[jbay808]

The housing market has a lot to do with it. In Canada, average home prices (all types) are up ~6x since 2000, and in specific cities like Vancouver and Toronto, even more so. Compensation has not kept pace. Back when I was a high school student, I didn't think pay was very important. Now I realize it's much easier to pursue one's curiosity if one can afford, say, a garage.

[bumby]

That leads to a follow up. Is the goal to have a home in one of those cities or is the goal to have a home? The first may require working in software while the latter could foreseeably mean you could be an EE elsewhere.

[jbay808]

Everyone chooses their own goals and priorities of course. Where in Canada would you recommend for a young EE?

[bumby]

I don’t know Canada unfortunately. But maybe Windsor? EEs working as control engineers across the river in automotive while I was there could easily pull surgeon-level salaries in an area that has a cost of living a fraction below SV