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-   -   Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol???? (https://britishexpats.com/forum/maple-leaf-98/there-any-moving-protocol-524903/)

Smart Cookie Mar 27th 2008 7:35 am
Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
It may sound funny, but what happens when you move into a new house in Canada? I mean, here in Germany, the person who is moving in is expected to go round to all adjoining neighbours on the first day and introduce themselves. What happens there? Do you just keep yourself to yourself and say Hi as and when you see a neighbour? Do you go round formally and introduce yourself or do they visit you with a plate of cookies like in the movies??!! Don't want to get off on the wrong foot!!

Souvenir Mar 27th 2008 7:47 am
Re: Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
Originally Posted by Smart Cookie (Post 6120183)
It may sound funny, but what happens when you move into a new house in Canada? I mean, here in Germany, the person who is moving in is expected to go round to all adjoining neighbours on the first day and introduce themselves. What happens there? Do you just keep yourself to yourself and say Hi as and when you see a neighbour? Do you go round formally and introduce yourself or do they visit you with a plate of cookies like in the movies??!! Don't want to get off on the wrong foot!!
You will quite possibly go for several years without even saying hello to your neighbours. Introduce yourself if you meet someone in the street. Nothing more is needed.

shasa Mar 27th 2008 7:49 am
Re: Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
i was wondering that also, about to move over into new house on PEI 10th June.

Sound silly, but also wondering about, how do you know who supplies telephone, gas, electric etc

iaink Mar 27th 2008 7:53 am
Re: Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
Probably depends on the neighbourhood. Out here in the sticks we had a bit of everything from neigbours bringing food round before we had a chance to go around door to door and introduce ourselves to neighbours who keep themselves to themselves.

We (well, my canadian wife) decided to hold an afternoon coffee and snacks informal "open house" party and invited everyone within walking distance to come by...some did, some didnt. It was an excuse to go door to door and see who was in, and it was a friendly gesture that made it easy for others to reciprocate if they wanted too without appearing to be too nosey, so I think it was a great idea.

I dont know how normal this is, but shes canadian so I wasnt going to argue with her on home territory.

A few weeks later we were invited by a neighbour of a neighbour of a neighbour who we had never met to the annual neigbourhood golf day, so that was a nice way to meet some of the other wider neighbourhood too.

iaink Mar 27th 2008 7:54 am
Re: Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
Originally Posted by shasa (Post 6120239)

Sound silly, but also wondering about, how do you know who supplies telephone, gas, electric etc
Ask the realtor or the previous owners or the landlord if you are renting....

ann m Mar 27th 2008 7:55 am
Re: Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
Hit and miss for us - three sets of neighbours came over to say "hi" (minus the basketful of cookies though ;) ) and others pretty much ignored us until we caught their eye whilst out gardening or whatever. The lady next door has only spoken to me in the last month (and we've been here 9 months !) - and I think that was only brought about because we both have new dogs that have making friends with each other and peeing against the fence :rofl:

Your realtor should do a walk through with you on the day you take possession - just to check all is as you thought it was .... the previous occupants for our house left us no details at all, apart from a few appliance leaflets in a drawer (and a garden full of dog sh** ). Right down to having no idea where our post box was ....

I've always left a kindly note for any new occupant of my house with boring details about post deliveries, dustbin day, gas/electric/water suppliers, etc, heating controls, stop cocks, etc - but I guess lots of people are not so conscientious !

Souvenir Mar 27th 2008 8:06 am
Re: Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
Originally Posted by shasa (Post 6120239)
i was wondering that also, about to move over into new house on PEI 10th June.

Sound silly, but also wondering about, how do you know who supplies telephone, gas, electric etc
If you're buying the place, odds are the various companies already know about it. The lawyer will probably have notified them. Best to check though. As someone else said, ask the realtor.

