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Moving to Toronto

Your go-to guide on moving to Toronto

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Thinking of moving to Toronto from the UK and need a guide? Well, grab some timbits and some coffee from timmies while we give you the lowdown on moving to the land of the Canucks. We’ve got great advice for moving to Toronto. So read on for some expert tips and a breakdown of moving costs to Toronto, or as some folks say, the Centre of the Universe. Haven’t found a moving company yet, eh? Well don’t be a hoser, avail of some free removal quotes, now!

What are the Costs of Moving to Toronto?

To be specific, you’ll be moving across the pacific so shipping costs might be prolific. Furthermore, other than being costly, moving to Toronto from UK won’t be fast. It can take between 10-30 days. So, don’t pack anything you’ll need soon or that will spoil, nobody wants a rotten banana, Sandra.

We were, like you, curious about how much it’ll cost to move to Toronto. To scratch that itch, we did our research and to came up with an estimate, so now you don’t have to. Knowledge is a great tool. So, we have made a little table with the estimated costs of moving to Toronto from London, UK, see below:

Household sizeCost
Studio£1,500 – £2,500
1 bedroom£2,500 – £4,000
2 bedroom£3,750 – £5,500
3 bedroom£5,500 – £7,000
4 bedroom£6,500 – £8,500
5 bedroom£8,000 – £9,500

Disclaimer: These are just estimates and the cost of moving to Toronto can vary based on distance, volume, and most your needs.

If you’re worried these costs will break the bank, we’ve got great news; you can influence the cost of your move by considering the following factors (we really recommend you consider them):

  • Choice of moving company – there are a lot of companies around, so it’s smart to get some free removal quotes for comparison
  • Household sizecalculate the volume of your move, since the more you move the more it’ll cost. It’s good to let things go.
  • Complexity – taking a fragile, old, heavy family heirloom like a grandfather clock is going to need some care which will add to the costs
  • Insurance – insurance will add to the cost, but it’ll cover damage during moving and save you some loonies
  • Additional services – packaging, assembling, and storage

Asking yourself “is that all there is to the costs of moving internationally? Is that all there is?” To which we would reply “No.” So, if you want to know the ins and outs that can affect your moving costs, check out our page on international moving costs.

Note: Certain unusual items have restrictions when entering Canada, this includes and is not limited to; used mattresses (unless cleaned and fumigated), baby walkers, and infant self-feeding devices.

Of course, one of the most important things to do is to find a moving company, so fill out the form below It’ll only take a second, and it’s free.

Need a Moving Company for Your Move to Toronto?
Choose the size of your move and receive free removal quotes!

Moving to Toronto Checklist

It can be a struggle to keep organised when moving, so we’ve put together a little checklist of important things to do when moving to Toronto from the UK:

Visas

Obviously, you’re going to need a visa if you’re moving to Toronto, it’s no longer a part of the Empire, just the commonwealth. Before you go, you will need to apply for a permanent visa from the Canadian Government if you wish to immigrate, work or study in Toronto.

Explore our comprehensive guide for your Canadian visa application

Health insurance

Unfortunately, unlike in the UK the healthcare in Canada system isn’t fully funded by the government. So, when you move to Toronto, you’ll need health insurance to be able to afford basic healthcare. It can be covered by your employer, so remember to ask for it in your contract.

Dying to know more about healthcare in Canada so that you don’t… die or end up with a crazy bill? We’ve got you covered! Click here to find out more.

Taxes

The first thing you need to do is to inform HM Revenue and Customs that you are leaving the UK. Upon arrival in Canada, you should apply for your social insurance number through the Canadian government as you’ll need it to work and pay taxes.

Of course, that’s not all there is to taxes. Do you think you might need further explanation? Well, we’ve done the leg work on this complicated issue, all you have to do is read our page on taxes in Canada.

Documents

It’s hard to keep track of everything, and there are some documents that you’ll really need to remember, trust us:

  • Birth Certificate
  • Marriage certificate (if applicable)
  • Medical Documentation (including dental and immunizations)
  • University Degree(s)(and consider getting them accredited)
  • Financial Statements
  • Health Insurance Policy

We recommend that you have duplicates of these documents and store them safely, you don’t want to lose them.

Skyline of the Toronto waterfront

Pets

Moving to Toronto with pets from the UK is pretty easy for cats and dogs. All you need is a valid certification of rabies vaccination or a veterinary certificate. Easy, right? Of course, if you want to know more, consider reading our moving abroad with a pet.

If you are moving with a more exotic pet, then you should check out the Canadian government’s page on bringing animals to Canada.

Cancellations

While you may still be in the commonwealth, like many others British companies, British Gas won’t be present in Toronto. So, the smart thing to do is review and cancel utilities and services before you go, but keep Netflix, it’s a long flight.

Sirelo tip: Have the last date you leave your old home coincide with the ending of utilities like gas, electricity, and internet. Being cold and without entertainment is the worst!

Mail Redirection

Have you informed everyone and every institution of your change of address? Do not fear, the Royal Mail is there! Just inform them of your change of address and they’ll forward any post along.

Looking for even more tips on how to move to Toronto? Then maybe you consider reading our moving abroad checklist, it’ll be a big help!

Finding Your New Home

Toronto is a pretty popular spot for people and investors alike; therefore, house prices are quite expensive. So, it’s good to stay vigilant and before moving to find your dream house or apartment. And if you’re moving to Toronto alone, renting a flat with others is a great way to save.

And of course, it’s best to know what to expect in terms of pricing when moving to Toronto from the UK, so here’s a little price comparison between London and Toronto for your convenience, we’re so thoughtful, eh?

Price LondonPrice Toronto
1 bedroom£1,700£1,170
3 bedroom£3,300£2,000
City Centre Price/m2£11,100£6,750
Outside Centre Price/m2£5,600£5,250

Sirelo tip: If you’re moving to Toronto with kids, your kid’s school will be selected based on your address. So, that’s something to consider when picking a home for your new family. Granted, all schools in Canada are well-funded by the government.

Finding a Job in Toronto

Toronto has one of the fastest growing job markets in Canada with a diverse array of job opportunities. Finding a job in Toronto can be challenging; with such a big population, it is not strange that many people will aim for the same jobs you will be applying for. However, Toronto is one of the best cities in Canada to find a job.

Key Industries

To give yourself the leg up if you’re moving to Toronto without a job, having some experience or qualifications in the key industries is recommended. And we bet you want to know what the key industries are, so take a look:

  • Finance
  • Film and TV
  • Design
  • Life Science
  • Technology
  • Tourism

Job Search

Of course, finding a job starts with a search (unless you’ve been headhunted or are moving for a job) and you’ll need a job offer to get a visa. To make it easier on you, since it’s never fun to look for a job, we’ve put together a list of some useful sites:

Good luck with job hunting, we’re sure it’ll go well. But, maybe before you get the job, you’d like to know more about Canadian work culture, so why not read out page on working in Canada.

Remember: If you’re moving to Toronto to work, you’ll need to get a social insurance number! Scroll back up to our section on taxes if you missed it.

Ready for Your to Toronto?

At this point, our guide on moving to Toronto had been so stuffed with tips, you should have an easy time taking the first steps to moving. Hogtown (another strange local name) awaits your arrival, buddy.

Somehow still unsure of how to move to Toronto or Canada, eh? We recommend that you take a look at the articles we have linked below 😉.