Close Reading

You should also check reactions from USers who moved in Canada. Having lived first in the US they should have a different pov. I have a friend who came from Michigan in the early 90's and stayed here, I know she wouldn't go back. She even learned french and she's good.

we lived in the USA for 14 years and actually because citizens before we moved back to Canada, and to this day, maintain dual citizenship. The health care was the biggest difference. Fighting with health care providers to get them to pay their portion of a bill was the WORST. They automatically turn down every claim the first time around so you have to get on the phone and fight with them. In the USA, you can only see doctors within your health care provider, or you have to pay full on to see someone outside it. You also have to pay to see your family doctor even if its for a annual check up. NONE of that happens in Canada. Health care in Canada is provided by the government. Health care in America is a BUSINESS, and they are all fighting for your $$. Being self employed in the USA was an eye opener, with a $1100. a month premium, so that we had a reduced annual deductible. No deductible or monthly premiums in Canada. Americans should NOT HAVE TO DECLARE BANKRUPTCY just because they get sick. Otherwise, we loved living there. Great people, awesome Mexican food (you can't get that in Canada), beautiful beaches and excellent access to them. Amazing highway systems,. At the time we lived there, housing was affordable, food and clothing were cheaper than Canada. None of that is true these days. You guys pay as much as we do for food and shelter.

When considering moving to a new country, it's crucial to conduct thorough research before making the leap. Begin by examining the minimum wage, tax implications tied to that wage, and the cost of housing for someone earning that wage. Additionally, calculate your anticipated monthly expenses. In Kenya, where the unemployment rate is high, skilled entry-level roles often yield an annual gross salary of around $3,000. In contrast, some other countries offer salaries as high as $30,000, though the cost of living and taxes may be considerably higher. However, some of these nations provide free education, healthcare, and other benefits, making it possible to save money even with higher living expenses. \nIt's important to understand that many Kenyans seek opportunities abroad due to the challenges posed by Kenya's economic system. This is not wrong; in fact, Kenya also hosts expatriates who work in the country. Sharing skills and experiences across borders can be mutually beneficial. Therefore, my advice to Kenyans is to never stop dreaming. If you aspire to work in a country like Canada, pursue your dreams legally to avoid unnecessary hardships. Don't go there and apply for refugee status; instead, seek employment by looking for a job, enrolling in a school, applying for programs like Express Entry, or even sponsoring your own visa. Find a job, return to Kenya if needed, and apply for a work visa through proper channels. This way, you can embark on your journey with confidence and integrity.

Moving isnt even a consideration. There were places I wanted to visit in the US pre Covid, and I simply cant afford the medical travel insurance. Just not worth it.

Even if you paid me, I would never, ever, move to the US. The US has the worst health care system in the world.

I live in Toronto and I am not rich. I am regular person. \nIf you are an immigrant and especially if you are considered from visible minority group aka not white, DO NOT leave Toronto at all ! Work hard and make it work for you. I am sure the majority people from your coutires in Canada are located in Toronto and its close cities. If you chose to live outside this multicultural heaven called Toronto then expect to deal with deep racism. Yes people in Canada are rasicst althogh it is not openly like USA.\nIf you are into education and you want to do your degree, move to Montreal. Tuition fees in Montreal are way more cheaper than in Toronto or other parts of Canada. I lived in Montreal before and I went to university there. Montreal is great for education, aba rent are cheaper than Toronto but not for living there if you are visible immigrant. You will never feel you belong down there. Where as in Toronto, you will feel you belong to it within 30 mins max of you arruval. Toronto's motto are : you belong here and we have been waiting for you.\n62%of people in Toronto weren't born in Canada. You will find your community from your country in Toronto and the people are well established. I have been in different cities in Canada and I always felt stranger, even cities as close as ashawa.\nIn conclusion I would say to the visible minority immigrants stay in Toronto as much as you can for work and if you want to study in university go to Montreal. There are two major English universities in Montreal :Concordia university and McGill university, where McGill is one of top 10 university in the world.\n\nFor you Alina, I understand what you are saying and you can go somewhere in Canada and try it out with no racial or inclusiveness issues. Good luck and I hope you will come back to us again one day and I am sure you will. You belong here and we will be expecting you to come. No matter what enjoy your life wherever you are, darling.

