By Scott Moore

Winnipeg is a great place to live. I came here from Northern Ontario, with stops in Toronto, Vancouver, and Tofino and Fernie, BC along the way. As a father of three, sports fan, and business person, I am very happy with Winnipeg as my home.

A few quick facts:

• We are located in the middle of Canada. We have an international airport; click here to see direct flights from Winnipeg

• Winnipeg is Manitoba's capital city.

• We have the sixth-highest city population in Canada at 749,607 (2021 Census)

Why do people live in Winnipeg?

There are lots of great reasons to live in Winnipeg!

If you’re coming from a big city like Toronto or Vancouver, the first thing you will notice is the lack of traffic. Pretty much everything in Winnipeg is no more than a 30 minute drive, but most people’s day-to-day doesn’t require more than a 15 minute commute. If you’re coming from a high-traffic city, you’ll immediately appreciate how much this impacts your quality of life.

Everything is bigger in the prairies. Backyards are bigger, houses are bigger, parks and community centres are bigger— even parking spots are bigger. We have the space to stretch out here, and we use it.

Winnipeg is truly a sports town. Winnipeg is home to lots of professional sports teams— the Winnipeg Jets & Manitoba Moose (hockey), Blue Bombers (football), Goldeyes (baseball), Valour FC (soccer) and Sea Bears (basketball). Winnipegers support their teams throughout good and bad times, and the quickest way to be embraced into the community is to jump on board with one — or all— of our local teams.

We also have a strong youth sports community at both recreational and competitive levels for pretty much every sport from hockey to fencing to Irish dancing and obviously way more.

Winnipeg is a great place to raise a family. The four seasons give a multitude of different - and often free - outdoor activities to keep children happy and healthy, our school systems are good, and the cost of real estate is low enough that families can afford sports, travel, or entertainment that they might not be able to experience in a more expensive city. If you set your family up in the right area, kids can still play independently with the neighbourhood kids at the park like its still 1950.

We have a festival culture, and are known internationally for our Folk Fest, Folklorama and the biggest winter festival in Western Canada, Le Festival du Voyageur.

Winnipeg also has a great food scene. Of course we’re famous for embracing winter in this way as well—with RAW:almond — a mind-blowing restaurant constructed for only a few weeks each winter on the ice at the historic intersection of the Red and Assiniboine rivers. Otherwise, the latest buzz is about Vida Cucina a new restaurant at the Hotel Fort Garry with a Michelin-star chef at the helm. But being a relatively large city there are plenty of great options in every corner.

Does it snow a lot in Winnipeg?

One of the best things about Winnipeg is that we have four separates seasons. Of course we wouldn’t mind if one of those seasons could dial it down a bit (here’s looking at you, winter) but having lived in Vancouver for a few years, I love living somewhere that has all four seasons. Our summers are beautiful, we are set up to enjoy winter, fall is spectacular, and spring is just messy, but it passes.

We have snow on the ground 132 days per year on average, which is about 4 months (December, January, February and usually some of November and March). The average amount of snow each winter is 117.9 cm, which is a manageable amount. Some people have snow removal services to keep their driveways clear (usually runs about $100/month) but the volume of snow is totally manageable on your own. I lived my first ten years in Winnipeg using only a shovel, and while that was fine, I was pretty excited to upgrade to a snowblower a few years ago.

It is cold in the winter (January averages a high of -10C and low of -17C) and really hot in the summer (July averages a high of 26C and low of 16C). Days are long in the summer— sunrise is around 5:15AM and sunset not til 9:45 PM, and winters are dark and cozy—with sunrise on December 21st not until 8:30AM, setting at 4:30PM.

What is the cost of living in Winnipeg?

It’s probably lower than where you live now. Here is a really interesting cost of living estimator for Winnipeg; essentially for a family of 4, the estimated cost (not including rent or mortgage) is about $5000/month.

An entry-level single family home in a good area in Winnipeg is around the $400k mark; a larger home with a bigger back yard would be in the range of $600k, and most people will find a home for $800k to be pretty much a dream home. We do have an impressive luxury market in Winnipeg as well, and although we are starting to see homes pushing into the $4M price point, virtually anyone would be more than satisfied with what you can buy between $1.5M and $2M. Real estate is a reliable investment in Winnipeg, generally producing a slow-and-steady growth around 2% per year.

