Things you need to do when you land in Canada

Housing

The first thing you have to do when you land in Canada is of course to find a place to stay. If you have a friend who will let you stay with them for a while, great. Otherwise, you may have to stay in a hotel or a motel for a while. Make sure you are able to make some form of housing arrangement before you land otherwise you might be paying too much for housing which would deplete your savings.

To find a more permanent housing, grab one of the free community newspapers and check the classifieds. You don't have to buy a newspaper since these community newspapers are supported by advertising and are given out for free.

You can find all types of housing to suit your needs, from rentals to homes for sale. If you're renting, keep it simple, you don't need to rent an elaborate house. Just make sure you get one with a kitchen and laundry facilities. It's better if they're included in the house or apartment you're renting, that way you don't have to pay everytime you need to wash your clothes. Some even have a dishwasher available.

If you're renting, find a house that is close to public transportation because unless you can immediately get a car, you'll have a long walk to get to the nearest bus stop. You wouldn't want to walk 10 minutes to get to a bus stop then wait another 10 to 20 minutes for the bus in the middle of winter.

If you're considering buying a house, take your time. Find one that is suitable for your needs and fits your budget. More about this later.