I agree not worth moving back too. Vancouver is even worse. Montreal and Quebec City are the best.

Its really bad in Canada right now. I can't visit any Gurudwara because all have turned into Khalistani haven. If you speak in favor of Bharat, they target you and even beat you up. Health care is very bad. I had severe tooth pain but did not get any support . I was asked to come after 4 months. I came back to India for a holiday and I can't convince myself to go back. Khalistanis are making it hell and even threatening Hindus. Govt is supporting them so there is no hope for future. Except for some big Canadian Universities, most are scam and are targeting Indian students. They know Indians want to migrate there. I have seen students waste their money at these crappy Universities, after which they did not get any job and ended up coming back to India. Think and Research a million times before you decide to go to Canada. India is much better than Canada and most probably I will move back. I will have to go back once to pack up everything but I am leaning towards living in India. I might look for jobs in USA and UK but I am done for Canada. It is too much hype

You will regret when you kids ask you to send them as a student May be. Indian educations are based on memorization. You can always go sent them in private school. Starting years are hard but you will make it. Even if you move to other side in India 2 months are not enough to settle. At the end where ever you feel happy

Love it here in Toronto, Im lucky though i dont pay crazy high rent even though im itching to move for some odd reason. Maybe because I know I cant be here forever, I live in an old building that wont last, isnt mine and will be forced to move out when soemoen else buys it, like I was at my previouse apartment, which is my only problem, all he condo development, basically kicking out poorer people, thats why rent is high, but they're going to have to live with no sun in the city when all those towers block it. That being said the areas is just so bueatiful, it feels like its nestled in a forest, then the lake, its a great spot. Got 4 the seasons, i hear ist the most diverse city in the world racially and its climate is just as diverse going from -30 some winters to well above +30 some summers and everything in between. That being said I am getting tired of the city life and looking for a change although i think Toronto has a lot more potential and is actually underrated right now and will just get better. Maybe not more cheaper, but hopefully politicians will wise up and stop selling out for short term profits for long term problems.

1) Dont go abroad with the mindset that you are going to live the same life you live here. You cant. \n\n2) dont expect it to be a plug and play experience like moving from indian city to another. You cant pack your life in 8 suitcases and go to a place which has many different requirements in terms of neccesities of life and system of living eg weather, clothes having car, different way of shopping, eating,doing household chores, accessing systems like health care, school etc. \n\n3) dont go thinking that all the things you need there are available to you or even that you will know/recognise what you need to settle down there. \n\n4) unless you are super rich dont think you can afford to \nHave all the necessary things to live the average life there. You wont. It takes 2-6 years to aquire all that. \n\n5) Don't go with the attitude of keeping parallel life back in India to run back to. Then you will never settle down to do what you need to do there. \n6) Also in most cases no matter your age you will be like a young graduate on their first job away from fathers home and all the struggles they have you too will have almost similar struggles. \n7) give it alleast 2 years whole heartedly ( not keeping one foot in India) then only then you will know whether you really like it or not.

Toronto is a beautiful city but if you don't make a lot of money you can either live in studio apartments and hardly buy food to eat or end up homeless. Toronto is much more expensive than most american cities, it might be as expensive as New York City or a bit more. Canada is a truly gorgeous country but it is too expensive. The US is getting so expensive even in Texas,you feel like moving to another country too,in my case my country Panama. Makes you think when will the inflation stop and be controlled in Canada and in the US. We don't want all poor and middle class people to have no money and be left with nothing and end up homeless. Right now it is not a good idea to move to the U.S. or to Canada, just to visit for some months but living in those countries is crippling people's lives.?

I lived there for many years and always wanted get out and I did. For me it was always dirty, ugly, dangerous and mean. Life style is important and sometimes even more important than your high paid job if living there makes you unhappy. I moved, I am happy and guess what I have better living condition, life style and also better paid job elsewhere. Research you will find a place for yourself instead of going mental in this nasty city.

I moved in Toronto in 2015 and been living here since then. I was really happy to move here and became a resident and citizen. It was what I wanted for a long time. Now I can’t deny the fact that I’m not feeling in alignment with this city anymore. Hustle & bustle to cover your basic physiological needs get in the way of my peace and mental health. It has even become stronger after the shutdown. I’m currently planning my solo packaging trip to South East Asia and really considering moving out of Canada in the next year.

