Moving from Ontario to British Columbia
Anyone who has moved before knows the amount of stress, planning, and sweat involved. Whether it be across town or from one Canadian province to another, there are questions and concerns to be considered and answered. What benefits does this new location bring, what does the moving process look like, and what are the costs associated with hiring Ontario to British Columbia moving companies? Before making a big move, especially a long-distance move, you will want to be as organized as possible to make the transition easier. This article will specifically be focused on moving from Ontario to British Columbia and will hopefully shed some light on some of the advantages and the relocation process.
Benefits of Moving from Ontario to British Columbia
British Columbia is known for its natural beauty and has the most protected land of any other province. It is home to seven of Canada's National Parks with 141 ecological reserves, 35 marine parks and 13 heritage sites. Its beautiful mountain ranges are a dominant feature, and it is the most mountainous of any other province. It has 27,000 km of coastline covered with a temperate rainforest, and the northernmost regions are covered in alpine tundra, ice fields and glaciers. Along with its beauty, British Columbia has other benefits and opportunities to offer newcomers.
Cost of Living
Cost of living is an important factor to consider when moving anywhere, and the number depends on whether you want to live in bigger cities or small towns. These two Canadian provinces don't seem drastically different when compared to one another.
The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Vancouver, British Columbia, in December 2019, according to data from rentals.ca, is $1,967, while a two-bedroom is $3,058. In Toronto, Ontario, a one-bedroom will cost $2,314 while a two-bedroom will average $2,966. To maintain the same standard of living, you will need $6,524.38 in Vancouver compared to $6,700 in Toronto in net earnings after income tax. Overall, cost should remain relatively the same if moving to the Vancouver area from Toronto, which is where a majority of the provincial population resides, but prices drop considerably further away from the city.
Transport
There are several different means of transportation in B.C. that have been added to and improved upon over the past century, making travel through the province easier, faster and much more comfortable. The construction of roads and highways has connected thousands of kilometers of land and has been well-maintained. Public transportation is mainly diesel buses and trolleybuses in Vancouver. Passenger trains are limited but are still operational, and Rail Canada manages six long-distance trains on two lines. Ferries in B.C. offer access to coastal islands that have no road access. Vancouver, Victoria and Prince Rupert are also huge ports for cruise ships and cargo. British Columbia also has 200 operational airports, and Vancouver has the second busiest airport in the country. Transportation has played an important part in the economic growth of this province.
The Economy and Job Market
With a low unemployment rate and a growing economy, British Columbia is becoming a top competitor. Canada's largest port resides within Vancouver and handles $200 million worth of cargo every day, which has helped B.C. expand its economy exponentially. Real GDP has grown by 2.5% (second behind Alberta) compared to Ontario's 1.6%. Vancouver also houses big industries such as biotechnology, alternative fuels and software development. HSBC Canada has its main headquarters in Vancouver as well. These big industries have brought thousands of jobs to B.C. residents. Between June 2018 and April 2019, British Columbia was reportedly the only province to show job growth of 46,500. Unemployment rates are low, and the number of new jobs is still expected to grow.
Vancouver, BC
Weather and Outdoor Activities
The B.C. coast has the most temperate climate of any other province, and winters are often quite mild. Of course, as you head north or towards the interior, the weather can change drastically due to the mountain ranges. Because of the mild and wet climate along the southern coast, large trees are able to grow just like the rest of the Pacific Northwest. Two-thirds of the land in this province is covered in forest, and much of that has little human contact, so it's important to be safe when exploring the wilderness.
When it's warm, many outdoor activities include biking, hiking, swimming, camping, rock climbing or boating. Winter activities such as skiing, snowboarding, skating and snowshoeing are enjoyed by residents and visitors. The National Parks in this region are also something to boast about, where many of these activities can be enjoyed. These parks were established by the Canadian government for the purpose of protection, recreation, tourism, preservation and education. British Columbia is also home to many forms of wildlife, with over 1,000 species of vertebrates, many of which are protected under threat of endangerment.
Special Considerations for Interprovincial Moves
Even though you're moving within the same country, there are some factors you'll need to consider to ensure a seamless process.
Legal and Administrative Steps
Once you move to British Columbia, you'll want to sign up for the Medical Services Plan (MSP) offered to residents in this area. To do this, you'll need to show proof of residency and identification. Once approved, you'll receive your BC Services Card and be able to start taking advantage of the healthcare in the area.
