Returning to a Surrey I Barely Recognize

Returning to a Surrey I Barely Recognize

I was born in Surrey, and although my family moved when I was six, I’ve always been visiting—family roots run deep here. But now, I hardly recognize Surrey anymore. The towers, the rapid development, the constant change—it’s not the city I grew up with.

I had spent the previous five winters in Mexico, enjoying a slower pace of life. With Covid behind us, I was looking forward to coming back and getting my job back—but that didn’t happen. Finding a place to live proved impossible. I even took a 55+ job search course, thinking it would help, but all I saw was people cleaning up and struggling.

The employment scene feels like a huge scam sometimes—LinkedIn posts, job portals, everyone scraping data—it’s like an endless loop. Employers want experience, skills, even language requirements I don’t have, and the system pushes people toward social assistance. But I haven’t gone that route. It doesn’t pay for rent or cover anything meaningful, and often just gives someone—probably a newcomer—permission to harass you.

So here I am, couchsurfing, walking dogs, cleaning—just trying to make it through. Every day I’m praying I can get back to Mexico this winter, because I barely recognize “home” anymore.

The Bigger Picture

This isn’t just my experience. Surrey, like much of Canada, is feeling the pressure of rapid immigration. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, over 104,000 permanent residents were admitted to Canada, with many newcomers settling in Metro Vancouver. This influx has strained public transit, housing, and local services, and made the job market even more competitive.

The federal government has responded by reducing immigration targets—from 500,000 down to 395,000 permanent residents for 2025—to help communities cope. But even with these changes, the effects of years of rapid growth are still very real.

Coming back to Surrey was supposed to feel like returning home. Instead, I’ve been confronted with a city transformed, a job market stacked against me, and the daily struggle to make ends meet. I share this not just for myself, but for anyone else trying to navigate the same challenges.

Share Your Experience

If you’re facing similar challenges or have insights about returning to a changing city, I encourage you to share your story. Together, we can make sure people understand the reality of life in Surrey today.