Thinking about moving to Calgary, Alberta? You’re not alone! Thanks to its high quality of life, strong economy, and relatively affordable homes, Calgary is one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada – with new Calgarians arriving by the tens of thousands every year.

Calgary makes an incredible place to call home. That said, moving to a new city from out of town (or even out of the country) is a big process – one that requires careful planning and consideration.

As Calgary real estate agents who specialize in welcoming newcomers to our city, we’ve got lots of advice about how to make your move successful. In this blog, we’ll share our top insights on how to plan your move to Calgary.

Do Your Research & Know What You’re Looking For

Moving to a new city is a big commitment. So, before you get the gears in motion for the practical aspects of your move, you’ll want to do your research and consider what you’re looking for from a lifestyle perspective. While it shares a lot in common with other Canadian cities, Calgary is unique and dynamics can shift neighbourhood by neighbourhood.

Ask Yourself

  • What kind of lifestyle do I want from Calgary?
  • Would I prefer to be closer to the mountains or live downtown?
  • Do I want to live in a private or lake community?
  • Will I be commuting to work?
  • Do I want to be close to good schools?

These questions will be helpful when it comes time to begin searching for a home in Calgary.

Decide Whether you Want to Rent or Buy

Having secure housing in place before you arrive in Calgary can make things a lot easier (and more cost-effective). With that in mind, one of the most important decisions to make as you explore the Calgary real estate market is whether or not you want to buy a home when you arrive, or if you’d prefer to rent until you feel completely settled. Both pathways have their pros and cons so it’s important to think carefully about what will work best for you.

For instance, on one hand, buying a home allows you to make a strong investment right out of the gate, rather than simply paying off your landlord’s mortgage for them. On the other hand, renting gives you the freedom to be mobile. Let’s say you don’t love the first neighbourhood you call home in Calgary, it’ll be much easier to make a change as a renter rather than a homeowner.

Thinking about moving to Calgary? Have a look at these related blogs for helpful tips!

Book Travel & Movers in Advance

For most incoming relocators, the move to Calgary is a long haul. Whether you’ll be travelling by airplane, bus, or car, you’ll want to line up and confirm your travel arrangements in advance – especially if you’re working with long-distance movers or will be renting a small moving truck yourself.

Immigrating to Calgary?

If you’re moving to Calgary from outside of Canada (and aren’t a Canadian citizen or permanent resident yet) you’ll need formal approval before you can arrive. With that in mind, as you prepare for your move, you’ll want to ensure that you have all the necessary approvals and documents before you reach the border.

The legal and regulatory elements of moving to Canada as a non-Canadian can be complex. Therefore, it’s a good idea to work with an immigration lawyer who can help you navigate the various ins and outs of this process.

Curious about how Calgary compares to other cities in Canada? Explore these related readings.

Work With a Relocation Real Estate Agent

Finally, if you’re moving to Calgary from elsewhere in Canada or the world, you’ll want to work with a real estate agent who specializes in out-of-town movers. That’s where we can help – Dolce Real Estate.

With multiple decades of combined experience in Calgary’s evolving market, our dynamic services for relocators have stood the test of time. Regardless of where you may be moving from, and what you would like your life in Calgary to look like, we can help.

Thinking about moving to Calgary? As relocation specialists, we can help! Call 587.229.7108 to reach us or click to send us an email.

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