Chances are February 1st DH & I will be relocating to Alberta not Manitoba but...
Thursday DH & I will be flying to Winnipeg for the day. Dh will be in meetings all day with the University/Hospital while I am left to wander the streets of Winnipeg.
I am barely going to be there for 12 hours but am tagging along to see the city. You see I am a sensible person and moving to a city I have never been is not sensible so we figured that I will spend the day getting a feel for the city(as best as I can in 12 hours anyways) so I can make a decision if we are faced with the opportunity of moving to Winnipeg.
I know absolutely nothing about my neighbouring province other than they have the only Costco in Canada that you can upload digital camera pics with next day pick up.
If anyone has any thoughts, advice or anything to say about Winnipeg it would be greatly appreciated
Any suggestions of places to go, things to see?
Good restaurants?($$$ is fine as long as they have good food)
Shopping?
Places not to go?(which probably be the first place I go...can't get a feel for a city if you don't see the bad with the good)
Thanks.
I'm not a big fan of Winnipeg. We live about 2 hours outside of it and I avoid it as best as possible. Thats just me though. We do end up going in often...like this coming weekend.
The Forks is really nice. There are lots of walking paths (although I think they are skating rinks in the winter) and a little mall type thing with a few neat stores. As far as shopping goes, I vote for Polo Park, hands down. You could check out the zoo or the Fort Whyte Centre (I've never been there but I hear great things about it - not sure whats there in the winter). Festival du Voyageur usually takes place in February so you might luck out and get a chance to go there.
Food - I haven't eaten out a lot in Winnipeg but I've heard good things about The Old Spaghetti Factory if thats your type of thing. Oh, and Liberty Grill. I tend to stick with the well known franchises where I always know what to expect (Moxies, Green Olive, etc).
As for places not to go, I personally hate anywhere near downtown. I guess its just like any other downtown, which I wouldn't like regardless of if it was in Winnipeg or not.
Hopefully that helps a bit. I'm sure someone who lives in Winnipeg will be better able to fill you in. Have a great trip!
Oh, DH just suggested that you check out The Manitoba Museum as well. Although it wont help you to get to know the city, apparently it's a big attraction (again, I've never been there).
It's too bad you're coming in the winter lol I don't find the city attractive at all in the winter, but I'm from Southern Ontario, so I guess I'm spoiled
Is your DH going to be at the U of Manitoba? or the U of Wpg? The Forks is a great place to go. There is a ton of stuff to do there, skating, shopping, restaurants, they have it all!
If you're in the downtown area, the exchange district is a great place to go, and a restaurant called Allora is there, great food. Honestly though, I think Winnipeg is top for number of different restaurants, so I don't think you'll have a problem finding one! (There's a McDonalds on every corner it seems!)
Shopping, Polo Park is a great mall, but getting there is a battle. Traffic is terrible at that end of the city. Along with Polo Park, there's strip malls across the street with Old Navy, Linens & Things, Best Buy, Future Shop...you name it, it's there. I would also recommend St. Vital Shopping Center (I'm biased....I live a few blocks away from it). It's fairly similar to Polo Park, but a little more spread out. (Kind of like a small version of Square One). There is an Old Navy in the parking lot of that mall as well, with restaurants inside, and surrounding it.
If it's nice enough outside, there are a lot of parks in the city, and if you're in the south end of the city (where the U of M and St Vital Mall is) you could take a walk through St. Vital Park. If you want any more info, feel free to PM me, I can get you tons more info!
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~* Tracy *~
me-34 ~Doin' it on my own
Dx: PCOS-04/27/05
Proud parent of Taylor (10yrs) and Bailey
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It was a short visit but it would be nice to visit again.
Thanks for asking.
Since the position dh was discussing involved government approval we decided that it would take too long to get things in order so we ended up in Calgary like I suspected we would.
I definately prefer Calgary to Toronto.
Cost of living is less, people are nicer, better things to do & places to see, cleaner air(better than smog), cars seem to last forever here, less traffic, & Alberta has the definate + of not having provincial sales tax.
And employment...I don't think I have seen a place that isn't hiring.
Although I found Toronto easier to navigate.
I grew up in a city an hour away from Toronto and even with the size of Calgary it still seems to maintain the small town mantality that I didn't even experience in a city a quarter of the size in Ontario.
The only problem that I have with Calgary is not knowing my way around nor knowing many people here
I know it comes down to personal preference but definately take the time to get to know both before deciding on a move.
Both Alberta & Ontario are big places so depending on where in either province that you plan on moving to can make a difference in decision making.
There are some very nice places in Ontario and I am sure some icky places in Alberta but it really depends on what place meets your needs.
I can definately say that I am happy with our move here.
Good luck with your decision and if you have any questions about either province feel free to ask away.
What to do in Winnipeg? 
