Creative Solutions I've Used for Cross-Country and Cross-Province Moves
There’s nothing like the excitement of a completely fresh start in a new city or province. On the other hand, excitement can feel a lot like anxiety when you aren’t sure what to expect. Whether you’re relocating for a new job, to be closer to family, or to land in that dream location you’ve always secretly loved, a big move feels like a big undertaking.
Canada has so many beautiful places to call home. If you’ve been thinking about a relocation, or even if you’re already in the process of relocating to a new city or province, there are a few things to keep in mind. Let’s look at some of your top considerations and how you can get creative with the real estate challenges a relocation brings.
The Top Challenges You'll Face in Cross-Country
or Cross-Province Relocations
Cross-country and cross-province moves can be challenging for a number of reasons. I understand these difficulties firsthand, having made several cross-country moves of my own during my lifetime!
Let’s look at some of the top challenges you should be aware of before you make the move to a new province or city.
Emotions Could Be Running High
It’s pretty usual for there to be an emotional toll when it comes to relocations. After all, you’re not simply moving to a new neighbourhood while everything else in your life stays the same.
A cross-province or cross-country move usually means a totally new lifestyle. Your job, kids’ schools, social groups—all of this changes fast. I always keep this in mind when I’m helping people move to a new city or province.
Big moves can also lead to a lot of uncertainty and fear for home buyers. Some people know the area they’re moving to well, but in other cases, people aren’t sure what to expect in their new homes. Even just driving down different roads and navigating new grocery stores can feel overwhelming.
The questions can be endless. Where can you start the search for a new family doctor? Where can you go to make new friends? What should you expect as the seasons change? Why are the property taxes so ridiculously high/low?
This is one reason it’s so important to make strong connections with people in the area before you make the transition. There are plenty of ways to do this. The first thing I like to do is introduce my clients to people I know in the area who can help them get settled. Even if it’s not going to be a long-term relationship, having just one person in a new location who can answer questions and be a guide makes all the difference in those first few days and weeks!
Social media is another great way to check out new locations before you arrive. Head to some local social media groups in your new neighbourhood or region and ask a few questions. You’ll be surprised by how many people are excited to share their insights about the area.
Challenging Timelines
Of course, there are also some tough practical considerations when it comes to cross-country moves. They can be challenging from a real estate perspective. Finding the right place in a new location while trying to sell your existing home often means trying to be in two places at once!
Timelines can also be short, requiring you to make decisions quickly. I have a great example of this from helping a client with a cross-country move recently. Check out the story below and you’ll see how we resolved it!
One Example of a Creative Solution for
Cross-Country Moves
Last year, I helped clients through a cross-province move from Ontario to Alberta. One of them had an opportunity with a new company and was about to change jobs. However, they had to start the position within a couple of weeks, so they had a very limited number of days to sell their home, buy a new one, and manage the move.
The main problem was that they wouldn’t be able to actually see the homes on the market. They didn’t want just any home; they were looking for a home that could support their needs perfectly for the next 10 years, at least.
It was a stressful situation for them and they were feeling indecisive. Instead of rushing the decision and piling up more listings, we sat down for a virtual coffee. I walked them through a few out-of-the-box scenarios that could reduce their stress and make the transition feel more natural for them.
In the end, they decided to sell their home in Ontario and move into a rental home in Alberta right away. This allowed them to meet the timelines they needed to sell and move, but without rushing the purchase of a new home. Once they were in their rental and settled in, they had a luxurious amount of time to find their dream home! And better yet, they were able to gain a better picture of what they wanted in their Alberta home because they had experienced the area firsthand.
While this won’t be the ideal solution for everyone, what you should know before you relocate is that there are so many creative ways to make real estate challenges simpler in these situations. You don’t need to force things as long as you have a great strategy in place and the right people helping you along.
Let's Get Creative with Your Real Estate Challenges
Sure, relocations can be tough, but let’s not forget how much fun they can be! As a REALTOR®, I get the unique opportunity to share my insight and experience with these types of moves with my clients. It’s incredibly rewarding to follow up with clients a few months after they’ve moved and find out they are completely rocking their new lifestyles.
Working with real estate professionals who have direct experience with relocations can make all the difference. If you’d like to learn more about my personal experience and some of the creative solutions I’ve used with my clients, I’d love to connect. Book a coffee with me to explore your upcoming relocation!
