Moving across Canada, options?
 

Hey all, just looking for some input on what the best course of action would be to do a move from Victoria to Winnipeg in January... I'd be taking my Jetta there, and probably a bit more stuff than my car can carry.

Never driven across in the winter either; would it be better to get a Uhaul and tow the car as well, or find an independent company to haul my stuff and my car over, and just fly over? Input is appreciated, thanks!

Don't do it Loren.
Winnipeg is probably more boring than Victoria.

But I would say Uhaul and tow a bitch.
Stop by in Vancouver :)

^what he said.

You can let a dog run across the field and see him run for DAYS and I heard that IS true. LOL

good set of snow tires and u should be ok, i've done in the summer from vancouver to toronto, twice. 48hrs non stop. you can get to winnipeg in exactly 24hrs with stops for gas and food and the can, you can however take 2 days to get there quite easily. stop in calgary or edmonton for a night at a hotel, and u'll be in winnipeg the next night.

i'd pack up the car, ship what u can. send the light stuff in boxes by canada post, like clothes, carry the heavy shit like books in your car.

You might consider dropping down onto the US interstates for the trek. They're better prepared for winter travel, and less treacherous passes along the way. More boring for sure, but an easier trek if you're apprehensive. Plus cheaper fuel and food along the way.

Bring a ladder.

Wear a Canucks jersey the whole time.

have you ever been to winnipeg in january?

remember the scene from cool runnings when they walk out of the airport in calgary?

^I've got a few friends that live in Winnipeg, prepping me for the transition ;)

I would highly recommend this. Besides everything above, the quality and safety of the Interstate system in the states is so far superior to what we have here, it ain't even funny. Remember that there are a lot of fatal accidents along hwy 1 in BC in the winter, especially in the Rockies (Golden). Go faster and save money down south..

oh man, if your taking the trip in winter and your car dies, you could literally die in your car from the cold weather if no one finds you

You don't want to do that if you are moving across the country, with a car load of your belongings... especially considering the hassle you will get at the border.

Canada post is the cheapest way to go, if you don't have up to half a container worth of stuff to fill.

Common sense preparation: snow tires, recharger pack, and warm clothes and a just serviced car will be fine.

It snows just as bad at the Dakotas as Sask/Al.

The economy in Manitoba is actually better than in BC.. there are more jobs and variations available there.

I did this 11 months ago, Ottawa->Vancouver through the US. Absolutely NO problems at customs.

Better or cheaper? Better is to fly and have everything shipped, yet it'll be expensive.

1. Moving companies charge a LOT. $1000 for a 4x4x4' pallette is a good estimate.
2. Shipping your car would cost $500+. They will not ship your car packed with stuff.
3. A one-way U-Haul with car-trailer will be $1000-1500.

I drove across Canada in early fall with a full car off stuff. I'm not sure if I'd want to do this in winter, the handling of the car sucked.

If I was to do it again, I'd rent the U-Haul and tow my car.

Hmm I'll look more into the US route; seems like it'd be the best way, apart from spending a load on shipping and flying.

I did the opposite move 3 years ago (Winnipeg to Vancouver). I would not recommend driving with all of your belongings in a U-Haul towing your car in the Winter. I've done the drive numerous times in the winter, and it is quite frightening. Get a mover, and someone to ship your car, and fly out there. If you're moving for a job, it's all a tax write off anyways.

Its a deduction, so you only get back XX% of your moving expenses, where XX% is the tax bracket you're in.

Shipping + car + flight will easily be double the $$$ vs driving, even with the deduction you're still out double what you could have spent.