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This article was published 26/11/2018 (669 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Opinion

Winnipeggers with friends and relatives in Vancouver often get gentle ribbing about weather and our Prairie geography. These jokers like to message us in mid-winter and rub it in: "Here in beautiful B.C., I was outdoors in my shirt sleeves today, raking the leaves and admiring the view of the mountains. How are things in Winnipeg?"

The same type of teasing also comes from the east, from friends and relatives in Toronto. They don’t boast about weather or their scenic view, but about their city’s A-list array of cultural and sport attractions: "Saw Adele in concert last night, and apparently Bruce Springsteen is coming to Toronto. And I really like going to Blue Jays and Raptors games. Remind me, what’s the name of Winnipeg’s pro basketball team?"

Prairie people are known for their humility, so we chuckle good-naturedly at these friendly slights. But even patient people can only be pushed so far. If our acquaintances in Vancouver and Toronto persist in mocking Winnipeg, we lob a howitzer shell of a question: "What’s the cost of a house in your city?"

That comeback usually ends the congenial one-upmanship. We’re well aware people with middle-class salaries in cities such as Vancouver and Toronto have two choices when it comes to housing: 1) buy, and be burdened by huge payments on a mortgage so big it might never be paid off; 2) rent, and waive the financial equity that comes with ownership.

It’s nothing new that housing here is more affordable than in many other cities. It has long been a Winnipeg advantage.

But, in recent years, the gap has widened considerably as housing prices in some other Canadian cities have rocketed into the realm of unaffordability for people with working-class salaries.

In Winnipeg last year, the average price for a single-family home was about $323,000, while the average condominium price was about $239,000.

In Greater Vancouver, the average selling price of a detached home is about $1.5 million, and about $690,000 for condos.

In Toronto, detached homes sell for about $1.2 million, and condos are about $540,000.

This extreme imbalance between Winnipeg and some other cities has consequences in several areas, including intercity migration. Winnipeggers will be less likely to move to a city they can’t afford.

There’s always been a certain number of people, particularly young people, who want to leave Winnipeg for a place where the lights are brighter and good fortune may await. It’s like a rite of passage. As Steve Earle sings in Someday: "I wanna know what’s over that rainbow, I’m gonna get out of here someday."

From a distance, bigger cities can seem exciting and rich with opportunity. But it’s hard to believe the grass is greener if budget calculations show you could never own grass in your dream city.

Statistics show a noteworthy change in migration between Canadian cities. In Winnipeg, the population is growing. But in Toronto and Vancouver, more people are leaving than coming.

According to Statistics Canada figures from 2012-17, a total of 142,465 more people moved away from Toronto than moved to Toronto. And 18,670 more people moved away from B.C.’s Lower Mainland, which includes Vancouver, than moved to the area. Meanwhile, Winnipeg’s population rose to 727,500 in 2016 from 663,617 in 2011, according to the census.

The census doesn’t explore the reasons why people are coming and going, but affordable housing is likely part of it. Perhaps that has motivated more Winnipeggers to resist the pull of bigger cities. Perhaps people from bigger cities are moving to cities such as Winnipeg, where they can afford a place to call their own.

Home ownership is about more than bricks and mortar.

It’s usually a sound financial investment that increases in value for people who keep their houses a long time.

Ownership gives people the freedom to create a living environment that celebrates their individuality; painting walls in favourite colours, planting best-loved flowers, getting a dog, building a one-of-a-kind backyard firepit and, while the cement is still wet, inscribing your surname with your finger.

It can also lead to community connections and stability. The kids likely do better in school if they’re not moved often to different addresses. We get to know our neighbours and, if we’re lucky, learn that the neighbour who regularly borrows our snowblower is generous with his Jets season tickets.

For many people, the benefits of owning a home are strong enough to be a deciding factor in choosing where to live.

They want to be rooted to family, friends and community. They see Winnipeg as an affordable place to put down roots.

Carl DeGurse is a member of the Free Press editorial board.