Best Places to Live 2024: Winnipeg Real Estate

Since housing prices in the Winnipeg real estate market hit high in early 2022, they have since stabilized and eased to levels appealing for cost-conscious households. Unlike other major urban centres, the Winnipeg housing sector now offers prospective homeowners the chance to take advantage of its affordability attractiveness. Is it any reason why Winnipeg’s population has ballooned in recent years?

Now that the Winnipeg housing industry has calmed down without violent swings in home prices, many households are eyeing where they could live in Winnipeg. Indeed, like everywhere in Canada’s housing sector, supplies continue to be the top concern gripping the city, potentially making it harder to locate the best neighbourhoods.

Where are the best places to live in Winnipeg in 2024? Here are our top picks in Winnipeg for buying a house based on affordability, walkability, population density, cultural and ethnic diversity, accessibility, and proximity to work, transit, schools, hospitals, amenities, and parks.

Best Places to Live in Winnipeg

River Heights

The cost of housing in this neighbourhood is above average for the market, but its proximity to schools and hospitals separate it from others on the list. Stroll along the Assiniboine River as you take in some of the most beautiful homes in the city. There are single-detached homes for families and working professionals, from century homes to 50’s style bungalows to modern builds. Just six kilometres from downtown, it is an easy commute into the city centre. It has the perfect mix of big box stores and charming boutique shops on Academy Road.

Norwood Flats

This neighbourhood is just south of Winnipeg’s downtown. Norwood Flats in primary residential homes built before the 1960s. Find character at a reasonable price in this historic area. It is a top pick for young professionals for its proximity to work and entertainment downtown. Plenty of school options and proximity to a hospital make it a top choice for families. Outdoor lovers chose Norwood Flats for its parks and walking trails along the Red River.

Osborne Village

This is a genuinely affordable region, especially for young people. This trendy neighbourhood is filled with cafes, pubs, fine dining, bookstores, and boutiques. It is a fun, energetic community that is popular with young professionals.

Osborne Village was the neighbourhood in Winnipeg that experienced the most condominium sales in March, with the typical prices ranging between $150,000 and $174,999.

Fraser’s Grove

Boarding the Red River, there are homes on the riverfront. Close to downtown and access to green space provide the best of both worlds. This is a popular option if you are looking for great value for a home.

Scotia Heights

This is another neighbourhood with affordable home options close to the downtown core. This community is bordered by parks and the river, making it another excellent choice for outdoor lovers. It has many community organizations and a vibrant ambiance.

Wolseley

There are lots of character homes in this fun neighbourhood. It is considered a more affordable neighbour, River Heights. Zoned for residential and commercial pretty, you’ll find one-of-a-kind shops. Downtown is known as the Granola Belt for its organic grocers and trendy shops. It’s easy to walk and bike all through the neighbourhood.

Riverview

Some would argue that this is one of Winnipeg’s best-kept secrets. It is best known for its character homes, green space, and amenities. Sitting just south of downtown, most of the homes in this neighbourhood were built in the 190s and earlier. There are condo options for those looking for a different opportunity. Osbourne Village is found just north of Riverview and is filled with all the charming shops you want.

Old. St. Vital

Established by French settlers in 1822, it remains a robust francophone neighbourhood. This large neighbourhood features a wide diversity of housing options with newer builds. The area has it all for family living, with public libraries, community centres, and public pools. Like Osborne Village, Old St. Vital was near the top of the list to record high volumes of condo sales.

Crescentwood

Mature trees, bustling streets, and great patios are all in this historic neighbourhood. There is always something happening in this neighbourhood, whether you are looking for a night on the town or just to grab a coffee. Like most Winnipeg neighbourhoods, it features mature trees and abundant green space.

West End

This is one of the most affordable neighbourhoods on this list. This established neighbourhood is close to the downtown core and multiple hospitals. This eclectic neighbourhood has so much to offer.

Waverley West

Waverley West is a suburb just outside of Winnipeg that was approved by the provincial government in 2005. It is quickly becoming a much-desired neighbourhood of Winnipeg, which is supported by new real estate association data that show it had the most residential-detached home sales in March.

Most Liveable Neighbourhoods in Winnipeg

As listed above, the most liveable neighbourhoods in Winnipeg are all close to green spaces, parks, retail shops, and transit. They boast many liveability factors that appeal to homebuyers in those neighbourhoods.

Winnipeg Liveability Trends

Liveability in Winnipeg is expected to continue to improve. “Developers in the region know that Winnipeg residents, like many Canadians, enjoy their own neighbourhoods, so they keep this perspective in mind when building and planning. Gone are the days where neighbourhoods have the bare minimum; the focus now is adding value to the properties with great neighbourhood amenities.”

A Breakdown of the Winnipeg Real Estate Market

According to fresh data from the Winnipeg Regional Real Estate Board, the Winnipeg housing market has had a terrific start to the year.

Year-to-date, the average sales price is up nine per cent year-over-year to $417,102. Home sales have also surged by nine per cent, totalling 1,129 units. Winnipeg is also facing a supply challenge as active listings tumbled five per cent, with 1,524 active listings on the market.

At the same time, housing experts note that inventories are improving compared to where they were four years ago. Additionally, while active listings are trending higher, they are still slightly below the pre-crisis average.

