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Pros and Cons of Living in Canada | Expat Exchange
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Pros and Cons of Living in Canada

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By Betsy Burlingame

Last updated on Oct 07, 2023

Summary: The pros of living in Canada include its high quality of life, excellent healthcare system, and strong economy. Canada is also known for its multiculturalism, with people from all over the world living in harmony. Additionally, Canada is a safe and secure country with low crime rates. On the other hand, the cons of living in Canada include its cold climate, high cost of living, and long distances between cities. Additionally, the Canadian job market can be competitive, making it difficult to find employment.

What are the pros and cons of living in Canada?

Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Canada responded:

"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 expat in Salt Spring Island.

"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 expat in Canada.

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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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What do expats in Canada appreciate most about the local culture?

"The slower pace of life and the driving, how helpful people are and how much safer I feel," said one expat in Lethbridge.

"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 a person living in Canada.

William Russell

William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.

Learn MoreGet Quote

William Russell

William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.

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What do expats find most challenging?

"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," remarked one expat in Canada.

"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 expat living in Lethbridge.

About the Author

Betsy Burlingame Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.

Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.

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Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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William RussellWilliam Russell

Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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