CanadaRat

Hi All,

its been a long while since my last post but I am pleased to say that my partner and myself are finally in possession of our PR cards and are hoping to make the move in April 2024 or there abouts - likely targeting the wider suburbs of Toronto.

The reason for my posting is that we are starting to compile a list of things that we need to consider, and there are so many things its like being lost in the woods for the trees. Some of the obvious things are coming up repeatedly on websites or threads such as;

• Sorting out SID on arrival
• Bank account
• Mobile phone & contract
• Medicare card (when eligible)

however, I would really appreciate it if anyone could offer any advice or feedback to any of the following points based on new comers from the UK arriving in Canada;

1. Getting a car - what is the typical best way to go about leasing a car or securing a set of wheels on arrival? I appreciate obtaining a financial lease is going to be near impossible without Canadian credit history
2. Credit score - Is there a means to transfer credit scores/ratings from the UK to Canada via a partnered bank or account that anyone has had experience with?
3. Bank account - What is the best means to setting up a bank account, getting a credit card early, building credit?
4. Relator and renting - We are looking to do the typical AirBnB first, transferring into a rental as soon as possible. What is the typical means of getting yourself a relator, and how easy is it to secure a rental property without a Canadian credit history? Are rental contracts quite protected in that you couldn't suddenly find yourself with only a month to find a new place to live?
5. General advice on arriving - Any general advice on first things you should do on arrival?

It is a little daunting to think about everything at the moment, but plenty of people have done it before us and survived! But any advice and support people are able to offer, general recommendations, or things we might not have considered, would be really appreciated.

Thank you all

christmasoompa

This may help -

https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Arriv...Do_List-Canada

Good luck.

CanadaRat

Thanks Christmasommpa for the link! I have been perusing the wiki this evening and hadn't happened across this page yet. Very useful.

christmasoompa

Glad it helped. I'd make the most of it, the Wiki is apparently being closed next week. Tons of work went in to it from various forum members and it contains a heck of a lot of useful info, so do read quickly and get the info you need before it goes!

CanadaRat

Thanks again for the info. That is absolutely a life saving bit of info as I have been busily making links this evening to useful threads which will soon be dead!