Finding a place to live in Canada is hugely important when you decide to relocate. Whether you decide to rent, buy or use temporary accommodation, it is crucial to do your research and plan in advance to make your move as smooth as possible!

Provinces and Territories

The cost of living and housing prices in Canada varies greatly between cities, provinces and territories. It’s important to note that although locations like Saskatchewan will be cheaper than cities like Toronto and Vancouver, the wage rates will often be lower if the cost of living is lower.

Renting vs. Buying

Many of our candidates decide to rent when they first move to Canada. It is advisable to start looking at rentals before you relocate. Look at local websites for the area and compare costs and advantages. Talk to others who have already moved on group forums, social media forums and boards for valuable information. For a full guide to renting and buying, visit Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation website for newcomers to Canada.

Things to note before renting:

• Most apartments/houses will require a full month’s rent as a security deposit.
• Include an estimated cost for utilities and furniture in your startup costs.
• Try to prepare a landlord reference and a letter from your bank before you leave the UK/Ireland.
• Find out what’s included in your rent, as some landlords will include heating, telephone, and internet.
• Cities such as Toronto and Vancouver are very large and spread out so it is important to rent somewhere convenient for you/all of your family i.e. close to work, schools etc.

Temporary Accommodation

If you haven’t secured a place to rent immediately or you are thinking about looking for a permanent home it is essential to organize temporary accommodation before you move. There are several temporary options available including hotels, motels, hostels or temporary apartments. Websites such as www.makeyourselfathome.com, www.torontofurishedrentals.com and www.airbnb.com offer fully furnished apartments, houses and sub-lets available to rent weekly.

Furniture and Utilities

Unlike many rentals in the UK and Ireland, most properties in Canada will be unfurnished. You should add a realistic amount to your relocation costs for furniture. Cheap furniture can be often found at thrift shops, websites like Craigslist and social media forums where people are moving home and looking to sell. IKEA outlets are often located in most cities.

Shipping

If you wish to ship any of your personal belongings or tools when you move, obtain a number of quotes from different companies to make the right decision. If you only want to ship a small amount, look into pricing extra baggage on your flight.   A number of recommended companies include: http://www.excess-baggage.com, http://hawthornlogistics.ie/ and http://www.fedex.com/ie/.

If you are an Auto Mechanic, HGV Mechanic, Truck Mechanic, Agri Mechanic, Plant Mechanic/Technician or Fitter looking to relocate to Canada please send your CV directly to us at: http://globalforceresource.com/canada/send-cv/or Call us on Tel (Irel): +353 (0)1 210 4526 or Tel (UK): +44 (0)20 3432 8597.

Tags: canada immigration, finding accommodation, moving to canada