You'll also need to get a new license and complete your vehicle registration. To do this, you'll need to visit a CBC Driver Licensing Office and bring in your Ontario driver's license and vehicle registration information within the first 90 days of the move. You'll be given a new British Columbia license. After you register your vehicle, you'll need to get insurance through an IBCU Autoplan broker.
Cultural Considerations
You'll find the culture in British Columbia to be very similar to that in Ontario. However, British Columbia is much more ethnically diverse. British Columbia is home to about 40 Indigenous nations and groups with 34 different languages and 93 different dialects of these languages.
Over 50% of Canada's Indigenous languages are in British Columbia. The First Peoples' Cultural Council, established in 1990 by the government of B.C., was formed in order to administer the First Peoples' heritage, language and culture program in order to rejuvenate their languages, arts and culture. These nations are spread across B.C. and Canada, and the provincial governments are doing their best to preserve and protect these cultures.
Cost of Moving from Ontario to British Columbia
The average cost of a long-distance move depends on several key factors. The moving cost from Ontario to British Columbia with Allied Van Lines is around $12,500. This is the linehaul cost for transporting goods from province to province. Home size, distance, and add-on services can cause this price to fluctuate.
If you're ready to plan your move, request a free, no-obligation quote for pricing that accurately represents the unique needs of your move.
Making the Move Less Costly & Stressful
Hiring a professional Ontario to British Columbia moving company can make the entire moving process less stressful for everyone involved. Here are some other tips and tricks you can use to help streamline your next move:
- Declutter: One of the first steps to having a less stressful move is to remove as much clutter as possible and to organize. Getting rid of unneeded items by donating or having a garage sale—especially for heavy furniture—will greatly reduce the cost of moving long distance.
- Find Boxes: You are also able to minimize spending on packing supplies by getting free boxes from local businesses such as grocery stores, offices and liquor stores.
- Pack Room by Room: Start packing room by room and categorize each box; this will help with the unpacking process!
- Drive instead of flying: Driving to the destination instead of flying will also help save money. If you do need to fly or have more than one vehicle, there are also services available for the safe transport of your vehicle.
- Start Packing Early: Don't leave packing for the last minute, and remember to always plan ahead of time.
Why Choose Allied Van Lines?
For over 95 years, Allied Van Lines has been helping individuals, families, and big corporations move from Ontario to British Columbia. We understand the challenges that can occur with long-distance moves, and we're here to help you navigate them with ease. When you choose us as your Ontario to British Columbia moving company, you can look forward to:
Experience
Our Ontario to British Columbia local movers and agents are trained, certified, and insured. Before any of our new hires help with a move, we ensure they complete a rigorous training program. You can rely on their expertise throughout every phase of your next move, knowing that they have your best interests at heart.
Support
From the time you submit your request for an estimate to the day you move into your new home, you can count on our Ontario to British Columbia movers every step of the way. We offer around-the-clock customer support, so you can always check in for updates. We also have a GPS tracking system, so you'll always know where your belongings are in transit.
Get a Free Quote
Are you on the hunt for a reliable long-distance moving company in Ontario to British Columbia? Allied Van Lines is here to help. We offer customizable moving packages and affordable rates for long-distance moves in Canada. Specialty services such as fragile-only packing or storage solutions are available as add-ons.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote.
Moving from Ontario to British Columbia FAQs
If you're planning to invest in reliable moving services in Ontario to British Columbia, explore our most frequently asked questions below.
What should I know before moving from Ontario to British Columbia?
A move from Ontario to British Columbia is around 4,125 km, which is considered a long-distance relocation. When planning a long-distance move, it's best to start the planning process as early as possible so you can compare quotes from two or three moving companies. You'll also want to start packing ahead of time and downsize as you pack to reduce your overall item weight.
How much does it cost to move from Ontario to British Columbia?
The cost will vary, depending on your home size, item weight, and additional moving services required, such as packing and storage. The average linehaul cost for a move from Ontario to British Columbia is $12,500.
How long does it take to move from Ontario to British Columbia?
A typical move from Ontario to British Columbia can take between 2 and 14 days. The exact delivery date will vary, depending on traffic patterns, weather, time of year, and how much you're moving. At Allied Van Lines, we include a delivery window in our estimates, a specific timeframe for when you can expect our movers to arrive.