Every big city has changed,but your video is so negative on Toronto. Why don’t you go and live in every other big city in North America and then give your opinion. Toronto is by far, no American city is even close ,to how safe Toronto is. The 5th biggest city in North America,almost 7,000,000,seven million people and almost no crime. It is the second safest city in the world,after Copenhagen in Denmark. \n Toronto is diverse,great job opportunities,great public transit,high standard of living,airport,food,arts,waterfront clean and beautiful,everything is world class and “FREE Healthcare”\n Yes,Toronto is expensive,but has innovative,high tech world class companies that attract intelligent hard working people. Everyone works. \n So if a person is unemployable,won’t work and can’t afford to live in Toronto,then don’t move there.

Have you seen the ones (refugees) being bussed around New York and other US states? If you come in the right way (to any Western country, Canada or otherwise) your assimilation will be much smoother. Moving to a new country (or even city for that matter) is always riddled with challenges, not just financial, also social, technological etc. As an East African immigrant to Canada, I meet a lot of newer immigrants with over ambitious and dreamy expectations, most having entered the wrong way!

Ye sb shayad sbko pta h already k in other countries you won't get a househelp and all...so everyone must be mentally prepared to face it before they decide to move. What's the point of putting such efforts to attain everything and leave without even giving it a fair try

I moved to usa in 2014 after leaving a good paying job in Kenya. Honestly I don’t regret it my kids are thriving especially with free education and good health care. Financially am never broke. I’ve invested in kenya comfortably. We can also comfortably afford to vacation outside usa. Meanwhile my former colleagues in Kenya even with pay rises they still get broke struggling with school fees and medical needs haven’t invested and can’t vacation outside Kenya. I moved to a cheaper state in usa where the cost of living is affordable. If you move to usa avoid expensive states.

Even i want to move to canada

I am currently living in Canada, but wanted to move to California to get a “higher pay” in my field. \nWhat’s holding me back is the healthcare in Canada. In my union, I get 100% insurance in Vision, Dental, Check-ups, Drug Prescription etc.. \nMind that I NEVER waited for months nor years to get any Health related appointments.\nIn the US, (My friends in the same field) says that their health insurances are not 100% covered unlike in Canada.\nBut, I’m also thinking “If I could get a higher pay, then I could pay for the remaining balance” \nWhat I’m scared of is, until when am I able to pay for that? Even if I get savings, and I get seriously ill my savings will go straight to my medical bills. ++ The shootings. Whether the gun is registered or not, Shooting is a shooting. Once my child goes to school, It will surely make me paranoid of school shootings.\nAside from health benefits, both US and Canada has benefits. Both have support for low income families, both get child benefits, Food stamp(free food) for low income families. Etc..\n\nI really wanted to move to US tho.\nI want to gain more experience, and more money Lol.\n\nI need all of your opinions!! Haha!!

1. I'm a ??can who moved to Europe 22yrs ago through recruitment agency - the employer paid for my professional REGISTRATION with the nursing board, for my work authorisation permit before I even left, sent me a written 2 yr work contract, the flight(return), a taxi pick up from airport & accommodation for 2 the 1st weeks bnb.\n2. I had worked in ?? for 15yrs, 3 diplomas and a post grad degree, I and had bought myself a small property 4yrs into my career on a 60% government subsidy.\n3. I was in a management position for over 7yrs. \n4. Looking back now, the people I went to college with got millions of Rands at age 60 for their retirement pension. \n5. I am waiting to be 65 for a mere €32 000 retirement lump sum and a weekly income of about €400 plus. \n6. I bought myself a small property after renting for 9yrs here, it was not easy to raise funds while paying rent which is HALF YOUR SALARY, but it was worth it. I still have a balance on my bond which my pension lump sum wont even shift\n6. The regrets I have is that:\ni) I missed out on family, friends and christianity quality life, \nii) I spent too much money flying home every yr and sometimes 2 X a yr to keep my sanity and to bond with my family - adult kids and siblings & now grandkids\niii) I could have had a fair and equal opportunities to improve have more accademic and work status in my own country than in a foreign land & my experienced would have been not only recognised when it suits the employer, but it could have been openly VALUED and NURTURED if I was serving in my own country\niv) I could have retired 3 yrs ago and had a paid up bond and a nice retirement car\nThe POSITIVE side is that: \ni) I have a property in a good area that I can rent out for extra income \nii) I have enjoyed travelling around the world and living in A relatively SAFE COUNTRY for over a decade.\niii) I have come to realise that - \na) There's no place like home - we often take for granted, the standards of practice and quality of education and customer service and the advancement in technology both in both education, work and BANKING in our countries untill we travel and live abroad\nb) it is easy to bring your expertise & work ethics abroad and work like and educated slave for a small price\nc) I have come to realise that, Half the time, most of Our stories as a nation are told by someone else, and the world keeps the narrative going.

