After finding accommodation in Canada, I still had some settling in to do.
There were household things to buy, and some of the equipment in the house was unfamiliar. I knew how to cook, clean and do laundry, but I needed help understanding what I would be using in my new home.
The vacuum cleaner was one of those things. So was the washing machine.
Whenever I did not know how something worked, I asked my landlord. There were quite a few questions, and my landlord took the time to explain.
I had some time before my classes began, so I used it to get my home set up. That period gave me a chance to sort out the everyday things I would need once school started.
Getting What I Needed for the House
My landlord had already provided some household items. I also bought things I needed through Amazon and other online stores.
That was part of getting settled: looking at what was available in the house and working out what else I needed for myself.
When people talk about moving from Nigeria to Canada, the preparation often centres on what to pack. Once you arrive, you also have to think about the home you are going to use every day.
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What items are already available?
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What additional items do you need to purchase?
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Which purchases can you postpone?
The answers will depend on your accommodation. My own experience included a combination of items my landlord had provided and things I bought myself.
For someone preparing to set up a first home in Canada, I would keep that in mind before following a long shopping list. Find out what is available where you will be living, then decide what you need.
The Washing Machine Was Different From the One Back Home
I had used a washing machine in Nigeria, but the one in my Canadian home was different. I also needed my landlord to explain how to use it.
I had to ask for help with the vacuum cleaner.
These were simple parts of my early experience, but they are worth mentioning. Moving into a new home can involve learning equipment for tasks you already know how to do.
My landlord put me through when I asked. Having that help meant I could get an explanation instead of trying to work everything out alone.
I Also Needed to Understand the Cooker and Smoke Detector
My landlord also helped me understand how to use the cooker and smoke detector.
I remember one occasion when I was cooking rice and the smoke alarm sounded, alerting me that food was burning. I was grateful it went off.
That experience is one of the household memories that has stayed with me. Understanding a home includes knowing about its safety equipment, as well as the appliances you use for chores.
For cooking safety, Ontario’s guidance advises staying in the kitchen while cooking and turning off the stove if you need to leave. www.ontario.ca
If you are moving into unfamiliar accommodation, take time to understand the cooker and the alarms. The instructions for the actual equipment matter more than assuming it works like something you have used elsewhere.
What I Would Tell Another Newcomer
Give yourself time to understand the home you have moved into.
You may recognise some things immediately. Others may need explaining, even if they are connected to a task you have done for years.
In my case, my landlord was willing to help, and I asked whenever I was unsure. That support made a difference during those early days.
I would also separate what you need to buy from what you need to learn. A household item can already be available and still be unfamiliar to you.
Before making purchases, check what is provided. Before using equipment you do not understand, get guidance from someone familiar with it and consult its instructions.
That is what I learnt from my experience, and I would not assume every newcomer’s home will be the same.
Questions Newcomers Ask About Setting Up a Home in Canada
What should I buy first for my first home in Canada?
Start by checking what is already available for your use. Then consider what you still need for sleeping, cooking, washing and cleaning. Your priorities will depend on your accommodation, so another person’s shopping list may not match yours.
Do rental homes in Canada come with appliances?
Some appliances may be included in the rental agreement. The Government of Canada gives a stove and refrigerator as examples. Confirm what is included in the particular accommodation before buying appliances yourself. Canada.ca
What should I ask my landlord when moving in?
Ask about using the appliances and the arrangements for laundry, mail, garbage and recycling. These are among the topics covered in the Government of Canada’s moving-in guidance for newcomers. Canada.ca
What if I do not know how to use an appliance in my new home?
Ask someone familiar with the equipment to demonstrate it, and check the manufacturer’s instructions for that model. I asked my landlord about the washing machine, vacuum cleaner, cooker and smoke detector.
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