Hi Ansh,

Both me and my husband are big time fans of ikea.I was just wondering for a start up as you said bed,mattress,sofa,centre table,dining table,would you please let me know how much did they cost you (each of them when possible) or on total

cheers
panna




quote]Originally posted by ansh


Initially we had come in June 2005 and went back after few days after collecting SIN/PR/Credit Cards etc.

We came second time on 8th June 2007 i.e. few days back. No issues at immigration, no issues at customs etc.

From 8th till 18th we did following

1. 8th June till 15th June stayed at ILLC Ryerson Residences. We had stayed there last time as well. 1BR with attached toilet on weekly rate at 61$/night.
We used this time to check on apartment we have short listed back in Kuwait/via internet.

2. On 9th/10th we rested.

3. On 11th we changed our address at Bank. We got free 3 months internet from Rogers on 1 year mobile line contract.

4. On 12th we got my wife her secured credit card from TD Bank, got waiver of CAD 2000$ which was put on my credit card in 2005.

5. 13th was rest day.

6. On 14th June we signed lease for apartment in area called Davisville. Apartment is across the subway, across the School, Play area, next to Bank, Grocery, Star Bucks, Barber, Bar etc. Also we fixed day-care which are with-in School premises.

7. On 15th morning we moved into the new apartment. We also went to complete OHIP and then followed by visit to IKEA and bought Bed/Mattress/Sofa/Dining Table/Centre Table. On 15th evening itself, our goods from Kuwait arrived. I had planned in such a way that after lease was signed, I was to call Kuwait and ask Agent to put it via Air Cargo on KLM. It took KLM 2 days to send my stuff to Canada. Total 14 Cartons came including all my son's toy's. Goods were collected from warehouse at 10PM and arrived home at 12PM.

8. Since then we have been unpacking and I hope we should finish soon...

Finding closest Desi Grocery Shop / Meeting local doctor / Assigning Tax consultant / Buying some stuff like food processor are still pending and last but not the least meet friends from back home is high on the agenda.


Regards

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It takes fewer muscles to smile than it does to frown.what would you prefer???
Sriramajayam!!!

Hi Panna

Total was around 1500$ as most of items were on sale.

Have a look at thei website http://www.ikea.com/ca/en


Good luck.

Hi Guys

I thought it was time to update how we have doing!

As you must have read from thread, we landed in 2005, went back after 2 weeks and then came again in June 2007 and my family (wife and son) stayed back while I went back to Kuwait. Reason: One of us gets settled and then other one leaves the job and comes.

Well, in these 3 months, my wife has been a star! She picked up start-up call center job in days after landing ($12/hr) , then moved to another call center (14$/hr), in between applied to atlest 200 jobs etc, went for interviews ( there was a lot of demand on July/Aug). She also did her second round of interview with one of the biggest banks and is almost there... There is another company where she is waiting second round of interview call. Both these places pay around ($26/hr), full time, day job with benefits.

Our 6 year old son loves it in Canada. He is currently going to daycare ( since school’s open on 2 Sep) and enjoys activities like swimming, going to library with his mother once a week, cycling with his new best friend across the building etc. Giving him a normal life (unlike bound at home due hot weather in Kuwait) was one of the major factors for us to look at Canada in the first place.

As for me, I am in Kuwait counting days to return back to Canada. My schedule is some what upset since I chat with my family on MSN and that’s 2AM here in Kuwait. Since I work with an airline and tickets are free, I have a second visit planned in October for 2 weeks. Just to let u know, I have been applying for jobs in Canada since last 2 years. After we got permanent address (since 2007), I do get once in a while interview calls even though I am not in Canada. So I guess professional resume, good written/spoken communication skills and Canadian address are important. What is most important is that you have saving to last you atlest 6 to 8 months (our cost is around 2300$/month including 1 BR rental and daycare), lot of planning and open to adapt in a new place. We did not need anyone's help to settle down and believe me it was not difficult as well. People are generally helpful.

