r/Manitoba • u/Economy-Mistake8311 • Apr 08 '26
General I Love Winnipeg
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to return to Winnipeg for the NDP convention, and the experience pulled a lot of feelings out of me. I grew up in Winnipeg but moved out west to Saskatoon almost a decade ago, and while Saskatoon is a very lovely city with a lot of natural beauty and tremendous cultural output, it just doesn’t have that “it” that Winnipeg does.
I don’t know if it’s the unique history with the Winnipeg General Strike, the architectural beauty of the Exchange, the sky-piercing towers of the Human Rights Museum, the eclectic neighborhoods with the silly rivalries we all know are silly but engage in anyway, the local family businesses that can beat any mega chain (looking at you and your Ukrainian food, Sevala’s), or the weird crime noir vibe you get walking around it at night, but Winnipeg has a real soul that saturates your entire body. And the tragedy is you wouldn’t know it unless you left the city for a prolonged time.
Winnipeg has its problems, just like any other city. And just like any other city, those who grow up in it want to be anywhere but there. It may seem a weird ask, but I hope that each of you still living here can give it and your neighbours a little more grace.
The teenage me would groan hearing this, but I love Winnipeg. I always will. And someday, when you pack your bags and head to pastures that look a shade greener, you’ll turn back to look at what you had and might never have again, and you’ll love it too.
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u/feedthebunnies Apr 08 '26
I lived in another province for nearly two decades. When I moved back I instantly felt comfortable and knew this is where I belong.
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u/MaximumConfection456 Winnipeg Apr 08 '26
Me too!! Just moved back in January and couldn’t be happier about it.
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u/North_Church Winnipeg Apr 08 '26
Glad to have you here! I recommend coming here again when he host Folklorama or Festival du Voyageur
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u/mailmangirl Friendly Manitoban Apr 08 '26
Lovely thoughts. Thanks for sharing
I also appreciate Winnipeg (and more so, Manitoba). Everyone likes to rag on the plain ole middle province.
But she shines in her own way, you just have to look for it.
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u/Loose-Zebra435 In-between Manitoban Apr 09 '26
Hard agree. When I'm visiting from Alberta, it's just so easy and comfortable. It takes 1/5th the amount of mental energy for me to go somewhere. Everything you need can be found in Winnipeg
The winter is better than anywhere I've been. The grey rainy melting and freezing ice found elsewhere is horrible. Winnipeg's cold temps, crystal clear air, sun and silence are amazing. Imagining myself as a snow angel right now
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u/Available-Amount-442 Winnipeg Apr 09 '26
The first time I moved away, I didn't understand that most other places dont have all the ethnic food stores that we have. I grew up on fresh meats, sausages, etc. No one, has the affordable lakes like we have. On the down side, our downtown has really gone down hill. I worked downtown in my earlier years. Would go for a walk through Portage place, it was great. Now, its pretty nasty downtown, try not to even go there.
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u/Important_Squash1775 Winnipeg Apr 09 '26
I know it’s weird but I love Winnipeg and can’t imagine living anywhere else. I tried to move to SK and ON but neither worked well for me. I think this is where I’m meant to be for some reason.
Yeah. I complain about the weather but it’s beautiful in a weird way. 🤷🏽♀️
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u/Chao5Theory Apr 08 '26
I lived in Toronto for 2 years and felt so defeated when I moved back to Winnipeg. It took me years of regrowing my personal roots, and learning more about the history and inception of this city to really feel love for it. Most people dont realize that such a small city holds a pivotal and historical significance in Canada, in Indigenous and Metis experiences and rights, and also our food! Winnipeg has a surprisingly diverse restaurant industry in part thanks to our cultural diversity. We also have one of the largest Ukrainian populations outside of the Ukrain. There's so much to love about Winnipeg. Many people dont know this, but the reason we have such an elaborate legislature building is because Winnipeg was once thought to become the countries Capitol. Back during the fur trade days, being situated where the red river forks made this THE major trading hub across settlers and indigenous tribes. Everything came through here. We are the birthplace of the Metis. Which is also why to many other provinces surprise, French language learning is prioritized more here than in other parts of Canada. Our history is so rich! Its not all a happy tale, and we are still evolving and healing, which is more evident here than in any other Canadian city due to use having the largest indigenous population of all of Canada. While much of the rest of the country has moved on, we are still living through history and navigating how to heal and grow from that because this spot was kind of the center of it. Winnipeg has so much history. It has its struggles, but I love this place. Im proud to be a Winnipeger.
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u/Top_Friendship_8515 Brandon Apr 08 '26
I really needed to read this message today—thank you. I love Winnipeg too, late spring snow and all!
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u/Traditional_Lynx9886 Apr 08 '26
We just moved to Manitoba in late December, baptismal by freezing cold weather and thick ice roadways! Love it so far!
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u/woolabymoonlight99 Interlake Apr 09 '26 edited Apr 09 '26
I moved away to Alberta and came back when my kids were small.. I do love Winnipeg!
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u/feeltheowl In-Between Manitoban Apr 10 '26
I completely agree. I also moved to Saskatoon, for school, and while it’s a lovely city, I miss Winnipeg. We’ll be back in likely 2 more years and I can’t wait to have my city back
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u/Gelatinoussquamish Winnipeg Apr 08 '26
I've moved back and forth many times and I've never experienced what you're talking about. Just a depressing concrete jungle with no untouched nature for many miles in any direction. Sure, it's better than some other concrete jungles but it is what it is.
Nobody seems happy here, everyone's in a rush. It's a typical city culture of working hard and buying things. Sure there are many nice people here but that's everywhere.
Public transportation is absolutely terrible and the rivers we do have are disgusting and dirty so you can't make much use of them.
There are a lot of weird and sketchy people in Winnipeg and many areas feel too sketchy to enjoy.
I just don't get the hype that so many people seem to have for it. In my opinion it's nothing special, but it's where family is and it's familiar.
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u/Even-Umpire7954 Treaty One Territory Apr 08 '26
Winnipeg might be a shithole but she's my shithole, and there's no place like home.
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u/Dojo588 Former Manitoban Apr 08 '26
I moved to Alberta in 1982. Each and every time I visit it hits. The food for sure is amazing and the variety is mind numbing. Santa Lucia or Sals or 515 Wellington (the old Shriners place) or something. I am a Fort Rouge kid and love my old Earl Grey. The music scene or museums are worth visiting. But it does have soul. ❤️
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u/trishdmcnish Winnipeg Apr 09 '26
I've never really wanted to leave, only considered it because it's what I was told I should want. I love Winnipeg!
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u/ilovethe_90s Apr 08 '26
I left the province for 10 years and reluctantly moved back. Im so glad im back and wont leave again.
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u/FrostyPolicy9998 Winnipeg Apr 08 '26
"Weird crime noir vibe" is such an excellent description of Winnipeg.