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There are many options when it comes to retirement living. In fact, many provinces in Canada have their own unique terms for the different stages of living after retirement. When choosing which option is best for you, it is important to know the differences between all of these. This article will break it down into the three types: independent living, assisted living, and long-term care. While the terms for each stage may vary by province, […]
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When moving from one province to another, you must apply for your Health Card as soon as possible, as most provinces or territorial government have a three month waiting period to qualify. Having a Health Card will give you access to insured health care services in your new province or territory. The following provincial and territorial web sites will give you details about application procedures: Province Health Care Links Alberta http://www.health.alberta.ca/ Alberta Health Care Insurance […]
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Not sure how to pack your skis, hoses, brooms, and other garage items? Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you effectively tackle this important space before moving day. What You’ll Need Tape gun (a.k.a. adhesive transfer gun) Permanent marker 2 or 4 cubic foot cartons Plastic bins (for storing liquids) Wardrobe box (as needed) Preparing Read the tips and warnings at the bottom of this page before you proceed. Many of these will redirect you […]
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Did you know that moving is often considered the third most stressful event in most people’s lives? When it comes time to move most people feel overwhelmed by the number of tasks they need to coordinate. There are utility company updates, address changes and so many questions: Will the new house require renovations? How much time will I have to move? How will I get the old house cleaned? Who will move me? The list […]
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Legal Work Applying for permission to study in the US can seem very confusing at first. Here are some important facts and tips to help your application process run as smoothly as possible! Canadian citizens do not need a Visa to study in the US. However, there are several other important documents that will be necessary for your studies. First, there is the I-20 form, the Certificate of Eligibility. Along with your acceptance package, your […]
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Legal Work In order for American citizens and permanent residents to study as an undergraduate student in Quebec, there are two necessary documents to be obtained. The first is a Certificate of Acceptance from Quebec (CAQ), and the second is a Study Permit. The following will detail the individual procedures for applying for the two, respectively. CAQ This is applied for in two parts, first online and then through mail. Be sure to plan ahead […]
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It can be tricky to transport liquids from your old location to your new one, so we’ve put together some helpful tips on how to safely pack them to ensure a smooth, risk-free transition. Be sure to read the tips and warnings at the bottom of the page if you are handling potentially dangerous or toxic liquids, such as bleach or flammables. What You’ll Need Tape gun (a.k.a. adhesive transfer gun) Permanent marker Adhesive labels […]
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Packing for a move can be a stressful process, one that can often have you asking, “but where do I start?” An oft-overlooked but vitally important detail, your “Open-Me-First” carton (a carton of basic necessities you’ll need to get settled into your new place), should be on top of your list of priorities before moving day. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you prepare and assemble your Open-Me-First carton. Step 1: Packing Your Essentials […]
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When packing up your bedroom for moving day, you want to be certain that everything is handled with the utmost care. These are, after all, your most personal belongings! From your furniture to your clothing to your personal library and everything in between, read on for a step-by-step guide to packing your bedroom goods. What You’ll Need Tape gun (a.k.a. adhesive transfer gun) & tape Permanent marker Unprinted (blank) newsprint sheets or packing peanuts Large […]
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Here is a step-by-step guide on how to best pack your kitchen before your move, from dishes and plates to appliances. For more information on packing your household items like home decor and domestic plants, enter a keyword in the searchbar above or keep reading our series on packing your household goods, using the links at the bottom of this page. What You’ll Need Tape gun (a.k.a. adhesive transfer gun) Permanent marker Blank newsprint sheets […]
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Making the decision not to purchase your moving cartons is an effective way to cut costs when moving to a new location. However, the process of locating them isn’t always convenient. Here are a few tips on how to quickly and easily obtain moving boxes, free of cost. 1: Ask around Do you know someone who has recently moved? Has a new family just moved into your neighbourhood? Chances are, they still have a number […]
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Throwing a house warming party to show off your new place is a great idea! Here are a couple of tips and tricks to make sure that your party is a success. Let people know ahead of time Give your friends and family enough time to book your event in their calendars, this way you can ensure that you will have a full house and less people are likely to already have a prior engagement. […]
