Moving from Michigan to Windsor,ON: Moving/Settlement/Commute tips

[Ninisha]

Hi,

Good day! I got my PR card and I am looking to move to Windsor ON in January/February 2019. I will be working in Detroit, Michigan and commuting everyday. I would like some tips from experienced persons regarding the commute and apartment locations in Windsor. I have a few questions about this:

1.) What are some good apartment locations considering I would be crossing borders everyday? How easy is it to find an apartment? Would they accept US based employment/bank statements as proof for apartment rentals? Would apartments come with parking?
2.) Did anyone use u-haul to move stuff across the border?
3.) Is it better to commute by car or use the bus?
4.) Any one who has moved to Windsor from USA in the recent past, please could you share your experiences and tips.

Thanks in advance

 

[VOBuckeye]

Hi,

Good day! I got my PR card and I am looking to move to Windsor ON in January/February 2019. I will be working in Detroit, Michigan and commuting everyday. I would like some tips from experienced persons regarding the commute and apartment locations in Windsor. I have a few questions about this:

1.) What are some good apartment locations considering I would be crossing borders everyday? How easy is it to find an apartment? Would they accept US based employment/bank statements as proof for apartment rentals? Would apartments come with parking?
2.) Did anyone use u-haul to move stuff across the border?
3.) Is it better to commute by car or use the bus?
4.) Any one who has moved to Windsor from USA in the recent past, please could you share your experiences and tips.

Thanks in advance

Hi
I moved from Michigan to Windsor a couple months ago, and commute almost daily to work in the US. I'll share my experience hope it helps.

1. I would consider Walkerville, nice area and not too far from the tunnel. My landlord accepted my US bank statements and credit report as I didn't have Canadian ones. Most apartments come with parking.

2. I used a uhaul van to move stuff through the tunnel without issues.

3. Depends. If you'll be working downtown Detroit and living downtown Windsor then it might be feasible to take the tunnel bus. Keep in mind you have to wait for everyone on the bus to get through customs. It's $5 or 5CAD one way ride.

4. Once you settle apply for NEXUS, it does come in handy most times. Also if using the tunnel apply for Nexpress, the toll program.
- some items like groceries tend to be expensive in Canada so you might want to shop in the US with wider variety.

 

[Ninisha]

Hi
I moved from Michigan to Windsor a couple months ago, and commute almost daily to work in the US. I'll share my experience hope it helps.

1. I would consider Walkerville, nice area and not too far from the tunnel. My landlord accepted my US bank statements and credit report as I didn't have Canadian ones. Most apartments come with parking.

2. I used a uhaul van to move stuff through the tunnel without issues.

3. Depends. If you'll be working downtown Detroit and living downtown Windsor then it might be feasible to take the tunnel bus. Keep in mind you have to wait for everyone on the bus to get through customs. It's $5 or 5CAD one way ride.

4. Once you settle apply for NEXUS, it does come in handy most times. Also if using the tunnel apply for Nexpress, the toll program.
- some items like groceries tend to be expensive in Canada so you might want to shop in the US with wider variety.

Thanks @VOBuckeye for your reply. This is really helpful

1.) When you moved using u-haul, did they inspect all the things at the border?
2.) Do they check the car every time while crossing the border for work?

 

[VOBuckeye]

Thanks @VOBuckeye for your reply. This is really helpful

1.) When you moved using u-haul, did they inspect all the things at the border?
2.) Do they check the car every time while crossing the border for work?

1. The officers who processed me did not check my belongings. They just asked me what I had and I showed them my goods to follow list.

2. No, they do not check the car everytime you cross over unless you're sent to secondary inspection. Once in a while you'll see an officer check the trunks in his lane, but very rare.

 

[Ninisha]

1. The officers who processed me did not check my belongings. They just asked me what I had and I showed them my goods to follow list.

2. No, they do not check the car everytime you cross over unless you're sent to secondary inspection. Once in a while you'll see an officer check the trunks in his lane, but very rare.

Thank you very much

 

[Hopeful-Chy]

Hi
I moved from Michigan to Windsor a couple months ago, and commute almost daily to work in the US. I'll share my experience hope it helps.

1. I would consider Walkerville, nice area and not too far from the tunnel. My landlord accepted my US bank statements and credit report as I didn't have Canadian ones. Most apartments come with parking.

2. I used a uhaul van to move stuff through the tunnel without issues.

3. Depends. If you'll be working downtown Detroit and living downtown Windsor then it might be feasible to take the tunnel bus. Keep in mind you have to wait for everyone on the bus to get through customs. It's $5 or 5CAD one way ride.

4. Once you settle apply for NEXUS, it does come in handy most times. Also if using the tunnel apply for Nexpress, the toll program.
- some items like groceries tend to be expensive in Canada so you might want to shop in the US with wider variety.

@VOBuckeye and @Ninisha...
if you dont mind.... how do you get job in USA with canadian PR.
i moved from USA 2months ago to Canada as PR.... still no job.
I was thinking of applying for jobs in USA but they said you need USA work permit. Is it possible for me to get a job in USA? please let me hear from you because am getging fraustrated here.

