The "Posted To Winnipeg" Merged Thread

[HCA123]

I've been given an idea of 2 places I will be posted - Edmonton and Winnipeg. I've read a thread about housing and life in Edmonton, but have been unable to find a similar one on Winnipeg.

So the question goes out -- What is life in Winnipeg like? Right now my wife and I are leaning towards Edmonton, but if we are given the Winnipeg posting, we'd like to have an idea of how people find it. Where are the housing areas that are close to the base (popular areas for military pers)? Where is the base located relative to the city? Very close? People friendly?

Cheers.

 

[FSTO]

Not much difference between Edmonton and Winnipeg. Both are very cold in the winter!

If you are posted to Winnipeg, you'll be at the air base in the NW section of the city. Housing is a little cheaper in this area, but if you are the outdoorsy type you'll have quick access to the Interlake and Western Manitoba. Lots of fishing, camping, hunting, etc. If you do consider living outside of the perimeter (the highway that surrounds Winnipeg) be advised that you do not venture outside during a Blizzard; the whiteout conditions are extreme.

Hope this helps.

 

[Phillman]

The base is located right in the city. It shares the airfield with the Airport here. It is about a 5 minute drive from Polo Park, a major shopping area. The area around the base is mostly middle class, maybe upper middle. Any other questions just ask.

 

[Corporal McDill.]

Winnipeg's pretty good.  The streets aren't as confusing as Edmonton's (in my opinion).  I don't know much about housing expenses or anything, but as everyone else has said the base is in the North West section of the city (or the St. James area).  The only thing that gets sort of on my nerves is the panhandlers.  They tend to be violent from time to time.

 

[Highland Laddie]

Winnipeg's pretty good.   The streets aren't as confusing as Edmonton's (in my opinion).   I don't know much about housing expenses or anything, but as everyone else has said the base is in the North West section of the city (or the St. James area).   The only thing that gets sort of on my nerves is the panhandlers.   They tend to be violent from time to time.

The panhandler situation is way overblown. I'm downtown everyday, and I haven't had an issue.

If you have a familiy, Winnipeg is a great place to raise kids. There are lots of family-oriented activities, and the summer is one long festival. Housing is relatively affordable compared to other cities in Canada. In many ways, its like a small city with big city activities and facilities (ie shopping, concerts, opera, etc).  No real traffic either, except around Polo Park on a Saturday or Bomber game day. As for winter, its no worse here than in Edmonton or Cold Lake (two other places I've been).

As one of the other posters stated, if you like the outdoors, there are tons of things to do. No mountains nearby (obviously), but lots of Canadian Shield to the north and east. Great camping, hunting, fishing, and cottage country within 1 - 1/2 hours of the city.

 

[hopetobeasappersoon]

I lived in winnipeg for 10 years when my father was posted there. I personally think it's a great city! Dont know much about the PMQs but i can tell you that a great area to live in is River Heights. Two MAIN roads (Grant Ave and Coredyn Ave) go through R.H. and the bus system form my experience there is excellent. Mind you it's been about 7 years since i lived there so ask some1 who stlll lives there for a better opinion on that. Its definitely a good place to raise kids (i was raised for a god part of my childhood there, and i turned out alright, ok biased opinion, but still!)

Downtown is nice. The forks is a really cool spot for all ages. Tonnes of community centers with rinks and such (at R.H. Community center theres 2 or 3 outdoor rinks that are in good shape all winter long for some skating or shinny hockey, if thats your thing) Good shopping at various places in the city if you like it.....Polo park is a real good place, St vital is pretty good too, plus plces downtown. Good sports to go see (cfl, ahl, minor league baseball) plenty of things to do in the summer with the family.

Folkerama is a REALLy cool event that takes place every couple years or so (can't really remember how often) but it's an exhibition of all the different cultures of the city and every one i've been to has been VERY facinating. anyways, hope i have helped you somewhat, feel free to ask any other questions.

 

[Melizard]

I currently live in Edmonton. I love Alberta: no PST, potholes, or rats. The city itself is pretty easy to figure out after a couple months. The transit system is really good too.

