Relocating to Calgary? Start Here.
I moved to Canada alone in 2012 with no family here and no idea how anything worked. Today I help families do the same move with a plan instead of guesswork. Whether you are coming from Toronto, Vancouver, Europe or anywhere else, I know what you need to sort out, in what order, and what you can safely ignore.
What I help with
Before you arrive
- Honest overview of Calgary quadrants, commutes and schools
- Rent-first or buy-first: the real trade-offs
- Mortgage pre-approval from abroad or out of province
- Video tours of homes and neighbourhoods
When you land
- Short-term housing options while you search
- In-person showings scheduled around your trip
- Offer, inspection and lawyer — done on your timeline
- Possession date aligned with your move-in
After you move in
- Utilities, property tax, insurance — who to call
- Contractors and trades I use for my own properties
- Suite legalization if you plan to rent part of the home
- Ongoing market updates in my videos
Why relocating families work with me
- Calgary relocation is my specialty — most of my clients are moving in from elsewhere
- Fluent English and Russian; the Russian-speaking community in Calgary is where I started and where many of my clients come from
- I publish daily videos on Calgary housing, the Alberta economy and politics, so you can get to know the city — and me — before we ever speak
- My wife Neethu Ryltsev is a licensed mortgage broker with Mortgage Architects, which means financing questions get answered in the same conversation
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy a home in Calgary before I move?
Yes. Many of my clients buy from another province or country. We do video showings, you review documents by email, and your lawyer here handles the closing. I will tell you honestly when buying sight-unseen is a bad idea for a particular property.
Should I rent first?
Often yes, especially if you have never been to Calgary. Six to twelve months in a rental lets you pick a neighbourhood based on your real commute and daily life instead of a map. I will say so if that is the right move for you, even though it delays a sale.
How is Calgary different from Toronto or Vancouver?
Lower home prices, no provincial sales tax, lower income tax, and a city built around driving. Winters are cold but dry and sunny. Housing prices have risen sharply since 2021, so timing matters — I cover the current market in my videos every week.
Do you help newcomers with no Canadian credit history?
Yes. Lenders have specific programs for new immigrants, and this is an area where having a mortgage broker in the family helps — we know which lenders say yes and what they will ask for.
Tell me about your move
Where you are coming from, when, and what you are looking for. I will reply the same day.