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The average home may be bigger, but it seems we have no problem filling it up. Feeling cramped? Starting a renovation? Staging your home? Going away temporarily? It may be time to look into securing storage and the choices have never been better. If you’re looking for some additional room, read on. Assess your needs How much do you have? Organizational experts agree that the first step is to purge, purge, purge. In addition to […]
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You may want to move, you may have to move. Either way there are costs associated with a move. The costs will vary depending on whether you are ”doing it yourself” or moving with professionals, whether you are moving locally or across the country, and whether you are moving alone or with a family. This list will help you determine what costs you might incur. Use the ”Expense Tracker” Tool to keep track of those […]
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Moving can be overwhelming, with a seemingly endless list of things to worry about even if you are just going around the block. Don’t know where to start? For a handy list of activities and their timing, consult our Scheduler and just follow along. So if you are moving out of the province does that make it even harder? Not really! But there are a few more organizations to contact. The main issue with changing […]
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Is your next adventure taking you across provincial lines? If so, exchanging your driver’s license is an important thing to do. And not just for the sake of having a resident’s ID – it is a legal requirement. Fortunately, it is also a relatively simple thing to do as all provinces and territories recognize licenses issued elsewhere in Canada. This means that a valid license from one jurisdiction can be exchanged for a license of […]
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In addition to the information found in the article, “Choosing The Right Mover”, this article will help you better prepare for obtaining reliable moving estimates. If you have decided to use, or are considering, a professional mover, you should obtain comprehensive written estimates from at least three different moving companies. These estimates will not only be an important factor in selecting the right moving company; they will also help you finalize a realistic moving budget. […]
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Once the moving truck has been unloaded, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the stacks of boxes around you. The good news is that this is the last step in your journey! Remember you do not have to unpack all the boxes in one day. The first rule of thumb is: get organized. But how do you do that? This article provides you with a variety of “how-to” hints that range from general to […]
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You have now arrived at your new home and are in the home stretch, but you are not done yet. While the process of unloading the moving truck is largely the opposite of loading the truck, a bit of organizing will help make sure your stuff gets off the truck as safely and quickly as it went on. The tips below will help you organize your thoughts and devise a plan that works best for […]
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You packed your belongings, reserved a moving truck and are now thinking about what moving day will look like. Advance planning will make moving day go a lot smoother and faster. This article provides you with tips to help in preparing for loading the moving truck. Before moving day arrives, consider the following tips to helps ensure a trouble free moving day: 1. Find additional helpers. You will likely need to move heavy items and […]
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Assuming you decided to pack your own belongings, this article will help you with a step-by-step plan to tackle this big step. Careful planning and packing will save you time, money and potentially a lot of frustration. Step 1 – What stays and what goes? Decide what will move with you and what will stay behind. There may be items that you no longer need or want. As soon as you have made those decisions, […]
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You thought about Hydro, but what about Fido? You are on top of your move! Change of addresses sent, utilities notified, truck rented. But what about your furry sidekick? (or scaly, or slippery, or feathered?) By now, you’ve already checked the municipal by-laws, as well as any apartment / condo rules, to ensure your pet will be welcomed in your new home, as well as any codes of conduct you will be required to adhere to. So […]
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Whether you have been living with your roommate for a while and are best friends or don’t know each other well at all, you should talk about gift giving! The last thing you want is for one of you to give a gift around the holidays and the other be embarrassingly empty handed. There are a couple of simple things to talk about that can help avoid any awkward situations. Are you going to exchange […]
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Take Inventory Before you start to furnish your new apartment, make sure you know exactly what you need. You don’t want to spend money on purchases you don’t really need or already have, especially if you are running on a tight budget. Your inventory of things for your new home may include items that friends or family no longer need and are willing to donate so keep this in mind. Use our ”First Move Checklist” […]
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Cutting costs is not easy and can be frustrating if you are trying to save up for something special. Maybe you want to put money aside for a trip, school, a big purchase or just create a security blanket in the bank in case of emergency. Regardless of your reason to save, here are some great ways to make it happen! Create a Budget Creating a budget is the first step to saving. Knowing where […]
