Toronto is one of the most picturesque places on earth. Its forests, lakes, and snow-filled winters are just some of its most alluring qualities.
Moving to Toronto can be somewhat of a learning curve if you do not know what to expect.
This article aims to prepare expats for what to expect in their first few months of living in this multicultural city!
Below are five expert tips for expat newcomers to the Great White North:
1.Buy Outerwear After Landing
Although Toronto does have four seasons, some of them seem quite short-lived.
Before moving you might be tempted to buy jackets, coats, and other outerwear before leaving – which will probably be a mistake. Canadian winters are nothing to laugh about for expats who are used to much warmer temperatures.
Save yourself the luggage space by buying your winter gear after landing. Chances are that most countries, especially in the Southern Hemisphere, are not equipped to sell winter clothes that will stand up to a Canadian winter.
2. Be Polite
Moving to Toronto may conjure up images of a stereotypically polite Canadian – and those images would be 100% accurate.
Canadians are all about manners, maple syrup, Christmas, and ice hockey.
Learn to mind your p’s and q’s if you would like a friendlier experience of the place. Be liberal with your use of “thank you”, “please”, and “excuse me”. Canadians will appreciate the effort and reciprocate the courtesies.
This tip will help you and your family fit in and get settled a lot quicker.
3. Rent A Luxury Apartment
One of the biggest challenges that expat citizens face when moving to any other country is where to live.
Toronto’s housing market is super competitive, but with the right approach and enough information, you can easily find a home that suits your needs and budget.
While the city offers a variety of housing options, ranging from townhouses to high-rises, the type of housing you choose will depend on your needs, preferences, and budget.
It is often a good idea for expats to rent luxury apartments in Toronto, especially while waiting to find the perfect home to buy.
Most luxury rental apartments offer everything you could want while you scour the market for options to purchase - preventing you from feeling pressured or rushed into making your decision.
4. Healthcare Tips
If you move to Canada as a permanent resident with health care benefits, a visit to a doctor will not cost you anything – but the pharmacy bill will be your problem if you have a prescription.
Third-party health insurance will help offset hefty dental, medicine, and optometry bills.
As a side note, living in Canada as a permanent resident does not guarantee immediate access to free healthcare – it can take several months for your benefits to kick in.
5. The Canadian Cost of Wireless
As beautiful as Toronto is, Canadians pay some of the highest prices in the world to stay connected.
Unlike other countries, where prepaid plans are the way to go, most mobile phone plans in Canada are contract-based – and Canada has some substantial telecommunications taxes.
Use public Wi-Fi as often as possible to keep your monthly bill low.
To End
Now that you know these five expert tips, you should be able to settle into your new city in no time.
