Leaving Toronto temporarily—should I store, sell, donate, or ship five years’ worth of belongings?

Hello everyone,

I have lived in Toronto for almost five years. My PGWP expires on August 30, and unfortunately, I did not achieve the French score I needed in time, so I am preparing to leave Canada.

I plan to continue studying French abroad, retake the exam, and continue pursuing permanent residence. I hope to return to Canada, but I do not know how long the process will take.

Over the past five years, I have accumulated furniture, electronics, clothes, kitchen items, and other household belongings. Most of them are still in good condition.

For anyone who has been in a similar situation, which option makes the most financial sense?

1. Rent a monthly storage unit in Toronto or the GTA
2. Sell or donate most things and buy them again if I return
3. Ship them by cargo or courier**.**

If you recommend storage, are there any reasonably priced and reliable storage facilities in Toronto or the GTA?

If donating is the better option, which organizations accept clothes, working electronics, and furniture? Pickup services for larger furniture would be especially helpful.

Has anyone stored their belongings while waiting for PR? How long did you keep them in storage, and was it worth the cost?

Thank you for any advice or personal experiences.