A permanent resident of Canada has publicly stated that moving there was the worst decision of their life and announced plans to return to India after seven years. The post, shared on Reddit, has sparked widespread debate online. The user described the plastic permanent residency card as not worth keeping and painted a bleak picture of daily life in the country without citing a specific trigger such as job loss.
The cost of living was described as extremely high, with rent consuming nearly an entire paycheck and groceries viewed as a luxury. The individual claimed people are trapped in a cycle of working solely to cover bills. Finding professional employment was called nearly impossible due to demands for Canadian experience, which the post said undervalues prior work from abroad. Many educated immigrants were said to end up in low-level survival jobs.
Healthcare access was portrayed as inadequate, with long waits for family doctors, emergency rooms, and specialists. Winters were characterized as dark, freezing, and lasting six months, negatively affecting mental health. The post suggested Australia offered a brighter alternative.
The user concluded they were no longer willing to wait for improvement and had booked a flight back to India. They advised others considering immigration to reconsider, stating Canada is not what it once was.
Reactions online were mixed. Some questioned why the drawbacks became clear only after obtaining permanent residency. Others shared positive experiences after a decade in Canada, including career success in information technology. A Canadian citizen now living in India noted that those accustomed to vibrant Tier-1 cities might find Canada quiet, while people seeking cleaner environments and predictable routines could still benefit.
