Moving your outdoor items are course of business for your professionals here at Starline.  However, you do need to keep in mind that you do need to prepare your outdoor things for the move.  In order to best prepare to move these outdoor items, you need to take some inventory yourself.  If you have a barbecue with a propane tank, you will need to remove the tank and return it or give it away.  This will be the same if you have any outdoor propane heaters, fireplaces or fire tables to move.  You have to remove these tanks because they are flammable and all professional movers are forbidden to transfer flammable objects.

If you have any other outdoor cooking equipment like a smoker and have lighter fluid to ignite it, you will have to get rid of that fluid as well.  Also, if you are a gardner and have fertilizer or pesticides, you will not be able to move any of these materials because they maybe considered flammable.  Further, if you have an outdoor shed, be sure to go through it carefully.  If you have any paint, oil or other chemicals, chances are you will not be able to transport them as well.  Therefore, it is worth the extra time to go through these items before you move so you can make the proper arrangements.

If you have any questions or are confused, please refer to Starline’s movers guide.  It itemizes the things you can not move.  If you are still concerned or have any questions, feel free to contact your professionals here at Starline.  They will  be happy to help clarify what you can take with you.

Setting up a bank account after you move may seem rather easy or standard.  However, there are several things you need to think about.  If you are making a domestic move, chances are your banking should be an easy transfer.  If you currently bank at a national bank, it may be as easy as opening up a local bank account with the same institution with your new address.  Keep in mind that each bank operates differently and they may not have branches in your new location.  Therefore, you want to make sure that you touch base with your current bank branch and get the specifics so that you can understand your options before you move.  If your bank does not have branches in your new location, you definitely want to consider changing institutions.  This may save you in the long run when it comes to fees and charges for ATMs and services.  If you have a safety deposit box with them, make sure that you empty it and close the account.

If you are moving abroad, opening an account may prove to be more tricky.  Therefore, due diligence is essential.  It is important to recognize that your credit worthiness is assessed differently in different countries.  Therefore, you need to understand this before you move.  You may have immaculate credit in your home country, however this may not translate to your new location.  Find out ahead of time what are the requirements and what paperwork you need to demonstrate your creditworthiness so that you can open your account with little to no trouble.  Whatever you do, do not take this personally.  Just recognize that these differences do exist and that in order to make a successful transition you need to prepare yourself and do the best you can to fulfill the requirements.  It may make absolutely no sense to you, but at the end of the day, you need to meet your objective.  Further, if you are on a corporate relocation, it may be much easier to fulfill the requirements.  I suggest to be patient and learn.  Consider it all apart of your new adventure.

Finding a job in Canada due to a move will take some preparation.  It is important to keep in mind that if you are seeking employment after you move, you really want to start your search even before you move.  This will allow you to prepare yourself for all of the steps you need to take.  If you are moving from another country, even more preparation is required.  Therefore, it is best to start early.  There are some tools on-line that can be of help in your search.  

If you are moving to Canada and are seeking employment, here are a few online resources that can help you.  First, you want to check with Citizen and Immigration Canada to evaluate your work visa needs and eligibility.  You should start this process before you move to mitigate any surprises. Further, you want to establish the amount of time you plan on living in the country.  Next, use the available resources online to begin your search.  These include but are not limited to Service Canada and Working in Canada.  These two websites will help you find available employment opportunities.  It offers various search options.  For example, the search options include the type of work you are looking for and the type of prospective employee you are.  Keep in mind there are additional resources out there like Monster Canada that can help with your search.  Also, if your spouse or partner is on a corporate relocation or job transfer, you may be eligible for employment service benefits.  You will have to evaluate the policies and procedures and the benefits offered by the employer.  

In this competitive job market, every effort counts.  Therefore, starting early, educating yourself and utilizing your contacts will help you tremendously.

