Which approach is best when moving to Canada – depends on the specific situation and family relationships
Another tactic is possible: the main applicant enters Canada first, rents housing, settles in, deals with the work issue, and then the rest of the family enters.
Which approach is better? Again, the answer depends on the specific situation and family relationships. If one of the family members (husband or wife) has a high-paying job, then it may make sense for him or her to stay home for now and wait until the spouse gets settled in Canada and can support the family. Another case can be considered when there are small children in the family who immediately need decent living conditions, and caring for them will complicate the settlement process. That is, you need to take such factors into account and decide how it will be easier for you to settle in a new place.
Another important question: when to go?
The most common answer to this question is: the sooner, the better. That's true – if you have decided to move to Canada, it is better to start as early as possible. However, not everything is so simple. Each season has its pros and cons, and here again it is important to set priorities: what is more important – save money on moving, find a job faster, or create better conditions for children in their adaptation to the new environment.
If you want to save money on airfare, it is best to come before the summer months, and also avoid the Christmas period. Ticket prices in the autumn-spring period are quite low.
On the other hand, in summer it is much easier to get by without a car than in autumn or winter. And since at first you will have to walk a lot, filling out paperwork, looking for housing, purchasing inexpensive home furniture and household items, finding a job, and so on, it is better to do this when the weather is nice. Also, when everything is blooming and enjoying life, when you don't need to bundle up in warm clothes and take shelter from bad weather, it is much easier to bear the stress of moving.
If finding a job is more important to you, then it is best to look for work either from mid-July to the end of October, or from the end of January to May. In this case, we are mainly talking about office jobs and manufacturing positions. In Canada, December is traditionally a Christmas month, and almost from the beginning of the month everyone is preparing for the celebration. The first half of January is usually dedicated to preparing annual projects. The summer months (starting in May) are also usually "dead" in terms of hiring – recruitment begins in the second half of July.
These are general trends. However, there are many professions that follow different rules. For example, in the construction sector, the main volume of work is done in the summer, and to get a job at such companies, you should start searching in April-May. Teachers are better off looking for work during summer vacation, before the start of the new school year. That is, you should always take into account the specifics of your specialty and how much it coincides with general trends.
It is worth considering that some time after arriving in Canada will be spent on settling in and solving household problems, so you will not rush to look for a job from the very first days. So give yourself a little buffer of time (a month or two).
If you first plan to study in Canada to get a local diploma or certificate, then you should aim for the start of the semester at the educational institution you are planning to attend. If your English is not good enough to immediately start working or studying, then you should come with a buffer of time so that you can attend English language courses. Although it is worth noting that it is better to learn English before coming to Canada – this will save you time and money.
If your priority is a smoother adaptation of children to the new environment, then it is better to come in the summer months. This will give them the opportunity to get used to the English-speaking environment and start school in the new school year. There is an opinion that August is the most optimal option, as a month is usually more than enough for children to familiarize themselves with the new environment. On the other hand, when children go to school in September, parents will be able to devote this time entirely to solving their own problems.
It is worth noting that choosing the summer months for moving only contributes to a smooth adaptation of children to new conditions, nothing more. In terms of education, if the children are not yet 12-13 years old, there is no need to worry much about school. The Canadian school system is structured such that intensive education in the sense familiar to immigrants from the former USSR begins only in High School. Until then, it lags far behind, and the child will certainly not be in a catch-up position, quite the opposite. From experience: children learn English very quickly, within two to three months, depending on their level of preparation.
The situation is more complicated when children are supposed to enter High School. In this case, it is worth letting them finish the school year at home so that they can start school in Canada in the new school year. It is also reasonable to give them the opportunity to attend English language courses in the summer or immerse them in an English-speaking environment with active communication so that they can master English more fluently by the start of the school year. It should be noted that education in High School in Canada is conducted at a serious level. This especially applies to programs that are necessary for university admission.
For newcomers who don't bring much money, there is an opportunity in summer to buy many useful items cheaply at so-called Garage Sales. They are held from early May to the end of September, i.e., when the weather is warm. The event involves homeowners (or often several homes at once) holding a sale of unwanted items right on the street. Here you can buy cheap furniture, children's items, etc. For those short on money, this is a real way to acquire needed items without much expense.
Finally, the issue of renting housing. Apartments in Canada are usually rented from the beginning of the month. Therefore, it is better to arrive a few days before the end of the month so that you have the opportunity to find a suitable apartment and sign the lease. As for the season, the hardest time to rent an apartment is from August to the end of October.
What is written above is merely general trends. Undoubtedly, you can find a job in July, rent an apartment in September, and children can start school in March — it's just that everything will be a bit more difficult. But, by and large, you should go when it is most convenient for you, taking into account the minor peculiarities described above.
Also read related material: PATHS TO A CANADIAN VISA