Before You Pack: 10 Hard Questions for Americans Eyeing Canada

When I joined a newcomer group after moving to Canada on Reddit, I noticed something: it was often Americans asking the sharpest, hardest questions—questions that made me pause and think, “I wish I’d asked that before I moved.”

If you’re considering a big move north, don’t just collect checklists and Pinterest-worthy photos. Ask the real questions that challenge your assumptions. This guide walks you through 10 honest checks to make before you commit. From credit history shocks to healthcare realities, let’s make sure you’re truly ready—not just packed.

1. Can your budget really handle Canadian rent, utilities, and groceries?

Most Americans are surprised by how expensive housing is in Canada. Rent alone can take up 40–60% of your income—especially in large cities.

As of early 2025, Toronto one-bedroom rents are around an average of $2302, according to CTC News. Vancouver sits around C$2,485, while Calgary offers more affordable options, with averages between C$1,612 and C$1,900 (Rentals.ca, TD Economics).

Rental growth has slowed across the country, with 2025 annual increases projected at 3–4% (TD Economics). Meanwhile, provincial rent caps are in effect:

• Ontario: max 2.5% increase in 2025 (ontario.ca)
• British Columbia: max 3.0% increase in 2025 (gov.bc.ca)

2025 Monthly Cost Snapshot:

“When I moved here with my family, our biggest shock was groceries. We expected rent to be high, but food, diapers, and phone plans added up fast. Especially with a baby and a toddler then.”

2. Are you okay starting from scratch with your credit?

Your U.S. credit score doesn’t follow you to Canada. Even with excellent credit in the States, it won’t show up in Canada’s credit system. That means you’ll be starting from zero—and that affects your ability to rent, finance a car, or get a phone plan.

Some banks, like TD Canada Trust and RBC, offer cross-border newcomer packages that help open chequing accounts and access basic services. But even with those, Canadian credit must be built separately. Your U.S. history isn’t factored into approval decisions.

Credit Build Tips for newcomers:

• Apply for a secured credit card from banks like Capital One Canada or Scotiabank
• Pay bills on time—late payments impact your Canadian credit score
• Ask if rent payments can be reported to Equifax or TransUnion Canada
• Use cross-border accounts to manage funds, but don’t assume they replace credit building

Bottom line: You may bring money—but without Canadian credit, many things stay out of reach.

3. Can you wait months for healthcare—even if it’s “free”?

Canada’s public healthcare is a major draw for many Americans—but it comes with limits. In 2023, the federal government committed C$200 billion over 10 years to help provinces reduce wait times and improve access (Government of Canada). Still, access depends heavily on your province and what services you need.

Wait times for family doctors and specialists remain a concern. For example, getting an MRI or seeing a mental health provider could still take weeks—or even months.

It’s also important to know what’s not covered. Dental care, eye exams, most prescription drugs, therapy and even birth control are usually out-of-pocket expenses unless you have private insurance.

What’s Usually Not Covered by Provincial Health Plans:

• Dental services (The newly introduced 2025 Canada Dental Program should be able to reduce the expenses for out of the pocket payments for some dental issues)
• Eye exams and prescription glasses
• Mental health counselling
• Prescription medication

Pro Tip: You may need to buy private insurance for your first 90 days, depending on the province (e.g., Ontario). Always check the health card rules before arriving (ontario.ca).

4. Is your job portable—or are you starting over?

This is one of the hardest parts of moving to Canada—your job title might not mean much here. Many newcomers with solid careers in the U.S. find themselves stuck. Some industries require Canadian credentials, while others demand “Canadian experience” before they’ll even interview you.

One American in a Reddit thread wrote,

“I had 15 years in finance. Still took me 7 months to land a role—and it paid 40% less.”

Jobs in health care, education, law, and skilled trades often need new licenses or training. And if you’re self-employed or remote? Double-check tax rules and whether your company can legally keep you on.

Common Job Surprises:

• U.S. teaching credentials may not work.
• Accountants need different certification (CPA Canada).
• Employers often ask for local references.

Reality Check: Bring updated resumes, a flexible mindset, and backup income options. Your first Canadian job may not match what you had—but it can still be a smart step forward.

Tip: Use tools like Job Bank’s credential recognition finder to check your profession’s status before you move.

5. Are you emotionally ready to be far from family—especially in emergencies?

It’s one thing to miss Sunday dinners. It’s another to be a full day’s travel away when someone you love ends up in the hospital. For many Americans, the emotional toll of long-distance family life hits harder than expected—especially during health scares, holidays, or milestones like birthdays and school events.

Even with the U.S. just a few hours away by plane, the cost of flights, time zones, and work schedules add up.

A Redditor put it simply:

“I didn’t think I’d cry just from missing Thanksgiving, but I did.”

If you’re moving with kids, the lack of a nearby support system—no grandparents for babysitting or cousins for playdates—can feel isolating. It’s manageable, but it’s not easy.

“Even though my family’s not in the U.S but in Nigeria, I’ve felt the distance deeply during emergencies (like when i had to have an emergency CS and i had to shuffle the baby and continue with school and it wasn’t easy for my spouse to handle everything. Thank God for having amazing friends that helped a lot). It’s hard not having anyone nearby when something big happens back home or here even.”

Quick Check:

• Can you afford emergency travel home at short notice?
• Do you have trusted contacts in Canada for backup help?

Tip: Set up regular family calls now. Emotional distance hits differently when the physical distance grows. (In my own case, we still have to work around different time zones for everyone, but we find a way to make it work nonetheless).

