildlife Management Area. While still an important centre of agriculture and transportation, Brandon’s economy has diversified greatly in recent years and offers an array of opportunities.
Steinbach
Just an hour south east of Winnipeg, the popular Steinbach is the fastest growing city in Manitoba. There are good schools and healthcare services as well as great opportunities in the service, retail and manufacturing sectors. The city has plenty of parks and sports grounds and is close to the pretty Sandilands Provincial Forest.
Portage la Prairie
Situated between Brandon and Winnipeg, this handsome city is a great choice for expats seeking a quiet, rural life within reach of modern amenities. There are plenty of employment opportunities, particularly in the agriculture, food manufacturing, tourism and retail sectors. The stunning Island Park is a great place to hike, picnic and look out for local wildlife.
Transport and Getting Around in Manitoba
Like most of Canada, the most convenient way to travel around Manitoba is by car with well-maintained roads and highways. There are good rail links between the most of the southern towns and intercity services across Canada to most major cities from Winnipeg’s Union Station. There are good local bus networks in larger towns and Greyhound and Grey Goose Bus Lines run regular services further afield. The province’s main airport, Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson has routes across North and Central America.
Leisure Activities and Things to Do in Manitoba
Whether you’re seeking adventure, culture or fun, Manitoba’s capital is packed with great days out. At the Forks National Historic Site you can shop, eat or just relax in the attractive riverside setting in the centre of Winnipeg. The incredible exhibits of the Manitoba Museum and the fascinating Royal Canadian Mint are also great family destinations. Winnipeg is the artistic heart of the prairies and you can catch world class plays, ballets, operas, concerts and art exhibitions throughout the year. The city’s cultural diversity is celebrated during the Folklorama festival when the streets come alive with music, dance and exotic food and there is also a popular winter festival, Festival du Voyageur, held in St Boniface each February. The spectacular natural beauty of the province is evident at any one of its 50 National and Provincial Parks. Spreading north from the pristine shores of Clear Lake, Riding Mountain National Park has 3000 km² of breath taking scenery to explore by foot, bike, horse or even boat. In the magnificent wilderness of Northern Manitoba you can see majestic Beluga whales, catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis or take a tundra buggy ride around the ‘Polar Bear Capital of the world’, Churchill, and see these iconic animals in their natural habitat.
Interesting Facts About Manitoba
– Manitoba is lit up by over 2,300 hours of bright sunshine a year with up to 16 hours of sun a day during peak summer weeks in the south of the province.
– The Royal Winnipeg Ballet is Canada’s oldest dance company and the longest continuously operating ballet company in North America.
– Winnipeg has the world’s longest naturally freezing ice skating rink which is 8.5 kilometres long and takes you along the Red and Assiniboine Rivers.
– Winnipeg was the first city in the world to develop a 911 emergency phone number.
