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.

So you are planning a move this summer.  Although it may seem like some time away with the cold lingering in the air, it is important to keep in mind that the moving season begins in May and goes into September.  This is the busiest time of the year for professional movers.  Therefore, if you are planning a move this summer, you need to evaluate your flexibility.  If you have a slim window of time to make your move, the earlier you schedule the date the better you will be.  The sooner you are able to select a date and schedule, it will be best for you because you will be able to ensure the move date of your choice.  Keep in mind, your professionals here at Starline will do their best to accommodate your request.  

If you are planning on selling your home in order to move this summer, the earlier you begin your preparations for the move the more time you will have to get the home ready for sale.  You will have the time to do the painting, cleaning, staging and downsizing without being pressed for time.  Further, the summer is the busy season for realtors.  Getting a head start will give you ample time to meet and interview potential real estate professionals and make your selection. Starting any preparations early will allow you to have the time to get things done.  In this competitive housing market, any extra effort will help you.

Great! You are moving abroad. Now, what do you do with your appliances? To move it or not, it is an important question?  The key take away is to do your research ahead of time.  There are so many different things to consider and moving appliances abroad can be costly.  Therefore, you definitely want to ask yourself these very important questions before you decide to take your appliances with you.

The important thing to keep in mind is to understand what is best for you and your family.  I do suggest you really rethink the transformer option, especially if you are planning on living abroad for an extended period of time.  You can use one but it does put a strain on your appliance and it may not be worth transporting it only for it to quit working in six months.  Further, living quarters in different countries vary greatly.  So your large side by side refrigerator may not fit in a kitchen or there may not be a laundry room for your large front end washer and dryer.  Know where you are going and what is common place in your new location.  It will save you in the long run.

As for your small appliances like toasters, kettles and hair dryers, it is in your best interest to just sell what you have and get complying ones when you get there. The biggest challenge you will face is your computer.  I suggest you check with the manufacture of your computer and find out what your options are.  If you have any further questions, Starline has even more great information for you.

If you are moving to or within Canada, redirecting your mail is an important part of your move.  If you are moving to Canada from the United States, there are some key differences that you should be informed.  First, the Canadians call forwarding mail redirection.  Also, be prepared to pay a fee for redirection services, which is a foreign concept to Americans.  When redirecting your mail from the United States to Canada, you will not be required to pay a fee from the United States Post Office.  However, if you are repatriating back to the United States or moving within Canada, you will have to pay to redirect your mail.  The fees will vary by the length of time, which is defined as a temporary redirection at three months or permanent redirection, which is six to twelve months.  It will also vary based on whether you are redirecting mail for a residence and/or business.  

It is important to plan ahead to ensure a smooth transition.  Let your creditors know about your move and your new address to prevent any delays.  Keep in mind the redirection will take some time to get going.

Moving to Calgary?

As a matter of public safety, governments at all levels have passed legislation restricting the transportation of dangerous goods. Under the “Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act” we are prohibited by law from shipping these items. With this in mind, we would like to remind you for all owner packed boxes, crates, etc. it is your responsibility to ensure NO DANGEROUS GOODS are being transported.