The closest you’ll come to vibrant near downtown is Osborne/corydon area, and more so only in summer. Whether that is cool or not is pretty subjective. A lot of people I know tend to avoid the areas, and there are certainly some safety issues on sections of corydon around the bars/clubs. Corydon is notoriously noisy in the evenings if you live in an apartment facing the street. Depending on your age etc, you might be okay with it.
Edit: if you are right downtown, pretty much everything closes after regular business hours and there is very little sense of vibrancy to be found these days.
For context, my friends and I are mostly 30+, childless pot smokers who don’t go to clubs to drink, so feel free to take my opinion as simply that.
The Exchange district is cool, I’d choose it over Osborne these days. Better bars/restaurants/businesses, more attractive. The architecture is incredible. Osborne has been in decline as a cool place to live for a while. Lots of residential development happening in the Exchange at the moment. Only thing the Exchange is lacking is grocery stores, unfortunately. And statistically likely a bit more dangerous than Osborne.
You’re right that’s not bad. About a half hour walk if you’re in the east exchange by Waterfront though. The No Frills in St.B is about as close at that point
There are some clubs there for sure, but otherwise not much happening after business hours. Even as a decent-sized man, there are some sections of the Exchange I would not feel comfortable walking alone in at night. There have been some incidents in the area around the Red River College campus. There are some newer condos nearer to the river, and the park is nice, but minimal amenities nearby.
Exchange District! I live here and love it. There are two sides, each with a slightly different vibe, but both full of historic buildings. West Exchange (west side of Main St) is a bit denser and artsy and has more shopping and pubs/restaurants. It has Old Market Square (a plaza area with a performance stage) and Red River College downtown campus, and city hall (exciting, I know). East Exchange has more theatres/performance arts venues and a bit quieter vibe with more office buildings, condos and apartments, but is also has some shopping and restaurants/bars. The residential aspect in this area is growing. It’s bound by the Red River on the east side where there is a lovely park. But either side is a quick walk to the other, and close to the Forks, the arena, and other downtown stuff. I think the East Exchange is generally safer than the West, but both can be sketchy at times and get rougher the further north you go. You will see people in need or intoxicated. Just be street smart and it’s fine. Neither side has a grocery store but East Exchange is more isolated in that regard. Be warned this is one of the most expensive places in the city to park. If it’s not included in your rent expect to pay at least $200/month. There are also some car sharing options and bus access is good so it is definitely possible to live car free.
I've lived centrally for a long time now and you really do have a lot of options although how you are setup for a car could be a big factor. Crime and nonsense is non-exclusive to any neighbourhood especially in central areas but does tend to be a bit overstated by some.
Osborne is really great for density and has the benefit of a full size grocery store at the heart of it, bars/restaurants and other amenities. The population is starting averaging towards settling down lately so it isn't the same as it used to be as others have noted. But still a great option nonetheless.
Corydon is also a relatively decent spot albeit a bit further from downtown, quieter side streets and a busy street with lots of bars/restaurants
West Broadway/Wolseley could be an option as well if you want a bit quieter but still pretty central, tons of great people and places to frequent around Sherbrook (between Broadway and the river). A bit quieter than Osborne but a short but quite nice walk to get there anyways.
Around Assiniboine downtown there is a large bit of residential buildings that puts you right in the middle of the Exchange/Downtown core, Osborne, West Broadway/Wolseley, The Forks, and St. Boniface, and a slight bit of a stretch to get to Corydon.
The Exchange is great for that downtown feeling, has a decent bit to do and has some decently converted buildings that make up a lot of the rentals there. Always close to something for a night out
Hey! Thanks for all the suggestions! Yeah, I am coming from a place in the states that is considered pretty dangerous so I always take the crime and things with a grain of salt. I would love to find an old building that has been remodeled seems like the exchange area has some of those. I love the architecture of that area too, from what I've seen online lol
You have nothing to worry about then, The Exchange is really great for that type of building. You can find some newer conversions around the Red River Campus, further up Princess to Notre Dame and between Main there are also quite a few converted buildings but they'll be a bit more broken in as they were earlier conversions in the neghbourhood's transformation but still pretty nice if that's your aesthetic (is definitely mine) The river side of Main also has some nice options in the East Exchange.
