Rent Winnipeg Apartments

Renting in Winnipeg: A Basic Overview

Live better for less: renting in Winnipeg

In addition to stable employment, Manitoba and Winnipeg in particular offer a somewhat better quality of life with a lower cost of living than many other cities its size. Of course, gas and hydroelectricity tend to also be cheaper, making it a good choice for those on a budget.

This attracts many businesses and individuals to set up shop in Winnipeg, where your dollar will stretch a little further. You can get an idea of prices here. If you’re on a stricter budget, consider getting a second person to share your rental accommodation, and read our guide on living harmoniously with a roommate!

If you’re renting in Winnipeg¸ you can find out what's going on in the city on the Tourism Winnipeg site, or check out the city’s site for more about urban parks, waste disposal, and city services.

If you’re a tenant with a family, you should know that there are 7 school districts in the city: Winnipeg, St. James-Assiniboia, Pembina Trails, Seven Oaks, Division Scolaire Franco-Manitobaine, River East Transcona, and Louis Riel.

Your children as they grow will have options to stay in Manitoba for higher education with the University of Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg, as well as two colleges, Red River and Booth University.

Where to rent in Winnipeg’s many neighbourhoods

These neighbourhoods all come with their own characteristics, heritage and flavour. Winnipeg’s neighbourhoods are all little communities, each of which with advantages and disadvantages.

The residential neighbourhoods are said to hold on average about 4,000 people. About half of the 236 neighbourhoods are residential, while the others tend to be commercial or industrial.

Most will have a mix of rental property, stores, public transit options, and often schools, libraries, parks or other facilities. Given this choice, how do you go about looking for an apartment to rent?

Start with your work or school location and decide how far away you’re willing to go to rent your property. Factor in transit times and rush hour traffic, then check out the Neighbourhoods of Winnipeg (NOW) to get a better idea about each area. The City of Winnipeg is trying hard to reach out to residents and improve communities. You can also check out OurWinnipeg, which provides a 25-year strategic vision for the city.

Winnipeg has a reputation for high rates of crime, but mostly in the inner city, where there are few residential options. You can use the Crime Stat tool online to find out more about the neighbourhood of your rental apartment.

Once you’ve narrowed down the area you want to rent in, make an appointment to start viewing apartments and use RentersPages.com’s Ultimate Rental Apartment Checklist as you make your visit. Some places will be rented out furnished and others unfurnished. Make sure you understand what is included and that this is reflected in your lease agreement.

Getting around in Winnipeg

You can use Navigo Trip Planner to help you plan your bus route from work to home or beyond, or find out more about transit fees.

If you’re driving in the city, you should be aware that there are difficult road conditions in the winter. If you’ve never driven in winter, check out Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) for its tips on driving safety.

To get out of the city, you have options by air with Winnipeg’s James Armstrong Richardson International airport, by rail with VIA Rail or by bus with Greyhound or other long-distance bus companies, in addition to a wide range of highways heading out in all directions. In short, it’s not hard (though it can be long) to get to or away from Winnipeg.

Resources for settling in to Winnipeg

When you’ve found a place to live, try to negotiate with the landlord before you sign your lease. Be sure to take the time to thoroughly read the fine print of your lease and don’t forget to obtain rental insurance.

More resources

• New resident? Start here.
• Winnipeg’s simplified City Services, makes it easier for new residents to figure out how the city operates and how to settle down after finding rental accommodation.
• Use the interactive map to find out the waste collection day for your street
• Get all the permits you need (pets included!)
• Obtain civic information for your rental apartment.
• Get ideas for what to do in your down time.
• Check out Winnipeg’s nightlife scene.
• Find out more about what’s happening in town.
• Having trouble with your landlord? Check out our guide to resolving conflicts.
• Still having trouble? Get disputes resolved through the Residential Tenancies Branch.