The Ultimate Moving out of Province Checklist for Canadians
Moving out of province is a big deal. It's a big change and it's exciting, but it can also be stressful if you're not prepared. We've put together this moving out of province checklist for you to help make the.
Identify the best time of year to move
Whether you're moving to another city or across the country, it's important to know when the best time of year is to make the move. The answer varies depending on your situation. If you're a student and you need to move out of province, make sure that your move happens during a semester break or summer break so that you don't have to worry about missing classes or exams. This will help ensure that you don't find yourself behind in school while trying to adjust to life in a new province. If you are moving to seek employment, the winter months might not be the best time. Yes, you have an excuse to stay inside and binge-watch Netflix, after all. But some people also feel like it can be harder to find a job in the colder months and surrounding holidays. If you're planning to move your family out of province, the summer months are a great time to do it. Why? Because before school begins, you don't have to worry about the kids settling into a new routine or making new friends. You can focus on packing up and getting settled without having to worry about how the kids will adjust.
Determine if it's worth renting or buying a home in your new province
Moving to a new province and wondering if it's a better idea to rent or buy a home? The answer is: it depends!
The first step is calculating your household budget—how much money do you need to live each month? Use this calculator to get started. Once you have an idea of what kind of house you can afford, there are other factors to consider when deciding whether or not to rent or buy a home.
If you're buying, consider how long you plan on staying in the area and whether or not you want to invest in property in another province later on down the road. If your job is stable and secure, renting might be more cost-effective for now, and also gives you a chance to get to know the different areas and where you would like to ultimately buy. If you plan on moving back home after school or university, renting might make sense because there's no point spending money on something that will just sit empty while you're gone!
If your job isn't secure and stable at the moment (or if it's hard for other reasons), renting might not make as much sense because there's no guarantee that it will stay that way forever, and even if it does, renting means being tied down with a lease agreement for at least one year (or longer).
Make sure you have at least three months of living expenses saved up before moving day
Preparing for moving day is stressful enough. Don't add to the pressure by not having enough money saved up! Even if it seems like everything is going smoothly with your move, you've got a great new job lined up, a house or apartment ready for move-in day, and everyone who matters has been briefed on their responsibilities, there are still some things that could fall through the cracks if you're not prepared: Your car breaks down before the move date, the new house or apartment isn't ready when it was supposed to be, or the worst-case scenario happens, like you lose your job right after moving in, you'll be able to cover your rent and utilities for a few more months while you figure out what to do next.
You don't want to end up in a situation where you're stuck without any money coming in because all of your finances were tied up in moving costs. That's why we recommend having at least three months' worth of living expenses saved up before moving day so that if anything unexpected happens, you are prepared.
Book your moving company early
Booking a moving company early is a smart move. Moving companies often get booked up months in advance, and waiting until the last minute can leave you scrambling to find someone reputable to help you move. When you book early, you get to choose the best moving company for your needs. A good reputable moving company will help you with all aspects of your move, including packing and unpacking, loading, and unloading trucks, storing household goods while you're waiting for the new house to be ready, etc. You'll be able to discuss exactly what kind of supplies and trucks they have for the job with them before you hire them so that there won't be any surprises later on down the line.
If this is your first time moving across the country, it can be overwhelming. You want to make sure that your belongings are going to be safe and secure, and you don't want to have any issues during the move. That's why we always recommend using a company that has experience with out of province moves.
Decide what is coming with you and what you are leaving behind
Moving out of province is a big decision. It means you're leaving everything you know behind and starting fresh in a new place. It's also an opportunity to try a whole new lifestyle, one that might be better for you than the one you were living before.
But when it comes to moving, it's important to remember, there's no right way to do it. There are lots of things to consider before you make any big decisions, and if this is the first time you've ever moved outside of your province, then all the more reason to think through every choice carefully.
The most important thing? Make sure that what you're bringing with you matches who you are now and where your life is going. If not, then don't bring it! We know how much you love your belongings, so it might be tempting to pack up all your things and bring them along with you on the road trip. But remember, every extra bit of weight means more money spent on gas! And who wants that?
Instead, leave behind anything that isn't absolutely necessary for your day-to-day life in your new province. And if there's anything else besides furniture or clothing that has sentimental value for you like photos, artwork, awards, think about whether or not it would be better off staying behind with family members who love it as much as you do.
Bird’s Moving provides an all-inclusive service for all out of province moves. We take care of everything from packing up your things to unpacking them at your new home. Our professional movers will ensure that everything arrives in perfect condition at its destination!