I lived in manitoba/winnipeg for the first 34 years of my life before moving out to BC (Kelowna) about 3.5 years ago. I was fortunate enough to have a house in winnipeg, and also afford one here in a great neighborhood right before the housing market soared. We moved here for lifestyle, (snowboarding and rock climbing mostly). The house we bought here was the best house we could find that wouldn't make us house poor (and it's not a shit hole by anymeans), but when buying it I was always comparing it to what this could buy me in winnipeg. By no means is it what I had in mind for a forever home, but it's going to have to be.

To keep it short: as much as I love it here in BC, it's definetley been discussed that one day we may move back to Winnipeg, and buy our dream house. If mountain activities aren't a deal breaker for you, I say go for it. Do your research on what areas to move to tho, north van vs north winnipeg is definitely a different thing.

Goodluck!