Brandon, MB Area Guide

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Brandon, MB

The second largest city in Manitoba is located on the banks of the Assiniboine River at the southwest corner of the province. Brandon is a major hub for trade and commerce in the region, as well as being a major education centre, as it is home to four post-secondary institutions. Brandon is pegged as ‘The Wheat City’ for its important role in agriculture, which happens to be its main economic source. In the past, it was a fur trading town, but today Brandon is a city rich in culture and history.

Brandon is a fairly flat city with the river cutting through it. Most of the action is on the south side of the river, as this is where the downtown area is located, as are its post-secondary institutions. Still, most Brandon residents will agree that the Meadows neighbourhood is the trendiest area to live in and where many of the young, hip residents of Brandon choose as their community. This is partly because it is close to numerous amenities, like a shopping mall, cinemas and restaurants.

Downtown Brandon is great for students, as it is home to Brandon University and Robertson College. This doesn’t mean that you can’t live in this area regardless of your age, as there are people of all ages living here. Still, Brandon is a fairly young city, with the median age being less than the national average at 35 years old. As well, nearly half of the population has a post-secondary education, while the unemployment rate is low at just 6 percent. This makes it a fairly attractive place to live, as does its diversity. In fact, Brandon has the highest percentage of people of Latin American decent in the country, as well as being home to numerous aboriginal Canadians.

The city runs 10 bus routes that travel all over the city, although most residents still find that having their own transportation is much more convenient. The city’s culture well makes up for its lack of great public transportation, with annual festivals such as the Brandon Festival of the Arts, the Brandon Folk Music Festival and Brandon Jazz Festival being the most notable in any Brandon city guide. Other great things in the city include the trails around the Assiniboine River, its numerous golf courses and the Westman Reptile Gardens. If you visit Brandon, take a walk around the historic district to see heritage sites like the Merchants Bank Building, Casa Maley, the Central Fire Station and St. Matthew's Anglican Church.