When settling down in a new country, one of the issues of utmost concern is the issue of accommodation. Most times, either because there is no prior plan for accommodation or because of inadequate information on how to go about getting accommodation in a new country, it is usually difficult settling in.
However, for new entrants into Canada, we’re here to break the ice on this subject matter. Here’s how to solve the problem of accommodation as a new immigrant into Canada.
We’re going to address this under two main phases;
- What you need to do before you enter into Canada
- What you need to do upon arrival in Canada
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO BEFORE ENTERING INTO CANADA
You need to bear in mind that only upon getting to Canada can you source for a place of permanent residence because you’ll need to scout. So, you must make sure that you have a solid plan for where you’d stay during the period of searching for a permanent house. For this, hotels with different rate charges are available in Canada. You can look up one that fits your budget and make reservations. This is usually done online most times.
Also, prior to checking out of your country, you must make sure that you have all the relevant documents and make all the necessary arrangements that will be needed if you would not want to run into any problems on arrival in Canada. Some documents that you’ll need include your medical records, your CV as updated, your marriage records and all academic degrees.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO UPON ARRIVAL IN CANADA
As soon as you arrive in Canada and you’ve checked into your temporary residence, you should begin to scout for accommodation outfits but you must be guided in doing that. There are some key factors to consider when seeking accommodation:
- Your budget
- Proximity to your work station
- Your Human Relations Skills
Your budget, to a large, extent, will determine what you get. Of course, you cannot chase after something you cannot afford. You also have to consider where you’ll be working because the cost of transportation between your home and your workstation is something you want to be as minimal as possible.
How well you relate with people could also influence your choice of accommodation. If it will go down well with you, you can choose to share an apartment with another person to save cost. Otherwise, you can go for a solo apartment if you can afford to. Most apartments for rent in Canada will require that the applicant pays at least half the rent upfront. Keep this in mind so that when you get an apartment, inability to meet up with this condition will not make you lose it.
Keep in mind that in some cases, you can get accommodation plans that cater for all utilities, in other instances, even after getting accommodation, you still have to pay for water supply, gas, and other utilities.
It is important to note that accommodation in Canada is usually on a first come, first served basis and applications are received at the start of each month. You’d expect that before the middle of the month, all the good spots would have sold out, so you have to be on the lookout. Cheers!
