Digital Nomad Life in Canada

"Most things happen in, on or around Okanagan Lake which divides Kelowna and West Kelowna. There are two waterfronts with walkways. Music in the park on Friday evenings during summer. Festivals, street parades, wine tasting, cherry picking, beaches, parks, bears, hiking, mountain biking," explained one expat living in Kelowna, Canada.

"Expats living in Canada often join clubs or activities that are of personal interest to them, such as a language group, sports leagues, or a book club. Other ways to meet people in Canada include attending festivals or cultural events, visiting community centers and libraries, or taking part in volunteer activities. Additionally, joining an expat network or organization can provide connections to the local community, access to helpful resources, and support from like-minded individuals," said one person in Canada.

"There are lots of social activities in and around where I live. For example, University of Toronto offers all kinds of courses, lectures, classes, etc., which anyone can take," said one expat who made the move to Toronto.

"I live in the Comox Valley, which is on the east side of Vancouver Island. We have a thriving newcomers organization called the Comox Valley Newcomers Club. The website is www.cvnewcomers.ca. It has close to 200 members. You can remain in the club for up to 3 years. Once you have been in the club for 1 year, you can also join one of Newcomers Alumni groups, which also have about 200 members in total. These groups are for women only (we tend to be more social than the men), but there are some regular events that include spouses and partners. There are no children allowed. The membership is mostly age 50+. Events include weekly walks, hikes in summer, snowshoeing and skiing in winter, pickleball and bike outings. There are regularly scheduled lunches, pub crawls, appy nights, and also impromptu events like an evening at the theatre, day trips to Victoria or the north island, etc. Membership dues are $30 per year. In addition that, each of the municipalities in the Comox Valley (Cumberland, Comox, and Courtenay) have fantastic programs through their recreation centres. You can sign up for art classes, dancing, hiking, yoga, piano, the list is endless. I've been here for a year and made more friends in that short time than I ever thought possible. I'm part of a weekly card playing group (I rarely played cards before coming here), I have lunch once a month with 15-20 gals, and I go on weekly walks where you find women with your pace and strike up a conversation. Frankly, it's hard to not meet people here," explained one foreigner living in Canada.

"Living in Canada as an expat or digital nomad offers many advantages. Due to its high standard of living and welcoming society, it is a great place to live. There are plenty of major cities to choose from, each offering a unique cultural experience and vibrant nightlife. Canadian cities are well connected, with public transportation, bike paths, and ride-sharing services making it easy to get around. The country also offers many outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, and surfing, plus national parks, forests, and lakes. The cost of living in Canada is slightly higher than other western countries, so expats and digital nomads often need to budget carefully. The local healthcare is world-class and expats from all over the world can easily find English-speaking doctors and services. Canada also has a culture of multiculturalism, allowing expats and digital nomads to explore and take advantage of the diversity and friendly locals," remarked one member in Canada.

"There are many young families and lots of activity on the water in summer and in the snow during winter. Lifestyle - paradise in summer," explained one expat living in Kelowna, Canada.

"Career based and military, University town, medical center, lots of sports, especially water, boating and cycling Very musical town -lots of muscians/venues," said one person in Kingston.

"Searching for a place to live in Canada can be an intimidating task. Consider what type of space you are searching for (i.e. apartment, house, townhouse, etc.), in what area you would like to live in, and what sort of budget you have in mind. Once you have a general idea in mind, you can begin to research your options by searching online for rental listings, browsing the classifieds section of the local newspaper, and/or attending open houses for potential options. Additionally, you could also reach out to real estate agents or look for resources such as housing cooperatives in your chosen area," said one expat in Canada.

"I came here 54 years ago and was married to a Canadian and so the house was chosen for me due to a housing shortage. Subsequently, my husband died and I came to the North West part of this city," remarked one member in Calgary.

"Plan ahead and make sure you find a place to live BEFORE coming here, there is a major housing shortage in Ottawa as of Aug 23rd 2002..," explained one person living in Ottawa, Canada.

"Expatriates in Canada appreciate the country's warm, welcoming culture that encompasses an enormous range of cultural experiences. Canadians are generally very open and accepting of other cultures, and expatriates often find the Canadian people to be friendly and helpful. Additionally, expats are often enamored with the incredible natural beauty Canadian is so well known for. Expats also enjoy the many cultural activities available such as art galleries, theatrical performances, sporting events, and festivals. Furthermore, Canada's excellent healthcare and education systems are particularly attractive to expats looking to stay in the country long-term," said one person in Canada.

