My first year living in Canada as a software developer

I saved around 1,000 dollars a month, mostly because my rent was below average. Friends paying 2,500 dollars for a condo downtown saved much less.

Getting set up

My employer booked two weeks in a hotel, which was not long enough. The SIN took one visit to Service Canada, with no appointment, and I left with the number the same day. Opening a bank account was easy because the big banks have newcomer packages. I chose one that gave me a secured credit card to start building a credit score.

Finding a flat took five weeks. Without a Canadian credit history, landlords asked for my employment letter and three months of bank statements. One asked for six months of rent upfront, which I declined.

Work culture

What surprised me:

• Stand-ups, sprints and code reviews were very similar to Nairobi. Good engineering is good engineering.
• Communication style was very polite and indirect. "That's an interesting approach" often meant "please change it". It took me months to decode.
• Networking matters more than I thought. Promotions and new jobs often came through people.
• Work hours were reasonable, but the expectation to be visible on Slack was high.

I had four weeks of vacation (my employer offered more than the legal minimum) and comprehensive health benefits, including dental and a small amount for mental health.

Winter and wellbeing

My first winter was hard. I did not see sunlight for days in January. I bought a SAD lamp, joined a gym near the office and forced myself to go to a Kenyan community event once a month. That made a huge difference.

Why I left

I loved Toronto's diversity and food. But rent was rising faster than my salary, and I received an offer in Amsterdam with a much better salary, the 30% ruling and the chance to move into data analysis. The permanent residence pathway in Canada was open to me through Express Entry, but my score was not high enough yet.

Would I recommend it?

Yes, especially for people early in their tech career who want international experience and a route to permanent residence. Come with savings for at least three months, get a secured credit card immediately, and be patient with the housing search. Toronto rewards people who build connections.