Four Resources That Can Simplify a Move to the United States

If you’re thinking about Moving to the U.S., you might want to write up an elaborate checklist because there’ll be a lot of preparations to make. Here are five resources that can simplify this transition period and make your life a little easier when you’re ready to get settled.

U.S. Immigration

By referring to the U.S. Immigration website, you can learn how to obtain particular documents such as a passport, green card and work visa. You can also be directed to a number of immigrant resources that might help answer other questions you may have about the seemingly overwhelming process.

JustAnswer.com

One online resource that can be incredibly useful if you have any legal questions regarding your move to the United States is JustAnswer.com, which has a law section that specializes in immigration policy. You can get as specific as selecting from categories such as citizenship, visas and green cards, passports, deportation and general law. This crafty tool allows you to type in whatever questions you might have, and a certified lawyer will send you an answer within an average time of 9 seconds.

U.S. Department of Education

If you’ve either obtained a student visa or citizenship, it’ll be worth your time to check out the website for the U.S. Department of Education, which can give you information on school grants and loans, learning policies, as well as public service and community resources.

National Atlas

No matter what part of the U.S. you’re moving to, you’ll likely want to obtain some general information by browsing NationalAtlas.gov, which provides a wide variety of information. Specialized categories include transportation, climate, geology, mapping, history, government, boundaries, biology and agriculture. You’ll even have access to detailed maps that can help you locate lawyers or immigration professionals if need be.

Four Online Resources That Can Help You When Moving to Canada

Cross Border Moving usually calls for additional preparations, such as the completion of necessary paperwork and enough general research to prevent your family from experiencing culture shock. Here are four online resources that might make your move to Canada a smoother transition.

Passport Canada

PassportCanada.gc.ca is a government-funded website that can teach you the ropes of applying for a temporary visa or Canadian passport. If you’re new to this entire process, this resource might be incredibly helpful, as it provides general news for travelers, information from the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada and step-by-step guidelines of how to fill out a passport application.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada

You probably have dozens of questions regarding your official status when you first move to Canada, and the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website can show you how to establish permanent residency. Aside from learning which documents to obtain first, you can also research the CIC department and find temporary work.

Kelly Services Canada

If you’re looking for steady work after your big move, you can refer to KellyServices.ca, which provides job placement opportunities, networking directories and a categorized list of industries in Canada. Through this source, you can even sign up for a career advice newsletter that will give you an idea of the differences between the workforce in the United States and Canada.

Cyborlink.com

Since there are many cultural differences depending on which Canadian province you’re moving to, you should check out Cyborlink.com/besite/Canada to learn about business etiquette and culture. This crafty website gives you all the detailed information you’ll need on one page without directing and redirecting you to secondary sources. However, if you need access to other Canadian informational sites, there are numerous links to organizations such as the International CareerCenter.

Living in Edmonton: How to Enjoy a Staycation

After all the work of cross border moving, you may need a vacation, but on a budget. Consider a staycation in your new town of Edmonton. There is much to keep you entertained.

Test out your family dynamics by experiencing a high ropes course together. Ropes Quest at the West Edmonton Mall takes you to three levels of beams and ropes in a challenging obstacle course. You will be securely harnessed in, but will enjoy the sensation of being high above the crowd! Admission is $9.95 per person.

Head to the Art Gallery of Alberta in downtown Edmonton to see the “Icons of Modernism” show during February and March. You will see the work of artists who left behind the Paris Salon, and entering into Surrealism, Futurism, Suprematism, Constructivism and Dadaism. Enjoy artists such as Paul Cézanne, Pablo Picasso, Francis Picabia, Ferdinand Léger and Marcel Duchamp.

Cheer on your new favorite hockey teams– the Edmonton Oilers (Wednesday March 28th against the Dallas Stars) or the Edmonton Oil Kings (Saturday, March 10 against the Red Deer Rebels).

Spend the day at the Royal Alberta Museum, one of Canada’s most popular museums. Take an outdoor self-guided grounds tour. See a natural history frieze, petrified wood (the national stone of Canada), and a totem pole in the Native Northwest Coast art style.

Get to know Edmonton as the festival capitol of Canada, with 30 festivals in Edmonton year-round. Upcoming festivals are the Global Visions Film Festival, and the Edmonton Kiwanis Music Festival.

As a new resident of Edmonton, you’ll want to stick close to home and experience all there is to do in the area. Once your cross border moving is over, check out these tips for a fun family staycation.

(Photo attributed to Flickr member @oddsock via the creative common license.)

Living in Canada: Top Spring Break Destinations

You won’t have any trouble finding an interesting destination for Spring Break now that you live in Canada. It’s a big country with many options for fun. Once your cross border moving tasks are complete, you can focus on planning for a Spring Break getaway.

Visit Montreal. The French influence and old-world feeling is charming. You can easily get around the city in a car, allowing you more freedom of travel. Or, you can take an Amtrak into the city. You can visit La Ronde with the kids, an amusement park on an island in the St. Lawrence River, or shop the main strip on Sainte Catherine Street. End the day with a meal in the old quarter.

