Moving from Ontario to Alberta

Canada is a large country, and moving across the country is not easy. Moving long distances within Canada requires a lot of planning and commitment. The thought of moving such long distances intimidates most people. If they have a choice, most people will abandon the move simply because it is too difficult.

Are you considering hiring a long-distance moving company in Ontario to Alberta? Here’s a brief overview of the benefits of making the move, and how professional movers can help you through the transition:

Benefits of Moving from Ontario to Alberta

There are several benefits of moving from Ontario to Alberta, including:

Lower Cost of Living

The main advantage of moving from Ontario to Alberta is the lower cost of living. Almost every aspect of living in Alberta is cheaper than living in Ontario. The minimum wage in Alberta is $15 per hour, whereas the minimum wage in Ontario is $14. Therefore, with a lower cost of living, minimum wage in Alberta can purchase more than in Ontario.

Other elements of the cost of living you will enjoy in Alberta, as compared to Ontario, are the real estate prices and rates. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Alberta is $1070, and the average rent for the same-sized apartment in Ontario is $1723. Public transportation, food, and entertainment are also more affordable. 

Friendlier People

Many people who move to Alberta or even just visit are surprised at how welcoming people in Alberta are. They greet each other on the street, wave when driving, and will stop for passengers even when the latter are in the wrong. Therefore, if you want to live in a place where you know your neighbors and even spend time together, then Alberta is the place for you to live.

Lower Taxes

Alberta does not have a provincial sales tax, as is the case with many other provinces in Canada. Therefore, every good you buy in Alberta is probably cheaper than in Ontario. When you live in Ontario and other provinces in Canada, you pay an average of 15% in provincial and federal sales taxes, which can make goods very expensive.

Cleanliness

There is not much air pollution in Alberta. The water is available and drinkable, while the sewer systems are also clean. The area’s authorities have gone to great lengths to keep the province clean, including starting some very effective recycling programs. On the other hand, there are heavy fines imposed on littering, so you should be careful and more mindful of trash.

What You Can Expect From Your Ontario‑to‑Alberta Move

If you plan to hire Ontario to Alberta movers to help with the job, here's what you can expect from the process. 

Pre‑Move Planning

The first step is to request a free quote online. A move coordinator will reach out to learn more about your move so they can tailor your moving package to your needs. It's essential to be honest about the items and your home size to ensure you receive an accurate estimate. After the quote and move-out date are finalized, the movers will create a moving timeline and provide pre-planning resources to use. 

Packing & Protection

You should start the packing process at least three to four weeks before your move-out date. The packing process can be time-consuming, so ensure you have enough time to invest in materials, create an inventory list, and label every box. If you decide to hire movers to help with the packing phase, they'll handle everything for you. 

Transport & Logistics

Once your items are packed into boxes, Ontario to Alberta local movers will load everything into a climate-controlled moving truck. They'll ensure your boxes are secured, and everything is carefully packed. While the movers are in transit, you can track them in real-time with our GPS tracking tool. 

Delivery & Unloading

When the Ontario to Alberta moving company arrives at your new destination, they'll quickly get to work, unloading all the boxes, furniture, and appliances. They'll also reassemble furniture, reinstall appliances, and remove any unwanted debris that you don't need.

Practical Tips for Executing the Move

The thought of picking up and moving your entire life across the country can seem overwhelmingly daunting. Here is a step-by-step process to help make it more manageable:

1. Research cities and towns in Alberta to narrow down your destination. Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, Lethbridge, and Medicine Hat are the top options. Compare things like job prospects, home prices, size, amenities, and culture.
2. Travel to Alberta to explore firsthand. Once you've narrowed down locations, visit them to get a feel for daily life there before committing.
3. Line up employment in advance whenever possible. Scope out openings that match your industry and experience level. Consider reaching out to networking contacts who have made the Alberta move as well.
4. Sort through possessions and decide what to take vs. sell/donate. This will save significantly on moving costs. Consider climate differences and storage space in a new home.
5. Explore pricing from Ontario to Alberta moving companies.Moving company rates can vary greatly, so get quotes from 3-5 services after detailing your inventory.
6. Transfer medical records & enroll kids in new schools. Ask doctors for referrals to help find new healthcare providers. Research school districts in your new Alberta neighborhood.
7. Update legal documents, accounts, and memberships to reflect the move. This includes items such as driver's licenses, vehicle registration, insurance policies, and club memberships.