Oakvillian Mar 27th 2008 8:40 am
Re: Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
we moved in on a Friday and couldn't get the shippers to deliver until the following Monday. Before we'd even plugged in the emergency kettle and set up the folding chairs we'd bought, our neighbour popped her head over the fence in the back yard, introduced herself, lent us a couple of chairs, brought cookies, offered to help unpack, and given us the gossip on all our new neighbours. Within a week my (heavily pregnant) OH had been introduced to all the local moms with similar-age children, learnt who had baby-sitter kids, and we'd all been invited swimming in both neighbours' pools. We really didn't have to make any kind of effort to be welcomed into the neighbourhood, it is one of the things we most like about where we live. Mind you, we gather that the previous owners of our place were pretty dour and unsociable, so perhaps the neighbours just welcomed the change!

As far as utilities, instructions etc go, ours were all sorted by realtors and/or lawyers. We had to go down to the local hydro office and leave a security deposit, as I gather a lot of new residents with no credit history have to do, but that was no great hardship. The previous occupants left instructions for just about every appliance, including the 20-year-old fridge. The realtor passed us information about the postal service, but we found out about garbage/recycling collection etc from neighbours. Stop cocks etc were pointed out to me during our pre-purchase home inspection.

AlvicBC Mar 27th 2008 9:13 am
Re: Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
We were here two days when our neighbour two doors down sent her grandson up with a huge tray of homebaked goodies - I was overwhelmed, nearly cried:o Her husband has sinced help us lug about heavy washing machines, lent us his truck etc etc

Lady across the road on many occasion checks to see if our shipment has arrived in order to help me unpack and is constantly offering me bits of furniture - dont know why I haven't taken her up on that yet though:blink:

And just on Monday night past a couple from the next block arrived at our door full of apologies that they had not been to welcome us as they had been out of town. The lady handed me a basket full of homemade jams, lemon curd, beetroot, marmalade etc etc - I was stunned again at the locals kindness.

I know all of my neighbours and many of the occupants of the town by name and we are only here 11 weeks:D

gingnut Mar 27th 2008 9:17 am
Re: Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
Originally Posted by AlvicSK (Post 6120670)
We were here two days when our neighbour two doors down sent her grandson up with a huge tray of homebaked goodies - I was overwhelmed, nearly cried:o Her husband has sinced help us lug about heavy washing machines, lent us his truck etc etc

Lady across the road on many occasion checks to see if our shipment has arrived in order to help me unpack and is constantly offering me bits of furniture - dont know why I haven't taken her up on that yet though:blink:

And just on Monday night past a couple from the next block arrived at our door full of apologies that they had not been to welcome us as they had been out of town. The lady handed me a basket full of homemade jams, lemon curd, beetroot, marmalade etc etc - I was stunned again at the locals kindness.

I know all of my neighbours and many of the occupants of the town by name and we are only here 11 weeks:D
Do you know the name of the of the guy who's massive head is outside the town? Couldn't believe it when I saw it.

AlvicBC Mar 27th 2008 9:24 am
Re: Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
Originally Posted by gingnut (Post 6120695)
Do you know the name of the of the guy who's massive head is outside the town? Couldn't believe it when I saw it.
If you mean our statue of the Indian's head, yes, he's called George:rofl:

edsask Mar 27th 2008 9:28 am
Re: Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
Originally Posted by AlvicSK (Post 6120731)
If you mean our statue of the Indian's head, yes, he's called George:rofl:
Which reminds me - got to visit my wife's cousins in Turtleford, so I can say hello to Ernie the Turtle. But my favourite is 'the Happy Rock' in ... Gladstone, Manitoba.

gingnut Mar 27th 2008 9:38 am
Re: Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
Originally Posted by edsask (Post 6120752)
Which reminds me - got to visit my wife's cousins in Turtleford, so I can say hello to Ernie the Turtle. But my favourite is 'the Happy Rock' in ... Gladstone, Manitoba.
I guess putting a giant sculpture of what a town is named after is one way to breakup up the towns scenery, hope we don't do that it regina. What if the artist does not know its Latin for queen.

