Is Winnipeg really as bad as people make it out to be?

Question

I'll be moving to Winnipeg in April to start my degree. I've lived and been all over South East Asia and when my cousin influenced my mother I should join him in Winnipeg, I thought 'nothing could be worse than where I've been', but I've read a lot of stuff online about the violence, the crime rate, and the weather. I don't mind the cold as I've lived in New Hampshire before. I thought I'd see how it is first and if I don't like it (or I survive) a year, then I'll transfer somewhere else in Canada. I've been to Ottawa before. It was very pleasant there. I don't know how Winnipeg is though. I'm kinda sorta hoping somebody assures me that the overload of negative remarks on life in Winnipeg is just a bunch of crap from pessimists who expect every city to be like New York City. Cus it's kinda a done deal I'll be staying for at least a year. Soooo...is Winnipeg as bad as people make it out to be? Should I be worried I'll be mugged or shot while waiting for the bus?

Answer 1

New Hampshire is a little farther south....we can get pretty brutally cold....although we are going to plus four today, YIPPEE



There are absolutely places & times in Winnipeg that are.....well horrible.



The thing is - MOST - not all of course - but MOST of the violence is done to people by people they know. Serial killers have been here, maybe some even are here, but that kind of freak can be anywhere, so let's not talk that okay?



Do you do drugs? Involve yourself with gangs? Go to drinking parties in low income neighbourhoods? Impose yourself where you don't belong?



No? Then you should be fine.



If you are waiting for the bus during the day in most any part of Winnipeg, you'll be fine....if you are waiting for the bus at night in front of say the Manwin Hotel, you may have some troubles.



If your cousin has been here for any length of time he should be able to point out the trouble spots to avoid.



I've wandered all over this city, day & night....lived in the roughest zones. I have no fears & have had no real issues with strangers.

Answer 2

You won't be shot waiting for a bus... Gun violences is rising, but it's very low. Knife violence is what is high. My teacher assistant was a police officier, he said if guns were swapped out with knives, there'd be over 100 murders a year, die to all the stabbing. But you see, Canada has great, free health care, thus why most stabbed victims survive.



Winnipeg used to have the hugest auto theft rate if the world, still high, has dropped enormously.



Downtown is dangerous at night, potentially you will be mugged. But during the day, it's pretty safe.



If you ain't involved with gangs and all, you should be fine. Just like in any other developed nation city. Detroit or Chicago have huge murder rates, but most are gang related, especially in Chicago.



As for the austhetics of the city, many people say its dull and dirty... I guess that's for you to decide though.



Just keep put of potentially dangerous situations, you'll be fine. Just dont associate with gang members there, there ruthless.

Answer 3

It is as good as locals make it to be.



Personally I think drivers are very polite on the road, they always put pedestrians first.



Walking around is safe because there are always traffic around in the city / downtown. However, during night time you still want to exercise cautions like in every other big city in the World.



Local bus transit are very frequent from 6am to 7pm .... they run till 1:30am in weekdays and less in weekend. There are many express buses to/from universities so traffic is not a problem.



Many shopping malls and cinemas to choose from e.g. St.Vital, Polo Park and silver cities.



A lot of Sushi buffet and Korean BBQ around. Chinese buffet are popular for lunch and dinner at weekdays.



There are a lot of music bands / concerts going on all year round if that's your cake.



Ice Sculpture event in winter and ice skating in rinks near The Forks old market river ... lot of things going on ....

Answer 4

its a nice and country life i have some friends from there its beautiful nice people but usually freezing cold youll get used to it eventually