9 things I wish I knew about Canada before I moved here from Ireland

The Canadian lingo is like none other

Canada has unique phrases that you wouldn't hear anywhere around the world — and it takes some getting used to.

Yes, Canadians really do say, 'Eh?' all the time. Also, "May Two-Four weekend" is just Victoria Day (I had to look this one up).

"Beauty", "toonie", and "loonie" are a few other phrases I've come to know and love. However, my personal favourite is calling someone a gerber. It's like a Toronto slant on the word Irish word eejit.

I also never knew that the second T in Toronto wasn't pronounced, and it's actually Tehrahno.

I know how it feels on the other side of things though — when I say the word 'craic' out loud to Canadians, I get some strange looks. I have to say sorrey about that!

The tipping culture is WILD

Anyone reading my work the past few weeks will have seen how shocked I was by Canada's tipping culture. While it's not legally required, it quickly became clear that tipping is the social norm here.

There isn't a tipping culture in Ireland unless you receive excellent service at a restaurant.

Before you arrive in the Great White North make sure you're in the know about tipping.

It's harder than you think to find a job

If you think you're going to touch down and jump into work — think again. Despite arriving in Canada with years of experience as a digital journalist I struggled to find work at first (and I was one of the lucky ones, having it only take a few weeks). It can be demoralizing when you put so much time and effort into applying for jobs and not hearing anything back.

If I could go back I would've started looking into roles and making connections on LinkedIn before coming over.

It's not just a struggle for newcomers to Canada either. I regularly see Canadians on Reddit and other social platforms complaining about how competitive the current job market is.

The mosquitoes are next-level

These little critters are an absolute nightmare.

Like in Canada, we have midges in Ireland, but the island's climate is too cold and wet for mosquitoes.

The bites here are so sore and itchy and develop into raised sores.

I play Gaelic football here in Toronto (shoutout to St. Pats GAA Club), and whenever I'm training over the summer, I always get eaten alive.

I'd love to say I learned my lesson from being here for over a year, but as I write this, I have a mosquito bite on my leg!

Credit scores are super important

In Ireland, credit scores aren't really a thing. Heck, it'd be rare to see someone my age with a credit card.

So, coming to Canada, it was a culture shock to realize how important credit scores are here, particularly when securing accommodation.

We were lucky because my partner had a job here, which helped out.

Pro tip: If you're a newcomer reading this and wondering about setting up a bank account, shop around. Some banks offer no fees for the first two years, which is ideal for temporary residents here on two-year visas.

The winters are really as cold as they say

Obviously, I knew Canada had cold winters, but it was tough to understand how truly cold it can get.

Not only are temperatures wildly cold, but it feels like the winter was so long here. In Toronto, we had very warm weather right up until the start of November, but winter lasted until April. May hasn't been great either, with all the rain.

However, I love how Canada is built for wintertime. I skated for the first time in Nathan Phillips Square and went on a maiden ski trip to Mont-Tremblant, Quebec.

I never thought I'd say this, but I can't wait to go skiing again!

People might complain about the public transit, but it's actually great

Like many Torontonians, I rely on the TTC to get around the city.

While TTC closures and changes can be frustrating, it's a fantastic service. This comes from the west of Ireland, where there is an almost non-existent public transport system, apart from a few bus routes.

I live in downtown Toronto, so I don't really need a car (and if I do, I can book a Communauto). Back in Ireland though, you'd really struggle without a car.

Before you arrive though, study up on your local transit options. I wish I had more familiarity with the TTC and the wider public transport system when I first landed at Toronto Pearson Airport (it would have saved me a fortune in unnecessary Ubers).

Facebook Marketplace is your friend

When looking for a condo in Toronto, I wish I had known how expensive furnishing it would be. I might have even looked for somewhere that was furnished.

We bought most of our furniture from IKEA and Amazon, but still, it adds up. If I was doing it again, I'd look on Facebook Marketplace to see if I could get things cheaper.

The summer weather has its own problems

I mentioned how cold winters can be, but I didn't realize how hot and humid summers can get in Canada.

Last summer in Toronto, we had weeks with temperatures between 25 and 30 C. While that sunny weather is lovely and excellent for getting a tan for a pasty Irishman like me, the humidity can be cruel, especially on days when it's overcast.

Playing Gaelic football in the heat? Absolutely gruelling.

I was also surprised by the number of thunderstorms that Toronto gets, and when it rains, it really does pour.

But really, that's the only negative! Toronto is so beautiful in the summer.