WE WILL START WITH EDMONTON, AB!

Image is courtesy of Kurt Bauschardt

Do you know the prosperous province of Alberta? The province of Alberta is one of most emerging in Canada, and therefore they are receiving many immigrants. Also, Edmonton is the capital of Alberta and my first experience in Canada. For that reason, I will begin to give you details, to makes you feel located in the city of Edmonton.

You need to buy the monthly pass!

Edmonton has an organized transportation system called Edmonton Transit Centre, better known as ETS. This consists of several routes of trains and buses under a specific schedule that will allow you to scroll smoothly through the city.

Because of we can´t have a car at the beginning, I strongly recommend that your first thing to do is buy your monthly pass at over 200 locations throughout the City. The easiest ETS Customer Service Centre is located at the City Hall of the City (1 Sir Winston Churchill Square). You can find more information in ETS

With this monthly pass you can travel unlimited transit through the entire line of ETS and its cost is around $90.

Open a bank account

Banks in Canada are prepared to welcome the newcomers and have specific programs for them. You can go to Canada Trust or Scotibank which have several offices around the city.

Meet here plans to newcomers: Canada Trust or Scotiabank

It is important that you apply for a credit card, even Prepaid, because you will appreciate in the future have started to build your credit history from the beginning, because within 1 to 2 years you will have enough credentials to request any type of credit, of course with the support of a salary of formal job that I am sure you will find very soon.

The credit record is important because many immigrants arrive without asking credit card, waiting to stabilize themselves economically and when they manage to do it and want to order credit, realize they have no record in Canada and should start counting from zero time. Your credit record from your country is not valid in Canada.

Buy a cell phone!

It´s better to be communicated from the beginning. Locate the plan that suits you in the following companies: Telus, Rogers, Virgin, Fido. 

My home sweet home

Upon arrival you will be probably in a place temporarily, but only you should start looking for housing. The best sites are Kijiji, Rentfaster (if you are in Alberta), Mainstreet, among others.

For the first year, it is advisable to live as close as possible to a bus stop or train station and with many pedways around. Think about the winter months where you will prefer to be always under cover. Downtown is always a good option to the beginning.

Best places for grocery

In this start every dollar is important, so I recommend that you visit the more varied supermarkets with the best prices like Wallmart and Superstore, you will save a lot of money. The closest you can find is near to Clareview Train Station.

Next... we will post the best schools to improve your English and more popular places of the city, so you can enjoy it, even in winter!