Regardless of where you’re moving—whether it’s across the country or down the street—planning a temporary or permanent move can be extremely stressful even in the best of times. But moving to Toronto in the middle of the holiday season is downright panic inducing for a lot of people. Unfortunately, when there are extenuating circumstances involved, relocating to Toronto during the busiest time of the year is sometimes unavoidable. Aside from contending with inclement weather conditions and the hustle and bustle of the holidays, moving in December is also more expensive and it’s harder to book a moving company because this is considered their off-season.

Don’t worry, though, because there are a few things you can do to make your temporary or permanent holiday move to the big city a little easier. Follow these useful tips for a stress-free move to Toronto this December!

Create a Strict Budget and Stick to It

Budgeting is a big part of planning a successful move and there are plenty of factors that you should take into consideration. If you’re moving into a brand-new home that’s still in the final stages of construction, but the closing date on your current home is fast approaching, then you might want to consider temporary housing in Toronto in the meantime. Of course, you’ll have to include this expense in your budget. By working with a distinguished relocation company in Canada like MAC Furnished Residences Inc., you’re bound to find short-term furnished apartments in Toronto to rent that meet your needs.

Other budgetary considerations include renting a moving truck, renting a storage unit for miscellaneous items that can’t be immediately transported, and hiring a moving company.

Consider Hiring Local Movers

That brings us to our next point. If your move involves travelling a long distance, then you might want to consider hiring local movers to help out. Professional local movers have extensive experience transporting large pieces of furniture across long distances. They can help you plan your move from start to finish, map out the optimal transportation routes during your move, and even load and unload heavier items like large pieces of furniture for you. Some movers even provide state-of-the-art highly secure storage facilities for those especially large items that you need to find a space for.

Additionally, local movers also have experience maneuvering and driving in the often-tumultuous winter weather that hits Toronto this time of year, so you can ensure that you and your family will be in good hands. Hiring a full-service moving company to help out with your move is a great way to alleviate a lot of the stress you may be feeling as a result of your holiday move.

Stay Organized

Maintaining a good organizational system throughout your move will guarantee that nothing gets left behind and it will help put your mind at ease. Start by making a detailed list of all of your most important belongings and then categorize each item on the list. The list should consist of clothing items, toiletries, electronics, accessories, small appliances, and any other items that come to mind.

Carefully wrap fragile items as you place them in boxes and be sure to label each box right after sealing it so you don’t forget what’s inside. Be sure to also label boxes containing fragile items accordingly so you know which boxes need to be handled with special care.

Another great way to stay organized during your move and relieve stress is to create a separate itemized to-do list so that you can check off each task from your list as it gets completed. This will help you stay on track with your move and ensure that all significant deadlines are met.

Research Relocation Companies in Canada

Setting foot in a big city like Toronto for the first time can be overwhelming and intimidating even for the most experienced travellers. But if you’re planning on moving here without ever having visited, the experience can be a lot more daunting than you might have originally anticipated. Relocation companies in Canada such as MAC Furnished Residences Inc. can help you settle in and get familiar with your new surroundings. Services such as area orientations, move management, temporary accommodations, and departure preparation (for temporary stays), as well as rental and residential resale (for permanent living situations) can make the process of settling in to your new surroundings as seamless as possible.

Prepare for Winter Weather and Have a Backup Plan in Place

Winter weather in Toronto and the GTA is often unpredictable. One minute, the sun could be shining, and the city could be experiencing relatively mild temperatures, whereas the next minute the city could be engulfed by a sudden two-minute snowstorm. Ask any true Torontonian and they’ll tell you that the city has been known for experiencing a taste of all four seasons in the span of a single day. Be sure to check the weather conditions for your moving day and have a contingency plan in place in case you have to reschedule or postpone your move.

If you’re working with a moving company or relocation service, they’ll usually alert you of any weather warnings or advisories that may come up.

Vacuum Seal Your Seasonal Clothes

Since it’s the middle of winter, it’s highly unlikely you’re going to need your fall, spring, or summer clothing anytime soon. Investing in a vacuum sealer can help you save a great deal of space inside your moving vehicle and your new closet. Vacuum sealers are an inexpensive and space-efficient way to store your seasonal clothing until you need it. In fact, you can even continue using them long after your move to help maximize space in your new home.  

As a side note, moving is also a great opportunity to go through all of your belongings and get rid of stuff you no longer need or want!

If you’re planning on temporarily or permanently moving to Toronto this holiday season, then contact the experts at our sister company MAC Furnished Residences Inc. Not only are we able to help you find a short-term furnished apartment in Toronto through our brokerage MAC Real Estate Services Inc., but our licensed realtors can also help you buy or sell your existing home or condo. Plus, we can facilitate a smooth transition if you’re moving to Toronto with MAC Relocation Solutions.