Brandon is the second largest city in Manitoba after its neighbour to the east, Winnipeg. Known as the Wheat City, it has its roots as an agricultural town and is a close-knit community that maintains a small-town feel. It is consistently voted among the top 10 best places to live in Canada by Money Sense Magazine and is well-resourced for its relatively small size. Brandon is the only Canadian city with a population of less than 50,000 that has a university, community college, and emergency services college. Home to the Wheat Kings, a Canadian Junior hockey team, Brandon was memorialized in a song by the Canadian rock group, The Tragically Hip. If you want to escape the big city, read on to learn why you should consider Brandon when moving to Manitoba.
Moving to Manitoba? Reasons to Consider Brandon
Low Cost of Living
Manitoba is one of the country’s most affordable provinces, with moderate tax levels, affordable housing, and low costs for daycare, utilities, insurance, and post-secondary education. Statistics show that a family of five living on an income of $75,000 per year is left with over $17,000 per year more in Manitoba than a family of the same size, earning the same income, living in Ontario.
Affordable Housing in Desirable Neighbourhoods
Brandon tends to sit slightly below the average housing costs in Manitoba and well below the national average for a single-family home. The average cost of a single-family home in Brandon ranges between $200,000 and $270,000, while rental housing prices range between $800 and $950 for a one-bedroom apartment.
Brandon’s west end is known for its gorgeous tree-lined streets and is a favourite neighbourhood for first-time homebuyers and young families moving to Brandon. It provides easy access, often within walking distance, to many amenities, including shops, restaurants, parks, and a skating rink. The east end is another popular choice for young families and older adults looking for an affordable neighbourhood. It has access to amenities like an outdoor pool, skating rink, Rideau Park water park, and green spaces. North Hill is ideal for active people who want to live near recreational opportunities like the Northern Pines Golf Course, Canada Games Sportsplex, and the Assiniboine Valley.
Booming Local Economy
Brandon’s rich agricultural history continues to have a significant influence on its present economy. Its major industries include farming, manufacturing, and retail. The top five employment sectors (by industry) are agri-food processing, manufacturing, construction, health care, and trucking and rail transportation.
Brandon provides an attractive backdrop for local businesses to set up shop with low costs, access to major transportation networks, and a dependable labour supply. It is expected that an increase in business development in the region will boost the local economy further while improving the job market and local spending.
Four-Season Living
Manitoba is widely known for its extreme temperatures throughout the year. While some may balk at the fluctuations, it is an attraction for those looking for a location that experiences a hot summer and cold winter. Brandon’s location in the Palliser’s Triangle region of the Prairies accounts for its dry climate and abundant sunny days.
Natural and Cultural Things to Do
Brandon has a wide variety of things to do both inside and outside through all four seasons. Its main street, 18th Avenue, is where you’ll find the main strip with the city’s shopping, businesses, and dining establishments. The downtown core sees several festivals throughout the year. For the history buffs, drive 30 minutes to Shilo to check out Canada’s RCA Museum, Canada’s second-largest war museum, known for its original publication of Colonel John McCrae’s poem, “In Flanders Fields.”
Nature Lovers will enjoy visiting Spruce Woods Provincial Park and nearby Minnedosa Lake for swimming and hiking in summer and skiing and fishing in winter.
Hop, Skip, and a Jump to Winnipeg
While Brandon is an attractive location for small city living in Manitoba, sometimes a trip to Winnipeg is necessary for larger events. It is very accessible to visit for a day trip, driving just two-and-a-half hours east along the Trans-Canada highway.
Brandon is known as one of the top places to live in Canada and has easy access to resources, jobs, and recreational spots. Most importantly, living costs and housing are very affordable. Safe, friendly, and family-oriented, it is becoming an increasingly popular place for newcomers to settle. If you’re considering moving to Manitoba, connect with a RE/MAX agent to help you find the perfect home.