So you’ve decided that you are moving to Canada? That can be the best decision in your life since the “great white north” is the first choice destinations for many. Every year, more and more people are immigrating to Canada as the best way to improve their quality of life and career opportunities. Nevertheless, moving to another country, while exciting, it’s not an easy task. There are many steps that you have to take before you move to Canada.

Moving to Canada – planning  process

Planning is everything when you are moving to Canada from abroad.  It will be overwhelming and difficult sometimes, but it is expected. Luckily, there are many intercontinental relocation tips that can help you with that. Every major change in life is, and moving to another country is one of the biggest and most stressful ones.

Good planning will help you manage the whole process and make your move less stressful.

•    Write down everything– When you put things in writing, you will have a better perspective on the work that you have to do. Make a list of the required documentation, list of all the things you have to do before you move, list of the best moving companies, your budget list, list of the moving dates, list of your inventory. Make a list of everything that you can think of. This will give you the sense of control and decrease a possibility that you will forget something.
•    Legal requirements– Before you even make a decision to move to Canada, be sure that you are fulfilling the legal requirements. You need to have a proper visa, valid passport, certified documents. Consult with the nearest embassy of Canada and find out what kind of paperwork do you need. It will be wise if you can hire a lawyer. That way, you will be certain that you have all that you take to start your new life in Canada.
•    Hire professional help– When you are moving locally, you could do it by yourself. When you are moving to a different country, it’s a totally different story. In this case, hiring the professional moving company is just necessary. There are a lot of good movers in Canada, but you should find the most reliable one. We would suggest hiring movers in Northern Ontario since their reputation is impeccable.

Find a place to live in Canada

Before you pack your bags and hop on the plane, you should find a place to call a new home in Canada.

Regarding the reasons for your move, you have probably found the city that you want to settle in. When moving a long distance to Ontario, Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal or another city in Canada, it will be smart to begin looking for housing as soon as possible. You should know that the rental market can be competitive in urban areas, but there are always plenty of properties for rent or sale.

Almost two-thirds of Canadians report owning a home rather than renting, so hiring a real estate agent to help you with your search will be a smart decision.

If you are moving from EU to Toronto or Vancouver, you should have a bigger budget. These are more expensive areas in Canada, but living in their suburbs is more affordable.

Ottawa and Ontario are the home to a large population of immigrants, what makes them attractive places for newcomers.

Find a job

Another important thing that you should do before you move to Canada is to find a job. You can always find a job after your move, but this will give you more security. It is a good moving strategy.
There are a lot of job opportunities in Canada. The companies are very professional and always have available job offers on their websites. The professionals and experts are always needed, so there won’t be hard for you to find a job even before you move.

Healthcare

When you move to Canada, your priority should be to register for health insurance. Every province has its own care system, and waiting period in some can be up to three months before a health card can be issued.

Canada is famous as a country that health care is free for all citizens, and is paid through taxes.

If you are in need, emergency hospital care is free, no matter your status or if you have a healthcare.

You can apply for a card online or at most local hospitals, doctor’s offices or pharmacies. Once your documentation is in order, you can even apply from your own country, before the move. That way, your health care card will be issued and waiting for you before moving to Canada.

Winter in Canada

The cold weather and tons of snow are the first thoughts of many people when Canada is mentioned.
That is a common misconception. Like any country, Canada has parts that are colder, and those that are warmer. It’s not the internal winter – in fact, Canada has four seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter. The climate and intensity of these seasons vary across the country.

Moderate climate through all year can be found on the west coast of British Columbia, including Vancouver. Mild winters and summers that are not very warm are the characteristics of the west coast.

Of course, the farther north you go the colder weather will be. Short, fierce winters with temperatures below zero could be found in Eastern Canada, including Toronto and Montreal. Temperatures of -20°C (-4°F) are not uncommon in these areas during the winter.

Charms of the Canadian winter

Winter season is generally December, January, and February. It’s not uncommon for winter weather to start in November and last through late March or even early April, especially in the eastern part of the country.

That doesn’t mean that you will be bored. Winter in Canada doesn’t mean sitting inside with the hot cacao, waiting for the snow to melt. It means a totally different thing – a lot of fun things to do! There are so many activities to try: skating, night skating, skiing, snowboarding, hockey outdoors, a bicycle ride on snow, many winter festivals. Moving to Canada will show you how winter can be the most fun season of the year.