Coffeepot Mar 27th 2008 9:58 am
Re: Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
Originally Posted by AlvicSK (Post 6120670)
We were here two days when our neighbour two doors down sent her grandson up with a huge tray of homebaked goodies - I was overwhelmed, nearly cried:o Her husband has sinced help us lug about heavy washing machines, lent us his truck etc etc

Lady across the road on many occasion checks to see if our shipment has arrived in order to help me unpack and is constantly offering me bits of furniture - dont know why I haven't taken her up on that yet though:blink:

And just on Monday night past a couple from the next block arrived at our door full of apologies that they had not been to welcome us as they had been out of town. The lady handed me a basket full of homemade jams, lemon curd, beetroot, marmalade etc etc - I was stunned again at the locals kindness.

I know all of my neighbours and many of the occupants of the town by name and we are only here 11 weeks:D
That sounds lovely what a great welcome, :wub:

daft batty Mar 27th 2008 10:55 am
Re: Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
I was hoping for deliveries of cookies and muffins in gingham cloth lined baskets. There were none, we waved at a few people and one came over to say hello while we were moving the furniture in. Otherwise nothing special neighbours are friendly but distant. Bit like in deepest Bedfordshire.

AlvicBC Mar 27th 2008 3:53 pm
Re: Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
Originally Posted by Coffeepot (Post 6120893)
That sounds lovely what a great welcome, :wub:
It was a great welcome;)

Harrypottermouse Mar 27th 2008 11:49 pm
Re: Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
Originally Posted by AlvicSK (Post 6120670)
We were here two days when our neighbour two doors down sent her grandson up with a huge tray of homebaked goodies - I was overwhelmed, nearly cried:o Her husband has sinced help us lug about heavy washing machines, lent us his truck etc etc

Lady across the road on many occasion checks to see if our shipment has arrived in order to help me unpack and is constantly offering me bits of furniture - dont know why I haven't taken her up on that yet though:blink:

And just on Monday night past a couple from the next block arrived at our door full of apologies that they had not been to welcome us as they had been out of town. The lady handed me a basket full of homemade jams, lemon curd, beetroot, marmalade etc etc - I was stunned again at the locals kindness.

I know all of my neighbours and many of the occupants of the town by name and we are only here 11 weeks:D
Still no sign of any stuff yet?

Did you manage to keep the eggs away from OH and do your hunt?? Did he enjoy it or did the dogs get there first?

Dawn

Harrypottermouse Mar 27th 2008 11:51 pm
Re: Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
Originally Posted by edsask (Post 6120752)
Which reminds me - got to visit my wife's cousins in Turtleford, so I can say hello to Ernie the Turtle. But my favourite is 'the Happy Rock' in ... Gladstone, Manitoba.
I have a picture or two somewhere of Mac the Moose I will have to sort out from our Recci

AlvicBC Mar 28th 2008 3:26 am
Re: Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
Originally Posted by Harrypottermouse (Post 6123171)
Still no sign of any stuff yet?

Did you manage to keep the eggs away from OH and do your hunt?? Did he enjoy it or did the dogs get there first?

Dawn
Egg hunt!!!!!!!!!!!! He had them all eat in about two days:rofl: I kid you not.

Container promised last week and phoned again yesterday and promised next week - see I knew we should have got the Red Knicker Gang to hi-jack the train as it passed Indain Head:rofl:

BTW - I hate you:curse: - where did you see Mac the Moose - i have been dying to see a moose since we came and you are only in the country two weeks and see one - not fair...stamps foot in huff!

Coffeepot Mar 28th 2008 3:58 am
Re: Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
Originally Posted by AlvicSK (Post 6124135)
Egg hunt!!!!!!!!!!!! He had them all eat in about two days:rofl: I kid you not.