Manitoba Hydro, the electricity provider in the province, offers some of the lowest-cost electricity rates in Canada, which is a big contributor to the lower cost of living.

How do I plan my move to Winnipeg?

You start by reaching out to us! Relocations to Winnipeg have been one of our specialities for over a dozen years, and we understand all the intricacies of coordinating the purchase of a home from afar. Reach out to us anytime, we’d be happy to help.

SOURCES:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_and_climate_of_Winnipeg#:~:text=Average%20annual%20precipitation%20is%20521.1,River%2C%20and%20the%20Seine%20River.

https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/canada/winnipeg?month=6&year=2024

BY PHIL GEAR, REALTOR

Are you relocating to Winnipeg for a new job and planning your house hunting trip (HHT)? Whether you are Military, RCMP, or work in government, banking, transportation, or management, this list is for you!

First off, welcome to Winnipeg! Known for its rich history, diverse culture, and thriving job market, Winnipeg is a fantastic destination for individuals and families looking to enjoy life and advance their careers.

As soon as your relocation is confirmed, it feels like a million wheels start spinning. We get it. You have a home in your current city to sell, you need to find schools for kids, your spouse may need a new job, and on top of it all, you need to buy a home and you want it to be right. We get it.

Step 1: Seek Local Expertise

Nothing beats the insight of a local real estate agent familiar with the HHT process. The first step is to reach out to us The Moore Group, as we specialize in relocations to Winnipeg. We have in-depth knowledge of the city and can guide you through the house hunting process.

We will start by discussing your unique requirements and budget and then set you up with an online search that will send you options that fit your criteria. Usually we start with broad criteria for areas and price, and then narrow it down as your plans, preferences, and budget firm up.

Step 2: Research Neighbourhoods

Next, familiarize yourself with Winnipeg's different neighbourhoods. First, consult your realtor for some initial ideas— remember that it is our speciality to help you identify the areas that align with your preferences, such as proximity to work, schools, parks, and community services. Talk to friends, family and colleagues and ask for their suggestions. Check out our Featured Areas page to learn about areas that are on your radar.

Step 3: Consider the Commute

Considering commute times is crucial. Winnipeg has a decent transportation system, but it's essential to factor in the distance between your potential residence and your workplace, as it can make a huge difference in your quality of life and amount of free time. One of the big advantages of living in Winnipeg is being able to avoid traffic jams and long commutes, and most transferees choose to focus their search on neighbourhoods in close proximity to their workplace.

Step 4: Get a Pre-Approval

Every housing market is different, and it’s important to find out exactly what you can afford here in Winnipeg. We have great connections in mortgage financing and can help with this if needed.

Step 5: Book your HHT

Different relocations have different timelines and requirements— for example in the RCMP, you usually don’t go on your HHT until your existing home is sold, but with other relocations you can schedule it whenever suits you best.

Once you have the date you are expected to report in Winnipeg, you can work backwards from there, factoring in the advice from your local realtor about the sale of your existing home and your Winnipeg realtor about the timing from purchase to possession date. The key here is communication, communication and more communication!

Next, schedule your travel. It is critical to get a rental car so you can use your time here to explore neighbourhoods and really get a feel for the areas that might be best for you.

Pack for your trip & remember to consider the weather! In Winnipeg it can be -35C or +35C and everything in between. Pro tip: pack slip-on shoes; when you’re seeing a dozen or more homes in a day, it really helps to be able to slip your shoes on and off. Also wise to bring a clipboard, pen and highlighter as you will want to make notes on the MLS print-outs that your realtor will give you.

Be prepared to write an offer. In some provinces the deposit isn’t due until conditions are removed, but in Manitoba, we submit a deposit cheque with an offer, so please remember to bring a cheque with you. The amount of the deposit is relative to the purchase price of the home; usually between $5000-$20,000 but your realtor can give you a better idea of exactly what to plan for based on your budget. We will also need a piece of government-issued ID as well.

