The Pas/Swan River

DW123 · #1 Posted **Apr 14, 2013, 3:16 PM**

Hello. Pardon me if this is the wrong place to do this, but I came upon this forum from a thread inquiring about Flin Flon.

Has anyone been to or lived in The Pas or Swan River, who can share any opinions on what it's like in either of these towns? As of now there is a job opportunity in The Pas that I'm very conflicted about. I'd be coming from the GTA Ontario.

Thank you for any advice

esquire · #2 Posted **Apr 14, 2013, 3:36 PM**

I've been to The Pas a number of times and my response is that it depends 100% on your tastes and interests.

Do you enjoy fishing, hunting, hockey and outdoor activities? Are you comfortable with the dynamics of small town life? Is the thought of being far from any large cities OK with you? Do you already have a spouse and/or kids? If so, then you will probably love The Pas or Swan River.

On the other hand, if you're an urban person attached to the comforts of Toronto life, you might find The Pas or Swan River difficult to adjust to.

kattiff · #3 Posted **Apr 17, 2013, 6:36 PM**

hey dw123 // ive been to both of these towns.

The Pas has about 5,000 people living there with like a surrounding population (or metro) of 15,000 and its known as the Gateway to the North on Highway 10 and really the last farming area in Manitoba. There is a big reserve across the Saskatchewan River and they have a big pulp mill (so it will stink REALLY BAD once and awhile) as well I believe across the river. Also a First Nations Casino (one of two in the province) also across the river. They have part of the University College of the North and they really do well in the dental program there. Its your basic average town nothing too special, I think if you want real good shopping you will have to go to Flin Flon, Thompson wayyyy to the north or drive south of Dauphin. They have a good hospital, I believe its emergency is good too. Its about a 7-8hr drive from Winnipeg but nice thing about The Pas is they have flights to and from Winnipeg.

Swan River is a town of about 3,500 people with surrounding population in the Swan Valley of about 8,000. Nothing really in Swan, its about 2hrs south of The Pas on Highway 10 and Swan River is about 5-6hrs North of Winnipeg. fun fact Highway 83 starts in Swan River and ends in Brownsville Texas. They have an airport in Swan and have lost its service to Winnipeg many many times but they do have the emergency airlift, in saying that their hospital has not gotten good reputation lately and there is some major issues with the building of a wellness centre in Swan that will make the property taxes go up a lot. If you want major shopping you got Dauphin and Yorkton 2hrs away. Brandon and Regina about 3hrs away. while again Winnipeg and Saskatoon are about 5-6hrs away. nothing else is really their at all, just a town in the valley with a crap load of farming all around. 3 lakes all within like 30min drive and two ski hills one very very close to Swan River.

if I was to pick I would live in The Pas if you wanted to be close to your job but Swan River is more like a raising your family place, I just didnt like that highway 10 driving between Swan River and The Pas as cell service in that part of Manitoba is very hard to come by.

hope this helps you out

kattiff · #4 Posted **Apr 17, 2013, 6:41 PM**

also in saying if you find swan river too pricey to live in there are some communities all around swan river and just looking at google, there is Birch River, Bowsman, Kenville, Durban, Benito and Minitonas if you want to check those places out... and the pas really has nothing else up there for other towns

cheswick · #5 Posted **Apr 17, 2013, 7:39 PM**

My wifes aunt from Montreal moved to the Pas briefly for her husbands job. She felt it was in the middle of nowhere and had a feeling of isolation but that the people were very friendly.

Conversely my sister used to date a guy who was from Swan River. He never really adapted to living in Winnipeg very well and eventually moved back.

So as others have said its all about your personality. I think moving from the GTA to the Pas would be a huge change.

Dan0myte · #6 Posted **Apr 17, 2013, 8:20 PM**

My aunt and uncle live just north of The Pas, so visiting them we pass through Swan River and The Pas regularly.

As it's been mentioned before, Swan River is your stereotypical small prairie town. Not much there other than retired folk and people who enjoy the quiet life. The river running through town is quite pretty. Duck Mountain Provincial Park is nearby with camping and decent downhill skiing in the winter. It's kind of just a smaller version of Dauphin.

The Pas... well, it's rough. I'm not sure of the exact demographics but I would put the population to be >50% aboriginal. The town itself is a decent size but it has a general feel of poverty and depression. It's one of those towns you plan on moving away from, not to. I couldn't recommend taking a job there, regardless of the opportunity.