Hi Hani,
I will try to answers on some of your inquiries, but i am not from US when I landed here:
1. Goods to bring- there are 2 forms that you have to fill up - one form is Personal Effects Accounting Department - lists all the goods that you will bring along with you stating no. of pcs and value in Cdn.If you have some personal effects that you will import used the Personal Effects Accounting Document (list of godds imported) , stating also no. of pcs and value.
2. How to get PR - i dont what is the procedure in other borders, here in Toronto when we landed, there is a separate line for new landed immigrants and we have asked to go a separate area where you will wait your name to be called and an immigration officer will asked your COPR(confirmation of permanent residence), and photos ( i think now a days, photos are taken same time when you landed) . Then the officer will ask your address here in Canada or the address where you will stay because that is the address where they will mail your PR card. Normally it will take 2-3 weeks from the date you landed. You have to wait for your PR because you cannot re-enter Canada without this card. (I dont know with your situation if you need PR to come back since you are from US)
3. Medical Card - it depends on what city you will land. If here in Ontario, it is (OHIP) card Ontario Health Card. You can check on this website: www.health.gov.on.ca. You can apply right away after you have settled.
Regarding your questions on where to stay, i have no idea in what place or province you intended to land. You can search in the internet, anyway.
Hope i help you in some ways...