How bad is Thompson Manitoba?

[skydivepilot]

My wife is getting posted to Thompson, Manitoba and has been told its a good city. My searching has told me otherwise. I told her about some posts I read on here and how it is rated as Canada's most violent crime city. I would appreciate any feedback from anyone who has spent time there. We have 2 children to raise and I want to know as much as possible. Thank you for any input.

[Beefitarian]

I would bet some of it comes down to who you associate with. There some nasty things that happen in Vancouver and everyone I know out there loves their city.

[Nark]

RCMP? Great city for new recruits, lots to do and see.

As a pilot also great but if you aren't terribly social, it's your own fault.

Don't know about schools for you kids other than a day I sub-taught at both elementary and high school. It wasnt South Central...

All in all, not the worst spot to be.

[skydivepilot]

I already have a flying job that I love so would be leaving the family for the summers unfortunately. You guessed right on my wife's job.

[54321]

It sucks. I remember asking for an escort to my car at the liquor store...lots of uhh "social problems" in that town. Also almost ran down some other social problems when they walked into traffic, high on junk or whathaveyou. (regular occurance) NOT somewhere I wanted to live or raise kids. I bailed. The job was good though. As for recreation, you better like walking in the woods, snowmobiling, or boating on Paint lake...'cause that's all there is to do. That or drink, lol. Good luck..

M

[fish4life]

last place I'd ever raise kids if they are old enough to go to school. Friends that grew up there said they can't believe how much worse it has gotten in the last 10 years. If you do go there best thing to do is live on Paint Lake and make the drive into town you won't regret it.

[North Shore]

If you can afford the cost and hassles (25 minute drive) of living out at Paint, then do that. There's schools on the 'good' side of town, and those on the 'bad' - your wife will figure it out pretty quick. If you're into huntin', shootin' and fishin', then there's a fair bit to do. Shinny hockey, swim team, skiing (XC and DH) curling. The population is diverse enough that there's all sorts of interests there...

Check PM's..

[fanspeed]

Had some of the best times of my life up there. It is only as much as YOU make it.

[skydivepilot]

Thank you everyone. I was all set to settle in NB but we aren't being given any other options other than Thompson. I will definitely check out Paint Lake. Coming from PEI, the real estate prices are mind boggling. I just hope we can sell the house once our 4 years are up and get out of dodge. I guess I am judging the spot before setting foot there. Blame Google and Youtube

[grimey]

It's great if you're into the outdoors, don't have school-aged kids (or at least not high-school aged kids), and can put up with 10-15 drunks regularly standing in front of the Liquor Mart, Extra Foods, the bars, and other stores. Everything you might need quickly is available in town, at a reasonable cost (slightly higher than Winnipeg, but not stupidly expensive). There's a Walmart, Crappy Tire, Staples, 2 grocery stores, and a bunch of decent restaurants. I would not buy meat or produce from Extra Foods, unless they've changed management. If you go out drinking, just don't be an ass, don't hang out in front of the bar after hours, take a cab home, and you'll probably be fine. Some bars are worse than others, namely the TI. The violent crime rate is very high, but a lot of that is gang related, and if you mind your own business it's not bad. Of the ten or so murders I recall from when I was there, 1 was a home invasion/attempted burglary where they shot the homeowner and fled, and another was a cab driver who was robbed. The rest were either domestic, or gang related, and not really something that would be a higher risk for most people. It's fucking cold in the winter, and you might go a month without the daytime high getting above -30. Make sure you have a block heater, and don't skimp on the extension cord or it will snap. Don't be an idiot in the winter if you drive to Winnipeg: check the weather, if it's shit, don't go. If the weather is ok, make sure you have some basic survival equipment in the car: extra warm clothing, blankets, candles, food, etc. Between the turn on Hwy 6, and Grand Rapids 150-200km south, there's NOTHING, you're not walking for help, and in crap weather it could be a while before anyone else comes by if you go off the road or break down.

And as Nark mentioned, you can supply teach for extra cash if you have your grade 12. Which I found mind boggling, but maybe that's just my biased Eastern Ontario mind.

[skydivepilot]

I gotta say I am not looking forward to the cold. I was getting tired of the winters in PEI and have never had to use a block heater in my life. I spent some time on Sanibel Island, Florida the last couple of winters and was getting used to that weather.

How expensive are the homes in the surrounding areas? My last house had 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, office garage, etc.

I am into motorcycles and have one for the track. I read there's a track in Gimli but that's probably it. I will have to google map to see how far that is and if its worth even bringing my track bike. Any good twisty roads? I am guessing I won't have something like the Cabot Trail nearby. How about dirtbike/ATV trails. I guess I could always get a skidoo.

My daughter is 8 and my son will be 12 next month. We will be there for at least 4 years so my son will be highschool aged. I must admit to being worried about bringing them there.

As for the drinking at bars, I'm too old and settled down for that scene so won't be checking them out.