In my opinion if you move to Canada without taking the proper steps and expect everything to work out for you then you are very naive and cannot complain. First off a lot of Kenyans are applying for visitor visas instead of work visas which are harder to get and thinking once they are in Canada they can look for work. You are not allowed to work on a visitor visa and most employers will not even consider your applications if you do not have either a work permit, refugee status, or permanent residency/ citizenship. Work experience is also very important here and many employers will not consider someone even with canadian education that has no experience. Another thing is Canadian benefits such as subsidized health care etc is only available to people that are on long term work permits with no conditions, refugees, and permanent residency holders and government housing is only open to refugees and permanent residency holders/ citizens. So in short if you move there without a plan, the correct papers, and the willingness to work even lower income jobs until you get Canadian work experience and expect the government to help you just because you landed then you are sorely mistaken and will very easily end up on the streets. Another thing is just because you are granted refugee status does not guarantee you a home as we have seen, the government housing waitlist is very long and even Canadian citizens that cannot afford their rent end up on the streets because there are too many people applying for housing. So please do not think just because you were allowed to stay as a refugee life will be sweet. \nHowever if you do your research and take the right steps so you are fully prepared, put in the time and effort even though things may not be happening immediately then you can have a success story.

Those that think and keep saying that Toronto is a 'World Class city' need to give their head a shake...it's a shit hole. Crime is through the roof and pushing outwards towards other areas of the GTA; the defacing of buildings and other structures is saddening, just can't wait for the Docklands project to turn into just another shit hole .The police don't care, cyclists and drivers have turned this place into a hell hole to get around, traffic is at a standstill. I came here in 88, I moved to the outer GTA and even that is experiencing guns and gangs and increasing crime. Canada is so expensive, even travelling across country is more expensive than travelling out of the country. As much as I am grateful to this country it is no better now than a 3rd world country, in fact some 3rd world countries have better standards....I'm outta here.

I don't like Toronto. Tired of the rude people and too many immigrants and high rent. It is overcrowded. People push you to get on board the train and refuse to wait for the next train. I would rather work remotely and yes it is not worth living in. Transportation is not as reliable and too many people travelling downtown and back uptown especially during rush hour. If GoTransit breaks down, there aren't that many alternative options to travel. There are many issues including Internet service is not stable. Yes the pay is not enough yet to cover the cost for a place. They want to build more housing in Toronto but it is the worst idea and will make it even more unaffordable. Smaller towns and other cities are better. Bramption also is not a recommended place to move to. Immigration should be recommending people to live in less populated places.

Thank goodness I chose the United States for my education. In 2010, I had two options -Texas A&M University and University of Waterloo. I thought of Waterloo at first (being top university in Canada vs 15th in US) as I was naive, but Texas A&M gave me teaching assistantship which meant 100 % tuition scholar and monthly stipend. Being from a lower middle class family in India, I took the option. \nEven 13 years down the line, that was the best decision of my life. I had chance to work with best researchers and professors in world, work in highly funded research labs, publish papers and patent and later get good job in my domain. \nI never aimed for green card and moved back to India. I applied for Canada and even received ITA but didn't go ahead. Things are not perfect but even today in India, most people are impressed by some niche work I did in US.

Born and raised in Toronto and now live north of the city, I would move even further out if I could. Going into the city is on a only if and must go situation. But I am going to be totaly honest give the state of the country as i whole (or hole...you choose) I would leave Canada altogether.