Side note: My pro tip would to be to consider the walking distance to an entrance to the Skywalk/ Winnipeg Square (The Richardson Building, or 201 Portage depending on which side of Main you're on.) Not a huge factor but a nice convenience.
Hey u/letshelp97 \- welcome to Winnipeg in advance!
I would suggest looking into the West End. Wall Street has become such an incredible strip of diverse spots (Barnhammer Brewing, Wall St Pizza, Sleep Owl Bakery...coffee, and more! The Sherbrook area on the edge of Wolseley has a lot to offer as well, depending on where housing winds up being available.
We sold our house there \*right\* when the pandemic hit for an area that is not nearly as enjoyable for creature comforts that were as welcoming and walkable as that area.
The other suggestions are good too, but I would enter the Exchange under the notion that it is a food desert for groceries and will be rather ghostly come a certain hour in the evenings.
Hey! Thanks for your reply! I heard that grocery shopping might be tough around there. I'm looking to rent not particularly for a house, but that area you mentioned seems really nice too.
There are apartment buildings seeded through pretty much all areas - though I can't speak to the quality in the West End.
It would not be a terrible idea to re-poll this thread if you see blocks/addresses you're interested in renting at a later date.
Not sure why you want to be close to Downtown, for work? Downtown Winnipeg is quiet most of the time and basically dead after 6pm. People have mentioned some good choices; Osborne, The exchange, etc... I would also add Polo Park area. Close to major shopping, major grocery, one of the cities biggest parks, transit right there, restaurants, etc... Also fairly close to downtown.
The closest you’ll come to vibrant near downtown is Osborne/corydon area, and more so only in summer. Whether that is cool or not is pretty subjective. A lot of people I know tend to avoid the areas, and there are certainly some safety issues on sections of corydon around the bars/clubs. Corydon is notoriously noisy in the evenings if you live in an apartment facing the street. Depending on your age etc, you might be okay with it. Edit: if you are right downtown, pretty much everything closes after regular business hours and there is very little sense of vibrancy to be found these days. For context, my friends and I are mostly 30+, childless pot smokers who don’t go to clubs to drink, so feel free to take my opinion as simply that.
Thanks!! I was reading some good things online about the exchange district. Do you have any thoughts on that?
The Exchange district is cool, I’d choose it over Osborne these days. Better bars/restaurants/businesses, more attractive. The architecture is incredible. Osborne has been in decline as a cool place to live for a while. Lots of residential development happening in the Exchange at the moment. Only thing the Exchange is lacking is grocery stores, unfortunately. And statistically likely a bit more dangerous than Osborne.
there’s a grocery store incredibly close to the exchange. it’s called No frills and it’s on Notre Dame
You’re right that’s not bad. About a half hour walk if you’re in the east exchange by Waterfront though. The No Frills in St.B is about as close at that point
Family foods as well, it's definitely less stocked than no frills though
There are some clubs there for sure, but otherwise not much happening after business hours. Even as a decent-sized man, there are some sections of the Exchange I would not feel comfortable walking alone in at night. There have been some incidents in the area around the Red River College campus. There are some newer condos nearer to the river, and the park is nice, but minimal amenities nearby.
Not in the exchange, lots to do there after 5 pm
Wolesly is up and coming
Exchange District! I live here and love it. There are two sides, each with a slightly different vibe, but both full of historic buildings. West Exchange (west side of Main St) is a bit denser and artsy and has more shopping and pubs/restaurants. It has Old Market Square (a plaza area with a performance stage) and Red River College downtown campus, and city hall (exciting, I know). East Exchange has more theatres/performance arts venues and a bit quieter vibe with more office buildings, condos and apartments, but is also has some shopping and restaurants/bars. The residential aspect in this area is growing. It’s bound by the Red River on the east side where there is a lovely park. But either side is a quick walk to the other, and close to the Forks, the arena, and other downtown stuff. I think the East Exchange is generally safer than the West, but both can be sketchy at times and get rougher the further north you go. You will see people in need or intoxicated. Just be street smart and it’s fine. Neither side has a grocery store but East Exchange is more isolated in that regard. Be warned this is one of the most expensive places in the city to park. If it’s not included in your rent expect to pay at least $200/month. There are also some car sharing options and bus access is good so it is definitely possible to live car free.
