There are many reasons a USA citizen may consider a residential relocation to Canada. Whether it be something that is legal in Canada that is not (yet) legal in the USA, or it be an employment related residential relocation you won't be disappointed with your new home.

At the same time, you may find yourself missing friends and family, so before moving you may want to stock up on prepaid phone cards. (Nobody likes an international collect call!)

A residential relocation can require a lot of preparation, and should never be attempted spontaneously. Planning ahead can save you time, energy, and money. Using a full service moving company can relieve you of a majority of the stress related to a residential relocation.

Relocating internationally, even if only from Maine to Canada, requires even more preparation. You will need to apply for a passport and a visa, because even though it can be hard to see it this way sometimes Canada is a different country and even a USA citizen would be considered an immigrant if you plan on residing in Nova Scotia.

Visit your local customs office for more information on the documentation you will need to become an official Canadian citizen.

Culturally, there are some tips that will come in handy once you have settled into your Canadian residence and are attempting to befriend your new neighbors. The culture is slightly different than what you are used to.

In Maine, Wicked is a very commonly used word. Anything can be described using this word, from the weather to a witch from the East.

Once in Nova Scotia, you will fit in better (and stand out as a USA citizen trying to be Canadian) if you drop wicked and rephrase every statement in the form of a question, eh?

Surprisingly, many of the Maine stereotypes and Canadian stereotypes fit together well enough that there might not be that much of a cultural change with your residential relocation from Portland to Halifax. You can still (supposedly) be a flannel wearing bear hunter, and you can still (typically) see at least one moose on a daily basis.

All in all, the hardest part of moving from Portland, Maine to Halifax, Nova Scotia is the actual move and citizenship changes that will be made. Everything else is surprisingly easy.

Once you get used to using the metric system (speed limit signs may read 100, but that is in kilometers!) and a different money system you might not even notice a difference in culture. In most places, you can still speak your native language and be understood.