When I first arrived in Canada, everything felt familiar enough. People were polite, the scenery was stunning, and everyone seemed to enjoy talking about the weather. But once I settled in, I began to notice the subtle quirks and cultural shifts that make life here uniquely Canadian — and surprisingly different from what I’m used to at home.
I grew up in Invercargill, a small town of around 50,000 people located at the southern tip of New Zealand, and spent my early twenties working in country clubs. In 2017, I decided to trade small-town life for an adventure abroad on a work visa. After visiting Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver on holiday, I chose the West Coast as my new home. Since then, I’ve also lived in Montreal, gaining a sense of life on both coasts.
Six years, one cross-country move, and one Canadian citizenship later, I’ve learned a lot about what it means to swap Kiwi life for the land of loonies and Timmy’s coffee.
Canadians Really Do Love Their Workplace Benefits
One of my first significant surprises was the generosity of Canadian workplace perks. In New Zealand, I’d never even heard of a job that covered things like massage therapy, naturopath visits, or optometry appointments. But in Canada? Those kinds of benefits are almost standard. When I first saw “massage therapy coverage” on my employee plan, I genuinely thought it was a mistake. Nothing out of the ordinary, it’s just Canada being Canada, caring as ever.
Related: 12 of the Biggest Surprises of an American Living in Canada
The Accent Struggle Was Real
When I first moved to Vancouver, my Southland accent was so thick that people could barely understand me. Once, I tried to book a doctor’s appointment over the phone, and the receptionist couldn’t make sense of a single word I said. I ended up crying out of pure frustration and asking a co-worker to call back for me. Thankfully, over time, I’ve learned to soften my accent, and Canadians have gotten better at decoding the Kiwi twang.
Getting Around Is a Whole New Experience
Back home, driving across the country isn’t even possible unless you’ve got a boat or a plane — New Zealand is made up of islands, after all. So being able to drive across an international border from Vancouver to Seattle felt almost surreal.
And let’s not forget the highways. My hometown doesn’t even have one!
I’ve spent more time driving on highways in Canada than I ever did in my entire life in New Zealand. On the other hand, I’ve also been impressed by the reliability and efficiency of public transit here, especially in major cities. It’s entirely possible to live in Vancouver or Montreal without owning a car, something that’s not nearly as common back home.
Related: I Lived in Toronto Condos for 13 Years, Here’s What I Learned
Weather Woes and Wonders
When I moved to Vancouver, I knew the winters were mild compared to the rest of Canada but I didn’t realize how much they’d remind me of home. The grey skies and steady drizzle felt almost comforting, like a Pacific reunion. Snow is rare, but the famous “Vancouver Trifecta”- skiing, golfing, and swimming all in the same day – blew my mind. In New Zealand, that combination would be practically impossible in winter.
A Lesson in Hollywood North
Growing up, I assumed every movie was filmed in Los Angeles. Then I discovered that Vancouver doubles as “LA” in countless films and TV shows. Now, when I rewatch something familiar, I catch myself pointing at the screen, saying, “Hey, I know that spot!”
Fun fact: Lionsgate Studios is actually named after Vancouver’s iconic Lions Gate Bridge, something I never would’ve guessed before calling Canada home.
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Learning to Live in an Apartment
In Invercargill, apartments aren’t really a thing. My hometown is almost entirely composed of detached houses. So when I first moved to Vancouver, renting an apartment felt like a culture shock in itself. I spent hours on Reddit trying to figure out which neighbourhoods were safe or affordable, but it was hard to tell what was genuine advice versus internet opinion. Looking back, I definitely should have worked with a real estate agent.
Luckily, I ended up finding a place in English Bay ( right by the beach) and absolutely loved it.
A Different Kind of Friendly
Something I didn’t expect: Canadians, especially in big cities, are a bit more reserved than Kiwis. In New Zealand, you can sit next to a stranger at a bar and end up talking all night. In Vancouver and Montreal, people tend to be more private. Vancouver especially surprised me;, people are friendly, but not overly social with strangers.
It took me a while to get used to that, but it’s a bit of a double-edged sword. Back home, everyone knows everyone, or at least knows someone who does. You’re usually only one or two degrees away from a mutual friend, which can be comforting but also a little limiting. In Canada, that sense of anonymity can feel refreshing. You can blend in, start over, and build your own community from scratch.
Common Misconceptions About New Zealand
Canadians often confuse New Zealand with Australia, or assume we have kangaroos and dangerous wildlife. I’ve had people ask if we can drive across the country in a single day (you can’t), or if we’re all sunbathing year-round (definitely not). The truth? New Zealand’s climate varies a lot, our wildlife is almost entirely harmless, and driving from one end of the country to the other would take closer to a week or two than an afternoon.
Building a Home
I officially became a Canadian citizen in 2022, and it still feels surreal. Now, when I visit Vancouver, it feels like home. But when I go back to New Zealand, it feels like home, too. I don’t think I’ll ever stop missing the open fields and slower pace of Invercargill, but I also can’t imagine giving up the mountains, diversity, and opportunities that Canada offers. Maybe that’s the best part about moving across the world, realizing that “home” can be wherever you make it.