Try out Quebec City. You’ll want to visit the Chateau Frontenac, a hotel dating back to 1893 which is standing on a cliff. Eat at L’Auberge du Tresor across the street. Check out The Battlefields Park, an urban green space similar to New York’s Central Park.

Head off to Banff National Park, known as Canada’s protected playground. The mountain views are out of this world, and many cozy and romantic accommodations can be found. Try the Buffalo Mountain Lodge or the Deer Lodge in Lake Louise. Ski at Mt. Norquay, the Lake Louise Ski Area, or Sunshine Village. All are top notch, and cover almost 8,000 acres of skiable terrain.

See the Cherry Blossom Festival in Vancouver. March and April are months in which they honor the 37,000 ornamental cherry trees that were a gift from Japan in the 1930’s. You can attend the Cherry Jam Downtown, the Haiku Invitational, Bike the Blossoms, the Japan Fair, and more. This is a special time in the city that you won’t want to miss.

Cross border moving can take a lot of time and attention, and you just might need to get away from it all and spend spring break somewhere wonderful. Research these destinations, and choose one to visit.

(Photo attributed to Flickr member @Moyan_Brenn (I’m Back) via the creative common license.)

Living in Calgary: 5 Spring Break Ideas

Now that you live in Calgary, you have new and exciting options for spending your spring break. After working hard at cross border moving, you’ll be ready to kick back and enjoy the attractions.

Let the adults have their fun at Calgary’s Wild Rose Brewery. This craft brewery creates several unique handcrafted brews, including a raspberry-infused beer. Call ahead and pre-book your spot on the brewery tour, and hit up the tap-room starting at 11am daily. They have a kitchen which serves market-fresh food.

Get some outdoor time and visit the Bow Habitat Station in Calgary’s Pearce Estate Park, beside the lovely Bow River. Discover Alberta’s natural environment through hands-on exhibits focusing on Alberta’s fish, wildlife, water, and its management. You can also visit the adjacent Sam Livingston Fish Hatchery, one of the largest in North America.

Take the kids to an unlikely place, the airport, to see Spaceport. Kids will learn about space and aeronautics through computers, simulations, and communications technology. Have fun testing the wind tunnel, climbing in the cockpit of a Beaver plane, and guiding a Mars micro-rover. See a one-quarter size exact prototype of the Space Shuttle Orbiter on loan from NASA, and a moon rock brought back by the Apollo mission.

Visit the Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site in nearby Drumheller. Take an underground tunnel tour, a “tipple” tour, and a train tour. Experience the last of the Drumheller coal mines.

Go back in time at another National Historic Site, Fort Calgary. There you will find and interpretive center and a museum that tells the story of the Northwest Mounted Police, the building of Fort Calgary, and the development of Calgary as a community. Also there is the Deane House Restaurant, where Canadian cuisine awaits you.

With all there is to do in Calgary, you won’t be wanting for fun experiences. Cross border moving may have worn you out, but these attractions will energize you!

(Photo attributed to Flickr member @jglazer75 via the creative common license.)

March in Vancouver: Events You Can’t Miss

Cross border moving requires lots of thought and can cause lots of stress. Once you are moved to Vancouver, you may want to get out of the house and look around the city. Here are some activities you might not want to miss.

Head to Mt. Seymour for the “Tubbs Romp to Stomp.” You can choose from a 3K or 5K benefit snowshoe walk, or a 3K fun run to “Stomp Out Breast Cancer.” Even if you have never snow shoed before, you and your kids can take a snowshoe lesson, and head out on the well-marked trails. Takes place March 3 from 8am-12pm.

The National Nikkei Museum & Heritage Centre will have Jan Ken Pon!, a family games day full of traditional Japanese heritage games and toys. Play with colorful tops, make your own sumo wrestlers and beanbags, and more. The highlight of the day is a rock-paper-scissors tournament with prizes. Takes place March 17 from 1-4pm.

The photography section of Nature Vancouver and its Young Naturalist Club holds a photo competition every year. Results of the competition will be presented on March 22. The categories are: Birds; Botany; Entomology; Mammals; and other Natural History.

VRS will present Andreas Brantelid on cello, and Shai Wosner on piano at the Kay Meek Centre Sunday, March 25 at 3pm. The Danish cellist is only 23, but the Sunday Times refers to his “astonishing maturity, youthful freshness, and vigor.” Wosner is called by The New York Times “a superb pianist.” Program details include Debussy and Brahms.

Once you arrive in Vancouver, you will find there is much to experience. Leave the process of cross border moving behind you, and get out to hear some music, see some photography, play Japanese games, or snowshoe for a good cause.

(Photo attributed to Flickr member @Mega Hammond via the creative common license.)

March in Edmonton: Events You Can’t Miss

If cross border moving will land you in Edmonton, you should know what there is to do in the city during March. Below are some events you won’t want to miss:

See The 30th Annual Global Visions Film Festival. Takes place March 1-4 in downtown Edmonton. This festival celebrates the work of passionate and accomplished documentarians from Canada and the world. Be sure to attend panel discussions and workshops along with the films.