6. How will you deal with winter darkness and isolation?

Canadian winters aren’t just cold—they’re long and dark. In some cities, sunset hits before 5 p.m. as early as November, and the snow can stick around until April. If you’re coming from a sunny state, this shift can feel heavy.

Many Reddit newcomers admit it caught them off guard. One wrote,

“I didn’t expect it to mess with my mood so much. I was tired, sad, and couldn’t figure out why—until someone said, ‘Welcome to winter.’”

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is real. It’s more common the farther north you go, and it can affect your sleep, appetite, and energy levels.

“I didn’t realize how much winter would affect my mood. The darkness made simple routines harder—until I started going outside daily, even just for 15 minutes. Luckily winter in my city is not extreme in most cases so I’m even able to take my kids in the stroller with me.”

Winter Wellness Tips:

• Invest in a light therapy lamp (start in October).
• Get outside daily—even if it’s cold (This is honestly a saving grace).
• Join a winter activity or hobby group.

Truth check: Embracing winter is key. The weather won’t change for you—but your mindset and daily habits can make all the difference.

7. Will your lifestyle or politics clash with the local vibe?

Canada and the U.S. share a lot—but not everything. From gun laws to tipping habits, there are cultural differences that can feel subtle at first… until they’re not.

Guns are a big one. Most Canadians don’t own them, and the laws are strict. If you’re used to open carry or even just weekend range time, that changes here.

A Redditor summed it up:

“Gun culture doesn’t exist here like it does in the States. People will notice.”

Politics lean more left across most provinces. Social programs like universal healthcare, paid parental leave, and climate policy are often widely supported. That doesn’t mean there aren’t debates—but the tone is different.

Lifestyle Differences Americans Notice:

• Most people walk or bike more. (People even walk in freezing winter where I stay in Mississauga, Ontario.)
• Religion plays less of a public role.
• Higher trust in government institutions.

Pro Tip: If you’re big on your U.S. identity, that’s okay—but be open to how things run differently here.

8. Do you understand how Canadian taxes (and U.S. taxes) will affect you?

Many Americans are surprised to learn they still have to file taxes with the IRS—even if they live and work in Canada. That’s right: the U.S. is one of the only countries that taxes based on citizenship, not just residency.

At the same time, Canadian taxes can feel steep. In some provinces, you could pay 30%–40% of your income in combined federal and provincial taxes, especially once you’re in a middle-income bracket.

A Reddit user said it best:

“It wasn’t the healthcare or rent that hit me—it was tax season.”

You may also have to report foreign bank accounts, pensions, or investments, even small ones. Mistakes can lead to penalties on both sides.

What to do:

• Hire a cross-border tax specialist (especially your first year).
• File both Canadian and U.S. returns—even if you owe nothing.
• Learn about tax treaties and credits that reduce double taxation.

Bottom line: Taxes here are real—know what you’re signing up for.

9. Are you ready to live smaller—literally?

Canada doesn’t do space the way many parts of the U.S. do. Housing here often means less square footage, older buildings, and fewer extras like central A/C, big closets, or in-unit laundry.

If you’re coming from a suburb with a two-car garage and walk-in pantry, the adjustment can feel real.

As one American on Reddit joked,

“I’ve seen bigger fridges in college dorms.”

Condos and rentals in big cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and even Montreal often top $2,000/month for one-bedrooms—without parking. And you may be surprised by the lack of ceiling fans, dishwashers, or even proper insulation.

Typical Surprises:

• No closets in bedrooms (just wardrobes)
• Coin laundry in the basement—or none at all
• Balconies instead of backyards

What helps: Tour rentals virtually before you commit, ask about appliances, and plan to declutter. Living smaller isn’t bad—but it takes a shift in expectations.

10. What’s your Plan B if Canada doesn’t work out?

Most people move with hope—but things don’t always go as planned. Some Americans return to the U.S. after struggling with jobs, housing, weather, or loneliness. Others stay but switch cities or visa types. The key is having options if Plan A falls apart.

One Redditor shared:

“I loved the idea of Canada, but I couldn’t find stable work. After a year, I moved back. No shame—it was the right call for me.”

Think ahead: What will you do if your PR application is delayed? What if your job contract ends early? Can you afford to return home or switch to a different path?

Smart backup planning:

• Keep some ties in the U.S. (mailing address, bank account)
• Research second visa options (study, work permits)
• Save a return fund—even $2,000 CAD can buy you flexibility

Pro Tip: A Plan B doesn’t mean you’re not serious. It means you’re smart.

What to Do Before You Book That One-Way Flight

Moving to Canada is exciting—but it also takes planning, honesty, and flexibility. These 10 questions aren’t meant to scare you. They’re here to help you spot gaps, avoid surprises, and set realistic expectations before you commit.

Too many Americans rush the process, assuming Canada will feel like the U.S. with snow and healthcare. But it’s a different system, with its own rules, culture, and trade-offs. If you’ve made it this far in the article, you’re already ahead.

Speaking from experience—I’ve been in Canada for under three years. I didn’t move from the U.S., but I’ve felt the growing pains, the surprises, and the stress of adjusting. The more questions you ask up front, the less overwhelmed you’ll be later.

Your next 3 steps:

• Write down your answers to all 10 questions above—be honest with yourself
• Test your monthly budget using CAD prices from your target city
• Read our housing guide to understand how to search like a local (not a tourist)

You don’t have to get it all perfect now. But thinking through these hard questions before you pack? That’s how smart moves start.