Calum moved from Stratford to Toronto for school. He studied for a few years, then worked for a few until he figured out his next move. Eventually, Calum started classes at Humber College in September 2019. But things were soon to change.

March 2020: the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many, he lost his restaurant job, and while waiting for fall classes to resume, his student debt continued to accumulate.

Calum grew up in Stratford and is a lifelong super fan. But as a student, “things were getting tough in Toronto,” said Calum, “I wanted to get out of the city for a bit, so I came back to Stratford in May 2020 for what was supposed to be three weeks.”

But summer soon ended, and with remote learning as the only option, he stayed in Stratford until he finally gave up his place in Toronto in December of that year. “I was just paying too much rent in the city when I could live with my parents while studying to save money.”

Calum, now graduated, works as a copywriter in advertising. He works remotely and still lives with his parents. He loves them, but he feels it’s time to move out. The main obstacle to his achieving independence is the lack of attainable housing in the area and a significant student loan. This financial burden makes it difficult for Calum to consider living on his own.

The pandemic highlighted the benefits of remote work, including the ability to avoid expensive city living, but even smaller towns are experiencing rising prices. “So, when people want to move from big cities to smaller ones, like Stratford, where do they turn when they find out there is no housing available, at least none in a reasonable price range?”

Calum is exploring potential living locations in other centres, but still, he prefers to remain in Stratford if he can find housing that is within reach. Unfortunately, the options are limited, and rental prices in Stratford are starting to resemble those of larger cities. “I’ve even considered moving to Mexico and working remotely. Life is just more affordable down there, and I feel like I’m getting priced out of my hometown.”

Calum’s grandpa recently moved into his parent’s home, so now space is even tighter than it was, and it’s not where Calum saw himself at age 27. “My generation has been told we’ll never own a home. It’s daunting.” Calum said, “it’s frustrating, confusing, and worrying.”

He often wonders if he’ll ever get to the point of living comfortably with a reasonable rent.