What this toolkit is – and what it is not
This toolkit is an orientation and planning resource for Canadians who are actively
thinking about a move to the USA. It is designed to help you:
- Capture your situation in writing, so you can explain it clearly to professionals.
- Understand how status, timelines, property, insurance, and finances interact.
- Prepare questions for licensed immigration, tax, and financial advisors.
It is not legal advice, tax advice, financial advice, or immigration advice. You should
treat it as a way to prepare for, not replace, conversations with qualified professionals.
Real questions people ask first
These are common questions that come up in real life. If you feel “behind”, you’re not — you’re normal.
- “Can I move before my work status is finalized?” You can visit, but working and “moving for real” usually requires the correct authorization.
- “Do I need an SSN before I can do anything?” Not everything needs an SSN. Some steps work with an ITIN or with newcomer-friendly institutions.
- “What order should I do things in?” The order matters more than the speed — avoid locking into leases, shipping, or job start dates too early.
- “What’s the most expensive mistake?” Mixing “visitor” intent with “move + work” intent, and assuming systems (healthcare, credit, taxes) work like Canada.
Using the toolkit with the AI helper
The page contains pre-written
prompts you can paste into an AI tool. These prompts are designed to:
- Turn your notes into structured summaries of your situation.
- Draft clearer emails to employers, landlords, and advisors.
- Generate lists of questions for professionals, which you can then refine.
Always review AI-generated text carefully before sending it to anyone, and make sure it
still reflects your actual facts and preferences.
City snapshots to compare your options
Once you have a rough sense of your budget and timeline, it can help to look at specific
cities Canadians often move to. These guides are high-level and neutral – they are meant
to help you prepare questions, not to tell you where you “should” live.
- Atlanta, Georgia – hub airport, strong job market, and family-oriented suburbs.
- Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas – large metro with many communities at different price points.
- Austin, Texas – tech-heavy, lifestyle-focused city with rapid growth.
- Miami / South Florida – coastal lifestyle and international hub feel.
- Orlando, Florida – tourism plus growing professional neighbourhoods.
- Phoenix, Arizona – desert climate, planned suburbs, and very hot summers.
You do not need to decide on a city immediately. Many people use these pages to narrow
down to two or three options, then dig deeper into neighbourhoods, schools, and commutes.