I'm in Ottawa and it is even worse. My 1 year old baby has physical developmental delay and we get rejected from all neurologists. There is absolutely no healthcare system in place. Only emergency care. The healthcare system is a bit better in Toronto. Basically there are no options. If you can move to USA

I mean, unless you are earning at least over 300k household income, don't even think about moving to Toronto.

I moved to Toronto in 2021. I've wanted to live in the city and have finally bought my condo in the city of Toronto. I love the city, especially during the summer time. Toronto Summer is so much fun and a great place to be in Canada. I am sick of all the Toronto bashing the past couple months. Yes, there are a lot of problems and yes they're all really bad and need to get resolved. And in all honesty, Toronto is probably one of the better big cities to live in in Canada. Despite all the negativity, TTC violence hasn't really gone up on paper. A lot of aspects about Canada are still strong even among western countries. I've been to Vancouver and Montreal. And those are cities have a lot of problems and a lot of different problems than Toronto.\n\nThe reasons that she specified in her video are all valid and they all make sense. I just want to say that I'm sick of all the Canada bashing and all the Toronto bashing. Toronto is a great place. I'm going to be still living in this city as some years it's going to be down and it's going to come right back up again in another few years.

Each individual has their own experience. Some will make it, others won't! It is the reality of life. It is that simple. But du feel lucky enough 2 make it 2 the finish line? Most of the third world countries have been indoctrinated into thinking that the first world is covered with streets of gold esp thru Hollywood movies.. So this the mentality that most ppl go with when striving 2 move 2 these countries!. Ppl sell family assets like land thinking they'll recover all that money once they arrive in countries like Canada until reality kicks in on arrival with no working docs. Life is such a struggle in third countries to the extent that some ppl say that they'd rather suffer n die on the streets of countries like Canada than suffer in say Kenya! But we forget that streets of countries like Canada can be real brutal weatherwise esp in seasons like winter where ppl die of the extreme cold. This may not be the case on the African continent with conducive warm weather. The Arab world itself has extreme temps that can knock the isshh out of u! Basically, all countries have challenges..The $1M question is, which challenges can u tolerate as an individual? It is only u who can answer that question n not anybody else. Not even yo own mother of father can answer that 4u!! So, b4 u decide 2 move 2 a foreign country, look deep down inside yoself n ask yoself if ur up 2 the challenges ahead of u, n wether ur up 2 the task of running thru that diaspora gauntlet! Just keeping it ?!!

@LynnNgugi I am a Kenyan-Canadian-American, and my family and I lived in Canada for over 6 years. It is a wonderful country if you have the right documentation and career. Life is more expensive in some provinces, so you have to do your homework. But we loved living there and even owned a home. We moved back to the US so that our kids (American born) could grow up closer to their grandparents and cousins. But I am proud to be both a Canadian and American citizen ❤

I am a Kenyan living in Toronto for 8years now. Most people coming from outside who did enough research on the cost of living and getting work often find success. Having met a few of the Kenyans who were featured in the newsclip (which was totally gaslighting type news) the common theme is that they moved to Canada - first on refugee status, without sufficient research on cost of living, the timeline between their refugee status and getting a work permit to start working and expectations of the kind of jobs they can get as a new immigrant to Canada. I moved here as a student and even with over 10years prior work experience, I had to start from the bottom and worked up. And this happens even to people moving here from UK, Australia etc, its not a bias toward people of color. Things are hard everywhere !!

Lived in Toronto for 50 years. Went to school, raised a family, great job, retired. Realized there was nothing left in the city that I loved anymore. Too busy, too much construction and traffic, mediocre institutions, heritage, big and small, demolished. Moved to the country, never looked back. Have no desire to even visit anymore. Too bad. Was on it's way (30 years ago?) to being a great city. Just a mess, now.

Thanks so much @Lynn for bringing this discussion, first I would like to say I think all this thing depends on your luck, coz even in Kenya things are very very hard but some people life is very okay they can afford everything, what I can say, before you move, do your due diligence, have your facts right, be courageous, be ready to take risks, don't be demoralized by what people say, lastly, I would request @Lynn if she can get some examples of people in these countries to give us some insights, and also if she can get these agencies that are taking people in these countries so that they can explain further the procedures and what to expect, . Me God willing by next year I'll be moving to Canada, still doing my research

Life is expensive even here in Europe and many people are moving back to Africa now. personally next year am coming back to Kenya. sadly many never invested back home because they thought to stay here for ever others even cut ties with family.The rate of depression and alchoolism due to this is high.

