Life in Canada: What We Love and Hate
It has been 5 months since we moved to this country from India. Not knowing anything in detail about how life is in Canada, we took a leap of faith. A little less than a year is too short a time to know a place completely but it is good enough to know what’s good, not-so-good, and bad about the destination. Of course, it is all subjective to one’s past experiences.
When you move to a new country, you make instant comparisons with things back at home. There are things that amaze or surprise you, and there are some that even shock you. (I think snow is something that has done both for us. First, it left us in awe. And now we are in shock seeing it snow during spring! But we are getting used to it :))
A lot of people ask us how’s life in Canada as an immigrant from India. So we thought of putting together things that we find good, bad, and well not so good here. There’s nothing ugly about Canada really.
The Good About Life in Canada
- Clean Air: We reluctantly left India mainly because of pollution. So, clean air in Canada is definitely the best part about this country.
- Health Care System: It’s free! Given that in India, you need to shell out at least Rs 500 (CAD 10) to just see the doctor’s face, the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) is fantastic. Except for eyes and dental care, it takes care of almost everything.
- People: Whatever cliches you’ve heard about people in Canada, are true. People here are polite, pleasant, and courteous. “Hello, how are you today?” and “sorry” are the words you constantly hear.
- A safe country: The crime rate in Canada is almost negligible as compared to anywhere else in the world. It’s a peaceful country.
- It is beautiful: We haven’t explored it much yet but we can say it is a country blessed by nature.
- Education is free: I shall comment about the quality of education once my daughter starts schooling. But the fact that we don’t have to worry about donation and ridiculous fees is a huge pro about building our life in Canada.
- Child Care Benefit: You get monetary support from Government for your kids.
- When you are starting life from scratch in a new country, you are constantly looking at ways to save money, right? You might be surprised that you can get a lot of home furniture and stuff for free. There are several listings on sites like Kijiji wherein people are looking to get rid of things in good condition or sometimes even brand new stuff for free. We got a lot of our furniture like that.
- Public transportation is excellent. There are apps telling you the time the bus will reach your bus stop. Very efficient system.
- Spoilt for choice: I sometimes think this is more a bane than boon that you have a plethora of choices for everything. Seriously, sometimes it takes us several minutes to decide which butter brand to buy!
- Tim Hortons: There’s low-cost, good coffee everywhere.
- There’s maple syrup. Lots of it!
The Not-So-Good in Canada
- Online shopping is not as efficient or popular as in India. We miss the grocery app with same day delivery option, and fashion portals with easy returns. We tried a grocery delivery portal here. It was a disaster.
- High rentals burn a hole in your pocket.
- Cabs are expensive. Traveling by buses can be tough with a baby during winter time. So, you have to depend on cabs till the time you get your own license and a car.
- You need credit history and score for getting accommodation on rent even. This is a seriously obstacle in finding home initially when you come in as an immigrant.
The Bad: What’s not good in Canada
- Weather: It seemed magical at first but by the end of it we got quite bored of the snow. Without a car, life is tough with a baby in Canada. Winter is extreme. We landed here in November, and we are still waiting to see a weather that does not require us to wear multiple layers before stepping out even for a short walk. If you are with a small kid, getting the baby on in a snow suit is a task that will discourage you from making any plans! Sigh.
- Finding a job according to your experience in your home country is tough. Most companies prefer candidates with prior Canadian experience.
Weather is something that will take some time getting used to. Other than that, we are absolutely loving our life in Canada. It’s a welcoming country with plenty of benefits. The down sides are far and few in between as compared to the things that make it a wonderful place to live in. Shall keep updating the post as we go along 🙂
If you live in Canada, tell us what you like and dislike about the country. And feel free to ask any questions if you are planning on moving to Canada from India as an immigrant.
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Purva Bhatia
Purva is the co-founder of Blue Sky Dreamers. A journalist with 11 years of experience, she also freelances as a content writer & editor.
23 Comments
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Akanksha Bassin
Hi Purva! I am a working mom from Delhi with a 1.5 year old and definitely relate to a lot of things you talked about good and bad about moving to Canada.. My husband is in canada on work permit and we are contemplating on joining him there. Poor air and expensive primary schools are definitely also our top concerns for making the move. I was hoping if you could share your consultants details and the approx fee they charged, with me so that we don’t end up at the hands of fake consultants which you know are in plenty in india. Cold weather is something that’s making me reconsider the decision. I want to know if it’s really so difficult to bear cold in Canada.
Purva Bhatia
Hey Akanksha! Sure. Please send me your contact details or you can message me on Instagram (@blueskydreamers) or Facebook.
Christa
I’ve visisted both India and Canada. What a huge change for you! From reading this list, it seems that the good outweighs the bad for you.
Nahashon Cyrus
I’m contemplating on moving to Canada with my family and your post was really an eye opener. Thank you for sharing.
patranila
This is really helpful. I’ve been thinking about getting a dual citizenship and Canada is near the top of my list. The only problem is I don’t like the cold. Brrr!
KRISTEN
I love the fact that the education is free. I wish that this was implemented here in the US.
Gunjan Upadhyay
My cousin would be going to settle in Canada soon. I am going to share this with her. That would be a helpful post
Fran Jorgensen
I hope things get better in Canada for you. I bet the snow and the short days must be something else …. hopefully you will be able to get a car soon! Good luck
Nisha Malik
My little sister settled in Canada 3 years back and yes she has the same opinion. She particularly hates the long running winter season . Otherwise the country is beautiful.
alldayactivelife
I live in Minnesota, and we share a lot of your snowy, cold, winters 🙂 I feel you on the snow! I’m about done with winter. I would also miss the grocery store delivery! But, it’s nice to know you’re safer and breathing cleaner air. 🙂
Mrinal Kiran
Well, the not-so-goods and bads are definitely alarming but the goods make it all even! I love that the crime rate is negligible and people are polite! Lovely post!
Roshni Parate
Every place have some good and bad things. But I guess Canada is such a fun place to live in. Although mostly you will be missing India(definitely😂) , but it seems like you are having so much fun and you explored a lot already.
jhilmildsaha
My cousin lives in Canada, she shifted at quite an young age and she loves it there. I am thinking of visiting Canada soon. Thanks for sharing this.
Andrea L.
I absolutely love Canada! Winters can be cold, but not that much though. The air is fresh (as you also mentioned) and the nature is indeed beautiful.
Katie
I find it funny that the people are actually as polite as they are portrayed on television and in movies. And it’s awesome that the healthcare and education are free! I hope you get to explore soon!
Tiffany
I love visiting Canada. It’s nice to hear that if we ever are looking for a change that Canada might be a place to consider 🙂
nooranandchawla
From your post it is evident that there is a lot to look forward to while living in Canada, and not much that is negative. Good to know 🙂
Stephanie
I’ve never been to Canada, but I know I couldn’t handle the snow. I hate cold weather. We moved a few years ago from Florida to Texas (still in the same country) but there were still a lot of adjustments and comparing to what it was like to live in Florida.
Leona Martin
I’ve only visited Canada. I’ve heard they are a bit stricter in getting a ‘visa’ (not sure what they call it for Canada) to work…. is this one reason why it is harder to find a job there as well? I loved visiting, but to move – hmm I’ll have to think on that – their winters can be rough. 🙂
diverse deedee
I have lots of relatives in Canada! Thank you for the information! Have a great day!
Snehal
We are planning on moving to canada in the near future. It is great to know everything about the country before shifting. Thanks for this post!
Purva Bhatia
That’s great, Snehal. Do let us know if you have any questions that we can help you with.