Jobs and the Economy in Alberta

While costs may be cheaper, ensuring you can afford the Alberta move relies on lining up viable employment options, too. Economically, Alberta offers:

• Strong job prospects in industries like construction, trades, healthcare, technology, transportation, and natural resources. Major employers include oil and gas, agriculture, forestry, finance, and telecommunications.
• Higher than average wages, especially for jobs in skilled trades. Certain roles closely linked to Alberta's natural resource sectors also tend to pay well thanks to high demand.
• Plentiful entrepreneurial activity. Startup culture is vibrant in cities like Calgary and Edmonton, with waypoint programs, incubators, investors, and incentive funds to support new business ventures of all sizes.

Settling In - Accessing Public Services

Once you can officially call yourself an Alberta resident, you’ll want to get acclimated to the new province by understanding the differences in various public services. 

• Healthcare: Alberta uses a mix of public and private care. Expect more out-of-pocket fees like insurance premiums or dental costs that aren't covered.
• Schools: Standards are generally consistent, with curriculum regulated at the provincial level, like Ontario. Funding levels, though, are much higher on a per-student basis in Alberta.
• Housing: The key difference is significantly lower property taxes in Alberta, offset by less tax deductibility. Mortgage rules and rates don't vary much province-to-province.
• Transportation: Driver's licensing process differs slightly. Owners must get Alberta registration and insurance within 90 days of moving.
• Utilities: Home services like electricity, heat, garbage collection, and internet don't differ too drastically province-to-province in what's offered. Expect varying costs.

Cost of Moving from Ontario to Alberta

There are certain costs that you have to consider before you make the big move from Ontario to Alberta. These costs are largely unavoidable and include:

Housing Costs

If you plan on getting a mortgage and purchasing property right away, then you will need to look at how much that will cost you. The rate of your mortgage will obviously vary depending on the bank, your credit score and other factors.

If you are like most people, you will probably be moving into an apartment. You will need to evaluate the cost of renting an apartment in Alberta, depending on the size of your family and economic capacity.

Cost of Living

The cost of living will depend on what kind of expenses you usually incur when you are living normally. You’ll need to know the price of necessities such as food, utilities and other necessities. You will also need to find out about transportation costs in Alberta. Transit fees, monthly passes, insurance premiums and gas prices are all costs you will need to take into account. You will also have to find out if there are any provincial taxes you need to pay in Alberta that you weren’t paying in Ontario.

Transportation Costs

Unless you are a minimalist and can pack all your belongings in your car or have the financial capacity to buy all new household items in Alberta, then you will probably be moving a few things. The cost of transporting your entire household from province to province can be a substantial sum. You will have to decide if it is more economical to invest in moving services from Ontario to Alberta or to take the DIY approach.

How to Move from Ontario to Alberta

If you’re planning a move across provinces, you’ll want to consider investing in professional moving and storage services that travel from Ontario to Alberta.Moving professionals will help you with just about every aspect of the move. They will pack your belongings, load them onto the truck, transport them long distance across Canada and unpack for you.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is considered an interprovincial move in Canada?

An interprovincial move in Canada is a relocation from one province or territory to another. 

How far is the move from Ontario to Alberta?

Ontario is roughly 2,400 km from Alberta. However, some cities within the province are as far as 3,400 km. The exact distance will depend on where you're moving to and from. 

How much does an Ontario‑to‑Alberta move cost?

The cost to move from Ontario to Alberta is between $4,400 to $17,000. The exact cost will vary, depending on the distance, home size, and item weight. 

Do I need help with packing for a long‑distance move?

Packing is a time-consuming process. If you don't have time to dedicate to ensuring all of your items are safely packed into each box, consider hiring local movers to help you through the packing phase. 

What services are included in an Ontario‑to‑Alberta move?

A full-service move from Ontario to Alberta includes packing, loading, transporting, unloading, and unpacking. You can also add speciality services to your package, such as storage solutions or custom crating.