Step 6: Arrive in Winnipeg

Pick up your rental car, check-in at your hotel, and then jump right back in the car. Plan to spend the evening checking out a few of the areas that are tops on your list. Ask your realtor to recommend a great local spot for dinner in one of the areas you’re focussed on, maybe grab dessert somewhere else, and enjoy. Even though you have a big task at hand, it can still be a fun process!

Also remember to keep all of your receipts. Depending on your relocation package, there’s a very good chance that you’ll be reimbursed for most or all of your expenses on your trip, but only if you have receipts. If you aren’t on a relocation package, or your package doesn’t cover everything you spend, talk to your accountant about whether you can claim the moving costs on your taxes.

Step 7: Get to Work

Usually your realtor will have 8-12 homes set up to view on Day 1. This first day is the birds-eye view phase. Usually you’ll spend not much more than 20 mins per house— basically just getting a feel for price/value, layout, condition, and area, ultimately creating your short list for the next day. That evening, you may want to circle back to some of the areas and see how they look and feel. Are there kids in the parks? What’s the traffic and noise like? Is it easy to get a table at the local pub? Etc.

Based on what you and your realtor learn on Day 1, your realtor will schedule Day 2. Likely you will see 3 or 4 of the homes from Day 1 that seemed like contenders, plus 3 or 4 more — maybe at a different price point than we started at, or in different areas. By now you’ll probably be feeling pretty tired and a little cranky. Try to get a good night’s sleep.

Day 3 is usually where we circle back to the top 2 or 3, and spend a solid hour or so at each home making the final decision. Sometimes we’ll move right to making an offer, sometimes you’ll want to go for a walk or lunch to hash it out, and then meet up later to write the offer.

Needless to say, clearly its critical that you have your realtor’s undivided attention during your HHT, which you can definitely expect from us at The Moore Group.

The long days, the stress and pressure, and the travel itself can wear you down during a HHT, but basic self-care helps. Build some downtime and some fun into your schedule, drink lots of water, eat as well as you can, sneak in some exercise and fresh air and try to enjoy the ride! Your realtor loves making suggestions for entertainment, meals, exercise options, or anything else that will make the trip more enjoyable for you so don’t hesitate to ask for our recommendations.

Step 8: Offer Accepted!

You may or may not still be in Winnipeg when your offer is accepted. If your offer is subject to inspection, your realtor can attend the inspection on your behalf but if you are still here then of course you can attend in person.

Step 8b: No deal

If you weren’t able to settle on a home or couldn’t come to terms on an offer, don’t despair! Many companies will allow a second HHT, in which case we lather, rinse and repeat. But if not, then we can switch to virtual showings, which we are really comfortable with. We have clients who have bought homes entirely sight unseen, and we have clients who have bought homes conditional to them viewing the home, where they jump on a plane in the AM, land, see the home, then jump back on the plane in the evening. We can always make it work. The time you spent in Winnipeg and the homes you saw will give you way more context and confidence on purchasing from afar, if it comes to that.

Step 9: The details

Yahoo, you have a house and a possession date. Next you’ll need a local lawyer, home insurance, internet/cable TV, hydro, water, newspaper subscription, etc. Your employer may have approved suppliers for you, but if not, your realtor will give you recommendations, plus we have a handy checklist to help keep you on track.

Final thoughts

Embarking on a house hunting trip to Winnipeg is an exciting endeavor. Remember to take your time, ask questions, and explore the city beyond its real estate market. Winnipeg's vibrant culture and welcoming atmosphere will undoubtedly make your house hunting journey an enjoyable experience.

We work with dozens of families moving to Winnipeg each year—I’ve been doing these types of purchases for over a decade, and it’s an area of real estate that our whole team really enjoys.

Our website is loaded with practical info about relocating to Winnipeg but as true blue Winnipeggers, our team at The Moore Group wanted to share some of our best lifestyle tips to help you get the most out of life in Winnipeg once you are here.

Enjoy!

“My advice is to try to sneak away at the end of January. It breaks the cold season up nicely. You have the holiday season in December with events going on everywhere, but come late January, you need a quick break. Then when you get back, its early Feb, you’re on the plus 10 countdown, and with the weather gods onside, warm weather should only be 6 weeks later.”