Thank you everyone for the replies and information. It certainly gives me alot to think about. The things men do for their wives

[Beefitarian]

I have doubts on there being much asphalt, probably none that is smooth two years in a row. I bet there's some heavenly trails for dirt bikes or dual purpose machines. Might have to switch it up for a while. It will be kind of like flying a Pitts it should hone your skills a bit and when you go back to the street bikes you'll just have to get used the low center of gravity for a couple of days.

http://www.realtor.ca

[skydivepilot]

My track bike is a 2006 CRF450R converted to supermoto but I have the dirt wheels and tires. Looks like I will have to try them for the 1st time in Manitoba. I might leave the DR-Z400SM and sportbikes in NB. I'm sure going to miss the track and great Nova Scotia back roads.

[Beefitarian]

You'll need to adjust your power for entry (it won't take long) and you might just love the fact that your tires will last much longer drifting on gravel.

[skydivepilot]

Definitely going to be cheaper than riding on the track. Those Pirelli race tires get chewed up on the sides quickly. Maybe I'll have to buy a ski and track setup for winter riding.

[Beefitarian]

Sounds fun. I'd caution you to avoid getting to far off the beaten path. You won't want to have far to walk home if something goes wrong. Storms are probably nasty sometimes and I think you'll be in polar bear country. You don't want those cute little fellas thinking you look like a nice light snack.

[skydivepilot]

Point taken. I might have to buy one of those Spot GPS messengers.

[Beefitarian]

Seriously, I joke around about the polar bears but ride in a group or at least with a person knowing where you are. It will be amazing to see them but they make grizzlies look like the cute little bears.

[grimey]

I don't know about polar bears around Thompson, but there are certainly wolves, black bears, coyotes, caribou and moose, any one of which could potentially cause trouble for you in the wrong circumstances.

[Beefitarian]

Looks like the polar bears might not go there. Sorry. Still it is pretty near some real wilderness. It's not dangerous but you need to respect it.

[seniorpumpkin]

I spent a winter in Thompson a few years ago. As far as RCMP and pilot postings, it could be soooo much worse! Thompson is a place where lots of people come to shop from all the northern and surrounding communities, so there are lots of amenities, much more than you'd expect for that size of town.
Substitute teaching is awesome! I had lots of fun trying my hand at a new profession on my days off, plus the pay is decent. I don't remember which schools are better for your kids, but definitely look into that. I did try and teach some pretty messed up teenagers. Try to get your kids to enjoy the outdoors, there are some great trails around town, and the ski hill is lots of fun. I discovered curling, and there are lots of hockey teams to join. There are no polar bears near Thompson.
My wife says "I never felt unsafe there". Your wife gets to carry a gun, so probably she will be all right
The flying jobs there are really great! If you're not totally set on your current gig, you may have some good options up there.
Buy a solid insulated jacket (don't spend less than $300), some serious boots, and wear a toque. Winter is cold, but it's predictable, and it's the kind of cold you can dress for.

[Cloudhumper]

Not as bad as you'd think. As far as violence goes, its just indian gangs killing each other off. I never felt in danger. There is a homeless shelter in the middle of town the kicks everyone out during the day so there are homeless wandering around, but only around Canadian tire and the liquor store. The later has security guards who keep the area pretty clear. Decent homes seem to start around $225,000. Check the MLS website. The smelter is scheduled to shut down in a few years so that might have an effect on pricing but your wife probably has protection from that with the RCMP. The schools are a mixed bag of socioeconomic situations and which ones the kids go to depends on where you live. I hear Juniper is rough while Burntwood is better. RC's will have a better idea as I have no kids. As for riding, not many places to go (paved), and no twisties. Buy a sled, there are trails, lakes and rivers. There is a dirt bike course. Pretty new I believe. Look up Nickel City Motors for some pics. Thompson has everything you'll need, and if not, Winnipeg is a nice city to visit.

Tim Horton's
Starbucks
Boston Pizza
Canadian Tire
Safeway
Wal-mart

Make the most of it.

[floatplanepilot]

There is a ski hill too.

[The Hammer]

In Thompson, a sled is a must in the winter (it sounds like your into that kinda thing). There are lots of sledders there and it makes for a great time.

As said before, it's friggin' cold and dry ie RH but predictable and unlike down south in Winnipeg, you dress for it. ie Winter boots vs Rockport's.

I could always tell when it was -35C or more cause the foam in my truck seat would turn into a brick. I also got really good at replacing the plug on my block heater the first month as it was new to me too.

Your married so your not trying to get a piece so that makes life much easier. (Miners make a lot of cash, pilots do not.) You also don't have to watch for a local lady trying find a sucker to use as way out of town in 4 years. ie I'm on the pill....NOT.

My east coast winters in NS were just as or more unappealing for me but I like the outdoors and high humidity, cool temps, wind and rain made for more "cooped up days".

My best life experiences were in the north.

Hammer Time

[co-joe]

Look into the Twilight water ski club for next summer. One of the most fun things to do in YTH by far. If you have some knobby tires for that bike you'll never be bored. Probably need a sled to stay sane in the winter.