Moving to a new place

Moving to a new country, a new city or even a new neighbourhood can be both exciting and terrifying. Whether it’s for your career, a new start or any other reason, it takes a lot of work and effort to familiarize yourself with your new surroundings. Well, no need to worry, we are here to help you settle in!

Welcome and rural traditions

The welcome experience can vary depending on where you move to. In big cities, it is relatively rare to see people greet one another, interact, or invite each other to dinner on the first day. However, it’s not inconceivable for this to happen to you in Hawkesbury. The charm of our community is something we are proud of. Most of the time, people walking down the street will smile and say hello as they pass each other. Don’t hesitate to start a conversation with people in the community, as it could lead to an interesting discussion.

In our area, it’s considered respectful to introduce yourself to new neighbours. Many times, introductions will be made in the driveway, when you and your neighbour arrive home at the same time. Otherwise, some neighbours will knock on your door to introduce themselves. Some will come empty-handed, others may bring a gift or even a freshly prepared dish. Regardless, it’s good to get to know your neighbours. If you are invited to a dinner, barbecue or other event, take the opportunity to make new acquaintances, which can be very helpful when you don’t really know the area.

Prior to moving in:

Do your research. This is an extremely important step that will allow you to know more about the town, even before you set foot in it. If you browse our website, you are already taking a step in the right direction, as our goal is to give you as much information as possible.

Be prepared. Make a list of the things you will need when you arrive in Canada and when you move to Hawkesbury. At the end of this article, we have included our favorite stores to visit when moving here.

Be ready to socialize. One of the most exciting parts of moving is the social aspect. Yes, it can be scary to be in a new country, city or neighbourhood, but once you start meeting new people, everything will be fine. Before you settle in, check out the Sports and recreation section to discover places where it’s easy to meet local people.

Got kids? If they are very young, check the private and federal daycares now for availability; there are sometimes waiting lists. If they are school-age, four years and older, find out how schooling works in Canada. In Ontario, school usually starts at the end of August and finishes around the end of June, giving students about two months of vacation to enjoy the summer. Registration can be done at any time during the year. If you arrive in the middle of summer, you can also look for day camps. To learn more about this, check out the Education section.

Tips and tricks when moving:

1. Unless you bought a new house, someone else lived in that house or apartment before you. So, we suggest that you do a thorough cleaning before moving in, because when the space is empty, it’s the ideal time to wash the hard-to-reach places (drawers, cupboards, closets, shelves, walls, etc.). If you don’t want the bother of doing it yourself, you can also hire a cleaning service.
2. Walking around your new neighbourhood is one of the best ways to discover what it has to offer. So go for a stroll in your new town.
3. Here are ten relevant stores to visit after you move in. It’s important to add that Hawkesbury is full of charming boutiques and shops in addition to the ten stores listed. You can also find second-hand appliances, furniture and other items on Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace.

Wal-Mart | This store is the first one to visit, as it has everything at low prices. If you have a very long shopping list and want to avoid making multiple stops, this is the store of choice. You can even do your grocery shopping there!

Winners | This store is a warehouse of better quality products at reasonable prices. The Hawkesbury location carries mostly clothing. However, they have a very good selection of products for the home.

Malaket | This is one of the oldest furniture stores established right in Hawkesbury. If you need furniture, mattresses or appliances, check it out! Their showroom fills two stories. They also offer home delivery.

The Brick | Like Malaket, The Brick is a large furniture store. What’s the difference? They also sell seasonal furniture designed specifically for the outdoors.

Home Hardware | It’s your destination of choice for any renovation or DIY project. You will also find a large lumber yard, many home decor items and seasonal items.

Canadian Tire | This department store offers a variety of items for the home and kitchen, cars, leisure and the outdoors, the backyard, indoor/outdoor maintenance, and more!

Dollarama | This small store can help you save on a wide variety of products. Most of the items found there are less expensive than anywhere else. Prices usually range from 50 cents to $5.00 per item. However, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with well-known brands first, since the quality of some of its products may be lower.

Giant Tiger | This small store offers a good selection at reasonable prices. Much of the merchandise varies with the seasons.

Les Serres Legault | For all your indoor and outdoor plant needs or your vegetable garden, this greenhouse is worth a visit. In addition to an incredible selection of greenery and expert advice, there are several aisles dedicated solely to home decor.

FreshCo  | This grocery store offers a great selection of local and international ingredients. In addition, it guarantees the best prices. If a local competitor offers the same or a comparable item at a better price, the store will match that price.

If you are looking for another type of store, you can consult Hawkesbury’s directory of resources and services (French only).

Be sure to check our website regularly because a new blog article comes out every two months. In the meantime, follow us on social media so you don’t miss anything.