— Scott Moore, REALTOR

“My advice for someone moving to Winnipeg: take the time to get to know the areas/neighbourhoods before choosing where to settle. Remember: transportation, schools and shopping/other conveniences. If you don’t have a car, make sure you settle within a short walk to a bus stop— that walk will feel like forever in the winter!”

— Stephanie Baron, REALTOR

“Most Winnipeggers would advise you to get a set of winter tires! As our Winter-peg nickname suggests, winter can bring driving challenges! Winter tires help with traction on snow and ice covered roads. Manitoba Public Insurance has a great program most people don’t know about called The Winter Tire Program! This allows you to finance winter tires and rims even up to $2,000 per vehicle.”

- Manpinder Dhillon, Group Administrator

“My advice is to budget for good quality winter gear for each member of the family— mitts ($50), hat ($25), neck warmer ($15), jacket ($100 for kids, $250 for adults) and boots ($100 for kids, $200 for adults). Winter is long and you need the gear to make your day-to-day enjoyable, but also so you can get out there and really embrace life in a winter city! There’s a lot of fun to be had here in winter if you’re set up to enjoy it!”

— Julia Allen, Group Coordinator

“My advice is that your kids should join a hockey team! Don’t worry if you’re not good at first, you can catch up. Even if you’re not the best, skating and playing hockey outside with your friends is so fun.”

— My 11-year old son, Davis

“If you’ve got a young family and a mild winter day, a family membership at the zoo goes a long way!”

— Reid Boles, REALTOR

“My advice is to pick a community that you will feel at home in and enjoy driving home to at the end of a long day. Winnipeg is known for its diverse neighbourhoods, each with its own unique character and charm - take the time to explore each of them. Your experience in Winnipeg will depend on your location and thats why it's important to chat with a realtor to find what's best for you.”

— Phil Gear, REALTOR

If you’re a family with school-aged kids, one of the first questions you’ll probably ask is “Which school division will my kids be in?” Here’s how to find out:

1. Use the Province of Manitoba School Division Map: https://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/schools/wpg_map.html
The best way to find out which school division you're in is by using this handy tool.

• Simply click the neighbourhood you live in, and it’ll take you to the divisional website

• From there, you can use their ‘Find a School’ features or call their board office.

• The catchment schools for elementary, middle, and high school varies, along with single or dual-track schools.

2. Know the Main School Divisions in Winnipeg
There are six English public-school divisions and one French public-school division within the City of Winnipeg (to make it easy, click the link and it’ll take you directly to the ‘Find a School’ feature:

• Winnipeg School Division (WSD)

• Pembina Trails School Division

• St. James-Assiniboia School Division

• River East Transcona School Division

• Seven Oaks School Division

• Louis Riel School Division

• Division scolaire franco-manitobaine

If you’ve got kids, schools are probably near the top of your house-hunting checklist and for good reason. Knowing which division (and school) your new home falls under before you buy can help you make sure your kids get into the programs that matter most.

In late June, a couple reached out to David Van Benthem, ready to make a move but with one major challenge: they couldn’t come to Winnipeg in-person.

They had their eye on a house, but they needed a team that could handle everything remotely and communicate clearly. Here's how David made it happen.

It all began with a Sunday night email. The couple was eager to move quickly, so David wasted no time. He reached out right away and began to understand their budget, must-haves, preferred location, timeline, and more.

The house they liked seemed almost perfect, but they needed someone they could trust to walk them through every step of the process from hundreds of kilometers away.

The very next day, David set up a virtual showing. Through a video call, he walked them through the house, pointing out every detail, both the good and the bad.

He also provided context about the neighbourhood and comparable homes in the area, ensuring the couple had all the information they needed to make an informed decision.

Though the house wasn’t turnkey, it had potential. David connected them with trusted local contractors for repair estimates and arranged for an inspection, all remotely, before the offer was due. By the time Wednesday rolled around, they were ready to make an offer.

David walked them through the paperwork, explaining every document and he began negotiations. By the end of the day, their offer was accepted, without them ever stepping foot in the home.

David’s ability to act fast, understand his clients’ needs, and communicate clearly every step of the way made this process smooth and successful. Buying a home remotely may take more than just technology. It takes experience and David delivered.

At The Moore Group, all of our realtors are skilled, experienced, and knowledgeable — give us a call at 204-995-7355 to learn more about our team.