Once you have moved internationally, you want to consider finding a convenient spot to note down emergency numbers.  The important thing to keep in mind is that different countries have different phone numbers for emergencies.  Learn them and post them in a convenient place so that you have them to hand when and if something happens.  Add to this list your friends and family’s phone numbers.  This is critical for emergency contacts.  Not only do you want to have their name, you want to note the country code and time difference.  This will help anyone who is trying to help you contact your friends and family back home in case of an emergency. 

Further, establish a network of who to contact in an event of an emergency.  You want to have identified key friends and family and discuss this with them before your move.  This way they will understand their role in an emergency.  This phone tree will help you when you need it by streamlining communication and ensuring at least one person will be notified and can pass information and help.  Having a plan in place, will help to prevent scams and fraud.  In other words, grandma will know that she is not the person to wire money in an emergency.

Often times we forget or not prioritize this task.  However, it is so important to make this a priority when you first move.  This will help you establish something in place and it will give you and your family some peace of mind knowing you are prepared for anything.

Most of you will find yourself moving with fine jewelry.  Handling your special items with care is so important to make sure it is safely transported.   The first thing you should do is to have your items appraised, especially those that are extra special or those items with significant values.  Furthermore, you want to review your rental or homeowner’s insurance policy.  If you have certain pieces of jewelry itemized on a rider, you want to make sure the value reflects its current replacement value.  You also want take photos of your jewelry along with your other household goods.  This very important because it will give you a digital inventory of all of your goods.  After you have taken inventory, call your insurance agent. This is critical because most moving companies will not cover collectible items and jewelry.  Once you sell or move from your home, you will no longer have access to your rental or homeowner’s insurance policy.  Therefore, you need to discuss this with your insurance agent to clarify your options.  You definitely want to have the appropriate coverage for the replacement value of your precious items.  

Further, most of us have an amount of jewelry that we can personally transport ourselves.  However, even if you are transporting your items yourself, you still need to insure them.  For those of you who have more items than you can transport yourself, discuss your options with your insurance agent and mover.  Your professionals, here at Starline will do their best to meet your moving needs.  Therefore, it is important to identify your high value items ahead of time so that the right steps can be taken to handle your items safely and insure them adequately.

Single? After you move, it is so important to meet new friends and build a support network.  This is the cornerstone of settling into your new life.  However, if you are single this can pose some challenges.  If you are moving for work, the good news is that you will have access to work colleagues.  This will allow you to interact and meet new people.  Consider joining a professional organization.  This is a great way to build contacts and meet new people in your profession. 

Another great way to meet folks in a new area is to pursue your interests.  If you like sports, find an athletic club or league to join.  This will give you an opportunity to meet other people, who share your love of the sport.  If you like to cook or bake, consider taking classes.  If you love art, find art galleries or art classes in your new area.  There are other types or resources on line that can help.  MeetUp is a great way to find groups of people, who share your similar interests in your area.   The important take away here is to get involved.  The more opportunities you have to get out and interact with others, the more opportunities you will have to meet new friends and build a support network in your new location, which makes all the difference in a successful move.

If you are planning on purchasing a property in Canada, the first item on your list may be finding a realtor.  There are some great resources available for you online to find just the right professional for you.  The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) is a great start.  Realtors, who are a part of CREA take a code of conduct and have a standing relationship within the real estate professional community.  Therefore, when conducting your search, look for the realtor symbol.

Once you have done your research, make contact with them.  If possible, call and set up appointments to meet them.  If not, ask if they have access to Skype and conduct your interview this way.  Face-to-face communications do make a difference at this stage.  Consider drafting up some questions that you can ask the realtor.  You should consider asking them about their experience, knowledge of the area, their specialties, and if they have worked with families. If you ask the same set of questions to the realtors you interview, it will help you compare answers.  Remember, you are also looking for personality.  You will be working with this person during a stressful time.  Therefore, you need reassurance that you will be able to get along with this person.

