Your first week in Canada: a city-by-city primer

Your first week in Canada is equal parts logistics and discovery. Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal all reward the same approach: sort housing and transport first, then let the city teach you its rhythm.

Toronto — Glass towers, -20°C commutes, layering for life.

Vancouver — Mild but wet — shells over everything.

Montreal — Festival cold, wool scarves, cobblestone.

Canada is the destination where the coat is the outfit. Toronto winters sit below freezing for months, Montreal turns charming and punishing in equal measure, and Vancouver trades snow for relentless drizzle. The kit therefore leads with insulation — puffer, heavy knit, thermal mid-layer.

Wherever you base yourself, arrive with a documents wallet at hand and a power bank charged — the first 48 hours are a lot of queues, keys and maps.