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Why create a budget? It is easy to let spending get out of hand, an extra drink at the bar, splurging on a long weekend get away or indulging in the new iPad that you just don’t need. No one ever said you should count pennies but being smart about your money is always a good thing. Having a budget can mean finding a way to put money aside for an important purchase or creating […]
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How to resolve conflicts effectively Whether you are living in a house, small complex or large apartment building, you will always have neighbours. Good relationships with your neighbours can mean the difference between having someone reliable to pick up your mail while you are away and having to listen to music blare until the wee hours of the morning. When you have a neighbour that does something repeatedly annoying or disrupts the quality of your […]
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How does it work!? There are many rumors about moving in with your best friend or significant other for the first time, about how it can destroy a relationship or change EVERYTHING. Let us shed some light on the issue and give you some recommendations for things to go as smoothly as possible! Firstly, remember that all relationships are based on communication. If you stay open and communicate your excitement, fears, frustrations and insecurities about […]
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Sometimes when you are moving out for the first time or looking to decrease the cost of living in an apartment, finding a room mate can be a great option! There are however important considerations before making the choice to share your living space. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages to having a room mate! Advantages: Rent is Cheaper! In almost all cases, your monthly rent will be less expensive when you live […]
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Moving in with someone is a big deal whether they are a best friend, acquaintance, boyfriend or someone completely new! There are some key things to know about your new roommate before you move in that will help things go smoothly and make sure you don’t have any surprises! Communication is Key It is very easy to make assumptions about what your roommate was thinking when they left wet laundry in the wash or forgot […]
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Together with tips and checklists, this article has been written to help facilitate moving with preschoolers and younger children including: How to tell younger children about the move What reactions you can expect from them What can your child do to help and be actively involved Packing and moving day to-do lists An earlier article, ‘’Moving with children’’ provides general advice on helping children cope with a move and helping them to adapt. Leaving behind […]
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Moving is often hardest on this age group because at this age, friends are vitally important. Moving means giving up these friendships and having to form new ones. Whether you are expecting delight and excitement or contempt and resistance, your best defense is a plan. This article, together with its tips and checklists, has been written to help facilitate moving pre-teens and teenagers. Also check out our article on ‘’Moving with children of all ages’’ […]
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After the tiring and seemingly never ending list of to-dos, this is the fun part of the move – settling in. The adventure begins now for the whole family –discovering the new neighbourhood and the surprises it will have in store. This article goes over some useful guidance for helping the family settle into your new home. Be prepared to deal with mood changes and reintroduce house rules More than ever, keep an eye on […]
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Moving can be both physically and emotionally stressful on a family. Leaving behind familiar activities, places, and friends can create anxiety for the whole family – kids included. However, moving can also be exciting – it may be for a better job, a chance to discover new parts of the world, an opportunity to make new friends, etc… This article, together with its tips and checklists, has been written to help facilitate moving with children […]
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Like most elements of your move, there are a number of different ways to move your car to your new location. Selecting the best option for you will largely depend on how far your move is and how much value you place on your car. To help with your shipping decision, this article presents three options: Drive your car yourself, Hire someone to drive your car, or Ship your car. An important caveat – if […]
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This article has been written to teach you all you need to know to rent your own moving van, truck, or trailer. As with any aspect of moving, it is best to answer a few basic questions before researching prices. We suggest you start the exercise by asking yourself the following few questions: Where are you going? If you are only moving across town, most rental agencies will accommodate your needs. However, if you are […]
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By now, you know there are a lot of questions to answer when planning a household move. This article will help you answer the question of whether you should move yourself or hire the services of a professional mover. Like most questions of a personal nature, the answer will vary tremendously from one person to the next based on a variety of factors such as time available, money, family size, geographic distance, and complexity of […]
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There are essentially two types of movers to choose from: Van line affiliated movers Usually franchises of a larger van line company Greater degree of protection if problems occur More support for long-distance moves (which are defined differently by organization) Most have multiple locations within the country or worldwide Independent movers Usually specialize within a smaller local area In the case of long distance moves, some will broker the move to a third party. This […]
