Hi CDs
Our passports have arrived. We are planning to move in Dec 1st week. Is it a good time. Is it advisable to stay in a newly refurbished Basement for a couple of months. Do advice us!!!

It is very cold in december. Right time to migrate or relocate is April/May when climate is pleasant i.e 10-15 deg. Please do not stay in basement that too in december. My advise to you is initially do not opt for basement. better go for walk in basement. If you have small children then, it is not at all advisable .

you will not have medical/health benefits till you complete three months, one of very good reason not to relocate when weather is extremely cold.

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The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
Mahatma Gandhi

As a PR, you would need to manage the winter one or otherway. Think about this.

1. January is the time, you might see more job openings.
2. Starting with the winter, might give you the harsh reality of the weather than starting in Summer that could give you a honey moon sensation which often follows with the bitter reality.
3. Starting in summer, you would have more people to compete with in the case apartment, deal on car, DMV appointments and more than all the Job.

Close to 20 million people live in Canada live in Sub zero weather and there are even homeless, so winter wouldn't be a big deal but hey it certainly brings some hidden benefits such as the one I touched.

A decent one bed goes any where from $1050 to $1150 and it might cost you another $1200 to start with basic furniture. I prefer an apartment over the basement that could save $400 but you would be compromising many things. Its not bad at all but if you have an option, you could think of an apartment.

Spend a good time reading several threads posted here that would help you to prepare your move.

Welcome to Canada, we wish you the best.

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The cowards never started,
The weak died on the way,
Only the strong arrived.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yK1i9cLAMM

It depends on whether you will have some support (from relatives or friends in Canada if any) in the initial settling down process.

If you do not have anyone to support you, I would suggest December is not a right time.

Every situation will have its advantages and disadvantages. Some positive features of arriving in December have been highlighted in the previous post.

December needless to say would be very cold (I am yet to see my first winter here). If you have previous experience or exposure to such climatic conditions then it should be okay.

When you make your first arrival, I feel, it would be better if you arrive at a better climatic condition. No doubt you have to face the winter sooner or later anyways. But I would say it is better to arrive at a relatively warmer period.

Normally new immigrants face many challenges initially and winter will only make things worse. You may not be able to move around freely in public transportation etc.

But again it depends on a lot of factors like your family size, support available in Canada, your financial background etc. to list a few. There is no right or wrong answer. You have to decide after considering all relevant factors.

To each his own

Just my two cents

Cheers

Hey Thanks Gopalpai, JRF and Ash06.

Actually I dont have much of a choice, Jan 2010 is the last month I can travel bec thats when the landing period validity will end.

Well I do have relatives with whom we will stay for a couple of days before we chk into an appt or a basement whichever is right. They will also help us to finish our paperwor, DL etc.

Will we get any decent hourly jobs to begin with.

Cheers.

Welcome to Canada.
If you are scared of Winter come to Vancouver.

You will have sub zero temp only in end of December/and Begining of January.
It is best place to live but very expensive city.
monk

Since it is a must for you to move before Jan then you move. With many of negative sides here are some plus points of renting basement (which of course you may already know or have considered):
1) Rent is comparatively less that will give you some cushion financially just in worst case scenario jobs are not available.
2) Most of the cases, basement is warmer compared to the rest of the house.
3) other costs are minimal to zero (based on agreement)
Since it was not mentioned what your skills are, there might be some opporutnity to get temporary jobs during the christmas season here.
Good luck and welcome to Canada!