Arrival Budget Calculator
Estimate your first-week and first-month costs by city, so there are no surprises.
Calculate my budgetExplorerCanada
Land in Canada with a plan, not panic.
ExplorerCanada helps newcomers prepare their first days with arrival planning, city orientation, budget tools, airport pickup coordination, and practical first-week guidance.
Newcomer orientation service — not a real estate agency, broker, or rental platform.
The problem
Arriving in a new country is overwhelming
Most newcomers face the same avoidable stress in their first weeks.
- Booking expensive hotels or short-term stays for far too long.
- Arriving without a budget and being surprised by first-month costs.
- Not knowing which admin tasks to do first, or in what order.
- Feeling lost about transit, neighbourhoods, and daily life.
How we help
A calmer, prepared arrival
We turn the chaos of arrival into a simple, practical plan.
- A clear, personalised plan for your first days and weeks.
- Free budget tools so you arrive financially prepared.
- City orientation and rental-readiness preparation guidance.
- Airport pickup coordination for a calm arrival day.
Free tools
Start preparing today — for free
Free First-Weeks Guide
A practical checklist to prepare before landing and navigate your first days.
Get the free guideHow we help
Practical settlement support
Arrival Planning Consultation
A guided session to map out your first days in Canada with a clear, personalised plan.
What's included
- One-on-one planning conversation
- Personalised first-week priority checklist
- Orientation on documents and admin steps
Not included
- Immigration, legal, tax, or financial advice
- Any housing guarantee or rental arrangement
Guidance and orientation only — not regulated professional advice.
Housing Search Preparation Guidance
Get ready to search for housing with rental-readiness preparation and neighbourhood orientation.
What's included
- Rental-readiness checklist and document preparation tips
- Neighbourhood orientation (educational)
- Guidance on what to plan and expect
Not included
- Apartment search, listings, or rental matching
- Lease negotiation or tenant/landlord representation
- Any housing guarantee
We help you prepare to search. We do not find, secure, broker, or guarantee housing.
City and Neighbourhood Orientation
Understand your destination city — transit, daily life, and how neighbourhoods differ.
What's included
- City starter orientation
- Transit and daily-life overview
- Educational neighbourhood orientation
Not included
- Property listings or rental matching
- Any housing guarantee
Educational orientation only.
How it works
Three simple steps
1
Prepare before you land
Use our free guide and budget calculator to plan your first weeks with confidence.
2
Get oriented
Explore city guides and request guidance tailored to your destination and family.
3
Arrive with a plan
Coordinate your arrival day and tackle first-week admin in the right order.
City guides
Orientation for your destination
Montreal
QuebecCanada's largest French-speaking city — vibrant, affordable for a major metro, and very newcomer-friendly.
View city guide →Ottawa
OntarioCanada's bilingual capital — safe, green, and government/tech focused, just across the river from Gatineau.
View city guide →Gatineau
QuebecAcross the river from Ottawa — French-speaking, more affordable, with quick access to the capital's jobs.
View city guide →Quebec City
QuebecHistoric, safe, and deeply French-speaking — a calmer capital with strong quality of life.
View city guide →Transparent by design
Clear about what we do — and don't do
Resources
Guides for your move
Before you land6 min read
What to prepare before landing in Montreal
A practical preparation list so your first days in Montreal are calm and organised, not chaotic.
Read guide →Budget and cost of living7 min read
How much money should you prepare for your first month in Canada?
Understand the typical first-month costs newcomers face and how to plan a realistic buffer.
Read guide →First week in Canada5 min read
Newcomer first-week checklist in Canada
The essential admin and settling-in tasks to tackle during your very first week.
Read guide →Ready to plan your arrival?
Start with our free tools, or request personalised guidance for your first weeks in Canada.