This is a place for all things Canada (except politics 
)!
We’re planning to move to Vancouver Island, Nanaimo area, from the US. My lovely wife is a dual citizen and is sponsoring me. Assuming everything stays on track, we should be relocating in about a year, maybe less.
What do I need to know about this wonderful country? What are its quirks? Does anybody have experience moving there from the US? Aside from hockey, what else should I be studying to help me fit in?
Thank you for sharing!
-JS
I am green with envy. A sickly, disgusting green that I’m more than a little ashamed of. My son spends half his time in Vancouver. A country boy through and through, I never thought he’d fall in love with any city, but he has.
Vancouver stole my boy! 
Born and raised in Toronto. Now living in the Toronto suburbs. Welcome!
Canada is a very large and diverse country. Just as California and Florida differ, so do the provinces here. But our extremes are far closer than yours. A very strange and emotion-filled time in Canada these days. And I could go on for hours but…
Don’t worry about ‘fitting in’. We are a cultural mosaic in juxtaposition to the ‘melting pot’ to our south. Be yourself. Be kind. And you will ‘fit in’.
And of course, GO LEAFS GO!
Fixed! 
And thanks for the reply!
If I see him I’ll tell him dad says be home by 10
my little junie is all growd up. time to leave the nest baby bird 
You can’t wear guns.
Smoking marijuana is legal.
Go Habs Go!
he can’t take them off. justin is permanently strapped.
I moved to Canada almost 20 years ago from the States. Happy to answer any questions, although I imagine my immigration path probably differs from yours.
I love it up here and consider myself a Canadian. Cultures differ across the country, but a commonality of acceptance, diversity, and just damn good people.
Welcome! For the most part, Canada differs from the US in really subtle ways — especially out west, where there’s less British/French influence. You’ll be fine, and it will be fun catching the weird little details. Don’t worry about Coffee Crisp or ketchup chips; they’re controversial among Canadians. Sports is great if you like sports, but it’s not too hard to find likeminded folks if you’re not into sports.
With that said, I’m only now starting to appreciate how big of an impact the “CanCon” rules had on my upbringing. I felt like I grew up watching mostly American TV — in Calgary, we got quite a few channels from Spokane, and even our national networks syndicated a lot of American shows. But as I got older, I started looking closer at the people behind the media that really resonated with me, and it turns out that I had unknowingly loved a TON of homegrown art, music, and media. Check out a few CanCon playlists on YouTube, and watch the old PSAs. If you can naturally drop in a few references, you’ll have an instant “in” with a good number of people.
I grew up thinking “Don’t you put it in your mouth” and “House Hippo” were universal references.
They haven’t even moved here yet. Don’t scare them off.
Coincidentally, I grew up with SCTV, Kids in the Hall, etc. in the States 
I lived in BC pre 9/11 so I imagine it’s a bit different. But, they’ve got different chip flavors. Portions are smaller. Everyone called me Yank. It’s just called ham. People seem to be more kind. All my friends skated Skull Skates old school decks.
Big fan of Canada, bc especially and Vancouver island is wonderful. I grew up right next to it, like it’s a casual boat trip in a skiff. I grew up with mostly Canadian tv, radio was about 50/50. Any overnight school trip growing up was always to Canada, usually Vancouver island. Been to Nanaimo many times, beautiful area though for cities on the island I’m partial to Victoria. I’ve never lived there but it’s really appealing.
You’ll probably find that bc is a lot like pnw USA. All of the Canadian stereotypes you’ve heard are about provinces further east (mostly). Every country has its issues, especially historically, but they seem better than most. Strong sense of community, wonderfully absent hubris, realistic and down to earth, and the nicest folks around unless you put a hockey stick in their hands.
Damn, kinda feel like going for a boat ride…
Before you know it, you‘ll spend half your money on wild salmon candy.
It’s funny to note that all the Americans I know are convinced that the rest of the world lives like them, or aspires to do so. I’ve always wondered why they hold this flawed viewpoint, but I’ve never found an answer. In fact, the typical culture shock for an American expat is realizing that other lifestyles does exist, and they’re just as valid, sometimes even better. I’ve never been to Canada, but I know several Canadians, and one thing’s for sure: they’re not Americans.
Shocking, but true.
I visited B.C. and Vancouver Island years and years back and you already know it’s breathtaking and it’s an absolute magnet for interesting people. Definitely on my shortlist of livable places on planet Earth. You’ll need portable devices, that nature deserves your precense. Also prep well for the outdoors, it seems nice and lovely until it gets volatile and then it’s really impressive (euphemism).
I’m a city boy coast to coast, with a prairie heart. My days have met a lot of creatives from below the border for work and play. Two things come up with my American expat buds. Oddly (for me) a few very similar experiences.
There are a lot of immigrants everywhere you go, from everywhere. Americans are not an exception. We’d love to chill with you all, and it takes a little getting used to for some. PNWers, New Yorkers, Minnesotans, and folks from Georgia do well with it imho.
My favourite thing to hear though, is when expats get their healthcare, don’t need a copay or private insurance premiums, and get used to the lack of guns in potential everyday scenarios. An easement affords clarity and time. To create, get into flow, to explore, to find mindfulness devoid of ego. Plus the paid year of mat and pat leave I hear is astonishing.
Can I ask roughly where you’re moving from? Might help to be more specific about differences.
hey! we’re moving to Canada / Vancouver Island, too, this summer from the states. 
i’ll dm ya.
Lucky! Vancouver Island made such an impact on me, I’ll never forget it! I’d move there in a heartbeat! Good luck with the move and make sure you bring your kayak!
Our national anthem is “O Canada”. 
Stay humble. Stay Kind. You’ll fit in!