I’m in Canada and I would say that’s misinformation. That’s happening in only two provinces Toronto and Vancouver as cost of living has risen. The rest of provinces are affordable and jobs are readily available. High skill requirements is kinda true and lie at the same time. Not all jobs here require high skills. Some jobs just require basic skills and those are the highest jobs available. New immigrants all they need is to get the immigration papers straight and move to affordable provinces to start a life. You don’t have to start a life in Toronto or Vancouver the most expensive provinces. People will always need to immigrate. I can assure you many people that have migrated are more successful than these few mishaps that happens everywhere even back home. Moving to Canada from Kenya is the best decision I have ever made in my life. Canada is one of the best countries you should ever move in.

I lived in Canada for almost a decade in the 2010s, mainly in Toronto. Even during that period I noticed how much it changed. I still love Toronto and have friends who I would like to visit, but would never move back there.

1. Canada's immigration is primarily skilled labour. Non- skilled labour is imported mostly from the Carribean countries especially Jamaica and you have to leave every year and come back in the next. So, that can be disruptive, but I've met Jamaican's who've been on those programs and done well as well as those who haven't.\n2. If you come to Canada illegally utakipata. Be prepared to hustle for long.\n3. Since Covid everything has become very expensive especially housing. \n4. The videos you've shown of people sleeping outside is because of an increase in the influx of refugees wanting to come to Canada. Refugee shelters are allocated money in the budget for what the Govt estimates will be the number of refugees they'll take in, but there's been an influx lately.\n- A point to note though, ALL refugees Canada received from Ukraine had jobs within 2 months. Why? very skilled labour.\n- Canada's refugee policy is much more lenient than in the US and thus most refugees have been coming to Canada even from the US. The US ones have since been blocked by an agreement signed by both countries.\n5. Are there jobs in Canada? YES, but they require certain skills. The good thing is that once you get one, its the beggining of good fortunes.\n6. If you have skilled qualifications, be prepared to start at a lower level than you are used to and claw your way up. Just don't expect to start where you left off. A Nigerian friend of mine who had performed several surgeries in Nigeria could not be hired until he went back to get certified here in Canada. He has since joined the medical field after going back to school.\n\nAll in all, research, research, research before you make any move.

In general I like Toronto, I lived there for a couple of yrs a long time ago, but with these prices, I won't move back, forget it. It is impossible to live there, period. I live in London and even over here the prices became much higher than before. My mom is in real estate, renting out bachelor apartments and she is nice, she doesn't rip ppl off, she rents them for reasonable prices, utilities, parking included like in the good old days and ppl sometimes beg her to pick them to move in, it's that bad. No one wants to move out once someone moves in. Gee, I wonder why.

I immigrated from Africa to the US then I made my way to Canada 20 years ago. Life has changed from the time we first moved here. Before with 5k Canadian dollars you would put down for a mortgage and get into the housing market. From 2015 when the Liberals came in power housing market has gone downhill for most even those earning middle class income. \n\nIf you desire to come make sure you have the right paper work. If you are coming as a foreign trained professional. You are okay. Otherwise, make sure you have immediate family willing to help you untill you get on your feet. DON'T COME as a visitor without family to ask for refugee status. You will suffer. Most of those stranded in Toronto are those seeking asylum and shelters are full with those who came from newyork when the borders where shut.\n\nOtherwise if you can pay your bills in Africa just stay there, atleast you have morals. Our elementary schools ? are terrible here with those LGB****%$# stuff pushed on children.

