From Edmonton to Elsewhere: A Short Yet Useful Guide for Foreign Families Relocating Across Canada

Moving with your family from one city to another always involves many challenges and requires careful preparation. If you are planning to move from Edmonton to another city in Canada, then our tips will help you make this process as comfortable and organized as possible.

Selecting a new city or province

Analyze labor market

Explore the job market in your new city. Some regions of Canada offer more opportunities in certain industries for foreign families. For example, people who are moving into Alberta rather than out of it can take advantage of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) that helps folks find the right job and eases your integration into your new location. The program's goal is to recruit talented immigrants who can fill employment shortages in the province or who want to buy or start a business in Alberta.

Other cities and provinces in Canada also have Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), which provide an opportunity for foreign families, students and entrepreneurs to obtain permanent resident status in Canada, as well as get well-paid jobs.

But don’t forget about regular employment: as a foreign family, look for jobs in the fields of medicine, information technology, finance and marketing. These professionals earn between $100,000 and $200,000 CAD in different regions of Canada.

Check cost of living

The first step in planning a move is to research the cost of living in your new city. Some cities, such as Toronto and Vancouver, may have significantly higher housing and daily living costs compared to Edmonton. For example, the average cost of a family home as of early 2024 in Edmonton is about CAD 430,000. At the same time, the cost of a food basket for one family is about 400-500 CAD per month.

The average cost of the same home in Toronto is around 1.3-1.5 million CAD. The cost of a food basket for one family is about 500-700 CAD per month.

As you can see, the difference is colossal.

Take care of education for children

Find out more about schools in your new area. Pay attention to school ratings, curricula, and parent reviews. Some cities offer advanced placement programs or special education institutions. In addition to excellent basic education, many schools in Canada provide ESL/FSL programs: English as a Second Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FSL) programs to support foreign students in mastering the language of instruction.

Adaptation to a new community

Moving to a new city is a great chance to meet new people and make friends. Join local communities, clubs and organizations.

Take advantage of the services of organizations that help new residents adapt. These can be both government and non-government organizations offering various types of support, including language courses and consultations.

Be prepared for cultural differences and peculiarities of the new region.

For example, Vancouver is known for its cosmopolitan character and multicultural community. Vancouver has a significant Asian population, which is reflected in local cuisine, festivals and cultural events. At the same time, Calgary is known for its cowboy roots and the Calgary Stampede rodeo. Calgary is a city that combines modern skyscrapers and the spirit of the Wild West.

Try to be open and flexible to adapt to new conditions more easily.

Tax issues

Taxation in Canada can vary significantly depending on the province or territory. Taxes include income tax, goods and services tax (GST/HST), and in some cases, property tax. In Toronto (Ontario) there is one of the lowest property tax rates among major cities in Canada, about 0.61% of the assessed value of the property. However, in Montreal (Quebec), tax rates are typically around 0.82% of the assessed value of the property.

Some provinces and cities levy a tax on real estate purchases. For example, Toronto and Ontario impose a Land Transfer Tax, while other cities do not.

Wrap up!

Moving is a stressful event, especially for children. Try to maintain a positive attitude and help family members adapt to new conditions. As an expatriate family, research local laws and regulations to avoid misunderstandings and ensure a smooth integration into your new community. And don’t miss the opportunity to take advantage of government programs to make it easier for you and your children to integrate in a new city!