Canada can offer you a better life, but not for everyone and not in all cases.
It all depends on what you call a better life and what your priorities are.
In Canada, you will generally find things that will improve your life, and again, it depends on what you compare it to.
Some Advantages
Many people will find that their standard of living is better because they no longer have to worry about being robbed or mugged at gunpoint. Many feel relief from not living with the stress of the political and economic situation in most Latin American countries. Canada is much more stable in that regard. In Canada, you can trust the police. In many cases, the Canadian police may be incompetent, but at least they show empathy and are not looking for a bribe. In general, both public and private services work relatively well. The drinking water is clean and safe to consume. Power outages are extremely rare, and there are fewer strikes by public service employees. Community centers have top-tier facilities that can only be found in private clubs in Latin America. First-class sports fields, pools, gyms, libraries, and more.
Many people find Canada to be a more inclusive society. There are many Latin Americans with non-traditional sexual orientations, for whom life in Canada is much easier and more bearable. Racism is also strongly condemned in Canada. A mixed-race or Black person will experience much less racism in Canada than in their home country. On the other hand, white Latin Americans realize that they are no longer an elite, and some don’t like losing their servants and being treated with deference, but others prefer to give up these privileges to enjoy all the benefits of Canada.
Some Disadvantages
I will address the climate in a separate article, as I think it’s relevant and has both advantages and disadvantages. However, here are some of the disadvantages of living in Canada:
Firstly, there’s the issue of friends and family. In Canada, you won’t have the same family and social network you had in your home country. This makes things more complicated, as people often feel lonely and out of their comfort zone. There won’t be family lunches or your mom helping to take care of your kids when you’re busy. It will take time to rebuild these networks. It will depend on your ability to make new friends, whether other family members also want to come with you, and so on.
Secondly, there’s the issue of high housing prices and the high cost of living. From what I’ve heard, in the 1970s, immigrants could easily buy a house in Canada and fully pay off the mortgage in about 10 to 15 years. Today, that’s almost impossible, especially in more desirable and expensive cities like Vancouver or Toronto. The cost of living is also very high. Grocery shopping is incredibly expensive, and many people find themselves changing their eating habits, such as eating fewer fruits and vegetables, which are more expensive in Canada, and eating more carbohydrates. Supermarkets are ridiculously overpriced, and I don’t understand why the government hasn’t taken action against this. Many people have to go to Costco to buy food in bulk, which is relatively cheaper, or buy some items at one store and others at another to take advantage of sales. This is a major issue in Canada that affects not only newcomers but everyone, and I hope it gets resolved because otherwise, Canada is losing its appeal as a place to live.
The above, of course, becomes irrelevant if you have a very good salary, as you can afford the high prices. The good thing is that in Canada, salaries are much higher than in most parts of the world. If you come as a couple and both work in well-paying jobs, then you’ll be fine. But if you come with little experience, not a very high level of English, or in a profession with little demand, then you’ll end up in jobs that don’t pay well, and it will be difficult to live comfortably.
These are just some of the advantages and disadvantages of living in Canada. We will continue posting articles with more information.
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