We’re back in Canada—and it’s not just a return home, it’s a reset of perspective. After almost two years living abroad in Malaysia, the Saleh family spent around 10 days in British Columbia before moving on to Ontario. In their own words, coming back feels refreshing and confirmation… but also surprisingly difficult to process as they notice just how much has changed.
This article turns those first impressions into a travel-style guide to what it’s really like to come home (and to travel inside your own country) after a long stretch away—mixing honest observations with practical takeaways you can use for your own Canadian trip.
Welcome back: Canada feels like home
The excitement is immediate: returning to Canada is described as both happy and shocking. For the Saleh family, Canada isn’t simply “different”—it’s familiar with a new lens. They also highlight the blessing of spending time with close friends in Ontario, with that feeling of community that can make a short stay feel warm and meaningful.
But the changes at home are hard to unsee
One of the most emotional parts of their return is what they describe seeing in their hometown: an increase in homelessness and drug addiction, described as prevalent and deeply upsetting. They mention that when their kids were born there and in the early years, this didn’t seem as widespread as it is now.
They also discuss a connection they perceive in how the town looks today—saying that, alongside the presence of weed stores and liquor stores, many businesses appear boarded up. Whether you agree with every interpretation or simply take the takeaway, the message is clear: returning after time away can make you see local changes more intensely.
Travelling inside Canada: no house, lots of adapting
Because they don’t have a house anymore, the Saleh family describe feeling like they’re travelling in their own country. A big part of that is accommodation—specifically Airbnbs in Ontario, which they call “utter fails” and say they would likely need a separate video to unpack properly.
They also mention practical challenges like needing to rent a car and having less space than they’re used to, which adds friction to what should be a straightforward homecoming.
Sticker shock: groceries, dining out, and changing prices
Cost is one of the biggest surprises. They describe grocery shopping and eating out as more expensive than they expected, and in some cases far higher than what they pay in Malaysia. One example they share: a meal of three burgers in Malaysia cost them about 30 ringgit (around $10 Canadian). In Ontario, they say they paid around $60 Canadian for just two burgers and fries (plus tip, though they note they didn’t tip).
They also talk about shopping for basic ingredients like spices. Even small bags of spice, they say, can be around five dollars each, which led to a humorous-but-relatable decision: buying only salt and pepper rather than “spices that bad.”
Tipping culture feels awkward—and sometimes unfair
Another notable difference is the tone of tipping. They describe tipping prompts appearing so early—like on water bottle machines—that it can feel inappropriate. They also say they read that most Canadians are tired of tipping culture, though they frame this as an article they encountered rather than a statistic they verified in the video.
Their core frustration is timing and expectation: tipping should happen based on service and experience, not as a default step before you’ve even been served. They also mention feeling awkward when declining tips because it’s built into the interface, and sometimes they feel obliged to tip just to avoid a tense moment.
Interestingly, they share a small story from a Muslim restaurant where they left a minimal tip at the register before eating, and then left cash on the table after the meal because they were delighted. They explain that the server didn’t pick up the cash, and the family had to return to give it—suggesting a mismatch between how tipping expectations work in different settings.
The upside: Canadian grocery standards and protein everywhere
For every challenge, there’s something genuinely exciting. They’re impressed by what they describe as clear labelling in Canadian grocery stores, including Health Canada-style warnings about things like sugar and sodium. They also highlight how many products are now high in protein, saying you can find high-protein bread, waffles, yoghurt, and even milk—plus mention that they noticed 6% milk becoming “a norm.”
In short: while Canada can feel expensive, they found something reassuring and practical in the way the grocery landscape is presented.
Day-to-day joys: playgrounds, open fields, and Tim Hortons
Not everything is cost or culture shock. They describe enjoying a new playground almost every day, noting the variety and the appeal of open fields. And, of course, there’s Tim Hortons—with Will especially excited about the menu and all the options now available.
When “treat” becomes a budget decision
One of their funniest takeaways is how quickly an “ice cream truck” moment adds up. They describe ordering two slushies, a water bottle, and an ice cream sandwich—totalling $19. Their punchline is simple: always look at the prices before you promise treats to the kids.
Would they come back? The answer is… maybe—especially for the ice cream
The Saleh family don’t claim a final decision. They say they don’t know whether they would move back, but their playful “ice cream truck” reasoning says it all: home isn’t just a place you revisit—it’s a place you re-experience, with new costs, new conversations, and new favourite moments.
Planning your own Canada return (or first visit): key takeaways
- Expect price differences: groceries and dining out may feel significantly higher than what you’re used to abroad.
- Be ready for tipping prompts: the interface can ask for tips before you’ve even been served.
- Look for the positives: clear product labelling and the availability of high-protein options are real highlights.
- Build time for everyday fun: playgrounds, open fields, and local favourites like Tim Hortons can make a trip feel effortless.
- Check ice cream truck pricing: treat budgets can change fast.
Wherever your journey leads next, the message from their return is heartfelt: Canada may look familiar on the map, but living in it again can reveal it in a whole new way.
