After settling down in Canada, one of the first things I needed to do was get groceries.
It sounds like a normal errand, right? But when you have just moved from Nigeria to Canada, even something as ordinary as shopping comes with a few adjustments.
I went to the store to get what I needed, and while looking at the prices, I noticed something funny about myself.
I kept converting everything to naira.
Sometimes I would calculate the amount in my head, look at it again and just laugh.
I knew I was now in Canada, but apparently, my brain was still shopping in Nigeria.
Getting Used to Grocery Prices in Canada
One thing I noticed during my early grocery shopping experience was how naturally I compared Canadian prices with what I was familiar with back home.
In Nigeria, you already have an idea of what certain things should cost. You can walk into a store, look at a familiar product and decide whether the price is reasonable.
But here I was, looking at prices in Canadian dollars and trying to develop that same understanding.
It wasn’t that I couldn’t understand the currency. I simply needed time to get used to spending it.
And that was something I hadn’t really considered before relocating.
Learning How to Shop in a New Country
As I continued settling into Canada, grocery shopping became another part of learning my new environment.
I had to become familiar with the stores around me and gradually understand the prices of things I needed regularly.
One thing I would tell someone relocating from Nigeria is not to assume that their first shopping experience will tell them everything about grocery costs in Canada.
You are still new. You may not know the different shopping options available to you or where you would prefer to buy certain items.
Give yourself room to explore.
I also began to understand why it was important to judge prices within my new environment instead of comparing every purchase with what I would have spent back home.
Is Grocery Shopping in Canada Expensive?
This is one question I know people planning to move to Canada often ask.
From my experience, I wouldn’t advise anyone to judge grocery affordability based on currency conversion alone.
What feels expensive to one person may depend on their budget, household size, shopping habits and the products they normally buy.
Also, my personal shopping experience should not be used as a general price guide for everyone living in Canada.
If you are preparing to relocate, it is better to research grocery costs in the particular city where you intend to live and create a realistic food budget.
You can always adjust that budget once you become more familiar with your surroundings.
What I Would Recommend to Someone Grocery Shopping in Canada for the First Time
If you are newly arrived in Canada, I would suggest starting with the things you actually need rather than trying to buy everything immediately.
A few practical things worth considering:
- Make a shopping list before going to the store.
- Start with essential groceries.
- Check the prices of items you purchase regularly.
- Compare available options before deciding where to do most of your shopping.
- Keep track of your spending so you can gradually develop a realistic grocery budget.
And if you find yourself converting every price into naira, don’t worry too much about it.
I did that too!
Questions About Grocery Shopping in Canada as a Newcomer
What was my first grocery shopping experience in Canada like?
It was part of adjusting to everyday life in a new country. One memorable part was looking at Canadian dollar prices and automatically calculating their value in naira.
Is grocery shopping in Canada different from Nigeria?
My biggest initial adjustment was becoming familiar with Canadian prices and learning to understand them without relying entirely on what I was used to spending in Nigeria.
How can newcomers prepare for grocery shopping in Canada?
Start by researching stores around your intended location, planning a food budget and identifying the groceries you normally use. Once you arrive, you can adjust your shopping habits based on your actual needs and available options.
Should I bring all my Nigerian food items to Canada?
Not necessarily. From my own packing experience, there were food items I was glad I brought, particularly my Nigerian spices and ground dried crayfish.
However, I later realized that some things were not worth the trouble of packing because I could buy them in Canada.
Before travelling with food, always check the current Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Canada Border Services Agency requirements.
My Final Thoughts
My first grocery shopping experience was one of those little moments that reminded me I was adjusting to a new way of life.
Nothing dramatic happened. I simply went shopping, looked at the prices and found myself doing mathematics in my head.
Sometimes I laughed at my calculations.
Looking back, I think that is one thing worth remembering about relocating. You may have prepared for the big changes, but everyday activities will still introduce you to things you never thought about before leaving home.
For me, grocery shopping was one of them.
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