10 Things You’ll Secretly Miss About Home (That No One Warned You About)

No one tells you that after you move to Canada, it’s not just family you’ll miss. One night, I realized how much I missed the sound of rain on the roof—something I took for granted back home. Now, living in a condo, I have to step out onto the balcony or open a window just to check if it’s raining hard, because you can barely hear it from inside.

It’s little things like this—street vendors calling, a neighbour’s radio in the distance—that remind you ‘home’ is more than a place. Here are a few things you might secretly miss, even if you never expected to…

10 Things You Miss After Moving To Canada

1. The Taste (and Smell) of Home

Even though Canadian supermarkets have more international foods now, there’s something special about the flavours and smells from your homeland that you just can’t find here. It could be your favourite spice, the smell of street food at night, or your grandma’s cooking. These foods are more than just taste—they remind you of home, family, and special moments.

Quick Takeaway:

If you’re missing the taste of home, try these ideas:

• Visit local ethnic grocery stores and food markets in your city—they sometimes have hard-to-find ingredients.
• Join groups from your country. Many people organize potlucks or share recipes.
• Ask shopkeepers if they can order something special for you.

Sometimes, even if you shop at ethnic stores, it’s still not the same. For example, back in Nigeria, we have a kind of sweet potato that I love. I’ve been in Canada for over two years, and I still haven’t found that same sweet potato here. I enjoy eating Yukon potatoes, but I still miss my Nigerian sweet potatoes!

According to other newcomers, finding local ethnic stores is one of the best ways to get a taste of home in your new life.

No matter how many recipes you try or spices you buy, cooking or eating something familiar can make you feel close to home. And as you settle in, you might even find new favourite foods and ways of cooking that surprise you.

Food is just one part of what makes a place feel like home—next, let’s talk about the sounds that help you feel you belong in a new country.

2. Sounds That Make You Feel at Home

Every city, town, or village has its own special sounds. For many newcomers, the everyday noises from home—like street vendors calling out, music from a neighbour’s window, kids laughing outside, or even busy traffic—make you feel comfortable and safe. When you come to Canada, things might sound very different.

Sometimes it’s much quieter, or the sounds you hear are not the ones you’re used to. Many people on Reddit say they didn’t expect to miss these sounds, but sometimes the quiet or new city noises can make them feel a little homesick.

Quick Takeaway:

If you miss the sounds of home, here are some simple things you can try:

• Make a playlist of your favorite songs or radio stations from back home.
• Use YouTube or music apps to listen to familiar market or festival sounds.
• Join local cultural groups—sometimes they have events with music and sounds from your country.

Listening to these familiar sounds, even if it’s just on your phone or computer, can help you feel more at home. It’s a small step, but it can make a big difference as you get used to life in Canada.

3. Unplanned Visits & Spontaneous Gatherings

In many parts of the world, it’s normal for friends, neighbors, or family to drop by without calling first. These surprise visits often fill homes with laughter and make communities feel close. But in Canada, most people like to plan their visits ahead of time. For newcomers, this can feel a bit lonely or strange—especially if you’re used to people just showing up.

I’ll be honest: I don’t really miss unplanned visits. For me, it’s actually nicer when someone lets me know they’re coming, instead of popping in without warning!

Many newcomers, though, mention that they miss the easy, spontaneous get-togethers from back home. Adapting to Canada’s “appointment culture” is one of the bigger surprises when you move.

Quick Takeaway:

If you want more social time, here are some things you can do:

• Host a casual get-together or potluck. Start small—invite a few neighbors or friends.
• Join community events or newcomer meetups in your area.
• Volunteer for neighborhood groups—this is a great way to meet people informally.

It might feel a bit strange at first, but taking the first step often helps you find others who also want to make new friends.

Building new friendships takes time. But shared laughter and inside jokes help you feel at home. Next, let’s see how humor and language can make settling in feel easier—or sometimes a bit harder.

4. Jokes, Humor, and Shared Lingo

One of the first things many newcomers notice is how different humor can be in Canada. Jokes, funny sayings, and even the way friends tease each other at home don’t always make sense here. Sometimes, a joke from your country falls flat or gets lost in translation. This can make conversations feel a little more serious or awkward than you’re used to.

Lots of immigrants say it takes time to get used to Canadian humor—and even longer for Canadians to understand their jokes! That’s normal, and it can feel a bit lonely at first.

Quick Takeaway:

If you miss laughing with others, here are some ideas:

• Join a cultural or language group where people “get” your jokes.
• Watch comedy from your home country or plan a funny movie night with friends.
• Don’t be shy about explaining your favorite joke—sometimes it makes for the best story!

As you learn to laugh in new ways, you’ll see that celebrating old traditions is also important. Next, let’s talk about how missing special holidays and rituals can shape your newcomer journey.