Hi Lynn, this is a very interesting conversation. I moved to Canada in 2003 went to college and became a nurse. First of all it was not easy paying for college I was lucky that husband was supporting with the bills as I went to school. So I would say that I have skills that are very marketable. Our combined family income was over $100,000 CAN. We mortgaged our first home which was very basic for a LOT of money. We had our kids and we had to struggle with childcare as most young families do. By North American standard, we were doing good. We each had a good car ( loaned), we made trips to Kenya every so often but in 2016 we decided we wanted to move back home and we sold our home and we did. I HAVE NO REGRETS. There were several things that made us reach our decision. First, I truly believe that for the Canadian system to work as it does, it has to entrap its residents. Even after 10 years of work we did not have money in the bank. Everything we owned really belonged to the bank. The light bulb moment for me came when I evaluated my net worth. A primary school teacher in Kenya after 10 years of work with good financial management will own a plot, a simple house and will start to invest for retirement. After 10 years of work, there wasn't much in the account, our house would need 25 years to finish paying mortgage and to be honest there wasn't much to show for those years of work. Quality of life really sucks the amount of stress will definitely send you to the grave sooner. This is the case for most first generation immigrants. You might say you are sacrificing and building a future for your children but, my observation was since our diaspora children have not grown in Kenya to see the need for money and what life really looks like without the comforts they are used to, they do not have the same drive as the parents so they often do not excel they are just ordinary. There is also the struggle of growing up as a minority group. A lot of our children because they are seeking acceptance will struggle with self esteem, will have depression or will join the LGBTQ community where they get sense of belonging regardless of their colour. The morals are also different from their parents and they are shaped by the society they grow up in. When I looked at what my life would look like if we kept living there, lets say we eventually pay off our mortgage, when we are old and requiring care, our children will not be able to support themselves and support us because they have to work to sustain themselves so we would to move to assisted living or nursing homes. The cost of senior care is not covered by the government unless you have no money. so we have to sell out home which would be old and outdated but still very expensive and we would have to pay $5000-$10000 per month depending on the type of care we need. so as you can see if we ended in a nursing home for 5 years we will have depleted all the money we made from the sale of our home. So by the time we die, we would not have money to leave for our children. So we worked really hard, supported the economy, and die leaving not much at all for our children, we sacrificed our quality of life, and ended up with children who don't think much of themselves or have very distorted morals. I still remember in my mind as we drove to the airport on our way back to Kenya, I thought of the story of Lot. He was pretty successful in Sodom but I'm very sure on his death bed he had lots of regrets why he ever went there. I know its tough being in Kenya but if you have a job or any way to make ends meet, be like Abraham. God will bless you regardless of whether you are in the dessert.

My humble opinion: this is one guy, whose story hasn't even been confirmed yet. People need to not jump into conclusions. I know a Kenyan in Canada doing care jobs and making close to 10k per day when you include overtime. Which job in kenya (formal or informal) is going to pay you even 5k per day without selling your soul to the devil? Once I see scientific research from a reputable source with clear evidence and data that moving to Canada for work is a bad idea, I'll be convinced.

Lynn, this Canada thing is a common sense thing. Same reason a Tanzanian will not come to kenya to sell tomatoes on the streets due to high competition on the field. Any country you move to it depends on what you will go to do and who will help you get on your feet. Canada is extremely beautiful and one can prosper extremely well financially compared to kenya BY FAR! But you can’t come from the village and land in Toronto and wait for a job and opportunity to come get you from the airport! Am very honest. I live abroad, in one of the richest countries in the world and believe me, I have seen even their own citizens suffering economically. Why? What are their skills and plans and expectations? I read somewhere, with all the wealth in the world, if all was to be shared equally to every one the universe, the rich will become rich and the poor poor -again. So a kenyan should first plan who they will live with for atleast a year while they get on their feet, put their hustle mood on n be willing to take any jobs, plus get out of the mentality that one must be in a big city! Other places outside cities really have low costs of life and offer more opportunities. Just saying

Have you noticed most of these homless Africans are in Toronto. I have never heard news that they are stranded on the streets of Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Yellowknife etc etc. Why Toronto. People need to stop using agents and do some research before moving. Canadians moved away from Toronto during the pandemic they relocated to other smaller cities. Please leave Toronto and move to Nova Scotia or other provinces.\nOur people will not even learn to paint or tile or learn plumbing. They consider those trades for low class. So let those plumbers in Africa move to Canada and you will see how quickly they scoop up jobs.

I am from the carribean living in canada since I was 20 now 50 still living in canada just doing the job I love babysitting even if I have a medical deplome in health care and able to work with the Government. You cam make it if you're money smart but the best thing to do first is to invest in your own country first because the trap is if you invest in the country you move to you will be working and paying bills for ever. The skill and luck is what makes it like me. Plus stay as long with roommates until you save enough money to invest in your country.

