Living in New York is the dream, right? Well, not quite. In fact, for an increasing number of people leaving New York might actually be the dream. And if you’re one of those people, Toronto welcomes you with open arms. Canada’s largest and most diverse city is home to more than 2 million people. That doesn’t quite rival New York’s 8 million and counting. But in all other aspects, Toronto more than holds its own. So here’s everything you need to know if you’re considering moving from NYC to Toronto!
Why is moving from NYC to Toronto a great idea?
Before you jump the gun and start looking for moving and storage Ontario, you should know what Toronto has to offer! Why are so many people moving from NYC to Toronto these days? Well, the answer seems to be a combination of three things:
- the cost of living and especially housing is much lower in Toronto than in New York
- Canada offers much better health insurance coverage
- overall, Toronto offers a better quality of life through being cleaner, greener and less crowded
Cost of living and housing prices
New York is one of the most expensive cities to live in. Sure, you can live on a budget in NYC. But you’ll have to go out of your way to make ends meet. So if you’re used to NYC prices, Toronto will be a pleasant change of pace. The overall cost of living in Toronto is about 30% lower than in New York with housing being as much as 50% more affordable. That means you can get a much better place for the same amount of money! And owning a home is no longer going to be a dream. Not only is it cheaper to buy a house in Toronto than in NYC, but you will also enjoy mortgage rates lower than 3% and won’t even need any Canadian credit history for them.
Better healthcare
Every time there’s a new health insurance bill to pass, someone brings up Canadian healthcare. Well, now you’ll get to experience it first-hand in Toronto. You just need to sign up for Ontario Health Insurance Plan (or OHIP for short) and you’re covered. Yes, that really is all and no, we’re not joking. OHIP covers most standard healthcare you may need. You just show your card and get the treatment you need!
The overall quality of life
There’s a number of things that combine to make Toronto overall better for your quality of life than NYC. For starters, the air is cleaner and smells better. This is in part due to less traffic. Less traffic also means fewer traffic jams and a better, more reliable public transport (which you won’t have to pay nearly as much for). And if you’re still not a fan of traffic, you can always walk or bike: the city encourages green means of transport and is incredibly walkable. You won’t be sacrificing anything for these luxuries either. There are plenty of things to do for fun in Toronto and it is most certainly an urban center with all amenities you’re used to having in New York. It’s just healthier, cheaper and much, much more relaxed.
How do you go about moving from NYC to Toronto?
Now that you know why you should move from NYC to Toronto, let’s talk about how you’re going to do it.
What you need to know about immigration
Now, we know Toronto is just a state and a lake away from New York City. But we’re still talking about an international relocation which means you’ll have to deal with immigration too!
With a valid US passport, you can stay in Canada for up to six consecutive months. That should give you some time to figure your residency out, but be sure to apply to the local authorities as soon as possible. Best case scenario, you’ll wait at least two months on a residency permit. Having a job and a place to live will help your case so get on that urgently!
Being prepared for moving from NYC to Toronto
It’s best to be prepared before you move to Toronto. Many employers and landlords will want to see your background check and credit history even if it isn’t required. So prepare all the papers beforehand and have them (and your passport) with you at all times.
Finding housing in Toronto
Unless you’re ready and able to buy a place before moving, it’s best to rent for the first few months while you settle in. You can find rental housing on a number of websites like Toronto Rentals and ViewIt or you can contact a real estate company. Just remember to thoroughly check your rental before signing the lease to make sure everything is in working order.
Hiring professionals when moving to Toronto
Since an international move like this can get complicated, it may be best to contact long distance movers Canada for help. Hiring professional movers early on in the process of moving will make relocation significantly easier and less stressful!
Packing for moving from NYC to Toronto
Living conditions in Toronto are generally not that different from NYC. More than likely, you’ll be packing the vast majority of your stuff. If you plan on buying a home, you’ll need to furnish it yourself so pack your furniture up and temporarily store it in Ontario if necessary. Since the weather is a lot like New York, your NYC clothes should serve you just fine in Toronto as well.
What is life like after moving from NYC to Toronto?
After moving from NYC to Toronto, you’ll probably find that the biggest difference is in the atmosphere. And while we have pointed out the air is cleaner in Toronto before, this time we are referring to the people’s attitudes. Perhaps due to less crowding or less budget stress or a slower pace of living or just plain old Canadian spirit, Toronto feels a lot more relaxed than New York – almost like a prolonged vacation. So enjoy it!