Are you thinking of moving from Ottawa to a different province? You may be about to set off on the adventure of a lifetime. However, life in a new area requires a major adjustment, as well. To make your move a success, ensure you do your due diligence with plenty of advanced research and planning.
As Renfrew’s expert movers, allow us to walk you through these 6 essential things you should investigate before you move to a new province.
1. Provincial Resources
Canada is a vast country, with differences among the provinces that can be amazing. They all have plenty to offer new residents, though. Check out this list of provincial resources:
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Download NowAlberta
Alberta, ranked by many as the best place to live in Canada, has certainly got lots going for it — high employment, low taxes… and the Rockies! Find out more in this Alberta resource guide.
British Columbia
Ah! Beautiful British Columbia lives up to its name, with its gorgeous mountains, forests, and beaches. If you’re contemplating a move from Ottawa to Victoria or Vancouver, read this resource on starting your life in BC.
Manitoba
Planning on moving from Ottawa to Winnipeg? Manitoba is literally the heart of Canada — and this central province has plenty of heart. Here is a searchable resource on all things Manitoba, from choosing a community to finding a job.
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is attracting more and more new residents, who are moving long distances to enjoy this province’s affordable housing and oceanfront lifestyle. Presenting a must-read NB resource, aptly titled “Moving Here.”
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is attracting many newcomers with its diverse job opportunism and rapid economic growth. That’s not to mention its incredible scenery. If the province with 100,000 lakes appeals to you, learn more with this Saskatchewan resource.
Ontario
Perhaps you live in Ottawa but are about to move elsewhere in Ontario. Or you may be immigrating to Ontario from outside of Canada. Start on the right foot with this resource for getting settled in Ontario.
2. Cost Of Moving To A Different Province
When moving to a new part of Canada, you’ll need to take into account several costs:
Cost Of Housing
Housing —whether you plan to buy or rent—will, in all likelihood, be the biggest item on your moving cost spreadsheet. The cost of housing varies widely in Canada, so consider your budget and do some careful homework before committing to a move.
As a general rule, the Maritime provinces (for instance, Prince Edward Island or Nova Scotia) and smaller towns like Halifax and Saskatoon across the country offer more affordable housing. By contrast, prices are pretty high in certain urban centres such as Calgary or Montreal, with limited rentals and home sales often well over the asking price. And then you have cities like Edmonton, which are somewhere in the middle. Of course, if you work from home or are retired, you can be flexible about where you live.
Cost Of Living
Income tax rates plus the cost of staples like groceries and utilities tend to vary hugely in various Canadian locations. In any place you might like to move to, don’t look only at job opportunities. Also, investigate what your cost of living will be — it just may be a deal-breaker.
Cost Of Moving Company Services
If all your previous moves have been local (which typically charge by the hour), you could be surprised at the cost of moving a long distance to another province. As a rule, you can calculate long-distance moving costs by multiplying the total weight of your belongings X the distance to be moved.
3. Healthcare
Socialized medicine is the norm everywhere in Canada, but every province has its own public health system. Register for your new health card right away, as processing will take anywhere from several weeks to several months, depending on which province you’re looking at. Ensure that your medical expenses will be covered in the meantime; check out how long your current health coverage will last.
Avoid surprises. Find out what your new provincial health plan will pay for — it might not be the same as what you’re used to. For example, if a certain medication is not covered, ask a medical professional whether there is an acceptable substitute.
4. Driver’s License & License Plate
Each province also has its own system of issuing driver’s licenses. When you move to a new province in Canada, you will be allowed to continue driving with your old license for a grace period of 60-90 days. After that, you will need a new license issued by the province you’ve moved to, so be sure to get your application in as soon as possible. Even if you’re a non-driver, some provinces (for example, BC and Alberta) will issue you a government ID card that looks similar to a license.
You’ll also have a limited period in which to register your vehicle, switch your insurance, and obtain your new license plate — so don’t delay!
5. Home Services & Utilities
Changing your utilities is much easier than it once was because you can now do most of the work online. Give advance notice to existing utility providers that you’ll be cancelling service. Make sure to record gas, electric, and water meter readings before leaving and ensure that any deposits are returned to you. Then contact utility companies in your new province to request an account.
You’ll probably need a technician’s visit for several things, such as setting up your internet. Try to coordinate all these appointments and deliveries of new furniture and appliances, so that you will only have to stay at home one or two days to wait for them.
Don’t forget to update your home insurance on both the house itself and its contents.
TIP: Do some research beforehand on home service providers in your new city. Ask locals for recommendations and look at Google reviews for plumbers, electricians, HVAC companies, and the like. That way, if your air conditioning conks out the day you arrive, you will know who to call.
6. Transportation
While the NCR enjoys good quality public transportation, that is far from the case in many parts of Canada. Find out the cost of transit fares and monthly passes. If you prefer to travel by car, compare automobile insurance rates and gasoline prices.
Cassidy’s Will Simplify Your Long-Distance Move
Moving to a new province can be stressful — even more so than a local move. But once you’ve made up your mind to relocate, call Cassidy’s team of professional Stittsville movers. We provide reliable, expert moving services customizable to suit your needs.
