Top 5 tips to live in Canada

Assuming you are not a student visa, then
1) Start applying for SIN# the moment you arrive. *
2) Get your provincial health card.
3) Photocopy for all your car insurance document throughout the years abroad and bring it along. When you apply for a car insurance here, you can use those to reduce your rate.
4) Connect with any immigrant help society/ centres as they can be of help with services like translation of your documents when applying for driving license etc.
5) Use Kijiji to look for deals (its like the craigslist of Canada).

* this link is a guide on how to get those info like SIN etc. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/arriving.asp. students find out more here http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sin/ … ract.shtml

Another 5:

1) Bookmark, http://weather.gc.ca/canada_e.html. To find the weather forecast click on 'Access a city' and type the city name. "I got weather network, so what!!!"... Well, do you know that all the other weather services gets its source directly from Canada's weather agency. which is the link above. Why not just head straight to the source itself. You'll get most updated weather forecast!
2) If you're not from the states, and from a country that requires a visa to visit the states, make sure you get it first before you arrive (you may be living close to the border, and want to make day trips there)...
3) When buying 2nd hand cars, ensure you check and ask about rust - Canada gets lots of snow and so the roads are salted. You don't want to constantly change your car parts because the previous owner didn't do a good job with rust-proofing the car.
4) If you use an eye-ware (glasses), just make sure you get yours done your in home country first because its freaking expensive to do it here. The same goes for dental work...
5) I am sure you going to start out renting first few years. So in order to smoothen your rental search process, prepare a supporting document from your previous landlord that is written to show that you were a good tenant etc etc. Or if you owned a home, get the bank (where you have your homeloan with) to write that you lived and own the home etc. Most landlords would do a background check on you and usually call your previous place to verify that you were a good tenant. Or if you come with a job offer on hand, get your employer to write on your behalf.

The usual relocation tips aside and not repeating the excellent points that have already been covered. My top 5 tips for a move to Vancouver would be:
1. Immerse yourself as much as possible in everything this beautiful place can offer straight away. Whale watch, ski, snowshoe, bear watch, kayak, hike.
2. Eat your way through Vancouver, the food is absolutely incredible.
3. Lose the pounds from the food by exercising Vancouver-style. Yoga, Barre, Spin - the classes are great.
4. Make friends by attending a Meetup Group that floats your boat
5. Don't fret over the property/rental prices and don't give up too easily - keep going and you'll find your new home in the end.
J x

Hi J,

Good tips. I actually feel that that is equally important. That's why 5 tips ain't enough
All the ones I have laid out above are more geared towards having to set roots and build one's framework. Here are my 5 tips on how to prosper and grow in the community and as new so called 'citizen' of the place you living in:

1) When walking down the vegetable/ fish isle doing your groceries, don't buy the usual stuff. Go for the odd looking one that you have never seen in this world before. Take for example fiddle heads (a fern like thing) that only appears during spring in the maritimes. Or perhaps for those who are from warmer waters, try the Halibut steak, or Cod tongue.
2) Find for your local map and mark the green spots / historic places. And every weekend, check off one from the list by visiting those places. You'd be surprise to find that 70% of them are not your typical touristy spots and you'll feel a sense of accomplishment by visiting it and getting know the place and its history better. Plus side, is that you'll also enjoy the sights.
3) Go to the local library and sign up for a card. Explore the endless array of books and also the company of eager bookworms flocking this age old establishment or in some cases new architecture (for the Halifax Spring Garden public library)
4) Go the local farmers market and don't just shop around for food. Stop by and have a chat with the farmer who's flaunting his/her fare and also take a look at the many local artisans' work for sale.
5) Go for a hike at the local provincial park(s). No, federal parks aren't the only ones to look out for, provincial too has lots of to offer.

'5. - don't give up too easily - keep going and you'll find your new home in the end. '

That will  have to be my mantra for the next few months. Any more tips for someone moving further North? Trying to prepare myself for all the snow.

@Irene-nz, how far north is north? Is it Yellowknife / Dawson city kinda north?

We're moving to Prince George, BC. Heard it gets really cold out there. Just had a look at the map - thankfully not moving as far as Yellowknife

Hello

Let's not forget to stick to this topic : Top 5 tips to live in Canada

Kenjee
Expat.com Team