Till next time......

I must acknowledge that people who are landing these days are much more prepared than we were. I was AMAZED to read all the responses... I don;t know that much even after 6years staying in Canada. even I learned a lot. Thanks for the information...
My parents are landing in sept...I wanted to know about bringing our stuff later on.. My parents and brother will come together... parents would leave after 2 months and brother will stay here and start studying.... what forms and/or what kind of list we need to give to the officer to make sure that they allow us to bring rest of our stuff later on.
We ourselves do not know what we might want to bring later on... right now they are planning to bring just the allowed limit of weight with the Airline.

Do we have to give exact list of things or can we bring whatever we want to later on.
Please advice. Again thanks a lot for sharing


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7. On 15th morning we moved into the new apartment. We also went to complete OHIP and then followed by visit to IKEA and bought Bed/Mattress/Sofa/Dining Table/Centre Table. On 15th evening itself, our goods from Kuwait arrived. I had planned in such a way that after lease was signed, I was to call Kuwait and ask Agent to put it via Air Cargo on KLM. It took KLM 2 days to send my stuff to Canada. Total 14 Cartons came including all my son's toy's. Goods were collected from warehouse at 10PM and arrived home at 12PM.

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Hi

Are your parents immigrating or coming on visit visa?
If they are immigrating, suggest they make goods to follow list which has list of items that will follow later. This could include items they need or collectively all of you need for the family but will come under their name.
If they are immigrating but leaving after 2 months, then it still makes sense to put down few things whoch you may need two to three years from now etc - but is based on your personal situation like bigger house, more futniture etc etc

This sheet may contain:

1. Items 2. Value in local currency, 3. Value in CAD 4. Make 5. Model
6. Serial Number of Item if applicable 7. Any remarks /Notes etc

Make 2 copies and ask your parents to bring with them.

When they arrive in Toronto, after clearing immigration, they will be directed to customers where they will need to declare goods they brought with them and goods that will follow. Idea is to check if any tax needs to be paid. If they are immigrating, customs officer will simply stamp and give you back one copy and thats it !!

You will use this – goods to follow sheet – when your goods actually come in order to avoid paying any tax.

If parents are coming on visit visa and are non immigrants,. I guess they will need to pay tax as required by Canadian govt based on goods being imported.

Regarding your brother on student visa - maybe some one in this situation can explain more as I am not aware.....

Good luck.

Thanks Ansh for replying. Well my parents are coming as Immigrants and my young brother too is coming as dependent.. (immigrant status). He is not on student VISA.

The list that we have to make... basically we do not have any plans to bring our own old stuff from india but we might get some new pieces from india.. which we do not know yet.. my parents will come and see what they might need.
even if we decide what we need.. how expensive it is to bring stuff to Canada? I believe it comes by ship? Is it worth bringing stuff from India? As of now my parents are not planning to stay here for ever but situation might change.

So Question is if the list they make right now and the things that might follow are not exactly same .. would there be a problem?
I am in no hurry so you can reply as per your convenience. thanks again.. your experience would benefit lot of people.

Your situation is different from mine.

I was based in Kuwait and buying in Kuwait is more of less same as buying in Canada ( 1KWD = 3.7 CAD ). Hence even though my goods to follow sheet mentioned all household items, I prefered to buy furniture in Canada and save on transportation cost. I only air lifted - clothes, decorative items for the house, toys for kids, books etc.

In your case, in India - goods like wooden furniture is much cheaper, better quality and makes sense to send it via ship. Offcourse this is my view, you may ask for more opinions including cost.

Regarding what is on the sheet, suggest put general items like Furnitue - Beds - Bought from Flee Market and give top value so it gives you options latter and does not restrict you to specific make and type. I think one need to have puchase reciept firming atleat 6 months (used goods) before dispatch.

I do suggest you get more views from other Desi's coming form India.