As much as I dislike the process of moving, I love change. I crave it every few years, which is evident by the fact that not including my family home or cottage, I’ve lived at six different addresses since graduating from Queen’s six years ago. This has created a lot of administration - I’ve learned the ins & outs moving all too well – this move across the continent marks my 3rd & quite possibly last time I'm moving to a new country – although it’s the first time my answer to “how long do you see yourself there?” is “indefinitely”. It’s scary how things like selling your home, packing up your life, and all the intricate details of cross-border moving eat away your time. So I decided to write a how-to guide that will hopefully make the process a little easier for anyone as crazy as me, who finds themselves uprooting their life anytime soon:
- Opt out of OHIP – you need to do this to claim nonresident status (major tax benefits here).
- Change addresses – mailing & billing – be sure to keep a card with Canadian billing as some websites/ companies in Canada can’t accept a US & vice versa – it’s also important for anyone living in North America to maintain credit history in both Canada & the US.
- Register for mail forwarding – it’s significantly cheaper if you can forward to a Canadian address – visit your local post office.
- Update address & profile for any professional memberships / organizations (ie. ICAO).
- Change your magazine delivery addresses – most will let you forward the remainder of your subscription to your new country – otherwise you can forward the remaining issues to a lucky friend and start new subscriptions for your new home.
- Cancel newspaper delivery.
- Cancel gym, club memberships – try to do this a few months in advance if you can, you’ve likely already paid the last month’s dues - also make sure the monthly payments stop.
- Return car / sell car.
- Cancel car / home insurance – you need to fax a letter with a signed request – also try to do this with as much notice as possible so as not to pay past your move date.
- Request a 5 year driver’s history from the DMV – this is required to get US auto insurance – it can be done online through "http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/" or via fax.
- Get a credit report (transunion.com) – especially if you’re moving to the US with no credit history!
- If you’re moving to the US you’ll need a social security number – it’s just like our SIN - you need to be in the US to get it, it involves going to a government office & it takes a few hours. More information can be found at: "http://www.ssa.gov/"
- Get items from any safety deposit boxes at banks etc. Be sure to take all valuables out of any home safes before giving them to the movers – seems like common sense but when you’re doing a million things at once it may slip your mind & those contents are most likely a lot more than you've insured your move for.
- Cancel phone, cable, internet, return all cable boxes, routers & equipment – keep your proof of return to make sure you aren’t charged for any hardware.
- Contact cross-border movers (AMJ Campbell) at least one month in advance of your move date – FYI – it takes at least three weeks to move your belongings across the continent.
- Get moving boxes & no print newspaper, packing accessories (ie fragile labels, markers & tape) – clearly label all boxes for US immigration / customs.
- If you're moving to the US & you're self-employed, you'll need private health coverage (see the first point about opting out of OHIP).
- Apply for relevant work visa – I have an amazing immigration lawyer who works magic – if interested email me for more details.
- Book your service elevator in the condo your leaving & the one you’re moving to! Those lucky enough to be leaving / going to a house need not worry.
- Book your flight! Ok, that’s fairly obvious. Also make sure you’ve got a ride to the airport. Friends visiting the same city who can take a few suitcases help too :)
Bon Voyage!
k
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