1. Elementary and high schools available
2. Reputation for programming diversity - music, drama, athletics, environment

• Location

1. Close to Morden (25min) and Winkler (35min) communities - shopping malls, movie theatres, museums, etc.
2. Close to larger centres such as Portage (1hr), Winnipeg (1.75hrs) and Brandon (2hr)
3. Close to Canada / US border and American cities like Grand Forks (2.5hrs), Fargo (), and Minneapolis (8hrs)

• Health and Safety

1. Pembina Manitou Health Centre in Manitou (clinic, community health services)
2. Close to regional Boundary Trails Health Centre (emergency services, surgery, rehabilitation, MRI and CT, etc)
3. RCMP detachment in Manitou
4. Fire Departments in Manitou, La Riviere and Darlingford
5. Safe and secure rural community where crime is extremely rare and neighbors look out for each other

• Recreation

1. Pembina Valley – snowmobile trails, equestrian trails, river fishing, hunting
2. Pembina Valley Provincial Park
3. Downhill skiing at Holiday Mountain resort in La Riviere
4. Outdoor pool with waterslides in Manitou
5. Indoor Hockey arena, outdoor skating rink and indoor curling rink in Manitou
6. Golf course in Manitou, and 6 more courses within a 35 minute drive
7. HyWire Zipline Adventures – zipline adventures business in the Pembina Valley
8. Mary Jane Reservoir – camping, fishing, boating, water skiing
9. Premier Tae Kwon Do chapter in Manitou
10. Manitou Regional Library

• Arts and Culture

1. Manitou Coffee Houses – regular venue for local performers
2. Manitou Opera House Provincial Heritage site – local performing arts facility
3. Oak Valley Productions Outdoor Theatre and Recreation site in La Riviere – home to annual Passion Play and other events
4. Candlewick Productions – local theatre company
5. Pembina Valley Music Festival – annual music festival
6. Numerous local performing groups (bands, choirs, etc)

• Affordability

1. Property purchase incentive program in the Town of Manitou

• Communication and transportation

1. High speed internet and cell phone services available
2. Manitou located on main provincial highways (#3 and #244)
3. Canada Post Office in Manitou (daily postal service)
4. Greyhound bus services (passenger and cargo) 3-4 days per week

• Faith

1. Variety of religious institutions including St Andrews United Church, St John’s Anglican Church, Manitou Mennonite Brethren, and St Patrick’s Catholic Church