What I Regret About Moving to Canada

I share my personal journey as an immigrant and what I regret doing after immigrating to Canada. From navigating the job market to adapting to the weather and cultural differences, these are the mistakes I made—and what you can do differently. Learn from my experience and get practical tips on how to avoid common pitfalls when relocating to Canada.

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ABOUT US:
This channel is curated by Anna and Anastasia, immigrants living in Greater Toronto Area. Our goal is to help you arrive, excel and thrive in Canada. We share tips on personal growth, career, cities, finance and travel. Thank you for watching!

PS: Some links in this description can be affiliate links that we may receive a small commission on. Thank you for your support!

[francoistchiakpemarketing]

It’s only on your channel that I find this kind of content. Very insightful and the type of information that’s rare to come across, but essential for integrating into the community and achieving success. 🤩

[huguesbomo]

I liked the closing advice, "Don't take yourself too seriously." I am new to Canada and, as a French speaker living in Ottawa, I have learned to be patient.

[zenad]

Could agree with the hypersensitivity part, stay strong sis 😢❤️

[AnasHussain]

With Canadians, its always reading between the lines. The politeness comes with a shade of grey.

[matthall]

Im born and raised in Toronto and your giving me GREAT advice. Stuff i never thought of. I hope you enjoy your learning curve! I think you stay your a fantastic asset to our country.

[gva]

Great video. It took me a while to realize that "who you know" is an integral part of your qualifications when applying for a job in Canada. Highly educated, and highly accomplished immigrants will often struggle to find work in their field because they don't have anyone local to vouch for them. Even the government doesn't trust its own government issued IDs and requires references on passport applications. It's practically insane you cannot get a passport unless someone else vouches for you! It's that "Canadian subjectivity" that still makes me question my move to Canada, and it's seen everywhere in Canadian life... and I'll never get used to it.

[Naranbaatarful]

Depression and weight gain resonates with me as immigrant. Thank you for doing the video. Makes me realize that I was not the only one suffering alone❤

[franciscotorres]

I just hope everyone watching this video takes it to heart . It's got highly valuable and sound advise.

[stevenstevens]

I immigrated to Canada many years ago and people were friendly at that time. It's a totally different story now. Food is expensive and hardly able to support the family. I have lived in whitby for more than 10 years It used to be a nice and safe city. Unfortunately, it changed a lot now. Lot of homeless and auto thieves in whitby area. Please be careful when you go out. Let me know if you need any help. Take care

[vladmuresan]

Thanks for sharing your experience, I admire your positive attitude.

For me the thing that I underestimate the most was masked discrimination. I read a lot about how welcoming Canadians are, how much they value immigrants and how easy it is to integrate and feel at home here.
Unfortunately reality struck me hard. It took me more than one year to find work in my field, then I realized how underpaid I was. My education credentials didn't matter at all, even though I immigrated as a skilled professional.
I networked, tried to make friends, volunteered...etc, but I was never able to have a meaningful relationship. I always felt as a foreigner.
After eight years in Canada I'm better financially than the majority of Canadians, but due to sacrifices, not because of thriving, I'm severely depressed, obese and on the brink of divorce. Looking back I believe I made the biggest mistake of my life moving here.

My advice to people wanting to immigrate is to move here temporarily for two years and then decide if you want to move permanently.

Best of luck.

[ryroyal.]

I was born and raised in Toronto and I hate the passive aggressiveness in the country. I find it much easier to make friends with people from the US and Europe than actual Canadians.

[antonnnn]

I came to Canada purposely for the sake of receiving a Canadian passport. After completing a PhD in Germany, I wanted to go west for greener pastures. I managed to have job offers from the American and Canadian universities and chose McGill for reputation and Montréal for the European wibe. In a year and half, I got a PR in Quebec and later citizenship. Had some challenges with learning French but eventually learnt it enough to pass job interviews and transitioned to pharma industry. Ironically, for the last 10 years I haven't used French at work at all as pharma speaks English.
I leant early in a grad school about the importance of professional networking so I started growing my network right upon arrival to Montreal. It was proven helpful on many occasions.
It's harder to move around with a family, however, I wouldn't mind relocating to the US or back to Europe (Switzerland) for better pay.

[Kadilamri]

I am a 16 year old from Algeria who's planning to immigrate to Canada as soon as I graduate college. I am a person with very big dreams and I believe that they can't be pursued in my country, not to mention of how almost everyone are drug dealers, alcoholic, and thiefs, and the city just looks so bad from the rubbish thrown all over the place to the horrible smell of the sewers flood everywhere. I love my country but I seriously don't think it's where I belong or want to live my entire life in, that's why I chose to immigrate to Canada. I really love this channel, it's very informing and the fact it's all for free is just amazing

[GaryPitcherCalgary]

I watched a few of your videos and I like you, and your videos are interesting. I subscribed keep up the good work

[GinTonicFPV]

It Canada it's important to use indirect "cushion" words and phrases when addressing a negative situation. Rather than saying "so that we can win" (which directly addresses the fact that the team always loses) it would have been well received if you said something like "we can up our game" or "take our games to the next level".

[ntune]

If you knew the staggering number of Canadians who wait too long to invest, or just never bother learning about it... I applaud you for taking the time to do so.

[joannebutlerster]

My family has lived in Canada for several centuries now, and I want to compliment you on your astute observations about certain elements of the dominant culture here. Even though we have been here for a very long time, at numerous points in my life other Canadians have told me I seem more like an American. They do not mean it as a compliment, but not really like an insult either (they seem to be wanting me to understand that sometimes I am "too much" or too direct in my manner). You might find that Canadians who have many American relatives and, as you point out regarding your Toronto soccer team, Canadians who have immigrated here not too long ago are more frank in their manner of speaking than are many Canadians. I wish you all the best in your new life here in Canada...immigrants to this country are constantly renewing and enriching our overall culture.

[kayakhell]

Concerning your networking advice, an important part of Canadian culture is volunteering. Helping to serve others will broaden friendships, add purpose, and both introduce and integrate you into a larger community. Volunteering is a huge part of Canadian culture - it's why our military absolutely kicks ass when the country is at war. Service is not a job, it's a duty.

[cryptosofaa]

Wow, this was amazing! Learned a lot! Thanks! 🤩🎉

Well, the US has just changed into a country I can’t even recognize in a matter of 1 month. I am a nurse and am seriously moving to Canada because no manner how bad it is in the north, it’s deteriorating quickly in the US.