As for cold weather, right now the leaves are yellow or have fallen off the tree already. It's not so bad if  you like to ski/snowboard because Jasper isn't too far away. The base itself in Edmonton is pretty good, from what I've heard.

I don't know anything about Winnipeg (except for the TONS of snow in the winter, and mosquitos in the summer), but I'm heading to Brandon soon so I'll have to learn how to like Manitoba.

 

[Pencil Tech]

I'm in Edmonton and people generally like it here. The only thing that really bugs me about it is how short the days are in winter. In the dead of winter I'm going to work when it's dark and coming home when it's dark again. That's because we're quite far north. Also, more than Winnipeg, you have to drive everywhere. It's not like Vancouver or Montreal, where you have all the services in your neighbourhood and can walk to them. Edmonton has too many malls, so many of the former retail streets are full of pawn shops. I still like it though, there's always something going on in summer and overall it's a real good value for money sort of place. I've never lived in Winnipeg but have been there several times. Winnipeg people are fiercely loyal to their city and the place really has a unique character as the oldest of Canada's big prairie cities. I think downtown Winnipeg is more vibrant than downtown Edmonton and there are some really nice neighbourhoods. It's got a more creative and artistic edge than Edmonton. I really do think Winnipeg is colder in winter but warmer in summer. They're both good, what can you say?

 

[hercboy]

Just posted to the peg, and was wondering where a good place to find info on a bsmnt apt or bachelor in  the area of the base or at least in safe area.

 

[GAP]

St James or River Heights areas are both safe, comfortable areas to live in. There is nothing wrong with the other areas for the most part, it's just that those two areas tend to be middle-class comfortable.  enjoy

 

[Bobbyoreo]

If you go in most banks (ATM) they should have magazines and papers with listings of places to live. Also online...not sure of the website but I know those same magazines will have the info for you!!!

 

[radop215]

just stay out of the north end and youll be fine.  some parts of downtown are pretty bad as well but overall winnipeg is pretty safe.  check the winnipeg sun or free press (the 2 main newspapers there) online and they should help you out.

 

[Cliffy433]

I just recently moved away from Winnipeg, and I lived in Fort Saskatchewan (a small city just outside of Edmonton) before that.

Overall:

Wpg: An older city, and when you first arrive, seems kind of ugly - then you get to all the green space, including one of the largest urban forests in North America, if not the world.  If you are interested in History - head to the exchange - many of the buildings there were built in the 1800s, and early 1900s, during the early days of our nation and the expansion west. 

Edm: Quite obviously a booming city right now.  Much newer buildings, and building all the time.  An exciting place to be.

Traffic:

Wpg: BRUTAL!  They finally built an extension on the Bishop Grandin "Freeway" (really just a mini-highway running East/West through the southern half of the city) connecting it to a North/South parking lot called Kenaston Blvd.  Then they built a box-store hell on it and installed more traffic lights.  As if having to stop for trains during rush hour wasn't bad enough.  All the streets are named, so unless you can memorize several hundred names easier than you can count - much harder city to learn than Edmonton.  However, signage is good.

Edm: BRUTAL!  But, they have freeways, and kept the box stores far enough away from them to keep them flowing, and near enough to keep them useful.  The VAST majority of streets are numbered.  If you can count - you can find your way.  There are the odd named streets you MIGHT need, but rarely.  Signage isn't as good, but being common-sense Albertans, they expect everyone with a driver's license can count.

Nightlife:

Roughly equal for a married man.  Winnipeg is better for the single man.

Cost of Living:

Wpg: Pretty cheap for everything, PST sucks.  Economy is relatively stagnant.

Edm: Everything is cheap except housing, and without Uncle Ralph - not sure you'll get anymore energy dividend cheques.  NO PST!!

Environment:

Wpg: Mosquitoes, and brutal cold.  Best damn street clearing in the entire country in winter.

Edm: Mild summers, mild winters.  Amongst the worst street clearing in the country - if you ignore all of SK.

I just realized I made Wpg sound pretty bad - it's not, really.  But I had been there for 10 years and needed a change.  Both are great cities, but if I had my druthers - I'd have to lean towards Edmonton.

tlm.

