Everything you should know before moving to Manhattan from Canada

A surprising number of young Canadians decide that moving to Manhattan from Canada is a good idea. Be it that they want to see what the US is all about, or they want to focus on NYC and see what living in the Big Apple is like. Well, both are good reasons to relocate. But, in order to do so properly, there are a couple of things that you should be aware of as a Canadian that is moving to Manhattan. So, let’s take a look at what NYC is going to have in store for you.

What is Manhattan going to be like for a Canadian?

So, you’ve decided that Manhattan is the neighborhood you are going to move to. Well, if that is so, you are in for quite a shock. If you lived in a large city like Toronto or Montreal, you might have an idea of what big city living is like. And, if you watched “Friends” or “Sex and the City”, you might have an idea of what NYC is like. Well, neither of those ideas won’t do you much good. NYC, and Manhattan especially, is far different from any other large city, or any depiction of it on television.

A street in Manhattan.
Living in Manhattan can be quite a shock for an inexperienced Canadian.

Manhattan lifestyle

What is living in Manhattan like? Well, while this is a pretty straightforward question, coming up with a solid answer can be a little tricky. There are a lot of people living in Manhattan, and some of them have very different lives compared to others. But, if there is one thing that connects them, it’s the hustle, the rushing, and the competitiveness. Everyone that lives in Manhattan is trying to make the most out of it. This means that they are working hard at their jobs and trying to push their careers as far as possible. And, if they go out, they are partying like there is no tomorrow. So, if you want to become a part of the NYC community, you better be prepared to live a fast-paced life.

Rude people

One of the biggest things that you’ll notice, especially if you’ve been living in Canada your whole life, is that people of Manhattan are rude. Most Canadians will be astonished at how rude the people of Manhattan can be. They mind their own business and they don’t shy away from telling you what they think and what they feel. So, don’t be surprised or even alarmed if Manhattan residents start shouting at you for a trivial reason. Instead, develop a thick skin and remember that not all people in Manhattan are rude. You will be able to make friends after moving to NYC. But, you will also have to suffer a lot of obnoxious people.

The beauty of NYC

So, after all, that we’ve mentioned, is the Big Apple really that rotten. Of course not. NYC is full of beauty and wonders that you’ll enjoy exploring after moving to Manhattan from Canada. From top-notch clubs and restaurants to jaw-dropping shows and music. Not to mention the US history that is ever-present in the streets of NYC. There is just something about this gorgeous city that no other place in the world has. And, we wouldn’t be surprised if you fell in love with it, after only a month or two living here.

Theatre in Manhattan.
Manhattan houses some of the best art theaters and restaurants in the world.

How to prepare for moving to Manhattan from Canada

Now that we have an idea of what living in Manhattan is going to be like, let’s not tackle the move itself. After all, knowing what Manhattan is like won’t do you much good if you spend your money and your nerves moving here. Now, the important thing to note is that moving to Manhattan from Canada can be terribly complicated. Therefore, we won’t go into much depth about every aspect of moving. For that, we suggest that you visit sites like heartmoving.us and keep researching. Instead, we are going to give you the main points to keep in mind in order to have safe and efficient relocation.

A road going through Canada, showing what moving to Manhattan from Canada is going to be like.
Moving to Manhattan from Canada can be quite a task, even for experienced movers.

Finding the right movers

The first thing that you’ll need to take care of is finding the right movers to help you move to Manhattan. When moving from one city to another one you always want to have the best possible movers helping you out. Especially so, if you are dealing with international relocation. In order to deal with it properly and efficiently, you need to find experienced movers to help you out. Furthermore, you need to make sure that they have experience with moving to NYC. You can even consider hiring NYC movers to help you, as they are much better suited for navigating a Manhattan relocation.

Packing

Packing is one aspect of moving that you can deal with on your own, theoretically. But, when it comes to relocations as serious and complicated as this one, you should really think twice. If you opt for DIY packing, remember that you need to use top-notch packing equipment and professional packing procedures. Anything below that, and you’ll be putting your relocation at serious risk. So, it is usually a good idea to let your movers deal with the packing. Just keep in mind that most companies won’t provide you with insurance if you opt for DIY packing.

Final tip

Moving to Manhattan is going to be stressful. No matter how much you prepare or how much you research it before moving, living in NYC is going to be a shock. Therefore, you should expect to feel discomfort, both physical and mental. Our advice is to find ways of dealing with stress and anxiety. Manhattan can be a great place to live in. But, as a Canadian, there will be a bunch of things that you will have to get used to living with. So, if you plan on making your life here, develop a thick skin and a good mechanism for coping with stress.