Canada usually ranks highly in the list of best places to emigrate and best places to live– and with good reason. It ranked at two in the latest 2018 Best Countries Report produced in the US. Among the reasons for relocating here, people like the healthy outdoor lifestyle, the environment, the professional opportunities and the good public services. It also has an excellent reputation as a great supporter of equal opportunities, making it a good destination for women and LGBT travellers, and a wonderful place for students and entrepreneurs. Although relocation is a great adventure. Here are some tips, practical and cultural, to make a relocation to Canada even smoother: English or French? Canada is a bilingual country, with both English and French spoken. But that doesn’t mean every region speaks both languages. New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual city while Quebec is predominately French-speaking and many other territories primarily speak English. So, make sure you research properly before deciding where to live. A visa will be required Special working visas are available for start-ups, for immigrant investors, the self-employed, caregivers and skilled workers. Express is also available for some skilled trades. Canadian citizenship is available for those who have been there six years (and who can show they spent at least four of those in the country) and can speak English or French. Research property prices Property prices in major Canadian cities have been rising and there can be huge differences in the cost of getting into the property market depending on which territory you choose. Vancouver and Toronto are regarded as the most expensive. Don’t disregard the weather It’s easy to forget that it gets very cold in the winter in Canada – as low as -40 degrees centigrade in some regions. In the summer, midges and mosquitoes can be a big problem in some areas. Understand the healthcare system Canada has a publicly-funded healthcare system, it is based on a network of health insurance plans which provide free primary care to citizens only. Most people also have extra insurance to cover additional health needs. Remember to be polite Canadians pride themselves on being polite and respectful, it’s part of their national identity. So saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ is extremely important – and criticism can often been sugar-coated. Canadians aren’t Americans It would be easy to think from far away that Canada and America have a shared culture, but that’s far from the truth. It’s rather like saying that because England and France are next to each other they are both the same. Canadians are friendly people Canadians like to think of themselves as friendly and you can expect them to start up conversations freely in bars and restaurants. Thinking of relocating to Canada? Crown Relocations can help with your move! Visit our website to find out more.