Getting started
How to prepare your housing search
Finding appropriate accommodation in Canada that fits your budget and requirements can be a long and difficult task. The keys to success in finding the best place to live are planning your search with enough time and keeping patient!
You can start looking for accommodation before you leave for Canada, as there are many websites with information and available properties. At the very least, you should get an idea of prices for different areas and make a clear budget and list of requirements for yourself. If you are arriving alone, it is best to stay with family or at a hostel/hotel/motel before appropriate accommodation can be obtained. If you are arriving with the family, it can be better to come to Canada ahead of them in order to secure accommodation for their arrival.
Getting familiar with your surroundings is something that you should do immediately upon your arrival to Canada, so take some time to find and familiarise yourself with the following:
- Public transportation system
- Different neighbourhoods and areas
- Government information centers for newcomers
- Sources of rental information (newspapers, local community newspapers, etc.)
Upon your arrival to Canada, you will probably have to stay in temporary accommodation before moving in something more permanent. There are many motels, hotels, hostels and guesthouses catering to different types of guests both for the short- and long-term periods. By properly researching your options (and you should have many alternatives to choose from), you can save a lot of time, money and aggravation.
Also in this section
- The Housing market: Finding a place to live in Canada
- Getting started: How to prepare your housing search
- Housing classifieds: A wide range of possibilities
- Appointments: Visiting an apartment
- Real Estate agents: How to deal with assisted search services
- Flatshare and subletting: Options on a tight budget
- Contracts: All you need to know before signing a rental agreement