The current borders of Shanly are indefinite, although historically the western limit of Shanly's school district extended to lot 12 of County Road 21, with lots west of this belonging to Garryowen. Shanly is located in a rural area, and the main area of it is hardly more populous then the surrounding country side. Some believe Shanly is only a road, and the inhabitants of this road make up its population, while others believe Shanly includes the sprawling fields and forests that surround it.