1. First steps before moving to Manitoba
Finding a job
In April 2023, Manitoba’s unemployment rate was 4.8%. Manitoba experienced the largest monthly job gain of 2.6% in transportation and warehousing.
The most in-demand jobs in the province of Manitoba are registered nurses, heavy equipment mechanics, heavy equipment operators, transport truck drivers, food and beverage servers, software developers and accountants, to name a few.
When finding a job in this city, it is important to look for employment vacancies and use internet job postings. Indeed and LinkedIn are examples of well-known sites.
Government of Manitoba (April 2023)
Getting there
You may make an informed decision on how to move to Manitoba by looking into these options for transportation.
Flying is the most convenient way to move to Manitoba. You can book your flight to get there, for example through its major airport, Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport.
If you prefer an alternative mode of transportation, numerous cities in Manitoba offer bus services by companies like Greyhound and regional bus operators too.
Traveling via train is a great option too, Via Rail Canada is the country’s main train service provider, or you can drive your car and plan your trip.
Must dos before your arrival
You may find it exciting and challenging to move to Manitoba. You will be more prepared for your new life in the city if you are aware of these things beforehand.
- Prepare for the snow and rain in Manitoba because the city is covered in snow for 132 days of the year!
- Begin packing your belongings and make moving arrangements, whether you plan to hire a moving company or transport your items yourself. Find out more here.
- If you are moving to Manitoba from outside of Canada, ensure you have the necessary visa or residency status. This might include a work permit, study permit, or permanent residency application through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program.
2. Upon your arrival in Manitoba
Must dos right upon your arrival
- Get familiar with your neighborhood, and make sure to take note of the important emergency numbers.
- Locate the essential facilities like the nearest hospital, police station, and fire department for your safety and in case of emergency.
- Change all your officially listed addresses. In order to do this, start by downloading a Manitoba address change checklist or accounts that need to be canceled. Instead of having to notify all the relevant public and private organizations individually (which can be time-consuming), MovingWaldo can help you update your address in five minutes with every service provider, in a few clicks.
- Once you have handled all your administrative tasks, you should also get yourself a local phone number if you come from outside of Canada. The most popular phone services in Manitoba include Bell, Rogers and TELUS. Find out more information on how to change your address with your telecom provider.
Exchanging your driver’s licence
According to Manitoba Public Insurance, if you have moved to Manitoba, you have 15 days to change your address on your registration and driver’s licence. To change your address, you must visit an Autopac agent or a MPI Service Centre in person.
Upon your appointment, the agent will provide you with a new photograph, updated address information and provide you with the new documentation stating your address change. Please note, there is a $10 fee associated with getting your new driver’s licence so be sure to bring your wallet and proper identification.
Setting up a bank account
When moving to Manitoba, it’s essential to establish a local presence by setting up a bank account. The main banks you can find in Manitoba are Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), ScotiaBank, TD Canada Trust, BMO and CIBC which have multiple locations across the province.
Getting health insurance
Getting health insurance in Manitoba can be obtained through the Manitoba Health Centre or private health insurance.
If you’ve relocated to Manitoba from a different province or territory and plan to reside in Manitoba for six months or longer, it is suggested to submit your application for Manitoba Health coverage within three months of your arrival in the province.
3. Best places to live in Manitoba
If you prefer quaint towns over big metropolitan cities, there are plenty of places in Manitoba you’ll love to call home. The following are some of Manitoba’s best cities.
|
Neighborhood |
Characteristics |
|
Winnipeg |
Province’s capital city |
|
Brandon |
Second-largest city in Manitoba |
|
Neepawa |
Small town located in the Escarpment |
|
Springfield |
Manitoaba’s largest rural municipality |
|
Minnedosa |
Manitoba’s Valley Paradise |
|
Steinbach |
Third-largest city in Manitoba |
Setting up home services
There is only one provider for electricity in the province of Manitoba, being Manitoba Hydro.
The water and sewer services in Manitoba are provided by the Municipal Water and Sewer Program. The application can be done via their website or get in touch with their customer service for assistance.
Manitoba offers their residents affordable internet services through companies like TELUS and Shaw. Learn more about the best internet providers in Winnipeg.
Should you rent or buy?
As of August 2023, the median cost of buying a property in Manitoba is $351,445; as of October 2023, the median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Winnipeg, NB is $1,295.
The rental market in this province is equally competitive, too, because of high demand for rental apartments. Trusted websites such as Redfin, Apartments.com and Zumper are often used to find available apartment listings and property or engage with real estate agents for assistance.
CREA (August 2023) & Zumper (Oct 2023)
How do Manitoba leases work?
Tenants may either get a Fixed-Term Lease or a Month-to-Month Lease for their rental property. The fixed term tenancy is applicable for a fixed period of time whereas the month-to-month tenancy is applicable for a month at a time.
All leases are supposed to include information regarding the landlord and tenant’s responsibilities, the term of lease, the utilities provided, and other pertinent information.
Before signing a lease, you should go through the Manitoba Residential Tenancies Act.
4. Cost of living in Manitoba
To show the cost of living in Manitoba, we will be using Winnipeg as an example.
|
Category |
Monthly cost |
|
1 bed apt rent outside city center |
$1,278.64 |
|
Groceries Numbeo’s grocery list |
$296.48 |
|
Utilities Electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage |
$235.19 |
|
Internet with 60 Mbps |
$85.25 |
|
Transit pass |
$107.80 |
|
Entertainment Meal, taxi, movie |
$83.80 |
|
Gym membership |
$47.94 |
|
Total |
$2,135.10 |
5. The weather in Manitoba
In Manitoba’s main city of Winnipeg, the climate is usually cold, experiencing a lot of rain in the dryer months of July and August. The average annual temperature is 3.5 °C | 38.3 °F, with rain being about 646 mm | 25.4 inches per year.
Whereas in Brandon, you will experience chilly weather with average temperatures of 3.1 °C | 37.7 °F. Brandon has annual precipitation of around 610 mm | 24.0 inches per year.
6. What to do as a local in Manitoba
Residents of Manitoba take pleasure in going on weekend getaways to their well-known cities of Winnipeg, Brandon and Steinbach. When moving here, people adopt and immerse themselves in the local culture.
Manitoba is known for its lakes, beaches and rivers. After a work week, locals love to spend the day at the beach without ever traveling far. One of the most popular is Grand beach stretching 3 km along Lake Winnipeg.
Manitoba is home to many festivals including the Icelandic Festival during the month of August. Locals love to volunteer and show their support of the tradition including art shows and contests.
Manitobans love the outdoors, more specifically ice fishing. If you would like to become a true local, be prepared to learn a lot about fishing!
7. Fun facts about Manitoba
- For the past 16 years, Manitobans have been holding the title for the largest consumption of Slurpees from 7-Eleven in the world!
- In Churchill, Manitobans are encouraged to leave their car doors open in case someone is escaping from a stray polar bear.
- If a polar bear wanders into the town, they are held in a Polar Bear Detention Center.
- One of the most popular local sauces in Manitoba is Honey Dill. Apparently, it was created after someone stole someone else’s sauce recipe and messed it up.
- Winnie the Pooh was named after the city of Winnipeg.
- There are an average of 27 thunderstorms in Winnipeg every year and the city is covered in snow for 132 days of the year.
Conclusion
Moving to Manitoba is an exciting experience that promises a unique experience. It offers an appealing lifestyle, making it attractive to individuals, young professionals, and families alike. The province has several family-friendly neighborhoods to offer to its new residents.
In need of a trusted moving company to move you to Winnipeg? Discover the 5 best movers in Winnipeg.