It’s not just Toronto it’s the effort Canada that has turned to shit just like the usa it’s not an isolated thing so don’t go moving to any other part of Canada thinking it’s going to be much better than Toronto because it’s not just like here in the usa outside of New York chicago Miami Orlando Atlanta Las Vegas San Francisco Bay Area other places in the usa are just as bad they just don’t highlight them Dallas and houston is just as bad as San Francisco so is Colorado and Seattle even Louisiana Mississippi Alabama even Tennessee Missouri are in shambles and have been for decades the entire usa is in free fall so is france Paris London the entire u.k germany is starting to collapse again as well including Great Britain Poland Sweden is also on a major decline all western countries haven’t grown at all in the entire 20th century and that’s bad

Same here in Montreal used to love this city still do but post C19 everything changed like everywhere housing crisis, politics, the cultural center it user to be changed maybe its just looking at it now at the start of my 30s compared to when i moved here from Europe and Central Africa at the start of my 20s. Met friends i have for life, got great professional opportunities lived in nice places great food in the city. Now everything is just super expensive now and i know toronto is must be ever crazier. Im considering moving back to France or Switzerland to be closer to my family and friends and also be close to Gabon easier to visit than here constantly taking 4 plains round trip everytime i go back home. After losing my father last year getting divorced 3 years ago i think my time here is done. 14yrs here i became an adult here had amazing experiences, became a canadian citizen but its just not the same anymore. Time for a new adventure somewhere else. We used to live well even back as a student on minimum wage, now with a better career good salary we’re struggling. Breaks my heart seeing this all over canada.

I've lived in Toronto for almost 20 years, and I can't wait to get out. The plan is to move somewhere else in the spring, just figuring out where. Toronto now breaks my heart-- you see people seriously struggling everywhere, and it's hard to see it in contrast with the opulent wealth that much of the city has. We're lucky to be in a rent-controlled apartment and we've been here for over a decade, and there's no way we'd find anything even remotely similar here now (the apartment we live in would go up at least $1000 if we leave). The safety is also an issue- I live in a fairly busy area that used to be extremely safe (I used to walk home alone at midnight in high school) and now I rarely leave my apartment after dark. There's very angry, erratic people, many on substances, and I've had some rough encounters already. And don't get me started on public transport.... My sister saw someone almost get randomly pushed into the subway tracks yesterday, and obviously that doesn't get reported. It's worse than people think, and it's only gonna get more horrible once winter hits.

I have a chronic pain disability. I can't even fathom trying to manage that in the US healthcare system. Like Tyler mentioned, that alone is enough of a reason for me. 2 party system is also a hard no (even though it hurts that we're not much better right now). Gun culture is a no for me, it's not an environment I care to be a part of. I hesitate to use safety at school as an example because I remember when Taber followed on the heels of Columbine (I was in grade 9 that year). There's a lot up here in Canada that we need to improve, but with what I value as a Canadian I certainly would feel like I was downgrading if I moved to the US. Heck, as an Albertan even moving to another province would feel like a downgrade to me since I have no PST where I live, we're rat free, I live within an hour of the Rocky Mountains, etc.

If I were rich I STILL wouldn't want to live in Toronto/GTA. I'd move immediately to Tokyo or some other part of Japan. Even if you could afford to live in the GTA why would you when there's so many nicer and more safe and peaceful places to live in? \n\nI've seen enough of Japan to know that that would be the place I'd love to live in. Somewhere where you don't have to worry about crime and violence happening in your city everyday. No shootings or stabbings or robberies or carjackings or scams etc. and where the vast majority of people are nice, kind and friendly and non-violent and non-criminal.\n\nThere's a Twitch livestreamer that I watch regularly that lives in Tokyo and he regularly leaves his $3000+ bike all over the city almost without a care in the world. All he has to do to secure his bike is to lock his bike wheel to the frame without even having to attach it to a pole or bike stand etc. so that no one steals it. That is when I knew that Japan is the place for me. When you can leave your expensive stuff alone and come back and its still there. That is the kind of society I wish to live in and be apart of.