From urban living to wide open prairie skies

Manitoba offers a dynamic and active lifestyle

Whether it's our clean air, our big sky, or just our friendly nature, the quality of life that Manitoba offers sometimes comes as a surprise to those who have never been here before.

"When they come to look around, they're always happily surprised," says Walter Boni, real estate agent and President of the Winnipeg Real Estate Board. "We had a large conference of Real Estate Boards from around the country in Winnipeg in September. We showed them The Forks, CanWest Global Park, the MTS Centre — and especially the houses — and their eyes opened."

Boni, who has sold homes to many people moving in from out-of-province, often finds himself setting visitors straight about Manitoba.

"The things I always focus on are the things they find most surprising. The fact that there is a nightlife here, great restaurants, culture, sporting venues. I take them to Little Italy on Corydon Avenue, or Osborne Village, or even our suburban malls."

" In Manitoba, you can easily buy a cottage within an hour's drive of where you live."

"When they learn that in Winnipeg you don't have to leave the house at 6:30 in the morning to get to work by 9:00, or leave work at 7:30 at night to avoid traffic, it's a real revelation," says Boni. "Even if you have to cross our entire city from your home to your place of work, your commute will be a lot shorter than it would be elsewhere."

Boni points out that Manitoba's affordable housing and low cost of living often lead to other lifestyle choices that out-of-province buyers are suddenly able to consider. "In Manitoba, you can easily buy a cottage within an hour's drive of where you live. Couples may suddenly find that only one of them needs to work and that the other can stay home with the kids. Extra money in your pocket can lead to lots of things — travel, investment. The possibilities are endless."