Kenyans living in Canada, from left, Felix Odhiambo Ayiera, Elizabeth Mokkonen and Shadrack Ngoi.
As more Kenyans seek greener pastures abroad, Canada has emerged as one of the top destinations for work, study, and starting a new life.
But living abroad is not as easy as many would imagine.
Shadrack Ngoi, 38, who lives in Edmonton, Canada, knows this too well.
Two years ago, he got an opportunity to pursue further studies at the University of Alberta and work part-time.
His biggest shock was not only the cold weather, but also the high cost of living, especially rent.
“Housing demand, high rents, food prices, and general living expenses make the cost of living here super high. Renting a small room can cost you like Sh100,000 when you convert from Canadian dollars,” he says.
Food and basic commodities are also costly compared to Kenya. “Groceries are a bit expensive but manageable. For example, one avocado can cost about Sh280, which is expensive. But some vegetables like kale or spinach can be bought in small bundles for Sh180 to Sh280, which can last a few meals,” Shadrack says, adding “I’ve learnt to budget without conversion my spending to Kenyan shillings. It is helping me adapt better.”
Shadrack usually shops at African markets. “We have some African stores here in Canada and some stores owned by Kenyans.” This helps him maintain almost a similar lifestyle and culture as Kenya.
Shadrack Ngoi, 38, is a graduate student in Edmonton who paused his job in Nairobi, and wanted to seek more opportunities abroad as he embraced a new academic world that broadened his mind.
Transportation is another cost, but Shadrack feels that it offers value for money. Public transport in Edmonton is well organised, and one saves money using it compared to owning a car.
He says the easiest way to cope with the high cost of living is ensuring that one goes to Canada on a full sponsorship or secures a job, which helps cover basic expenses such as upkeep and accommodation.
Elizabeth Mokkonen is another Kenyan living in Canada. The 50-year-old has lived in Finland for 11 years and is now spending her early months in Canada as a nurse. Coming from Finland, she did not expect Canada to feel expensive.
I asked her which expense stood out as the most costly compared with the other countries she has lived in.
“Housing,” she says. “Rent in Canada is extremely high, especially in major cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary. But even rents in small cities aren’t cheap.”
She explains that rent can eat about 40 per cent to 60 per cent of a household’s income, which makes people feel broke even if they are earning ‘okay’ money.
Elizabeth currently lives in a two-bedroom basement apartment, and the rent is about sh188,000 per month.
“In Finland, for a similar house I would pay about Sh75,000 to Sh90,000,” she says.
She says in Finland, as a student, she had access to student housing, and she could pay Sh30,000 to Sh45,000.
“In Canada, I have not seen such options, and as a visitor and worker, I have to rely on the private rental market,” she says.
Basic needs like food and even small shopping trips require budgeting. Although taxes in Canada are lower than in Finland, Elizabeth noticed many extra fees. “There are fees left and right, and it is a lot,” she told the Nation.
In grocery stores, Elizabeth also finds herself comparing prices with Finland by converting Canadian dollars into euros. “When I go to the supermarket, I convert the Canadian dollars to euros. It is almost the same, but there is a margin,” she says.
Elizabeth Mokkonen, 50, is a trained nurse in Canada who rose from humble beginnings in Kenya, rebuilt her life in Finland, and now furthers her career in Canada.
On immigration and business ownership in Canada, she has observed that many businesses in Canada are owned by immigrants. “I walk around and see that about one in four private-sector businesses in Canada is majority-owned by immigrants. But, I’m pretty new in Canada too. I’m just speaking from what I see.”
She also finds emotional survival challenging. “Life here feels quiet and lonely. People are busy working, and their social life is limited. I rarely see my landlord and his family. They are all working,” she says.
For Elizabeth, adapting to Canada means accepting the high cost of living while focusing on long-term possibilities. She believes that with time, her education and experience may open doors to better opportunities, including leadership and management roles.
“Despite all, I still feel like I belong in Canada,” she says. “This is where I would want to be.”
While Elizabeth’s experience captures the weight of housing costs from the perspective of a working professional navigating a new system, the same pressure is felt just as sharply by younger newcomers.
Felix Ayiera, 31, arrived in Canada in May last year. He got sponsorship opportunities, but the cost of living was much higher than he expected. After spending time in Hungary and Kenya, the difference was clear to him from the first month.
Housing was the first challenge. To manage the costs, he shares an apartment. “I live in a combo, a shared flat, and I pay Sh80,300,” he told the Nation. Even for a shared place, rent takes a big part of his monthly income.
In cities like Edmonton, where the University of Alberta is located, rent for shared apartments can range from Sh66,000 to Sh85,000, while one-bedroom apartments can cost Sh110,000 to Sh151,000 per month. In bigger cities like Toronto and Vancouver, rent is even higher, often going above Sh189,000 for a small apartment. Because of this, many students and newcomers choose shared housing.
“Housing demand is high, especially near universities,” he says.
Felix Odhiambo Ayiera, 31, is PhD student in food science and technology specialising in food microbiology at the University of Alberta.
Food prices are also high, especially for fresh food. “Food prices are affected by imports and taxes. Cooking at home has become a necessity, not a choice. Eating out is expensive, so I limit it.”
However, Felix says he is lucky because of the university's support. “The university gives me a monthly stipend which is able to cater for accommodation, groceries, and living allowance,” he says, adding, “I also teach as an assistant and get paid.
He advises, “The most important thing you need here is a good credit score.” Many people buy things on credit, not because they have money, but because credit improves their future opportunities. This system is different from Kenya and Hungary, and adapting to it takes time.”
Healthcare is better organised, but it also comes with indirect costs such as insurance and waiting times.
He believes Canada favours people who understand it early.
“Survival in Canada is not about luxury. It is about balance. Education, opportunity, and future security make the high cost of living worth it,” he says.
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