5. Festivals, Rituals, and Everyday Traditions

Special holidays and traditions are more than just dates—they connect you to your roots and bring people together. In a new country, it’s normal to miss these moments, especially when local holidays feel different or unfamiliar. Even small celebrations from home can help you feel less homesick and more like you belong.

For example, my family celebrates Eid. In Mississauga, there are many Muslims, so we do get to feel some of the celebration. But it’s still not as big as it was in Nigeria, where Eid meant lots of family, huge gatherings, and so much excitement. Sometimes, I miss those big events the most.

Quick Takeaway:

To keep your favorite traditions alive and share them:

• Celebrate your holidays with new friends and neighbors—even a small party makes memories.
• Cook your favorite foods or decorate your home with things that remind you of your country.
• Teach others about your holidays. It’s a fun way to make new friends and help people understand your culture.

Sharing your traditions makes life richer for you and your new community. As you build these new bonds, you might find yourself missing the comfort of familiar faces and friendly neighbors next—let’s talk about that coming up.

6. Familiar Faces and Neighborly Bonds

There’s something special about being greeted by name at your local market or waving to a neighbor you’ve known for years. These everyday interactions build a sense of comfort and community.

For newcomers, arriving in a new country can mean starting over with anonymous faces and unfamiliar routines. Many people on expat forums share that missing this daily recognition can make you feel even more like an outsider in the early months or years (source).

Quick Takeaway:

To start building new connections in Canada:

• Regularly visit the same local shops, cafes, or markets—familiarity grows over time.
• Attend community events, workshops, or local fairs to meet neighbours.
• Volunteer for neighbourhood projects or join local Facebook groups.

With time, these small efforts help turn strangers into acquaintances, and eventually, into friends. Next, we’ll explore how daily routines from home shape your sense of comfort and what you can do to keep them alive in a new country.

7. The Small Daily Routines

The little things you do every day—like saying “good morning” to your neighbor, eating breakfast with your family, or taking an evening walk—can mean a lot. When you move to a new country, these routines might change or disappear, and that can make you feel lonely or out of place.

Many newcomers to Canada say that missing these small habits is one of the things that makes them homesick (source).

Quick Takeaway:

You can bring comfort to your new life by creating routines that remind you of home:

• Keep one or two daily habits from your country, like a special meal or way of greeting.
• Share these routines with your new friends or family in Canada.
• Try writing down your favorite old routines and finding ways to fit them into your new day.

These habits help you feel more settled and happy. Up next, let’s talk about something surprising—how you might even start missing the weather from home!

8. The Climate and “Bad Weather” You Grew Up With

It may sound funny, but a lot of people miss the weather from home—even the parts they used to complain about! Maybe it’s the sound of heavy rain on your roof, the warm sun on your face, or the feeling of a breeze on a hot day.

These weather moments are connected to happy memories and family traditions. Many newcomers in Canada find themselves missing these familiar feelings, especially during long, cold winters.

Quick Takeaway:

If you’re missing your home’s weather, try these ideas:

• Visit indoor gardens or greenhouses to enjoy warmth and plants when it’s cold outside.
• Decorate your home with photos or items that remind you of your favorite climate.
• Try cooking foods or playing music that makes you think of home.

Missing the weather is normal, and it’s part of missing home. Up next, let’s talk about the unexpected little things that might make you think of your country—even when you least expect it.

9. Unexpected Things That Hit You Later

Sometimes, the things you miss most from home are a surprise. Maybe it’s the smell of a certain flower, a song playing in a store, or a snack from your childhood you can’t find in Canada.

These small things can suddenly remind you of your old life and make you feel happy, sad, or even a little homesick. Some of my friends do share that these surprises can pop up at any time and bring back strong memories.

Quick Takeaway:

To help with these feelings:

• Keep a journal or notebook. Write down when something reminds you of home.
• Talk about these moments with friends or family—they may feel the same way.
• Try to enjoy these memories and let them remind you how special your journey is.

Everyone’s experience is different, but sharing and understanding these surprises can make life in a new country easier. Finally, let’s see how connecting with others can help you feel less alone.

10. Call to Community

Missing home is something everyone goes through when they move to a new country. It’s normal to feel sad or lonely about the things you left behind. But you’re not alone—many newcomers to Canada feel this way, and talking about it helps. Sharing your feelings can help you make new friends who understand what you’re going through.

Quick Takeaway:

You can feel better by:

• Joining a local cultural group or association—these groups often have events and activities that celebrate your traditions.
• Finding online communities for newcomers, where people share tips and stories.
• Talking with neighbors or classmates about your favorite things from home.

Remember, every new friend you make in Canada is someone who might be missing home too. Reaching out to others is the first step toward feeling more comfortable and building a new sense of belonging.

Ready for the next step? Consider sharing your story or favorite memory in a newcomer group—you never know who you might inspire or connect with!