OT:Winnipeg...where to live??

[surfer_ed]

Hi all, any Winnipeg Disers out there taht can recommend what part of the city to live in. I might be moving there with work so I need to consider housing etc.

Should mention that I have 2 small kids, 2 dogs and will be working near Taylor Avenue??? Want something relatively new since I do not have time to be "Handy" anymore.

Any help appreciated.

 

[b-1]

Hi there,

Winnipeg is a great city to live in, and very affordable too!

There are loads of new builds all along Waverley which runs right into Taylor. Linden woods, Whyte ridge, Linden ridge, are all newer developments. Nice areas with tons of shopping near by and an easy drive to Taylor.

If older character homes are your thing,River heights is a neighbourhood with mature trees, sidewalks, back lanes. Most of the houses have been updated and it is tough to find a fixer upper (they are out there though.) another area which is a little further away but is still an older neighbourhood is Wolseley ( anything that starts with 5B in the MLS listings). this is the area that I live in and homes go from $130-$500K. Many homes in this are have also been renovated and updated.

HTH!

 

[tmli]

We live in Kitchener, but dh is from Winnipeg. In fact still owns a house there. While housing prices there have been rising they are still not up to what we see here in Ontario!

 

[slapwhitey]

I have to agree with b-1. If you will be working around Taylor the areas aforementioned would be close and are great areas to live. It is a rapidly growing area with all the creature comforts VERY close by. Good luck

 

[dhluvsDisney]

I agree there are lots of choices. Depends to on where you want your kids to go to school. Be careful over by Lindenwoods and Whyteridge, and other areas, as the schools are full, if they are going to public school. Another consideration for school is if you want an emersion program for french (or another language). If you are working around Taylor Avenue, then the southside of the city would probably work well for you. Island Lakes and Royalwood also have lots of new homes. They are also in the process of opening Waverly West, but no schools as it is just beginning. Good luck!

 

[surfer_ed]

I agree there are lots of choices. Depends to on where you want your kids to go to school. Be careful over by Lindenwoods and Whyteridge, and other areas, as the schools are full, if they are going to public school. Another consideration for school is if you want an emersion program for french (or another language). If you are working around Taylor Avenue, then the southside of the city would probably work well for you. Island Lakes and Royalwood also have lots of new homes. They are also in the process of opening Waverly West, but no schools as it is just beginning. Good luck!

Thanks for the tips.

What happens if the school is full? My DD will be 4 in the fall and will need JK.

Someone else had mentioned Island Lakes. Suprisingly there seems to be few homes in my price range. The way our company plan works I need to buy around my present home value 350-400, in case I come back to TO in a few years. Wondering if it is just a matter of waiting until spring and there will be more homes on the market.

 

[b-1]

The for sale signs are starting to pop up now.

I grew up near Island Lakes ( Southdale actually). Most of Southdale was built in the late 60's and early 70's although there are newer homes that filled in as the area matured. Numerous schools including french immersion and english schools, although I don't know if they are full to capacity. That school division is the louis riel school division, www.lrsd.net

Island lakes started to be built around 1985 or so. There is at least one elementary school in the area, there could be more.

Royalwood is adjacent to Island Lakes and only started to be built around 2000. I don't think there are any schools in that area, at least I haven't seen one when we have driven through to look at the new construction. These areas are about a 20-25 minute drive to Taylor. I would say the biggest draw back to these areas is the traffic that congests bishop grandin blvd and pembina hwy which would be your major routes to Taylor.

Good Luck!

 

[laxcdn]

If you want family related area's then you want something in the south. T

Houses will range depending on the age and size. New 2 storey's are around $300+. Most likey you will be in the $275-350. One site to go to is www.winnipegrealestatenews.com that shows the latest houses that go up. You would want in these areas

River Park South, Island lakes, Royal Wood, Waverley west, Richmond West, Linden Woods, Linden Ridge, Whyte Ridge areas.

 

[Sillyminny40]

The housing market is crazy in Winnipeg. Almost everywhere else in North America they have started to fall but Wpg defies sanity. The Wpg Free Press runs a weekly sample of how bidding has gotten out of hand with houses going for way higher than they should.
I might recommend renting short term and waiting for the prices to come down. They will.

 

[NeverlandPixie]

There is a new development called Sage Creek, still in its early stages. Very nice and very close to where Island Lakes is. You might want to check that out too.

 

[Disney Brat]

I agree that Island Lakes is very nice. Like pp's said that the south side of the city would be in your best interest. Very nice neighbourhoods, family friendly etc...there is also River Park South, there is a whole lot of new homes being developed there as well as homes that are a bit older, but have been completely remodelled. hth

There is a fair amount of us Winnipeggers on here!! Wow...lol

 

[cpbjgc]

If you are working around Taylor, you should also consider Charleswood and Tuxedo, which would be very close to your work both have newer areas developed in the last 15 years, and probably have homes in the price range you are looking at.

Good Luck!

 

[Sillyminny40]

I forgot to mention a HUGE development called Waverly West is going in. Just a monster size place. Check this out.
http://www.winnipeg.ca/interhom/WaverleyWest/

 

[surfer_ed]

The housing market is crazy in Winnipeg. Almost everywhere else in North America they have started to fall but Wpg defies sanity. The Wpg Free Press runs a weekly sample of how bidding has gotten out of hand with houses going for way higher than they should.
I might recommend renting short term and waiting for the prices to come down. They will.

Good advice but not really an option, to get my company to pay land transfer tax, utility hook-ups etc need to buy right away. They say bidding is a big thing here in Ontario too but recently seen lots of houses that are not getting bids.

This is stressful

 

[maxie]

Thanks for the tips.

What happens if the school is full? My DD will be 4 in the fall and will need JK.

Just to let you know Manitoba does not have "Junior kindergarten" like Ontario does. There is free nursery in 1 of the school divisions but you would have to fall within the boundaries. Other than that you will have to find a private nursery school.

Unlike junior kindergarten In Ontario and other provinces most private nursery schools are only 3 days a week and there are fees.

 

[surfer_ed]

Just to let you know Manitoba does not have "Junior kindergarten" like Ontario does. There is free nursery in 1 of the school divisions but you would have to fall within the boundaries. Other than that you will have to find a private nursery school.

Unlike junior kindergarten In Ontario and other provinces most private nursery schools are only 3 days a week and there are fees.

Oh, that is very good to know. I thought I read that there was school for 4 and up? DD goes to private nursey now 3 days a week, and I have to pay. In Ontario, she can go next year to "big school"

 

[b-1]

Winnipeg school division has nursery as part of the curriculum. 5 half days per week. Really civilises the little monsters. (and I mean that in the most endearing way!) This is the link to that area. http://ww.wsd1.org/schools/schools.htm . It is the largest school division in winnipeg and has some advantages in that respect ($$).

 

[surfer_ed]

Another question, anyone ever drive from TO to Winnipeg. I am thinking of going thru the US. Seems to be a couple of ways...above or below the lake?

 

[dhluvsDisney]

My husband has done it many times, and he advises going thru the U.S. The Thunder Bay route is not bad if it's summer, but much slower when the weather is "iffy".

 

[slapwhitey]

When I moved out to Kitchener my wife and I went through the states as well. I would take that route every time. Nice scenery, nice highways and plenty of places to stop. I have personally never done the transcanada route but have heard horror stories.

I guess the only issue is how much you love Timmies coffee?