What are the essential things needed to start a life in edmonton?

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junebug

I understand that you are trying to be as prepared as possible for such a huge move.

I think we've pretty much established that you will likely move to Millwoods either temporarily or permanently as many of the resources you'll need are available to you there.

As we've already gone through the types of rentals and where to find them I think we're ok on that one. Check through those website to find out what there is and email some of the unit owners to ask what's included, when they're available, etc. Do not send them any money in advance but let them know when you're coming approximately. Tell them you will call and make and appointment to see it when you arrive if it's still available. If you have a trusted friend or relative who lives here and would be willing to go look at suitable units then having them secure one for you would likely be ok. Otherwise it would be better to initially stay in a hotel. I'm sure your company probably has a clause in your contract for providing you with temporary housing on arrival. Keep all your receipts just in case for income tax purposes.

As for what to bring with you - as little as possible. Everything you'll need is available here for reasonable prices. Don't worry about winter clothing as winter is almost gone by then. Just make sure you have at least a warmer jacket. By the time Fall comes around you will have made friends who have lived here for awhile and they can advise you to winter gear.

Read through the Move To Edmonton website as it will tell you about car and driver's licensing and costs involved. I would advise that you purchase your car from a reputable auto dealership even if it a used one as they tend to stand behind what they sell. Do not just buy the first vehicle you see - test driver several and ask questions as to reliability and repair history (I work for a dealership) Take someone knowledgeable with you when you go. Right now the dealerships are slow and have lots of inventory so finding something suitable at a reasonable price shouldn't be a problem.

Don't try to put too many obstacles in your way. I understand you're worrying about moving to a new country - yes, it's scary and you want to do everything right. Things are going to be OK - everything will fall into place as they should be at the right time.

Here is a website for Millwood Newcomer Community Services:
http://www.informedmonton.com/public/Program/0897_0002.htm

Here are a couple more dedicated to Edmonton Newcomers:

http://www.emcn.ab.ca/

http://eisa-edmonton.org/

Each of these websites have links for email questions. Try emailing to see if they can put in touch with someone you can correspond with so you'll feel more comfortable upon arrival.

Hope this helps.

Good Luck

p106_peppy

speaking english. Every time an Esl person tries to talk to me I just ant to bang my head against the wall. sp please for the love of god learn to speak english properly (ie. without a thick accent)

Zoe Dot

Don't care if it's cold or you're mugged, because Edmonton is cold and there is a lot of crime.

chuckles951

The cold weather clothing you need can be easily purchased in Edmonton. Just be prepared for a couple days at -20C and go shopping your second day there.

Ask the company to recommend areas to live near the place you will be working. Thay may have to have someone there cosign your rental agreemant as you will have no credit rating yourself.

And buying a used car less than 7 or 8 years old is OK. But again, remember, you will have no credit rating for about 2 years. As well, with no Canadian driving experience, your car insurance will start out at like $1000 to $1500 per six months or maybe even a bit more. This will go down after you have several years Canadian driving experience.

Also be aware that in Canada, the rules of the road are not optional. They are rigidly enforced and everyone is expected to adhere to the absolute letter of the traffic regulations. I once helped some new South Asian immigrants to Canada get their drivers licenses in Edmonton and they seemed to believe that traffic lights were merely suggestions. They are mandatory in Canada and the USA.

And if you are stopped by the police, putting a $20.00 bill in with your papers will get you arrested and taken to jail. It is simply not done.

.

Susan E

I have a University graduate student boarding in my house - she arrived from India last April and is just spending her first Canadian winter - she is finding it VERY cold!
Housing prices were ridiculously high a year ago but are starting to come down. It is suggested that you rent for a year or so until you get to know the city and decide which area you would like to settle in. There is a large East Indian population in the part of the city called Millwoods, but depending on where your work is located, you may not want to live that far south in the city. The vacancy rate for rentals was very low last year (about 1%) but is starting to climb. Depending on what size and type of place you want to rent (house, condo, townhouse, apartment) you will pay a minimum of $800.00/month for a clean two bedroom place in a decent community. Second-hand vehicles can be good, but you must get a mechanic to look at one before you buy it. Unfortunately many people try to sell cars that have been in serious accidents and written off by the insurance companies. They do some body work on it, repaint it, and say that it's never been in any accidents. Right now the car manufacturers are suffering very badly from reduced sales and there are some very excellent prices being offered for new cars - if you can afford a new one, do that. It will cost you less in the end for repairs, etc. Insurance prices vary depending upon your driving record and what types of insurance you want. It can cost as little as $400.00/year to thousands of dollars per year depending on the above things. It is cold in the winter - right now we are at the very height of winter and we have a lot of snow and very cold temperatures (it was around minus 20 degrees Celsius for several weeks in December). Winter clothing is better if you buy it here - it is made properly for this environment, rather than bringing clothing from a country that doesn't really know what a Canadian winter is like. If you are coming in April you will be able to buy winter clothing fairly cheaply as that is the end of the winter season and all the retailers will have their winter clothing on very reduced prices. Buy it then and put it away until next winter. If you wait until next Fall to buy clothing you will pay premium price for it at that time. There are also many second-hand clothing shops here which offer some great values - clothing that has been worn only slightly and is offered for sale at a mere fraction of its original cost. If you wife will not have a vehicle, you will want to live near public transit so that she can get around and your child can get to school. You should begin your search by deciding where you want to live and then check with the schools in that neighborhood to see if they are satisfactory for your child. The Edmonton Public School Board website can offer you a listing of all schools and what their specialty is. There are several schools now that cater to Hindu or Muslim children if their parents want to put them there instead of into the public system. This city has a lot of wonderful school programs going on - there are specialty schools for children who are involved in pre-professional sports, arts, and dance, and there are several foreign language immersion schools. They do their academic work in the mornings and then spend the rest of the day practising their chosen activities (dance, hockey, basketball, art, music, theatre etc.). There are some areas of the city to avoid living in where the crime rate is maybe a bit higher, where drugs and gun gangs are known to live. Find out where your employment is located first and then start your home search in areas that will give you the least amount of commuting to get to work. I've added some websites with Edmonton information and school information. There are several centres for newcomers that help people find housing and help them integrate into the country - teach them to shop for food, clothing, etc. There are also several groups catering to East Indian immigrants to help with English skills, offer social groups particularly to women who are home all day and don't have the opportunity to get out and socialize and learn the language.

Melly W

I've lived in Edmonton my whole life and i'm fourteen. It probably will seen cold and it can get to -35. We have only had about three weeks of cold, cold days so far. Today, for example, it snowed but wasn't all that chilly.

Just come get a house, apartment or condo. The schools are great! We have lots of fun things to do BUT you will most definatly need mittens, gloves, scarfs, hats, warm winter jackets, snow pants, boots and warm clothing underneath!

Don't forget skiis and sleds and skates! Winter sports are a blast.

You'll love it here :)

Goddess of Grammar

parka

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