“The real estate market performance saw increases to MLS® sales and dollar volume each month from January to March with March and the 1st quarter totals also up when compared to the same periods last year,” said Daphne Shepherd, 2024-2025 President of the Winnipeg Regional Real Estate Board. “When looking at average prices for residential detached, condominium and residential attached homes in March and in the 1st quarter of 2024, all were up over last year.”

But while Winnipeg is one of the most affordable cities in Canada, it also has one of the largest residential property tax rates in the country. In 2024, the municipal property tax rate is 2.64 per cent. Because of rising inflation and financial pressures, city officials have had to respond with higher levies.

Winnipeg Liveability

Winnipeg is Manitoba’s capital and the province’s largest city, with a population forecasted to reach 892,600 in 2024. Touted as the “gateway to the West,” Winnipeg boasts a diverse economy in sectors including trade, manufacturing, education and health care. The city is also culturally diverse, with over 100 languages and nationalities represented here. Winnipeg is known for its unique winter experiences, colourful arts and festivals scene, unique neighbourhoods and access to green space. Restaurants, museums, theatres, sports venues and night clubs are hot spots among residents and visitors alike.

Affordability, beautiful scenery, and a growing economy. What more could you ask for?

The Winnipeg housing market has been strong since the start of the pandemic, as people seek a more affordable market to purchase a home. This population increase has had a significant impact on the local economy and the real estate market.

The biggest areas of concern for homebuyers in Winnipeg include affordability and low housing supply. The homeowners in Winnipeg are commonly identified as young families looking to live in the city, as well as move-up buyers.

So, what are the best neighbourhoods in Winnipeg to buy a house in? Here are our top picks in Winnipeg based on affordability, walkability, population density, cultural and ethnic diversity, accessibility, and proximity to work, transit, schools, hospital, amenities, and parks.

Most Liveable Neighbourhoods in Winnipeg

1. River Heights: The cost of housing in this neighbourhood is above-average for the market, but its proximity to school and hospitals separate it from others on the list. Stroll along the Assiniboine River as you take in some of the most beautiful homes in the city. There are single-detached homes for families and working professionals, from century homes to 50’s style bungalows to modern builds. Just six kilometres from downtown, it is an easy commute into the city centre. It has the perfect mix of big box stores and charming boutique shops on Academy Road.
2. Norwood Flats: This neighbourhood is just south of Winnipeg’s downtown. Norwood Flats in primary residential homes built before the 1960s. Find character at a reasonable price in this historic area. It is a top pick for young professionals for its proximity to work and entertainment downtown. Plenty of school options and proximity to a hospital make it a top choice for families. Outdoor lovers chose Norwood Flats for its parks and walking trails along the Red River.
3. Osborne Village: This is a genuinely affordable region, especially for young people. This trendy neighbourhood is filled with cafes, pubs, fine dining, bookstores, and boutiques. It is a fun, energetic community that is popular with young professionals.
4. Fraser’s Grove: Boarding the Red River, there are homes on the riverfront. Close to downtown and access to green space provide the best of both worlds. This is a popular option if you are looking for great value for a home.
5. Scotia Heights:  This is another neighbourhood with affordable home options close to the downtown core. This community is bordered by parks and the river, making it another excellent choice for outdoor lovers. It has many community organizations and a vibrant ambiance.
6. Wolseley: Lots of character homes in this fun neighbourhood. It is considered a more affordable neighbour, River Heights. Zoned for residential and commercial pretty, you’ll find one-of-a-kind shops. Downtown is known as the Granola Belt for its organic grocers and trendy shops. It’s easy to walk and bike all through the neighbourhood.
7. Riverview: Some would argue that this is one of Winnipeg’s best-kept secrets. It is best known for its character homes, green space, and amenities. Sitting just south of downtown, most of the homes in this neighbourhood were built in the 190s and earlier. There are condo options for those looking for a different opportunity. Osbourne Village is found just north of Riverview and is filled with all the charming shops you want.
8. Old. St. Vital: Established by French settlers in 1822, it remains a robust francophone neighbourhood. This large neighbourhood features a wide diversity of housing options, with newer builds. The area has it all for family living, with public libraries, community centres, and public pools.
9. Crescentwood: Mature trees, bustling streets, and great patios are all in this historic neighbourhood. There is always something happening in this neighbourhood, whether you are looking for a night on the town or just to grab a coffee. Like most Winnipeg neighbourhoods, it features mature trees and abundant green space.
10. West End: This is one of the most affordable neighbourhoods on this list. This established neighbourhood is close to the downtown core and multiple hospitals. This eclectic neighbourhood has so much to offer.

Most Liveable Neighbourhoods in Winnipeg

As listed above, the most liveable neighbourhoods in Winnipeg are all close to green spaces, parks, retail shops, and transit. They boast many liveability factors that appeal to homebuyers in those neighbourhoods.

Winnipeg Liveability Trends

Liveability in Winnipeg is expected to continue to improve. “Developers in the region know that Winnipeg residents, like many Canadians, enjoy their own neighbourhoods, so they keep this perspective in mind when building and planning. Gone are the days where neighbourhoods have the bare minimum; the focus now is adding value to the properties with great neighbourhood amenities”.

Winnipeg at a Glance

Winnipeg is the capital city of Manitoba and boasts a diverse economy in sectors including trade, manufacturing, education and health care. Often called the “gateway to the West,” Winnipeg is also culturally diverse, with over 100 languages and nationalities represented. People are often drawn to Winnipeg because of its unique winter experiences and great liveability factors, including unique neighbourhoods and access to green space.