Is there anything you wish you’d known before moving to Canada?
Nov 6th 2019, 2:03 am
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 4
Is there anything you wish you’d known before moving to Canada?
Hi all, my family and I are less than 2 weeks away from moving to Edmonton, AB 😬
Is there anything you wish you’d known then (ie, anything you’d have brought with you, things you’d have done differently after arriving etc)?
New to BE so will have a read of the posts and advice etc.
Thanks in advance!
Is there anything you wish you’d known then (ie, anything you’d have brought with you, things you’d have done differently after arriving etc)?
New to BE so will have a read of the posts and advice etc.
Thanks in advance!
Nov 6th 2019, 4:39 am
#4
MODERATOR
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 16,708
Re: Is there anything you wish you’d known before moving to Canada?
Hi, welcome to BE!
There's lots of good info in our wiki so please make a drink and settle down for some reading
https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Categ...gistics-Canada and https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Categ..._Topics-Canada
Have you got Permanent Residence or coming on a Temporary Work Permit? Have you prepared your "Goods to Follow" and "Goods Accompanying" lists? You will need them if you want to import any of your personal possessions without paying duty/taxes.
Mattress's are a different size in Canada (see the wiki) so be prepared to have to buy new sheets etc., - if you are bringing some with you they may not fit. There are numerous $ stores to buy basics to get you through the early weeks / months - cheap cups / cutlery / crockery / tea towels / kitchen utensils etc. Walmart and Canadian Tire are good for household small appliances like kettles, toasters, coffee maker - and Walmart is ok for bedding too.. Ikea have similar size bedding to the UK if you need it.
Don't buy anywhere to live until you have lived in the area for at least 6 months - what seems like a good idea when you first arrive could be an area you hate a few months later!
If you use 'mixed herbs' bring a few packets of refills with you - the nearest thing to them you will find here is an 'Italian blend' which just isn't the same.
There's lots of good info in our wiki so please make a drink and settle down for some reading
https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Categ...gistics-Canada and https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Categ..._Topics-CanadaHave you got Permanent Residence or coming on a Temporary Work Permit? Have you prepared your "Goods to Follow" and "Goods Accompanying" lists? You will need them if you want to import any of your personal possessions without paying duty/taxes.
Mattress's are a different size in Canada (see the wiki) so be prepared to have to buy new sheets etc., - if you are bringing some with you they may not fit. There are numerous $ stores to buy basics to get you through the early weeks / months - cheap cups / cutlery / crockery / tea towels / kitchen utensils etc. Walmart and Canadian Tire are good for household small appliances like kettles, toasters, coffee maker - and Walmart is ok for bedding too.. Ikea have similar size bedding to the UK if you need it.
Don't buy anywhere to live until you have lived in the area for at least 6 months - what seems like a good idea when you first arrive could be an area you hate a few months later!
If you use 'mixed herbs' bring a few packets of refills with you - the nearest thing to them you will find here is an 'Italian blend' which just isn't the same.
Last edited by Siouxie; Nov 6th 2019 at 4:43 am.
Nov 6th 2019, 5:06 am
#5
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2013
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 2,877
Re: Is there anything you wish you’d known before moving to Canada?
Originally Posted by Siouxie
Hi, welcome to BE!
If you use 'mixed herbs' bring a few packets of refills with you - the nearest thing to them you will find here is an 'Italian blend' which just isn't the same.
If you use 'mixed herbs' bring a few packets of refills with you - the nearest thing to them you will find here is an 'Italian blend' which just isn't the same.
I use Fine Herbs here .......... how do they match with mixed herbs???
Nov 6th 2019, 5:09 am
#6
"In cruce vincam"
Joined: May 2010
Location: Mill Bay, Vancouver Island
Posts: 3,166
Re: Is there anything you wish you’d known before moving to Canada?
Originally Posted by Siouxie
Hi, welcome to BE!
There's lots of good info in our wiki so please make a drink and settle down for some reading https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Categ...gistics-Canada and https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Categ..._Topics-Canada
Have you got Permanent Residence or coming on a Temporary Work Permit? Have you prepared your "Goods to Follow" and "Goods Accompanying" lists? You will need them if you want to import any of your personal possessions without paying duty/taxes.
Mattress's are a different size in Canada (see the wiki) so be prepared to have to buy new sheets etc., - if you are bringing some with you they may not fit. There are numerous $ stores to buy basics to get you through the early weeks / months - cheap cups / cutlery / crockery / tea towels / kitchen utensils etc. Walmart and Canadian Tire are good for household small appliances like kettles, toasters, coffee maker - and Walmart is ok for bedding too.. Ikea have similar size bedding to the UK if you need it.
Don't buy anywhere to live until you have lived in the area for at least 6 months - what seems like a good idea when you first arrive could be an area you hate a few months later!
If you use 'mixed herbs' bring a few packets of refills with you - the nearest thing to them you will find here is an 'Italian blend' which just isn't the same.
There's lots of good info in our wiki so please make a drink and settle down for some reading
https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Categ...gistics-Canada and https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Categ..._Topics-CanadaHave you got Permanent Residence or coming on a Temporary Work Permit? Have you prepared your "Goods to Follow" and "Goods Accompanying" lists? You will need them if you want to import any of your personal possessions without paying duty/taxes.
Mattress's are a different size in Canada (see the wiki) so be prepared to have to buy new sheets etc., - if you are bringing some with you they may not fit. There are numerous $ stores to buy basics to get you through the early weeks / months - cheap cups / cutlery / crockery / tea towels / kitchen utensils etc. Walmart and Canadian Tire are good for household small appliances like kettles, toasters, coffee maker - and Walmart is ok for bedding too.. Ikea have similar size bedding to the UK if you need it.
Don't buy anywhere to live until you have lived in the area for at least 6 months - what seems like a good idea when you first arrive could be an area you hate a few months later!
If you use 'mixed herbs' bring a few packets of refills with you - the nearest thing to them you will find here is an 'Italian blend' which just isn't the same.
Nov 6th 2019, 8:09 pm
#13
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 19,375
Re: Is there anything you wish you’d known before moving to Canada?
Originally Posted by Edo
I wish I had known how expensive everything is in Canada.
I knew coastal BC was known for rain, but I wish I had known just how much rain this place can get, my first winter here was harsh, December that year was basically all rain and nothing but rain, I did not do well those first couple of winters.
Nov 6th 2019, 11:23 pm
#15
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2009
Location: Langley, BC
Posts: 1,575
Re: Is there anything you wish you’d known before moving to Canada?
Similar thread from a few months ago - Things you wish you could’ve done differently
