Canada is a shitshow right now - major housing crisis (not just in cities, many towns as well), skyrocketing cost of living, cold climate (aside from BC but BC has a major drug epidemic/homeless problem), healthcare is the worst I’ve seen in my life, crime rates rising, etc. Don’t come here, trust me
I totally empathize with you. Trust your gut. I’m British Canadian living in Montreal. I’ve lived here for 8 yrs, and though I appreciate the Europeanism and “refinement” of living here in the context of North America, I have never felt at home here for similar reasons. I’m semi fluent in French but, like you, don’t get a lot of the jokes or emphemisms. Also spend almost every week of my vacation back in London.
Staying here due to cost-of-living while grittingly accepting the xenophobic fascism, and ‘walking on eggshells’ for being English as if it’s a stamp of second class citizenry. If I had the money, I’d be planning my move already, but unfortunately, it’s convenience and lack of funds keeping me here.
If I had the money to move, I’d move back in a heartbeat. However, if you do choose NYC, there seems to be an insane housing crisis atm though I’m sure you already know! Good luck to you