Container promised last week and phoned again yesterday and promised next week - see I knew we should have got the Red Knicker Gang to hi-jack the train as it passed Indain Head:rofl:

BTW - I hate you:curse: - where did you see Mac the Moose - i have been dying to see a moose since we came and you are only in the country two weeks and see one - not fair...stamps foot in huff!
Now play nicely and wait your turn ;)

AlvicBC Mar 28th 2008 4:26 am
Re: Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
Originally Posted by Coffeepot (Post 6124250)
Now play nicely and wait your turn ;)
But I want to see a moose:cry_smile:

clynnog Mar 28th 2008 4:33 am
Re: Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
Originally Posted by Souvenir (Post 6120228)
You will quite possibly go for several years without even saying hello to your neighbours. Introduce yourself if you meet someone in the street. Nothing more is needed.
I've lived in the same house for 13 years here and have yet to utter more than 2 words to the guy across the road (the side of his house faces our house). The guy 3 doors away ditto. Funnily enough both of them are born and bred Canajuns who are extremely grumpy and work for the Federal Government. I'm not alone in the snubbing as nobody in the n'hood seems to talk to them....they are just aloof and they have avoided my greetings over the years. Quelle surprise when we got the big snowstorm about 3 weeks ago and both sets of grumpy neighbours were away on vacation and nobody in the n'hood used a snowblower to make their house look lived in.

Other neighbours are hard to get rid of.

Eastbound Mar 28th 2008 6:23 am
Re: Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
[QUOTE=Smart Cookie;6120183]It may sound funny, but what happens when you move into a new house in Canada? I mean, here in Germany, the person who is moving in is expected to go round to all adjoining neighbours on the first day and introduce themselves. What happens there

Hi
The neighbours are great where we are , our immediate ones came over with a plate of cookies all freshly baked with lots of helpful info on best places to eat , go for walks etc then the neighbour on the other side presented himself with the best housewarming present ever the biggest smile ive ever seen and a snow shovel which I had never seen before then, but has been used three times this year already. We have been so lucky to land such great neighbours

Novocastrian Mar 28th 2008 8:28 am
Re: Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
Originally Posted by Smart Cookie (Post 6120183)
It may sound funny, but what happens when you move into a new house in Canada? I mean, here in Germany, the person who is moving in is expected to go round to all adjoining neighbours on the first day and introduce themselves.
I think you are confusing Bayern with Germany.

Novocastrian Mar 28th 2008 8:30 am
Re: Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
Originally Posted by gingnut (Post 6120794)
I guess putting a giant sculpture of what a town is named after is one way to breakup up the towns scenery, hope we don't do that it regina. What if the artist does not know its Latin for queen.
It might be more embarrassing if he does know. You've heard about these arty types.

edsask Mar 28th 2008 10:16 am
Re: Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
Originally Posted by Novocastrian (Post 6125183)
It might be more embarrassing if he does know. You've heard about these arty types.
Indeed. Saskatonians might have their jokes made for them …

Harrypottermouse Mar 28th 2008 10:53 am
Re: Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
Originally Posted by gingnut (Post 6120794)
I guess putting a giant sculpture of what a town is named after is one way to breakup up the towns scenery, hope we don't do that it regina. What if the artist does not know its Latin for queen.
Regina doesn't celebrate its name - it does have a car in a building, a giant frog, Luiggi's truck, Pemican Pete, a pitchfork, a polar bear and... Reginald the Grasshopper.:blink:
http://www.roadsideattractions.ca/sask.htm

Coffeepot Mar 28th 2008 7:52 pm
Re: Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
Originally Posted by Harrypottermouse (Post 6125669)
Regina doesn't celebrate its name - it does have a car in a building, a giant frog, Luiggi's truck, Pemican Pete, a pitchfork, a polar bear and... Reginald the Grasshopper.:blink:
http://www.roadsideattractions.ca/sask.htm
I could do with that giant coffeepot for my aviator :thumbsup:

Harrypottermouse Mar 29th 2008 12:12 am
Re: Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
2 Attachment(s)
Originally Posted by AlvicSK (Post 6124135)
Egg hunt!!!!!!!!!!!! He had them all eat in about two days:rofl: I kid you not.

