Moving to Canada – What Should You Know?

Are you planning on relocating up north? If you don’t mind harsh winters and snowbound streets, moving to Canada is probably your first and only option. Natural beauties combined with the convenience of modern cities make a perfect blend. Yes, there are strong reasons the Land of the Maple Leaf keeps increasing immigration levels. And the number of people that immigrate to Canada every year is truly remarkable! Nearly 1 million newcomers are expected to arrive in the period from 2018 to 2020. If you would like to know what northern neighbor has to offer, there are things you should know before you pack up and hit the road.

Where to put down roots?

Canada is a huge country that consists of ten provinces and a number of metro areas. Most newcomers eventually end up in Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver. However, recent surveys show that Toronto is the most expensive city, whereas Ottawa is the most affordable to live and work in. Still, all these cities are way cheaper than popular U.S. metros. Whereas average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Toronto ranges around $2,300, in New York it goes up to $3,752. When you seriously work out the costs, the idea of a long-distance move becomes more tempting than ever. And browsing through long-distance moving companies in Brooklyn is the first task on your list.

But living costs are not the only parameter in the choice of the most desirable destination. Whereas residents of Vancouver enjoy a mild coastal climate influenced by the proximity of the Pacific Ocean, the northern parts of Ontario province are known for long and harsh winters.

Another important question is – do you speak French? The official language of the Quebec province is French. The range of employment opportunities is much more diverse if you are fluent in both languages but it’s shouldn’t hold you back if you decide to move to Canada since both English and French are official languages.

Are you eligible for permanent residency?

Once you’ve made the decision and chosen your future hometown, let’s take care of some details. How do you plan to obtain permanent residency in the first place? Are you eligible for moving to Canada? The easiest way to Canadian residency is via Express Entry. Express Entry is an immigration system that uses the scale of points to assess each candidate’s eligibility according to a number of parameters. The scale goes up to 1200 points and the system primarily considers the following:

• candidate’s age
• skills
• education
• work experience

In addition, you can get points if you have siblings with Canadian residency or a job offer on the table. Anyhow, the assessment procedure is over in six months, which makes Express Entry the easiest and fastest way to legal immigration. The system favors young skilled professionals.

How to make a living in Canada

If you don’t have a job offer on the table, you need to research job markets before you unpack your bags in Canada. The job search is easier nowadays thanks to a number of websites that offer information about in-demand jobs and vacancies. As for Canada, we are back to Express Entry. This system is linked to the Job Pool, an online platform that helps foreign citizens find vacancies and in-demand jobs across the country.

It is good to know that the Canadian economy is strong and new jobs are added on a regular basis. However, the demand for specific profiles depends on the region. Google your line of work to see which cities suit your qualifications before moving to Canada. For example, Toronto is the center of technology. Here are some of the jobs that are currently popular in Toronto:

• software engineer
• data analyst
• Java developer
• graphic designer

Other high-demand jobs in Canada

However, the IT sector is not the only industry branch that creates jobs. Canada is constantly in need of health care workers, financial and sales managers, and electrical engineers. To sum up, if you are a skilled professional in your line of work, you will be able to make a living in Canada. There is one extremely important thing to be aware though, and this can be a big downside when moving to Canada, of course, depending on your profession and what kind of job you’re looking for – you’ll need Canadian credentials. What that means is that you’ll have to gain experience in the Canadian market, even if you already have what seems to be sufficient experience for the job.

So sometimes, even if you’re qualified, you may have to upgrade or revalidate your credentials in order to meet Canadian standards. Again, this may not be the case for you since it depends on a specific area you’re moving to, as well as your experience, the industry you’re working in, and other factors, but it is definitely something to look into before you buy a one-way ticket and expect to find a job on your first day. Also, the job market is rather competitive so arm yourself with patience if you’re about to search for a job in Canada.

How is the housing market in Canada?

Besides getting a job, finding a home is the next most important thing when moving to another country. Looking into the housing market, America is cheaper than Canada so expect to pay more if you plan to buy a house. This does depend on the region you’re moving to and finding a house always has to do a little bit with luck as well, but in general, Canadian real estate is much more expensive than US real estate. Another thing that can make your house hunt challenging is the fact that you can’t take your credit score with you. So your elements within your US credit report will stay behind and you’ll have to establish a new credit score after you move.

Since building a strong credit score takes time, paychecks, and paying bills, it can take quite a while until you’re well on your feet and you’re able to get a loan and buy a house as a Canadian. Besides buying your property, the lack of a solid credit score can also delay your car purchase and other big investments you may be planning. This shouldn’t necessarily discourage anyone wanting to move to Canada from the USA but it is something to keep in mind and plan with when relocating to the Great White North.

Get ready for a long distance move

Moving up north across borders is a demanding task. It’s a long road and weather conditions can get extreme if you’re moving in the wintertime. Moving offseason is generally recommended, as prices decrease and the roads are less crowded. However, when you’re moving to Canada, it may not be the wisest choice. Moving offseason would mean moving in the winter or late autumn. If you’re still eager to hit the road no matter what, it’s best to hire experienced professional movers. Long-distance moves are extremely complex and it’s not wise trying to DIY – it’s much safer to look for long-distance movers from New York that are used to snowbound streets.

Dorothy & Martha Moving NYC certainly is used to all kinds of conditions on the road. Anyhow, you have a challenging task ahead of you and you need to start preparing for your Canada move in time.

Downsize your home before moving to Canada

If you’re moving locally, you may be able to bring each and every item from your wardrobe and excessively cluttered living room bookcase. However, when you’re preparing for a long journey to Canada, you need to downsize your belongings as much as you can. Forget about magazines, unwearable clothes, and super-heavy furniture. With a strong economy and clear regulations, Canada offers high-quality goods and services in every sphere of life. You will be able to find everything you need once you settle in. Plus, moving services will cost much less if you don’t have so many things with you so be diligent about decluttering your home and only bring what is truly important.

If you have made the decision about moving to Canada, there’s no need to reconsider it over and over again. This vast country has a lot to offer, regardless of your social and financial background. There is a functional system that welcomes newcomers and helps them assimilate and find employment. As the immigration trend continues at an unprecedented pace and 300,000 new workers arrive to Canada every single year, Canadian authorities are sending a clear message. If you have certain skills and knowledge and wish to become Canadian citizens, you are all welcome!