Moving to Miami from Canada – what to pack?

Are you planning to move to Miami? It is easier to relocate to this Florida city as opposed to the other American cities for Canadians. 50% of Miami’s population consists of foreigners and ex-pats. For this reason, you will have no problems fitting in. However, you still need to organize an international relocation. You might be wondering what to pack when moving to Miami from Canada? Miami might seem like a complete opposite from the stereotypically cold Canada. That is why you should read this guide about moving to Miami. 

Moving to Miami from Canada – packing your items  

Before you start packing, you should see how many items you will bring. Will it be only clothes or maybe furniture as well? Based on your answer, it is time to gather all the necessary packing supplies. It should include moving boxes Miami, bubble wrapping, packing peanuts, tape, and markers. If you are only bringing clothes, then, you will only need a couple of suitcases. Now, the big question is what to pack? As mentioned, most people associate Canada with cold weather and snow. On the other hand, people usually associate Miami with beaches and hot weather. You can clearly see the difference. For this reason, pack accordingly. Forget your thick and warm clothes. It is time to bring out all your light summer clothes, swimming suits, and flip flops. Luckily, packing summer clothes is quite easy since they do not take up too much space.  

The Weather in Miami 

Since you are on the topic of weather, Miami is popular due to its year-round warm and sunny weather. Miami has seasons, but the drastic change in temperatures does not exist. The average temperature is 77°F or 25°C. It gets hotter in the summer when you can spend the entire days at the beach. Likewise, the temperature drops in the winter to 64°F or 18°C between December to February. Again, this is nothing compared to freezing Canada’s winters. You can forget thick winter clothes, snow boots, and shoveling.

However, there is one huge disadvantage to hot temperatures. You will need to use air conditioning which means higher monthly utility costs. In addition to this, while Canada has snow and ice, Miami has hurricanes. The hurricane season starts in June and ends in November. For this reason, you will have to be careful when buying a beach property.  

Moving to Miami from Canada – salaries and housing options 

Everyone is well aware of the American myth where an ordinary person can achieve prosperity just by working hard. However, salaries in Miami are not as high as in some other large cities. Still, this does not stop Miami from having “big city prices”, meaning, it is pretty expensive. Unless you can find a high-paid job, you will not save a ton of money. The good news is the lack of income tax. This means keeping more of your gross salary. In the other state, income tax can go over 10%. In addition to this, the housing market in Miami is pretty competitive. However, most foreigners find their new home pretty quickly. Do not expect to find an apartment to rent for anything below 1,800 USD. As mentioned, it is expensive. Still, you would have more than enough for a comfortable life.  

Health and safety 

Since you are moving to Miami from Canada, you should know something about health and safety in Miami. Here are some points to consider. 

• Traffic – Miami is a huge city. Therefore, it does have its fair share of traffic congestion. Do not rely on a public transport system since it is pretty bad. Also, make sure your movers Miami know the city inside and out.
• Bugs – you must have seen some pictures of Florida’s insects online. Mosquitos and biting sand gnats are the most common source of problems.  
• The Heat – Miami can be extremely hot. Therefore, you need to take care of your health. Drink water, avoid direct sunlight, use sunscreen and hats, etc.  
• Pets and Miami – if you are moving with pets, everything applies to their safety as well. Do not leave your pets in a car. Additionally, you have to protect their paws. The cement sidewalks and asphalt can get extremely hot, thus causing blisters and burn injuries.  

Moving to Miami from Canada – Visas and Work Permits 

Even though it is quite easy to move to Miami, you still have to get either a vise or a work permit. You should not work without obtaining some type of document first. This process is often very confusing since there are several types of visas and work permits. For a more detailed guide, please contact the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Canada. In short, here is how to obtain a US visa. First, you can get hired by an American company and they will sponsor your visa. If you enroll at an American university or college, you can get a student visa. However, each visa has many subtypes. You will need to apply for only one of them. Additionally, you will need to gather all the necessary documents, schedule an interview, and pay for the fee. Lastly, if you marry an American citizen, you will receive a green card.  

Life in Miami 

Living in Miami is exciting. You will never be bored with all those beautiful beaches, exciting nightlife, and cultural events. As mentioned, more than 50% of Miami’s population consists of foreigners. Therefore, you can meet many interesting people from all around the world. If you wish to pick up Spanish, you are in the right place. According to statistics, the majority of the Miami population speaks Spanish as their first language. In addition to this, many Canadians live in Miami. It is almost impossible not to feel nostalgic. For this reason, you can seek comfort by spending some time with your fellow countrymen. You can find ex-pat groups on social media, such as Facebook or Instagram.