Getting started: finding temporary accommodation after arriving
As the plane touches down onto Canadian soil, you're probably experiencing emotions of excitement, uncertainty and even fear. After you collect your landing documents, pick up your luggage at the carousel, it's time to walk out of the airport and begin your new life ... but where's your first stop?
Hopefully, you have already arranged some temporary accommodation for your first few nights in Canada. Certainly, newcomers who can stay with friends or family who already live here have an easier initial arrival. It's one less thing to think about. But if you don't know anyone here who can put you up right after your arrival, your first order of business when you arrive as an immigrant in Canada is finding a place to stay.
In most cases, you won't want to jump into renting or buying right away. You'll want to secure temporary accommodation until you choose a more permanent place to live.
Whether you arrive alone or with your family, furnished, short-term housing is available in both Toronto and Vancouver. When choosing from the following options, consider how many of you there are and how much money you can spend.
Temporary accommodation options
Hotels and motels
Checking into a hotel or motel is an easy option if you have the budget for it. You have a furnished room, with fresh linens and towels, housekeeping and a private bathroom. Some hotels even offer a free meal (breakfast) each day. Others offer in-suites kitchens or at least refrigerators. Motels offer nightly, weekly and monthly rates; hotels usually charge per night (minimum rate is around $100 per night), unless it specifies weekly or monthly rates. Of all temporary housing options, staying at a hotel or motel are the most costly.
Find hotel and motel accommodations in the Yellow Pages phonebook (or online at yellowpages.ca) under “Hotels” or “Motels.” You can find the Yellow Pages in most public phone booths or check with the information desk at the airport, which will also have travel guides and other publications that list these types of accommodations.
Bed and breakfasts (B&Bs)
B&Bs are similar to hotels and motels in terms of features and cost, but they are located in private homes. You may also have to share a bathroom with other guests. But B&Bs offer a free meal (breakfast) each day. Find them under “Bed and Breakfasts” in the Yellow Pages.
Welcome houses and guest houses
Immigrant settlement agencies are non-profit organizations that help newcomers to Toronto and Vancouver, and they can help you find short-term housing (among other services) upon arrival. Some agencies even sponsor such temporary accommodations.
There are other types of non-profit organizations that offer short-term accommodation or guest houses. In Toronto, the Darry Guest House offers furnished housing to newcomers at very competitive rates (see darryhouse.net). In Vancouver, the YWCA Hotel also offers short-term accommodation at reasonable rates (see ywcahotel.com).
Hostels
Hostels are at the lower-end of the cost scale, but they may not suit every newcomer to Canada, particularly large families. Hostels offer low-cost accommodation mainly to students and young travellers, though anyone is welcome to rent a bed, most often in a shared room. Visit hostels.com or hihostels.ca.
Shelters
Shelters in both Toronto and Vancouver are open to people who need a place to sleep for the night, although some reserve beds for the homeless or individuals escaping danger or violence at home. Single adults, youth and couples can call the City of Toronto's Assessment and Referral Centre at 416-338-4766 (toll-free 1-877-338-3398 from a payphone) to find an emergency shelter, while families with children should dial 416-397-5637. Shelter listings for Vancouver are available at vancouver.ca/police/blockwatch/shelters.
http://www.canadianimmigrant.ca/microsites/howto/article/6083
http://www.canadianimmigrant.ca/microsites/how-to/article/6085
As the plane touches down onto Canadian soil, you're probably experiencing emotions of excitement, uncertainty and even fear. After you collect your landing documents, pick up your luggage at the carousel, it's time to walk out of the airport and begin your new life ... but where's your first stop?
Hopefully, you have already arranged some temporary accommodation for your first few nights in Canada. Certainly, newcomers who can stay with friends or family who already live here have an easier initial arrival. It's one less thing to think about. But if you don't know anyone here who can put you up right after your arrival, your first order of business when you arrive as an immigrant in Canada is finding a place to stay.
In most cases, you won't want to jump into renting or buying right away. You'll want to secure temporary accommodation until you choose a more permanent place to live.
Whether you arrive alone or with your family, furnished, short-term housing is available in both Toronto and Vancouver. When choosing from the following options, consider how many of you there are and how much money you can spend.
Temporary accommodation options
Hotels and motels
Checking into a hotel or motel is an easy option if you have the budget for it. You have a furnished room, with fresh linens and towels, housekeeping and a private bathroom. Some hotels even offer a free meal (breakfast) each day. Others offer in-suites kitchens or at least refrigerators. Motels offer nightly, weekly and monthly rates; hotels usually charge per night (minimum rate is around $100 per night), unless it specifies weekly or monthly rates. Of all temporary housing options, staying at a hotel or motel are the most costly.
Find hotel and motel accommodations in the Yellow Pages phonebook (or online at yellowpages.ca) under “Hotels” or “Motels.” You can find the Yellow Pages in most public phone booths or check with the information desk at the airport, which will also have travel guides and other publications that list these types of accommodations.
Bed and breakfasts (B&Bs)
B&Bs are similar to hotels and motels in terms of features and cost, but they are located in private homes. You may also have to share a bathroom with other guests. But B&Bs offer a free meal (breakfast) each day. Find them under “Bed and Breakfasts” in the Yellow Pages.
Welcome houses and guest houses
Immigrant settlement agencies are non-profit organizations that help newcomers to Toronto and Vancouver, and they can help you find short-term housing (among other services) upon arrival. Some agencies even sponsor such temporary accommodations.
There are other types of non-profit organizations that offer short-term accommodation or guest houses. In Toronto, the Darry Guest House offers furnished housing to newcomers at very competitive rates (see darryhouse.net). In Vancouver, the YWCA Hotel also offers short-term accommodation at reasonable rates (see ywcahotel.com).
Hostels
Hostels are at the lower-end of the cost scale, but they may not suit every newcomer to Canada, particularly large families. Hostels offer low-cost accommodation mainly to students and young travellers, though anyone is welcome to rent a bed, most often in a shared room. Visit hostels.com or hihostels.ca.
Shelters
Shelters in both Toronto and Vancouver are open to people who need a place to sleep for the night, although some reserve beds for the homeless or individuals escaping danger or violence at home. Single adults, youth and couples can call the City of Toronto's Assessment and Referral Centre at 416-338-4766 (toll-free 1-877-338-3398 from a payphone) to find an emergency shelter, while families with children should dial 416-397-5637. Shelter listings for Vancouver are available at vancouver.ca/police/blockwatch/shelters.
http://www.canadianimmigrant.ca/microsites/howto/article/6083
http://www.canadianimmigrant.ca/microsites/how-to/article/6085