"The slower pace of life and the driving, how helpful people are and how much safer I feel," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Lethbridge.

"The English language barrier, although we speak then same language, different words have different meanings, and usually require extra explanation until both parties understand each other, but this explanation of mean can be very funny at times," explained one person living in Lethbridge, Canada.

"One of the most challenging aspects of Canadian culture for expats is the emphasis on politeness, which can often take precedence over honesty. Another challenge is the formidable Canadian winters, which necessitates winter clothing and equipment that expats may not be used to. Cultural norms like maintaining personal space can also be confusing to expats, as they vary greatly depending on one another’s cultural background. Finally, many expats come to Canada expecting certain stereotypes, which may not be accurate or up-to-date," said one expat in Canada.

"If you plan to stay in Canada for a significant period of time, you will need to apply for a residency document, such as a Permanent Resident (PR) card or a Temporary Resident (TR) permit. The immigration processes for each of these documents can be quite different, so it is important to make sure you understand which type of residency document or visa you need before submitting an application. To apply for a PR card, you must meet both residence and eligibility requirements. For a TR permit, you must meet certain requirements such as having a valid passport, a valid job offer, proof of funds to support your stay in Canada, and be able to meet medical and criminality requirements," said one person in Canada.

"It is important to be mindful of cultural customs and taboos when interacting with people in Canada. For example, it is polite to address people by Mr., Mrs., or Miss, or another formal title, rather than only using first names. Additionally, it is important to respect customs like not discussing politics or religion in public or being overly loud in conversation. When eating with others, it is important to wait to be served before beginning to eat. Finally, as a visitor, it is important to be aware of Canadian holidays and not assume holidays celebrated in other countries are celebrated in Canada," said one expat in Canada.

"The "embarrassing" blunder we committed is actually leaving our dandelions in the garden because we like them. It's one of the few flowers children are actually allowed to pick in abundance. However, according to several of my friends, it is actually "asocial" to have dandelions in your garden because you "contaminate" the gardens around you and trouble your neighbours who will therefore have to work harder getting rid of theirs. I am still in culture shock and feel sad about this desire to eradicate innocent natural plants (including forget-me-nots, lilies of the valley, and many other beautiful wildflowers which don't cause any harm.)," remarked one member in Toronto.

"We're not permanent residents of Canada, but healthcare is available to us here in BC. We're in our early 60s. My husband works full-time and I'm in school full-time. We purchased a Canadian health insurance policy for $75 per month that covers everything medical. Supplemental dental and vision plans are also easily available. The problem here in BC, and all over Canada, is the lack of doctors. We don't have our own and none of the doctors in town are taking new patients. We have to go to the clinic to receive care, which involves arriving early, getting on the list and then coming back at the appointed time. It's a bit of a hassle but the care is available. For emergencies, we would go to the new hospital. Health care in Canada is not what people think it is. There are long wait times for tests, sometimes several months. The system isn't working well for serious health issues and those with private insurance feel that they are entitled to queue jump for faster testing. That's prohibited. As a result, there is a law suit headed to the Supreme Court. The federal government and BC argue that if the privately insured can get faster testing, the wealthy will have an advantage over the rest of Canadians. Those with private insurance argue that denying them faster testing violates their Constitutional right to life and liberty. It's a complicated situation. But for small medical problems like strep throat or a broken bone, the system is manageable. Not great, but same-day service here on Vancouver Island," said a member in Canada.

"I have lived in Europe, South America and Asia. Have retired to Canada. I would recommend that any expat on assignment take advantage of opportunity to get permanent residency, rather than rely on a work visa. The options this allows can be life altering," explained one digital nomad living in Salt Spring Island, Canada.

"Expats and digital nomads often appreciate the high quality of life in Canada, with its excellent healthcare system, strong economy, and welcoming culture. They also enjoy the country's stunning natural beauty, with its vast forests, mountains, and lakes. Additionally, Canada is known for its multiculturalism, with a diverse population that speaks many languages and celebrates many cultures. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads may find the cold winters and high cost of living in Canada to be a challenge," said one member in Canada.