Attend the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra’s performance of “Robbins Lighter Classics: Behind the Silver Screen. Takes places Thursday, March 1, 8-11pm. This program shows that the great composers wrote movie scores, and much more. Conductor Bill Eddins will be joined by young American saxophone player Ashu.

If you are a hockey fan, be sure to get out for an Edmonton Oilers game. March 8 they will play the Montreal Canadians at Rexall Place in Edmonton. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster.

Take in a play at L’Uni Theatre. On March 22-25 they present La Liste, a story about a woman who inadvertently causes the death of her neighbor by neglecting a favor on her lengthy to-do list. Actress Sylvie Drapeau plays the lead role.

Visit the Maclab Center for the Performing Arts to see “Church and Albert,” Thursday, March 29. This is a fun show by two comedians and musicians that will entertain you all night long.

Edmonton won’t fail to surprise you with all the events and opportunities there are for entertainment. The task of cross border moving will soon be finished, and you can get out and experience all Edmonton has to offer.

(Photo attributed to Flickr member @bulliver via the creative common license.)

March in Calgary: Events You Can’t Miss

Will Calgary soon be your new home? If you’ll arrive in March, there are many things you’ll want to see and do. After your cross border moving tasks are complete, head out on the town.

See an uncanny impersonator represent Old Blue Eyes. Steve Lippia as Frank Sinatra makes for an unforgettable evening of musical hits like New York, New York, Fly Me to the Moon, My Way, and more. Taking place at Epcor Center’s Jack Singer Concert Hall on Friday March 9 or 10th.

Visit the Mt. Pleasant Community Hall for drop-in swing dance lessons, March 14 at 8:30pm. Stay around for the vintage jazz music and the community dance. Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for students.

You’ll want to experience the local sports teams. See the National Hockey League team, the Calgary Flames, play the Phoenix Coyotes on March 15. Tickets start at $40. Or, watch the Calgary Roughnecks as they take on the Buffalo Bandits in an exciting regular season National Lacrosse League game on March 24. Tickets start at $28.

Go catch a free glimpse of La Caravan Dance Theatre’s new production, The Dybbuk, a dance opera March 28-31 at Central United Church. This production is about the influence of belief systems on culture.

Don’t stay home all day with all the boxes and misplaced household items! Get out and experience Calgary and all it has to offer. You’ll find the benefits of cross border moving to Canada.

(Photo attributed to Flickr member @pointnshoot via the creative common license)

Moving to the U.S.: Life in Charleston, SC

If you are considering moving to the U.S., look into the city of Charleston, South Carolina. This laid back city of southern charms may be just the place for your family.

Since being settled in 1670 by English colonists, this historic seaport town has become a popular vacation spot. Often called a “living museum,” you can find beautiful architecture, cobbled streets, preserved plantations, and famous gardens. The Magnolia Plantation features America’s oldest gardens, which bloom year-round.

Charleston has a city ordinance restricting the height of buildings, so their city-scape is peppered with many church steeples. It’s for this reason, and the fact that early colonists provided religious tolerance, that Charleston is called “The Holy City.”

This area is known for mild winters, and hot, humid summers, with significant rainfall year-round. Sometimes beset by hurricanes, the worst in recent history was hurricane Hugo in 1989, which damaged ¾ of homes in Charleston. All is now re-built, and the population is growing.

Charleston is known for its famous golf courses, tennis courts, historical sights, and sandy beaches. The water is warm and the surf is gentle, making for a nice swimming experience.

You’ll notice a distinct “Southern Coastal Accent,” which can be quite strong in places. There is also the minority dialect of Gullah, which is spoken in the low-lands.

Be sure to experience the restaurant scene, especially the seafood. Visit The Market, a large gathering of vendors selling everything you can imagine. Make it to the Spoleto Festival, known as America’s best performing arts festival.

When cross border moving, if you are moving to Charleston, you will have much to look forward to seeing and doing.

(Photo attributed to flickr member @cagrimmett via the creative common license)

Moving to the U.S.: Life in Houston, Texas

Are you considering moving to the U.S? Cross border moving is such a life changing experience, and choosing your new home is a serious decision. Here are some reasons to look into moving to Houston, Texas, where everything is bigger and some would say better!

The highlight of Houston is the sunlight, with the majority of days being sunny, warm, with a nice breeze. They only have an average of 18 days below zero; so golfing can be a hobby year-round.

Houston has a low cost of living, 9% below the national average, which is mostly due to the housing costs being 21% below the national average. From groceries, to utilities, you will spend less in Houston.

Getting to work is no problem, with the METRO and an average commute time of 25 minutes, your travel to and from work should be smooth and frustration free.

Houston is full of culture, with the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Museum of Fine Arts, a 17-block downtown theatre district, the Houston Symphony, Houston Grand Opera, and Houston Ballet.

There is plenty of green space in Houston, with two of the nations largest urban parks within city limits. Fourteen-percent of the city’s land area is green space. Be prepared with your picnic basket and frisbee.

Eating in Houston is a difficult decision. There are over 8,000 restaurants and eateries, serving American food and a high percentage of diverse international cuisine.

As you decide on moving to the U.S., consider Houston as a great choice.

(Photo attributed to flickr member @chispita_666 via the creative common license)