The area of Winnipeg known as Point Douglas doesn’t always get a fair shake at things. The reputation is one that has been stereotyped due to various problems with poverty, drug use, and high crime rates. Today, this area has been through many improvements and transformations. While there is still plenty that needs to be done, it isn’t a terrible place to live by any means.

It can be a place to buy a nice home at a decent price. Some people move to this area to get a better property value. They can’t afford the same size of home in one of the more expensive locations. It is often a stepping stone area for those buying their first home. To the locals, Point Douglas is often referred to as the North End. This is one of the oldest areas of Winnipeg.

The population in this area is about 45,000 and there continues to be growth steadily. That is a positive response to the changes that have been put in place both by developers and by the local law enforcement. For families, this can be a great choice for living due to the high volume of families living in Point Douglas with children ages 19 and younger.

What is very interesting is the high volume of single parent families found in this area. Approximately 32,000 families that live in this location fit that profile based on the 2011 census. Cultural diversity is something you will recognize in these neighbourhoods. There is a large Filipino population as well as a high number of Indigenous.

Due to many of the households being single parents providing the income, there are high poverty rates. However, many of the people living in these neighbourhoods do work at least part time. The areas have been cleaned up compared to what they used to be. There are plenty of homes as well as apartments available.

The fact that some of the locations are still deemed unsafe, especially at night, should promote extra precautions. Taking the time to lock car doors, to lock up bicycles, and to make sure windows and doors are locked is important. It isn’t recommended to be out walking around these areas at night alone.

There are plenty of schools in the area for children including grade schools and secondary schools. There is also an Adult Education Centre located here. This location helps those over the age of 19 that don’t have a high school diploma to complete the equivalency program.

Here is an idea of some of the neighbourhoods around Point Douglas where homes can be found for sale:

William Whyte

The North End offers the residential district called William Whyte. Most of the homes found here are very similar to each other. They date from the 1900s to the 1920s. They are modest and they are designed for single family inhabiting. There are also lots of churches found in this location.

A new energy and water efficiency program will be introduced in the area of William Whyte. It is a project that will be completed by the North End Community Renewal Corporation and Manitoba Hydro. This project is coined The Power Smart Neighborhood Project will save resident’s money on their electric and water bills each month.

Another significant improvement for the Point Douglas area is that there will be more police to enforce laws and reduce violent crimes. The goal is to offer more of a presence to make sure that these types of crimes aren’t occurring as prevention is the best course of action.

Burrows Central

One of the largest neighbourhoods of Point Douglas is Burrows Central. It is found at the North End. The housing here is very old though, dating before the 1920s. There have been some newer homes though developed around the Northwest corner. These homes were designed in the 1950s and 1960s. There is also plenty of commercial property located here.

Luxton

The historical presence of Luxton should be recognized. This is the earliest residential neighbourhood for Europeans around Winnipeg. It is believed this is where the Selkirk Settlers came in 1812. Many of the names of the streets here feature names of those early settlers. Some of these homes were built prior to the 1900s. Most of them were built between 1900 and 1914 and there are sections that were added in 1945.

Dufferin

The North End is where Dufferin is located. The early population here included immigrant workers and families that came to the area for work and to make a better life. With the railways here they were able to find work. It made sense for them to live in close proximity to their jobs. The homes here are modest and they aren’t very large.

Lord Selkirk Park

The downtown part of Point Douglas is where Lord Selkirk Park is found. This was created over a span of a decade (1880 to 1890). The development of warehouses and factories around the areas resulted in more residential homes. This area also features many stores, shops, restaurants, and hotels.

Lord Selkirk Park is a very poor area, with approximately 68% of the population living in poverty. About 2/3 of the people here are Indigenous. This is actually the poorest neighbourhoods in all of Winnipeg. The median annual include is $15,500. The homes found here are inexpensive but many of them need repairs.

Mynarski

The homes and buildings in Mynarski were created before 1950. This area has plenty of churches as well as schools. It is named after Andrew Charles Mynarski who was honored for his services in World War II while in the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Many of the homes found around Point Douglas are older. Many of them can be fixed up so they can make good starter homes. They range in price from $180,000 to $300,000. It all depends on what you are looking for and which neighbourhood here you would like to live in. There are plenty of variables that influence the overall pricing.