Moving to Canada often feels like the financial finish line. You have secured the visa, booked the flight and finally made it through the airport. Then reality arrives, usually carrying several bills.

Your first year in Canada can be surprisingly expensive because you are not simply paying for everyday life. You are also paying to set up a new life from scratch.

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The cost of starting again

For many newcomers, the biggest shock is housing. You may need temporary accommodation before finding a permanent home, followed by rent, a deposit and possibly other upfront costs. Depending on the province and your rental arrangement, you could also face costs for utilities, internet, insurance and moving.

The Canadian government advises newcomers to budget for housing, heating, utilities, food, transportation and other essential expenses. It notes that housing and utilities alone can account for a substantial share of household income.

And there is another problem: you may have to spend money before you have earned your first Canadian salary.

You may need to buy everything again

Think about what you already own in Nigeria. Bed? Sofa? Kitchen equipment? Winter clothing? Work clothes? Basic household items?

Now imagine arriving with two suitcases and needing to recreate much of that life.

Canada's Financial Consumer Agency specifically lists furniture, kitchen supplies, cleaning products, linens, curtains, moving costs and utility deposits among possible start-up expenses.

Even seemingly small purchases can become expensive when they happen all at once.

A newcomer who thinks, "I'll just buy what I need when I arrive," can quickly discover that what I need is a surprisingly long list.

Your first job may not be your ideal job

This is another reason the first year can hurt financially.

Your Nigerian qualifications and experience remain valuable, but getting the Canadian job you want may take time. You may need additional certification, professional registration, Canadian references or simply time to understand how your industry operates.

The Canadian government itself warns newcomers that they may initially have to accept lower pay while upgrading their skills or gaining Canadian work experience.

That creates a dangerous combination: new-country expenses with transitional income.

Transportation can quietly drain your money

You may initially assume public transport will solve everything. Perhaps it will. Perhaps it will not.

Your job might be far from your home. Your children's school might be somewhere else. Grocery shopping, appointments and winter weather can change your calculations.

Buying a car brings another collection of costs: insurance, fuel, maintenance, registration and parking. Even without a car, regular public transport expenses add up.

The trick is not simply choosing the cheapest transport option. It is choosing housing and transportation together.

Healthcare does not mean every medical expense disappears

Canada has publicly funded healthcare, but newcomers should understand the rules in their province or territory. Some provinces and territories may not cover certain newcomers during their first three months, according to the federal government, so appropriate temporary coverage may be necessary.

And public healthcare does not automatically mean every health-related expense is free.

Then there is the Canadian financial system

Your first year may also involve opening bank accounts, establishing credit, obtaining a mobile plan, paying deposits and learning how Canadian taxes and benefits work.

Newcomers may qualify for certain tax credits and benefit payments depending on their circumstances, but filing tax returns remains important for accessing many of these programmes.

This is why your first year should be treated as a setup year, not necessarily a wealth-building year.

Spend like you are building, not celebrating

The temptation is understandable. You have finally arrived. You want the nice apartment, the latest phone, restaurant meals and perhaps a car immediately.

But your first Canadian salary is not necessarily proof that you are financially comfortable.

Give yourself time to establish income, housing, credit, savings and an emergency fund.

Canada can offer tremendous opportunities, but arriving prepared means understanding an uncomfortable truth:

Getting into Canada is one financial milestone. Building a stable life there is another.

And the first year is where much of that foundation is built.

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