Adaptation: The key to enjoying your expat life in Canada

Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your background?

My name is Elisabeth, I'm 32 years old, and I've been living in Montreal, Quebec, since the fall of 2021 with my partner and our two cats. I've moved around a lot since my studies, including Ireland and Normandy, before settling in Paris, the region I'm originally from. There, I spent several years working in tourism for Paris-based tour operators. But things changed with the pandemic, and I moved again to a new country!

What brought you to Canada, and for how long have you been there?

Several reasons motivated me to experience Quebec:

First, I was no longer enjoying my life in Paris. My quality of life was deteriorating each year, and I wasn't feeling fulfilled in my daily routine due to boredom, lack of space, insecurity, and an anxiety-inducing climate. The pandemic in 2020 led to a long period of partial unemployment, further reinforcing my desire to leave Paris and France altogether.

Secondly, I have (and still have) family in Montreal. I had visited them several times and fell in love with the city and Quebec as a whole. The desire to spend more time with my family on this side of the world played a significant role in my decision to move.

I have been living here for over a year and a half now, and I have no regrets about my decision.

What is your social life like in Canada? Was it hard to integrate and make new friends?

Having family in Montreal has been a big help in making my partner and me feel less alone. We've met a lot of people, most of whom are also expats, through social media and other means, but we've only managed to make a handful of close friends so far.

Adapting to daily life and work in a new country takes time and flexibility, but we were enthusiastic and happy to discover a new culture. Our social life is relatively quiet at the moment, but we have made some friends and acquaintances along the way. However, it's important to keep in mind that some members of the expat community in Montreal eventually return home or move elsewhere, so finding people committed to staying long-term can be a challenge.

As building a solid friends circle takes time, it's still too early for me to fully assess my social life in Canada. Nonetheless, I remain optimistic and open to new experiences and friendships.

How did your job search go? Was it easy to find a job in Canada?

The job search went rather smoothly. Quebec and Canada, in general, are facing a significant labor shortage. In almost all sectors, it is, therefore, quite easy to find work - so I had the market in my favor when I arrived. If your profile fits and you have an updated CV, you should be able to find work easily too!

Luckily, my partner already had a job when we arrived in Montreal, and I found a job within 10 days of our arrival and started working exactly one month after landing. Having local contacts obviously helped me speed up my job search. But even without that, I was able to secure interviews quickly.

What are the most significant differences and similarities between life in France and Canada?

That's a broad question! To start with the similarities, as France and Canada are both Western countries, certain characteristics will be similar, particularly in terms of daily comfort. So, the change of scenery is not total, especially if you live in the city.

As for the differences, there are really numerous differences; although they are culturally close, the two countries have little to do with each other. Factors that often come up are health care, mentality, and pace of life. For example, the French healthcare system is often criticized, but in reality, it is very good (especially thanks to the social security system). Here in Quebec, we also have a healthcare reimbursement system, but access to certain specialized services is rather tricky (and you often have to be patient), even if you live in a big city.

Regarding my daily life, some aspects have radically changed: I feel almost no stress at work compared to my previous job in France, and I finish my days earlier. The work-life balance is very important here. Life is certainly more expensive, and taxes are higher, but salaries are more competitive, so everything balances out rather easily. Also, I live in a much larger apartment (really much larger) for an equivalent price to what I used to pay near Paris. So, in terms of comfort and space, Montreal is different from Paris.

You also have a blog about travel and your life as an expatriate. What motivated you to start blogging?

I created my blog, "Un Loukoum à l'Érable," in the spring of 2021. At the time, my company had ceased operations due to the pandemic, and I had a lot of free time. I had been thinking about starting a blog for a couple of years, and this was the perfect opportunity to finally do it.

Initially, it took me several weeks to create enough content to keep the blog running. As someone who loves traveling, experiencing different cultures and writing, I decided to document my travels and excursions, as well as record my experiences as an expat.

Then, in the spring of 2021, my partner and I received the news that we would be moving to Quebec, so it became the perfect opportunity to document my experiences and share them with others. The purpose of my blog is to inspire people to travel and discover new cultures and to share my experiences and insights as an expat.

How do you plan and schedule your blogging activities?

I like to plan my blog articles to ensure I have a clear idea of what I want to write about. I usually jot down some notes or ideas in a notebook or on my phone, and then I take some time to research and organize my thoughts before I start writing. However, I also like to leave room for spontaneity and inspiration.

Sometimes, I'll come across a new place or experience that I didn't plan for and want to write about it right away. In those cases, I'll jot down some quick notes and take some photos to use later when I have time to write a complete article. Overall, my approach is a mix of planning and spontaneity, but I always make sure to put in the time and effort to create quality content that my readers will enjoy.

Do you have any advice for people who wish to settle in Canada?

I have a lot of advice, but I would recommend two essential things.

The first would be to be patient and do your research. Immigrating to Quebec and Canada, in general, can take time, and it's essential to do your due diligence before diving into the process. The Canadian and Quebec governments' websites (if you choose Quebec as your province of destination) are very comprehensive in terms of information. So, you need to go through the existing documentation, forums, etc., to understand the processes better. I also recommend setting aside some savings for this immigration project, as it can be expensive to immigrate.

Secondly, it's important to educate yourself on the realities on the ground, no matter which province you choose (life is not the same in Quebec, Ontario, or the Yukon, to name a few). It's also essential to realize that although it may seem like a dream, Canada is not perfect; it's not paradise on Earth. Many people arrive with a particular ideal in mind and leave a few months later disappointed. Canada is a country with its advantages and disadvantages that you have to be aware of. Even though life is generally good, not everything will be perfect. So, don't idealize a predetermined life there because it's highly likely that the reality will be different.

What are your plans for the future?

In the near or distant future, we'd like to continue enjoying Montreal. In a few months, we'll be able to apply for permanent residency in Quebec (we're currently temporary residents), so paperwork awaits us. Let's keep our fingers crossed for a quick and positive response! Apart from this process, maybe start a family and buy an apartment in a few years.

Would you consider a return to France in the future?

At the moment, returning to France is not in my plans. I am very happy in Montreal, and I would like to enjoy it for many more years. My partner and I are currently renewing our work permits while waiting to apply for permanent residency, so we will have more years to consider whether or not to return to France.