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MOVING TO TORONTO: Tips to Help with Relocating in the Winter


Blog by Doriana Zohil-Morton, Broker of Record/Owner | December 11th, 2019


Moving to a big city like Toronto is hard enough without factoring in potentially poor weather conditions during the winter months. Sometimes, moving in the winter is unavoidable, especially if you’re relocating to Toronto for work, to be closer to family, or because the lease on your current rental is running out. There are quite a few benefits to moving to Toronto in the winter that many people don’t consider.

If you’re looking for temporary housing in Toronto this winter, here are a few tips and tricks you should keep in mind to help facilitate a smooth transition.

Hire Professional Movers

Depending on where you’re moving from and how much stuff you’re bringing with you, it makes sense to hire professional movers who have experience in lifting and carefully unloading heavy objects. Most people tend to call in favours from their friends and family when they move. While there’s nothing wrong with that during the spring and summer seasons, it can be a lot harder to bring to fruition in the winter months. Professional movers typically have a lot of experience driving moving trucks in the winter and they know how to navigate potentially undesirable driving conditions as well.

Make the Most of Shorter Daylight Hours

As we all know, daylight hours in Ontario are substantially shorter in the winter months than any other time of the year. For that reason, it’s extremely important to make the most of them as much as you possibly can during your winter move.

On moving day, be sure to get an early start. Carefully pack everything in advance and schedule for the movers to arrive as early in the morning as possible so that you can truly take advantage of what little daylight the winter usually has to offer. Fortunately, winter is the off-season for a lot of moving companies in Toronto, so they should have ample availability to fit you in.

Plan Your Move in Advance

To guarantee that everything goes off without a hitch, it’s best to plan your move in advance. Each moving scenario is different and the type of equipment you’ll need (i.e. a large truck, dollies, etc.) depends on the type and number of objects you have to move. Some people only have a few personal effects, clothing items, and small decorative pieces to move while others might have large pieces of furniture and maybe even appliances (although that’s rarely the case).

It’s best to make an itemized list of all of the items you’re bringing with you and check off each one as it’s packed so that you can track all of your belongings and prevent them from getting lost or misplaced. Also, even though winter is the off-season for a lot of movers, it’s still prudent for you to book them in advance just in case other people have the same idea as you. It’s always better to be safe than sorry in this type of situation.

Find Out What the Movers’ Winter Weather Policies Are

Professional movers are usually very accommodating for their customers. Some of them are even willing to drive in less desirable weather conditions in the winter. Others, however, might not be as willing to take on a safety risk in the event of major snow or ice storms. Before settling on a single moving company, be sure to ask about their winter inclement weather conditions and policies. Some companies might be inclined to reschedule the move in the event of a forecasted or unexpected storm on the day of your move, which is well within their rights to ensure the safety of their employees.

Make Sure Your New Place Has Heat and Hydro

A proper heating and electrical system are essential to surviving the cold, harsh winters in Toronto. Before relocating to Toronto, make sure that your new abode is well equipped with both to help you stay warm and comfortable. Part of planning your move in advance is setting up your utilities and making sure everything is in working order before you and your family move in.

Winterize Your Vehicle

Whether you decide to hire a professional moving company or to transport your personal effects yourself, living in Toronto makes it essential to prepare your vehicle for winter. Winterizing your vehicle entails purchasing and installing winter tires, checking your battery, changing out old wiper blades, refilling your wiper fluid with winter fluid, checking your tire pressure, checking your anti-freeze mixture, etc. Take your car to the mechanic and ask for the full winter package. If you’re coming from someplace far outside of the city, you’re going to want to guarantee that your car is thoroughly prepared for the drive.

Plan Out the Best Travel Route

When it comes to moving to Toronto, GPS is your best friend. You can easily use Google Maps, Apple Maps, or whatever mapping app your phone or car is equipped with to map out your route. These apps come with a lot of useful features such as traffic updates, dynamic wayfinding solutions to streamline your commute, and they even alert you about unsafe driving conditions and road closures, so that you can reach your destination without incident. You even have the option of choosing a highway or off-highway route.

Double Pack Your Valuables

Packing and transporting valuable fragile possessions like glassware or jewellery can be nerve-wracking for a lot of people. There’s usually so much going on during a major move that it’s easy for certain smaller items to get lost in the shuffle. Just double check that you have everything and make sure to use plenty of bubble wrap and newspapers to wrap up all of your breakable items.

Look into Relocation Companies in Canada

Need help planning your move or settling into your new surroundings? MAC Furnished Residences, Inc., our sister company, can help you find a beautiful short-term furnished apartment in Toronto. Our licensed realtors can also help you buy or sell your current home or condo. Plus, we can facilitate a smooth transition if you’re moving to Toronto with MAC Relocation Solutions. Contact us today to learn more about our services.