Thanks

 

[Ninisha]

@VOBuckeye and @Ninisha...
if you dont mind.... how do you get job in USA with canadian PR.
i moved from USA 2months ago to Canada as PR.... still no job.
I was thinking of applying for jobs in USA but they said you need USA work permit. Is it possible for me to get a job in USA? please let me hear from you because am getging fraustrated here.

Thanks

Hi Hopeful-Chy,

I am working in USA on H1B visa and will stay in Canada and work in USA using that. You have to find an employer or job who sponsors your H1B visa. Hope this helps.

Thanks,

 

[VOBuckeye]

@VOBuckeye and @Ninisha...
if you dont mind.... how do you get job in USA with canadian PR.
i moved from USA 2months ago to Canada as PR.... still no job.
I was thinking of applying for jobs in USA but they said you need USA work permit. Is it possible for me to get a job in USA? please let me hear from you because am getging fraustrated here.

Thanks

Hi
I was lucky to get H1B that enabled me to work in US

 

[Alex54321]

Hi
I moved from Michigan to Windsor a couple months ago, and commute almost daily to work in the US. I'll share my experience hope it helps.

1. I would consider Walkerville, nice area and not too far from the tunnel. My landlord accepted my US bank statements and credit report as I didn't have Canadian ones. Most apartments come with parking.

2. I used a uhaul van to move stuff through the tunnel without issues.

3. Depends. If you'll be working downtown Detroit and living downtown Windsor then it might be feasible to take the tunnel bus. Keep in mind you have to wait for everyone on the bus to get through customs. It's $5 or 5CAD one way ride.

4. Once you settle apply for NEXUS, it does come in handy most times. Also if using the tunnel apply for Nexpress, the toll program.
- some items like groceries tend to be expensive in Canada so you might want to shop in the US with wider variety.

Agree with 2, 3, 4.

- I had I problem with U-Haul because of height, 26' had 12' clearance and was not allowed to tunnel, had to turn around ( a lot of "fun") and go to bridge. No check of truck at all, we could bring an elephant. Two cars were in the list of goods to follow. One already exported/imported and Ontario plated. I am using another (US plated/insured) one to commute to work in US.
- Nexus/Nexpress card is fine, still delays 10-15 minutes.
- Almost every day bring groceries from States and always declare them at the border. Once had secondary inspection on Sunday. Once a week bring some beer/vine/etc., but again always declare... The risk to be flagged is too high.

 

[anil1201]

Hi Bro,
I desperately in need of some suggestions, I am planning to get an apartment in Windsor and to my surprise, it is not what I was expecting.

It would be great if you can help with some suggestions, where can I find a good neighbourhood apartments while close to border.

 

[Alex54321]

Hi Bro,
I desperately in need of some suggestions, I am planning to get an apartment in Windsor and to my surprise, it is not what I was expecting.

It would be great if you can help with some suggestions, where can I find a good neighbourhood apartments while close to border.

I cannot help with an apartment search, we bought a house and ended all these rental problems. We like it here in East Riverside, just 7-8 miles from the border. A lot of construction near Little River Corridor. As I said it's East Riverside - East Windsor on the border with desirable Tecumseh. Personally I would stay away from "old" Windsor, close to tunnel.

 

[viveksharmaz]

I am in a similar situation now and planning to move to Niagara Falls as only 2 years left on my PR but because of tight job market I cant leave my us job. Since I can work remotely anywheer in usa , I plan to commute daily from Niagara falls.
My questions is when you strated travelling daily between borders did anyone at either side of border asked or deamned any extra papers.
I have visa stamped till August 2026 and hoping to find a job before I quit my job in usa.
Can you share your number so that I can call you directly to understand any issues.
let me know if thats feasable.

Hi,

Good day! I got my PR card and I am looking to move to Windsor ON in January/February 2019. I will be working in Detroit, Michigan and commuting everyday. I would like some tips from experienced persons regarding the commute and apartment locations in Windsor. I have a few questions about this:

1.) What are some good apartment locations considering I would be crossing borders everyday? How easy is it to find an apartment? Would they accept US based employment/bank statements as proof for apartment rentals? Would apartments come with parking?
2.) Did anyone use u-haul to move stuff across the border?
3.) Is it better to commute by car or use the bus?
4.) Any one who has moved to Windsor from USA in the recent past, please could you share your experiences and tips.

Thanks in advance

 

[YVR123]

I am in a similar situation now and planning to move to Niagara Falls as only 2 years left on my PR but because of tight job market I cant leave my us job. Since I can work remotely anywheer in usa , I plan to commute daily from Niagara falls.
My questions is when you strated travelling daily between borders did anyone at either side of border asked or deamned any extra papers.
I have visa stamped till August 2026 and hoping to find a job before I quit my job in usa.
Can you share your number so that I can call you directly to understand any issues.
let me know if thats feasable.

Are you PR of Canada and US citizen? If so they won't question about your daily commute much more than other frequent travelers. If you are on work visa, you need to make sure that your work visa is still valid when you do not live in US.
Keep a very good record of your crossing.

 

[viveksharmaz]

I am a Canada PR candidate and on H1b . I am not a US citizen. I am an Indian citizen thats why having so many doubts.

 

[steaky]

I am a Canada PR candidate and on H1b . I am not a US citizen. I am an Indian citizen thats why having so many doubts.

So you are not yet PR?