How to Move Your Family Across Canada: A Comprehensive Guide

Embarking on a cross-country move can be a complex process, particularly when you’re figuring out how to move a family of 5 across the country. From deciding whether to hire a full service, long-distance moving company or rent a truck and do it yourself, to the nitty-gritty of the picking and packing process, every step requires careful consideration. This guide is designed to help you navigate these decisions and facilitate a smooth transition as you move across Canada.

Step 1: Planning Makes Perfect

When thinking about how to move a family across Canada, early and thorough planning is crucial.

Research: Determine if you’ll hire a full service, long-distance moving company or opt for a DIY approach, which might involve renting a cargo van or truck. Read customer reviews, compare costs, and assess the services offered by each moving company.
Budget: Evaluate the cost of moving, taking into account the expenses of hiring movers, truck rental, packing materials, and potential temporary accommodation. Don’t forget to budget for meals and any unexpected costs.
Inventory: Carry out a thorough order picking of your belongings, documenting and taking pictures, especially of fragile items. This not only helps with the picking and packing process but also for insurance purposes.

Step 2: Get the Family Involved

A cross-country move can be stressful, especially for children. Making them part of the process can ease their worries and make them feel valued.

Communicate: Discuss openly and honestly with the children when discussing the upcoming move. Explain to them the reasons for the move and what it will involve in detail. Make sure to check in with them regularly to ask how they are feeling and answer any questions they may have. It is important to remember that their emotions and concerns are just as important as those of the adults involved.
Delegate: Assigning packing duties to your kids is a great way to keep them busy and teach them responsibility. You can assign them tasks like packing their teddy bears or other stuffed animals. This can give them a sense of ownership and help them to feel involved in the packing process. It is also an opportunity to teach them organizational skills as they will be required to pack their items in a way that will make it easier to unpack when they arrive at their destination. Additionally, they may learn problem-solving skills as they figure out how to fit all of their items into their suitcases or bags.
Create excitement: Make sure to focus on the positives of the move. Talk about the new friends they will make, the exciting activities their new school offers, and the fun events in the community. Show them pictures of their new school, nearby parks, or local attractions to help them visualize their new life in the new area. Involve them in planning and packing for the move so they can get excited about the adventure ahead.

Step 3: The Packing Process

Packing smartly can save a lot of time and headaches during the move and the unpacking process.

Declutter: Determine the cheapest way to move your belongings. This might involve getting rid of items you no longer need, reducing the volume of items to move.
Pack smart: Develop an effective picking and packing process. Pack room by room, labeling each box with its contents and destination room.
Essentials bag: Pack an essentials bag for each family member, including clothes, toiletries, and a comfort object, like a transitional object or favourite stuffed animal.

Step 4: The Move

Moving day can be chaotic, but with proper organization, it can go smoothly.

Supervise movers: Be present when the movers load your belongings. This is your opportunity to ask questions and ensure fragile items are handled with care.
Keep kids occupied: Plan ahead to have games, books, or other activities to entertain your children. This will keep them busy and reduce their stress.
Farewell: Saying goodbye to your old home can help with closure. This could be a small gathering with close friends and neighbors or a simple walk through each room, recalling fond memories.

Step 5: Settling In

Once you’ve arrived, it’s time to turn your new house into a home.

Unpack strategically: Start with children’s rooms to help them settle in. Then, focus on communal areas like the kitchen and living room. Remember, you don’t have to unpack everything in one day.
Explore the neighborhood: Familiarize yourselves with your new surroundings. Find out where the nearest supermarket, hospital, and other important places are.
Connect: Meet your new neighbors and become part of the community. Register your children at their new school and explore extracurricular activities for them.

The process of figuring out how to move a family across Canada is quite an adventure. It takes meticulous planning, patience, and teamwork, but the reward is the start of a new chapter in your family’s story. With this guide, you’re well-equipped for the task ahead. Happy moving!