5 Ways to Learn About a New City Before You Move

Moving to a new city is one of the most exciting — and nerve-wracking — decisions you can make. Whether you are relocating for a career opportunity, to be closer to family, or simply for a fresh start, the more you know about your destination before the truck pulls up, the smoother your transition will be.

Updated for 2026 — this guide reflects the latest moving tips and pricing for the Greater Vancouver area.

At Simple Moves & Storage, we have helped thousands of families and individuals relocate across British Columbia and beyond. Along the way, we have learned that the people who research their new city thoroughly tend to settle in faster and feel at home sooner. Here are the best ways to learn about a new city before you move.

1. Explore Neighbourhood Data Online

Before you even book a flight to visit, the internet can give you a remarkably detailed picture of any Canadian city or neighbourhood. Here are the most useful resources:

• Statistics Canada (statcan.gc.ca): The Census Profile tool lets you look up population, median household income, housing costs, languages spoken, and commute times for any census subdivision in Canada.
• City of Vancouver Open Data Portal: If you are moving to the Vancouver area, this portal provides datasets on everything from crime statistics to park locations to building permits.
• Walk Score (walkscore.com): Enter any address to see walkability, transit, and bike scores. This is especially useful for comparing neighbourhoods side by side.
• Rentals.ca and Zumper: These platforms track average rental prices by neighbourhood and city, giving you a realistic picture of housing costs.
• Google Street View: Take a virtual walk through prospective neighbourhoods. Look at the condition of homes, the presence of sidewalks, nearby amenities, and overall streetscape.

Pro tip: Create a spreadsheet comparing three to five neighbourhoods on factors that matter most to you — commute time, rent, walkability, school ratings, and proximity to parks or gyms.

2. Connect with City Hall and Local Government

City halls and municipal websites are goldmines of practical information that you will not find on real estate listings or travel blogs:

• Newcomer guides: Many Canadian cities publish official welcome guides for new residents. These cover everything from garbage collection schedules to recreation centre memberships.
• Zoning and development maps: Want to know if a condo tower is going up next to your future home? Check the city’s development applications map.
• Transit planning: Municipal transit authorities publish route maps, fare information, and planned service expansions. In Metro Vancouver, TransLink’s Trip Planner lets you test your future commute before you commit to a neighbourhood.
• Utility setup: City websites typically list all the utility providers you will need to set up — hydro, gas, water, internet — along with contact information and average costs.

If you cannot find what you need online, call the city’s general enquiries line. Municipal staff are often happy to point new residents toward the right resources.

3. Research Schools and Family Services

If you have children — or plan to — school quality is likely one of your top priorities. Here is how to research schools in a new city:

• Fraser Institute School Rankings: This Canadian resource ranks elementary and secondary schools by province based on standardized test results and other academic indicators.
• School district websites: Every public school district in BC has a website with enrollment information, catchment maps, program offerings (French immersion, Montessori, etc.), and contact details.
• Parent review sites: Google Reviews and Facebook parent groups for specific schools provide ground-level insights that official rankings may miss.
• Daycare and childcare registries: In BC, the Child Care Map (maps.gov.bc.ca/ess/hm/ccf/) lets you search for licensed childcare providers by location.

Even if you do not have children, school quality is worth noting — neighbourhoods with well-regarded schools tend to have higher property values and more engaged communities.

4. Check Crime Statistics and Safety Data

Safety is a non-negotiable factor in choosing where to live. Here is how to access reliable crime data in Canada:

• Local police department websites: Most municipal police forces publish annual crime statistics broken down by neighbourhood. The Vancouver Police Department, for example, publishes a crime map updated regularly.
• RCMP detachment reports: If you are moving to a community policed by the RCMP (most cities outside Vancouver, Victoria, and a few others in BC), check the local detachment’s community safety reports.
• CrimeReports.com: This platform aggregates crime data from participating police agencies and displays it on an interactive map.
• Community Facebook groups: While not a formal data source, local neighbourhood groups often discuss safety concerns, break-in trends, and community watch initiatives in real time.

Context matters: A neighbourhood with higher reported property crime may simply have more engaged residents who report incidents. Always compare statistics across multiple sources and visit the area at different times of day before drawing conclusions.

5. Join Online Communities and Local Forums

There is no substitute for hearing from people who already live where you are planning to move. These platforms connect you with locals:

• Reddit: Subreddits like r/vancouver, r/VictoriaBC, r/kelowna, and r/surrey are active communities where residents discuss everything from restaurant recommendations to rental scams. Search for “moving to [city]” threads — there are dozens with detailed advice.
• Facebook Groups: Search for “[City Name] Community” or “[Neighbourhood] Residents” groups. These tend to be more neighbourhood-specific than Reddit and are excellent for asking hyperlocal questions.
• Nextdoor: This neighbourhood-based social network lets you see posts from your future neighbours. You can browse without an account in some areas, or sign up with your new address.
• Meetup.com: Search for interest-based groups in your new city. Joining a hiking group, book club, or professional networking event before you arrive gives you instant social connections on day one.

Etiquette tip: When posting in a new city’s forum, introduce yourself, mention that you are relocating, and ask specific questions. “What is it like living in [neighbourhood]?” gets much better responses than “Tell me about your city.”