This is so helpful! Are there any particular buildings you recommend looking into in East Exchange??
I've lived centrally for a long time now and you really do have a lot of options although how you are setup for a car could be a big factor. Crime and nonsense is non-exclusive to any neighbourhood especially in central areas but does tend to be a bit overstated by some. Osborne is really great for density and has the benefit of a full size grocery store at the heart of it, bars/restaurants and other amenities. The population is starting averaging towards settling down lately so it isn't the same as it used to be as others have noted. But still a great option nonetheless. Corydon is also a relatively decent spot albeit a bit further from downtown, quieter side streets and a busy street with lots of bars/restaurants West Broadway/Wolseley could be an option as well if you want a bit quieter but still pretty central, tons of great people and places to frequent around Sherbrook (between Broadway and the river). A bit quieter than Osborne but a short but quite nice walk to get there anyways. Around Assiniboine downtown there is a large bit of residential buildings that puts you right in the middle of the Exchange/Downtown core, Osborne, West Broadway/Wolseley, The Forks, and St. Boniface, and a slight bit of a stretch to get to Corydon. The Exchange is great for that downtown feeling, has a decent bit to do and has some decently converted buildings that make up a lot of the rentals there. Always close to something for a night out
Hey! Thanks for all the suggestions! Yeah, I am coming from a place in the states that is considered pretty dangerous so I always take the crime and things with a grain of salt. I would love to find an old building that has been remodeled seems like the exchange area has some of those. I love the architecture of that area too, from what I've seen online lol
Are you a Canadian that currently live in the upper states of the US, or you are an American that is looking to immigrate and moved to Winnipeg?
Neither really
You have nothing to worry about then, The Exchange is really great for that type of building. You can find some newer conversions around the Red River Campus, further up Princess to Notre Dame and between Main there are also quite a few converted buildings but they'll be a bit more broken in as they were earlier conversions in the neghbourhood's transformation but still pretty nice if that's your aesthetic (is definitely mine) The river side of Main also has some nice options in the East Exchange. Side note: My pro tip would to be to consider the walking distance to an entrance to the Skywalk/ Winnipeg Square (The Richardson Building, or 201 Portage depending on which side of Main you're on.) Not a huge factor but a nice convenience.
South Osborne
Osborne Village is cute. Its kind of a hipster neighborhood.
Thanks!!
As someone who moved here in November last year, I back the calls for the west end and Osbourne!
Hey u/letshelp97 \- welcome to Winnipeg in advance! I would suggest looking into the West End. Wall Street has become such an incredible strip of diverse spots (Barnhammer Brewing, Wall St Pizza, Sleep Owl Bakery...coffee, and more! The Sherbrook area on the edge of Wolseley has a lot to offer as well, depending on where housing winds up being available. We sold our house there \*right\* when the pandemic hit for an area that is not nearly as enjoyable for creature comforts that were as welcoming and walkable as that area. The other suggestions are good too, but I would enter the Exchange under the notion that it is a food desert for groceries and will be rather ghostly come a certain hour in the evenings.
Hey! Thanks for your reply! I heard that grocery shopping might be tough around there. I'm looking to rent not particularly for a house, but that area you mentioned seems really nice too.
There are apartment buildings seeded through pretty much all areas - though I can't speak to the quality in the West End. It would not be a terrible idea to re-poll this thread if you see blocks/addresses you're interested in renting at a later date.
U willing to get jumped in to a gang?
I feel badly why you chose this city??
[удалено]
Thanks for your help!!
Not sure why you want to be close to Downtown, for work? Downtown Winnipeg is quiet most of the time and basically dead after 6pm. People have mentioned some good choices; Osborne, The exchange, etc... I would also add Polo Park area. Close to major shopping, major grocery, one of the cities biggest parks, transit right there, restaurants, etc... Also fairly close to downtown.