Preparing to Move to Canada

The challenges I’m facing as I prepare to move to Canada within the next year after processing my application for the federal self-employed program.

I received my COPR in November 2018 with the option to move to Canada within a year before my medical results expire.

Since I received the COPR, my biggest (and quite stressful) task at hand is preparing for the move with the timeframe I have.

My timeframe is around 3 – 4 months. I chose these dates because it will give me enough time to wind down my business and organize myself.

The weather also won’t be as brutal at that time so there’s time to ease myself into it and learn about the proper clothes required.

Back to preparing for the move, disposing of all my furniture, electronics, and whatnots or having them shipped to Canada was the first thing to consider.

After some research, I realized shipping furniture and electronics was out of the question as the shipping costs far outweighed the cost of the items themselves.

I had to compile a list of the things that had to go and the things that absolutely must come with me using the following criteria:-

Preparing to Move to Canada After Receiving COPR

Store

Since I will be back sometime next year to sort out some business matters, I will be putting a few things in storage with my friend. I would not pay to store anything as this can get expensive real fast.

Ship

I have a huge library and it’s coming with me :).

Sell

Furniture, electronics, office stuff, and other whatnots. I’ve used the current value/condition of items/how long I’ve had them to set the prices.

Donate

Smaller items such as kitchen utensils and other household odds and ends as I’m not sure I’ll be able to sell these.

Trash

I’m a minimalist so I barely have anything to trash since I declutter twice a year.

Currently, I’ve listed items that fall under the sell category on the usual online websites such as eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook groups.

I’ve also utilized boards in local supermarkets and my apartment building to list items for sale.

I’m also in the process of getting my landlord to let me extend my lease for a few more months without renewing for another year.

I have a huge library with over 100 books. My books are a part of me and they go where I go. Selling them is like asking Daenerys Targaryen to sell her dragons.

I will have to find the most economical way to get them shipped across once I arrive in Canada, or just take them with me on the plane but that depends on the weight. I’ll see.

I have been taking advantage of the pre-arrival services funded by the Government of Canada and will be discussing this in the next post.

Others Considerations Before I Move to Canada

I have put things like flight tickets, insurance, booking temporary accommodation, canceling internet, phone, electricity, international driving license, etc a little further down the line while I dispose of furniture, electronics, my car, and other items.

That’s where I’m at right now. Trying to get all this set up while also trying to get my holiday spirit on is kinda exhausting though.

See you next time. If you have any questions, ask in the comments section.