we're moving to canada. do we sell our furniture, etc. or just use a moving company? which is economical?

Question

though we're renters, we've accumulated enough that we have enough belongings for one large bedrm, kids bedrm, living, office, etc. does it make since to just start over with everything? what would be the economics of such a move from north cal to vancouver, canada.

Answer 1

You'll have to get an estimate from a local moving company to find out what it would cost you to ship all your goods to Vancouver, and weigh that against the cost of your furniture. There are LOTS of good furniture stores in Vancouver, ranging in price from IKEA to Ethan Allan.
Personally, unless you had a sentimental attachment to a piece of furniture, like you inherited it from your grandmother and it might be an antique, I'd go with selling off everything and starting fresh. After all, you don't know what you will need for your new home, or what will best suit it.
You would be well advised, however, to bring your vehicle. Automobiles are more expensive in Canada -- even the ones we make in Canada and ship to the US cost more in Canada than in the US. Goofy, but true!
Welcome to Canada!

Answer 2

I would suggest you sell all and start over. I don't know what the cost for shipping your goods across one country to another is going to be. But it's going to be expensive try maybe call a moving company and find out all the details. Also do you have a job waiting for you once you move to Vancouver; and have you met all the immgration requirements to move to Canada. You should look into all of this. http://www.ci.gc.ca. Did you also know that Vancouver is one of the hottest housing markets in Canada so you aren't going to find a rental properity for next to nothing. Also be perpared to pay monthly medical fees if you want to experince our free medical system here in Canada. There are two provinces where to access the bases medical services you have to pay a monthly fee. British Columbia is one province, Alberta is another. These are things you should know before moving to Canada, so your not in for a total shock. Oh yes passports help too.

Answer 3

I've moved several times and 3x across Canada. Except for things of a sentimental value or antique I have found that it is easier and about the same price to sell and start over than to try to move it all with you. Moving companies are expensive and though you'll not necessary get what you paid for your furniture the hassle makes up for it. Its really a personal opinion. Good luck

Answer 4

My mother sold most of her belongings before moving to Canada from FL to Quebec. Taking her car over the border was the kicker. It cost her an arm and a leg to get it to Canada's standards. Then when she had her license renewed it cost her $275.00 this year. It is not cheaper to live there.

Answer 5

Don't know how much you can make selling them, but people will never, ever pay what you ask for them. Call a moving company and ask how much they think it will cost. As far as your furniture, expect to be paid around 40% less than you paid for and do the math.

Answer 6

I agree with the others: it's much cheaper to start over than to pay the moving costs. Even if you don't make much selling off your furniture (which you won't, so brace yourself for that), it's still cheaper in the long run.

Answer 7

I think you have a tough decision there but I recommend you to take all your furniture etc. because you are going to waste way more money than you have because you are going to be tempted in buying good furniture and you will waste a lot of many so just take it all! Have a great day

Answer 8

sell and start over definately. i have experienced the pain of shipping furniture when i came to canada from england. it was pure hell. and the furniture is fairly cheap in canada (hail IKEA!!). but it depends on where you are moving to canada from really. if from any place other than the border states of the US, sell and start over. if from US border states then moving company would be cheaper and easier.