 

[Goober]

Manitoba is a ****-hole. Alberta is a beautiful province.

I just got back from Edmonton today, beautiful city. Winnipeg is a dirty city.

I wouldn't even concider Winnipeg, but that's me.

 

[Bobbyoreo]

I can see this is going to turn into my city is better then your city....ehehe

Wpg I fine is full of trees. You go up into any building and look across the city and all youll see is trees. Plus you have a beautiful area with lots of lakes, north of the city and just into Ont east of the city. Edmonton was just a cement jungle....then again Edmonton has nothing to offer to me. The PST argument I think is not much seeing as most things cost more in Alberta then in Manitoba....BEER for one...B@#tards!!!!

 

[Don_Rigs]

I live in Winnipeg, and have all my life. It's a fine city and everyone that has said Winnipeg and Edmonton are similar are right, we are probably the two closest cities in Canada. Alberta is generally much drier too. As far as housing, the prices have been going up recently and the market is really cutthroat. if you want to email me I can give you some more specific answers to your questions. For families it is excellent and the base is in a nice area of the city, so no worries there. Our car insurance is pretty cheap, housing (although going up) is still reasonable compared to other places. What does your wife do? If you tell me her career I will give you an idea of job opportunities. it's a nice city and we pride ourselves on being pretty friendly, YMMV. There are good and bad things to each place.

I do get my back up about people that pick on any one city. Every place has something to offer and every place can be a ****hole if that's what you are going to make it. Attitude is everything. Our winters are harsh (usually, except last year), but that's the prairies. Our summers are really hot and nice and we have lots of beaches within an hour or two of the city. We have a ton of festivals in the summer and activities in the winter. 

 

[chaos75]

I just left Winnipeg in Jan after a two year posting there.  Like any city it has its good points and bad points, and like anything its subject to personal likes and dislikes. I will offer some of my observations on life in Winnipeg.

Good - Winnipeg has great shopping, lots of activities for families (zoo, parks, cultural, festivals, sports etc.)  Summers are usually fairly hot with some bugs, but plenty of golf, outdoor activities, many lakes, beaches.  It is only a couple hours from good shopping in the US, and it has decent nightlife if your single, or even for older couples.  City is ahem...liberal if your into a certain adult type lifestyle.  Has several casinos, the forks is a great place to go, and they have a brand new arena with a decent WHL hockey team.

Bad - Can be very cold in the winters, and apart from an earlier post, the street clearing is average at best on the main roads, and non-existent sometimes on the side streets.  North end of town is pretty rough, one drive past main street and that will becomes quite apparent.  Crime is an issue and is a regular on nightly news reports.  Manitoba has public insurance, which makes the drivers there seem a little reckless at times.  Pull out the bulbs in your turn lights as they are not required for Winnipeg residents.  City also has its share of big city problems, prostitution, drugs etc. (Winnipeg is often featured on Serve and Protect, although Edmonton even more so).

Good luck with your posting either way it goes.  Always remember it could always be worse, could be posted to Dundurn, or Masset.

 

[Bobbyoreo]

Ohhh yea....and we got hippies..who always try and stop the nice people from Spraying for bugs.....hate hippies...

 

[Nyles]

I've lived in Winnipeg my whole life. Great place to live, but I'd hate to visit.

 

[Cpl4Life]

I've lived in both Edmonton and Winnipeg.  Both cities are a bit on the hick-side, but if you like country then you'll feel right at home  ;D The mosquitos aren't any worse in Winnipeg than in Ontario, and the snow isn't any worse than we had in Edmonton.  Anyone who complains about either is a wimp.

If you are married both cities have good employment opportunities for your better half, and decent schools for the kids (ie both have college and universities).

One big difference in housing is that in Edmonton it's cheaper outside the city (ie morinville etc), while in Winnipeg, the houses outside the city were more expensive.  If you plan on buying a house, I would go for Winnipeg.  For q's, stick to Edmonton. The pmq's in Winnipeg are simply awful, while Edmonton's (since the upgrade) are really very nice.  My wife's sisters Q in E-town even has a fireplace.