Canada is known globally as being a desirable place to live. With strong institutions, substantial government benefits, and a friendly population, more and more people from different parts of the world dream of moving to the country.
One question people have when they get there is how to find a place to live. When you arrive in a new country, it can be a challenge to figure out where the best neighborhoods are, where you can get the best deals on a house, find the strongest school systems, etc.
Fortunately, Canada has a lot of resources to help new residents in their home search. There are both government institutions, as well as private groups, real estate agencies, and other resources and sites like Floople are available to help people to find a new place. In the sections below, we will provide tips on how to go about the home-finding process when you arrive in Canada.
Reach out to official groups
Regardless of whether you are joining an immigrant community populated by people from your home country or simply moving to an unknown new city, there are multiple different groups that you can reach out to for advice and assistance. These include local, provincial, and federal government bodies. Remember that Canada is a country of immigrants. More than a fifth of the population hail from other countries. Therefore, the government has developed strong policies to assist those arriving from abroad. When you first arrive, start with Newcomers Services first, and then check out agencies at different levels.
You should also check out local community organizations. Depending on what community you move to, go online and see what local community organizations are available. There may be neighborhood groups, faith-based or ethnic groups, or other types of community organizations specifically designed to help people like you.
Look at real estate sites
One obvious thing to do is go straight to real estate sites. Before you arrive, it would be to your benefit to compile a list of agencies in the area you are moving to. When you do this, you should both do research on the agencies themselves, by cross-checking with third-party review sites, and also do your own comparison of rates and conditions that the agencies offer.
To get started in your search, you can check out the Canadian Real Estate Association. Its site provides a complete list of licensed realtors who can help you get started in whatever part of the country you choose to move to. You can also check out real estate sites, like Floople which provide listings both for rent and for sale.
When you arrive in Canada and start looking at houses yourself, figure out as much as you can about the neighborhoods you might move to. This should involve both asking agents themselves, and doing additional research on your own. Things to take into consideration include access to public transportation, crime levels, the quality of local school systems, and other types of conveniences.
Consider your personal preferences
Your choice will also depend on your own personal preferences, of course. Are you someone who wants to live in the center of a big city or be part of the richest neighborhoods in Canada, where you have easy access to shops and other conveniences? Or would you rather live in a more secluded area? If you don’t have kids, the quality of the local school system might not be an immediate factor for you (although it may be indicative of other aspects of your chosen community).
When you see a house or an apartment for rent that you like, be sure to review the agreement carefully so that you understand all the details of it. It is best to do this along with a local who knows the landscape.
Remember the importance of personal contacts
Looking at official offerings is obviously an important part of the game, but it shouldn’t be the only part. Any personal contacts that you might have in your new city can be extremely valuable in finding the right housing.
This is true for several reasons. For one thing, personal contacts give you information that is more honest and authentic than official channels do. Remember, agents only make a living if they can sell, so you won’t necessarily be getting the whole truth from them. Also, people who live in a neighborhood are fully up-to-date on any changes that might have taken place in the recent past, plans that might take shape in the future, etc.
In addition, personal contacts can help you find the best deals. This could mean introducing you to a particular realtor who will offer you a great deal in the right neighborhood. It could mean connecting you with someone who wants to sell or needs a subletter. You never know what contacts can do, even across different cities in Canada. So it pays to reach out and let your needs be known.
What if you arrive without housing?
Many people do arrive in the country without any housing at all. You shouldn’t expect to move into your dream house the day you arrive, so you will have to find temporary housing while you’re looking around.
Options can include hostels, hotels, and apartments for rent in your new city. You might also be able to find a host family or a common connection to someone you know. Try to take care of this before you leave so that you don’t find yourself scrambling when you arrive.
Wrap up
Moving to a new country can be an exciting but intimidating prospect. You will have many things to think about when you arrive in Canada, including employment, your personal situation, getting acclimated in general, etc. To minimize the stress of finding a place to live, do as much research as possible in advance and come prepared to utilize all possible resources. This will help ensure that you find your perfect home once you get there.