If you are on a corporate relocation, it is important to note that your company may already have a standing relationship with professionals in the area.  Your human resource representative or relocation coordinator will be able to give you the contact details of the companies they use.  This helps because often times these companies have been screened and have an established working relationship with your company.  Therefore, they are familiar with your companies policies and procedures.

Keep in mind that your realtor should be a member of your relocation team.  By taking the time to get to find the right team player will pay dividends in the future.

The Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program (CF IRP) is the program developed to help CF members and their families relocate.  Once the CF member gets notice of their new duty station, they are offered benefits to help them move.  As a CF member, you are entitled to a CF Coordinator, who will help you understand and clarify your benefits and consider reimbursements.  

However, most of the coordination of the move is left to you.  Therefore, it is imperative for you to familiarize yourself with the policies and procedures from the National Defense and the Canadian Forces regarding your move.  Further, keeping organized really helps you throughout the process.  Many times during these transfers, important paperwork is needed at various points of the move.  Therefore, consolidating this information in one convenient location will help you find your things during the busy time of the move and prevent them from being misplaced.  

Your professionals at Starline understand the nature and time constraints of relocations and will do their best to help you make your move.  For further information, please visit the National Defense and Canadian Relocation Directive and Starline’s Moving Tips and Information.

If you are moving with school age children, transferring them to a new school takes some preparation.  Once the decision is made to move, you definitely want to have a chat with your child’s teacher and principal to make sure you have all of the important documents and understand your child’s current standing in class.  At the very least, you should have the transcripts for your child.  If your child has any special needs, you definitely want to have copies of any doctors’ reports and/or special need assessments.  Having these documents will help your new school make sure they can work with you to best meet your child’s needs.  

Definitely do some research online of the schools where you will be relocating.  This will give you a head start before you get there.  Call and make arrangements to take a tour of the schools that you have short listed.  Most schools will take the time to show you around and answer questions.  This is the perfect opportunity to identify any special needs your child may have and discuss programs the school offers.  Further, most schools require some health assessment forms from your child’s doctor.  Therefore, make sure you have gotten health release forms before you leave in order to get the applicable health documentation released.

If you are moving to Canada from the United States public education ranges from primary, secondary to post-secondary and is funded by federal, provincial and local governments.  In most provinces the compulsory age is 16 with the exception of three provinces (Manitoba, Ontario and New Brunswick) where the age is 18.  

If you are moving from Canada to the United States the funding mechanisms are similar.  Education is funded from the federal, state and local governments.  However, education is compulsory, ranges from elementary, middle and high school and the ages vary from state to state.  Children begin in kindergarten from ages 5 to 8 and may end at 14 to 18 years of age depending on the state requirements.  Most children complete high school at the ages of 17 to 18.  Post-secondary school or college is regulated separately.  Therefore, doing the research ahead of time is worth doing so you can prepare and take the right steps for your child.

For further information about the educational system in Canada, please visit the Councils of Ministers of Education and for more information about the educational system in the US please visit the US Department of Education.

You have made it through moving out.  Now, what can you expect when you take delivery of your goods?  First, make sure you have planned accordingly.  If you are purchasing a home, make sure you do not schedule your delivery on the day of close.  This is a dangerous proposition.  You need to build in some contingency in case something goes wrong with your closing.  Second, if you have decided to do any home improvements prior to moving in, make sure to complete them or ensure the environment is safe for movers.  You do not want to take delivery of your goods in a construction zone.  Third, if you have any issues at your new place that could cause a problem with delivery, discuss it with your professionals here at Starline ahead of time.  For example, tight on-street parking, steep drive-way, gates, home-owner association regulations can all cause issues.  Therefore, discussing this ahead of time will help us work as a team to ensure a quick and seamless delivery.  Your professionals here at Starline are very experienced and will do their best to meet your moving needs.  We look forward to working together with you as a team to make your move easier.  For further information, please refer to these helpful moving tips.