Container promised last week and phoned again yesterday and promised next week - see I knew we should have got the Red Knicker Gang to hi-jack the train as it passed Indain Head:rofl:

BTW - I hate you:curse: - where did you see Mac the Moose - i have been dying to see a moose since we came and you are only in the country two weeks and see one - not fair...stamps foot in huff!
Sorry Al - We just happened upon the TIC and there he was large as life...we also got the little moose rescued from Crescent Park...see image 2 - very sweet. Also very conveniently close (2 mins) from Tim Hortons...our only visit - lunch on the way back to the airport. That was a tale - we were so late leaving - we made it from TH to Regina Airport via the fuel stop in 45 mins....ouch

We did however miss the girt big indian...

AlvicBC Mar 31st 2008 5:06 am
Re: Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
Originally Posted by Harrypottermouse (Post 6127369)
Sorry Al - We just happened upon the TIC and there he was large as life...we also got the little moose rescued from Crescent Park...see image 2 - very sweet. Also very conveniently close (2 mins) from Tim Hortons...our only visit - lunch on the way back to the airport. That was a tale - we were so late leaving - we made it from TH to Regina Airport via the fuel stop in 45 mins....ouch

We did however miss the girt big indian...
Sure I only realised afterwards you were talking about a statue - thought you had seen a moose in real life:o

Did you not see the Indain's head when you came into the town that Sunday you were at our house?

Harrypottermouse Mar 31st 2008 5:18 am
Re: Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
Originally Posted by AlvicSK (Post 6137684)
Sure I only realised afterwards you were talking about a statue - thought you had seen a moose in real life:o

Did you not see the Indain's head when you came into the town that Sunday you were at our house?
No sweetie - will save that for our next drive by...I'm sure we will have to visit Regina at some point.

Hows you both...Well Purple80's OH done his first Candians days work...(well almost (its 6pm here))

AlvicBC Mar 31st 2008 5:38 am
Re: Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
Originally Posted by Harrypottermouse (Post 6137736)
No sweetie - will save that for our next drive by...I'm sure we will have to visit Regina at some point.

Hows you both...Well Purple80's OH done his first Candians days work...(well almost (its 6pm here))
As you drive in the West access road to Indian Head the giant sculpture is on your right hand side:eek: beside the tourist booth - I can't believe you two missed it:rofl:

Oh I'm sure you'll be here manys a time my dear for our SK meetups!
mrs
Cant believe Mr Purple 80 is on his first day of work already - Mrs Purple 80 will be so anxious to hear how he got on.

the davis family Mar 31st 2008 5:44 am
Re: Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
I've seen a moose!! Very cool moment, also saw brown bear on way to Whitewood and a black bear with her two cubs in Duck Mountain while on a trail ride. She ran off with one cub the other ran up a tree scared to death from 30 horses and riders stood underneath taking pics!

Getting back to the topic we didn't meet our neighbours until snow went and everyone started going out in their yards.

AlvicBC Mar 31st 2008 7:31 am
Re: Is there any 'Moving In' Protocol????
 
Originally Posted by the davis family (Post 6137849)
I've seen a moose!! Very cool moment, also saw brown bear on way to Whitewood and a black bear with her two cubs in Duck Mountain while on a trail ride. She ran off with one cub the other ran up a tree scared to death from 30 horses and riders stood underneath taking pics!

Getting back to the topic we didn't meet our neighbours until snow went and everyone started going out in their yards.
We saw two moose on our reccie and would you believe they were actually just on the outskirts of Moose Jaw!!!

Our neighbour across the road did say that everyone comes out of hibernation when Spring arrives:D


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