Moving to Calgary as a Newcomer to Canada: The Complete Guide

Calgary is one of the most popular landing cities for newcomers to Canada. About 30% of Calgary's population identifies as a visible minority, and the city welcomes tens of thousands of new permanent residents and temporary workers every year. If you're arriving from another country and setting up your life in Calgary, this guide covers the practical moving and settling-in steps that most newcomer guides skip.

Settlement Agencies That Help With Your Transition

Before you worry about movers and furniture, connect with the free settlement services available in Calgary. These organizations help with everything from housing search to language training:

• Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) — One of Calgary's largest settlement agencies. Offers housing assistance, employment programs, language classes (LINC), and orientation sessions. You do not need to be Catholic to access their services.

• Centre for Newcomers (formerly CIIS) — Provides settlement counselling, employment services, community connections, and help navigating government systems. Multiple locations across Calgary.

• ActionDignity — Focuses on ethno-cultural communities. Offers programs in multiple languages and helps connect newcomers with their cultural community in Calgary.

• Calgary Public Library — Newcomers Hub — Free library cards, settlement information, language learning resources, and computer access. The Central Library downtown has a dedicated newcomer information desk.

Finding Your First Home in Calgary

Most newcomers start renting before buying. Here's what to know about Calgary's rental market:

• Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,100-1,250/month. Two-bedroom: $1,300-1,500. These vary significantly by neighbourhood.

• Popular newcomer neighbourhoods: Forest Lawn/International Avenue (most diverse, affordable, multicultural grocery stores), Northeast Calgary (Falconridge, Martindale, Taradale — affordable, transit-connected, established South Asian, Middle Eastern, and African communities), Beltline (walkable, transit-rich, but pricier), and the Northeast in general for affordable family housing.

• Rental applications: Landlords typically ask for a credit check, employment letter, and references. If you don't have Canadian credit history, some landlords accept an employment letter plus extra months of rent upfront. Settlement agencies can help you navigate this.

• Security deposit: Maximum one month's rent under Alberta law. Your landlord cannot charge more than this.

Your First Week: Essential Setup Steps

Once you've secured a place to live, here's the order of operations:

1. Social Insurance Number (SIN): Apply at any Service Canada office. You need this before you can work. Bring your passport and work/study permit or PR card.

2. Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP): Apply online or at a registry office. Free for eligible residents. There is a 3-month waiting period — get private insurance to cover this gap.

3. Bank account: Most major banks (TD, RBC, BMO, Scotiabank, CIBC) have newcomer banking packages with no monthly fees for the first year. Bring your passport, PR card or work permit, and proof of address.

4. Utilities: Set up ENMAX (electricity), City of Calgary water, and ATCO Gas. See our detailed Calgary utilities setup guide. Note: ENMAX may require a security deposit if you have no Canadian credit history.

5. Phone plan: Telus, Rogers, and Bell are the major carriers. Freedom Mobile and Public Mobile offer more affordable plans. You'll need a Canadian phone number for virtually everything — get this on day 1 or 2.

Moving Without Furniture vs. Furnished Starts

Many newcomers arrive with just suitcases and need to furnish from scratch. Calgary has several affordable options:

• IKEA Calgary (Deerfoot Meadows): The most popular first stop. Affordable, modern furniture with delivery available. The Deerfoot Meadows location also has HomeSense, Walmart, and other home stores nearby.

• Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji: Calgary has an active secondhand market. You can furnish an apartment for a fraction of retail. Many listings include delivery for a small fee.

• Habitat for Humanity ReStore (3 locations): Donated furniture at deep discounts. Quality varies but worth checking regularly.

• WINS (Women in Need Society): Thrift stores across Calgary with household items, furniture, and kitchenware at very low prices.

If you're buying furniture from multiple sources around the city, our crews can do a multi-stop pickup and delivery — collecting items from several locations and delivering everything to your new home in one trip. This is often cheaper than multiple delivery fees.

Getting Around Calgary Without a Car

Calgary is a car-dependent city, but you can manage without one in certain areas:

• CTrain (LRT): Two lines (Red and Blue) connecting the northeast, northwest, south, and west to downtown. Free in the downtown core (7th Avenue zone). Monthly pass: ~$112.

• Best transit-accessible neighbourhoods: Beltline, Downtown, Kensington, Bridgeland, Sunnyside, and any community within walking distance of a CTrain station.

• If you plan to drive: You can use your foreign driver's licence for up to 90 days. After that, you must obtain an Alberta licence. Some countries have reciprocal agreements that allow a direct exchange; others require you to take a road test. Cost: $28 at a registry office. Visit Alberta's licence exchange page to check your country's agreement.

What Newcomers Don't Expect About Moving in Calgary

• The cold is manageable: Calgary averages 333 days of sunshine per year — more than most Canadian cities. The cold is dry, not damp, and chinook winds regularly break winter's grip. Invest in a good winter jacket, boots, and layers, and you'll be fine.

• No provincial sales tax: Alberta has no PST. You only pay the 5% federal GST on purchases. This means furniture, appliances, and moving supplies cost less than in Ontario or BC.

• The city is enormous: Calgary sprawls over 825 km². A move from the deep northeast (Cornerstone) to the deep southwest (Legacy) is 45+ minutes in normal traffic. This affects moving costs — distance between addresses directly impacts price.

• Tipping movers: Tipping is not required but is customary in Canada. If your movers do a good job, $20-40 per crew member is a common thank-you. Cash is preferred.

International Moves to Calgary

If you're shipping belongings internationally, your container will likely arrive at the Port of Vancouver and be trucked to Calgary (about 12 hours). Customs clearance through the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) typically takes 1-3 business days. You'll need your B4 Personal Effects Declaration form listing everything you're importing.

Once your container arrives in Calgary, we can handle the local delivery and unpacking. Get a quote and mention that you need container unloading — our crew will meet the truck at your new address.

Welcome to Calgary

Calgary is a welcoming city with strong settlement services, an affordable cost of living (by major Canadian city standards), and a growing, diverse population. Our Calgary moving team has helped thousands of newcomers settle into their first Canadian home. Whether you're moving from a temporary stay, a shared house, or straight from the airport, reach out for a free quote — we're here to make the physical move one less thing to worry about.