6. Visit Before You Commit (If Possible)

If your budget and timeline allow, visiting your new city before the move is invaluable. Here is how to make the most of a scouting trip:

• Drive or walk through target neighbourhoods at different times of day — morning rush hour, weekday afternoon, Friday evening.
• Visit the grocery stores and coffee shops you would use regularly. Are they well-stocked? Reasonably priced? Within comfortable distance?
• Test your commute during actual rush hour, using the transit mode you plan to use daily.
• Check out recreation and fitness options — gyms, pools, trails, community centres.
• Talk to people. Strike up conversations at local businesses. Ask what they love about the neighbourhood and what they wish was different.

7. Set Up Essential Services Before You Arrive

Once you have chosen your new home, getting services set up in advance saves significant stress on moving day:

• Internet and cable: Book installation for your move-in date. Providers in BC include Telus, Shaw (now Rogers), and various smaller providers.
• BC Hydro: Set up your electricity account online at bchydro.com.
• FortisBC: If your new home uses natural gas, register with FortisBC.
• ICBC: If you are moving from another province, you have 90 days to switch your driver’s license and vehicle registration to BC.
• MSP (Medical Services Plan): Apply for or update your BC health coverage at gov.bc.ca.
• Mail forwarding: Set up mail forwarding with Canada Post at least two weeks before your move.

How Simple Moves Makes Your Relocation Easier

Researching your new city is the first step. The second is getting there without the stress. Simple Moves & Storage is a full service moving company — that means we provide the professional crew and the trucks. Whether you are making a local move within Vancouver or a long-distance relocation across BC, we handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on exploring your new neighbourhood.

Our services include:

• Local and long-distance residential moves
• Packing and unpacking services
• Secure short-term and long-term storage
• Free moving boxes and supplies
• Piano, hot tub, and specialty item moving

8. Research Healthcare Access

Access to healthcare varies significantly between cities and even between neighbourhoods within the same city. Before committing to a new location, research the following:

• Family doctor availability: In many BC communities, finding a family doctor who is accepting new patients can take months or even years. Check the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC directory and call clinics in your target neighbourhoods to ask about wait lists.
• Walk-in clinics: If you cannot find a family doctor immediately, having walk-in clinics nearby is essential. Google Maps is the quickest way to find them and check their hours and reviews.
• Hospital proximity: How far is the nearest emergency room? In some suburban communities, the nearest hospital may be 20 to 30 minutes away — an important factor for families with young children or elderly members.
• Specialist access: If you or a family member requires regular specialist care (dermatology, cardiology, physiotherapy, etc.), confirm that providers are available in your new city before you move.
• Mental health services: Moving is stressful, and having access to counselling or mental health support during the transition can be valuable. Research local mental health centres, counsellors, and crisis lines.

9. Understand the Local Job Market

If you are not moving for a specific job, research the employment landscape in your new city thoroughly:

• Job boards: Search Indeed, LinkedIn, and BC-specific job boards for your industry to see how many openings are available in the area.
• Major employers: Identify the largest employers in the city. A city whose economy depends on a single industry (such as resource extraction) carries more economic risk than one with a diversified employment base.
• Average wages: Compare average wages in your field with the local cost of living. A higher salary in Vancouver may not stretch as far as a modest salary in Kamloops if housing costs are three times higher.
• Commute patterns: Some BC residents live in one city and work in another — for example, living in Langley and commuting to Vancouver. Understand the commute times and costs before choosing where to settle.
• Remote work infrastructure: If you work remotely, check internet speeds and reliability in your target neighbourhood. Rural areas and some suburban developments may not have access to high-speed fibre.

10. Explore the Food and Culture Scene

Quality of life is about more than jobs and housing. The food, arts, and culture scene in a city has a huge impact on how much you enjoy living there:

• Restaurant and food scene: Browse Google Maps, Yelp, and local food blogs for the neighbourhoods you are considering. A thriving restaurant scene indicates an engaged, diverse community.
• Farmers markets: Many BC cities have excellent weekend farmers markets. These are also great places to meet neighbours and discover local producers.
• Arts and entertainment: Check for theatres, concert venues, galleries, museums, and community event calendars. Vancouver has a rich arts scene, but smaller cities like Victoria, Kelowna, and Nelson also offer vibrant cultural experiences.
• Sports and recreation: From skiing at Whistler to kayaking in the Gulf Islands, BC offers world-class outdoor recreation. Research what activities are accessible from your new home and how far you will need to drive to reach them.
• Cultural diversity: BC is one of the most culturally diverse provinces in Canada. If connecting with a specific cultural community is important to you, research where those communities are concentrated.

Making the Final Decision

After all your research, compile your findings into a decision matrix. Rate each city or neighbourhood on the factors most important to you — cost of living, commute, schools, safety, healthcare, culture, and recreation — on a scale of one to ten. The numbers will not make the decision for you, but they will clarify your priorities and highlight any deal-breakers you might otherwise overlook.

Remember that no city is perfect. Every location involves trade-offs. The goal is not to find a flawless city, but to find one where the advantages align with your priorities and the drawbacks are ones you can comfortably live with.