22, Remote Job making 100k, stay in Vancouver or move back home to Calgary

Cross posting from r/PersonalFinanceCanada on a burner.

Hello everyone,

I'm 22 and currently living in Vancouver. I graduate this May and am having a hard time deciding whether to move back home to Calgary or stay in Vancouver, where I completed my undergraduate degree.

Right now I'm finishing the last few courses for my degree, but I also started working full-time in January at a mid-sized tech company making about $100k. I feel like my job is pretty stable so I am not worried about getting laid-off (despite the current climate) as I am due for a small promotion in a few months as my manager is very happy with my work. The company is based in Ontario and allows remote work, which is why I'm able to work for them while living in Vancouver.

My finances currently look like this:

• TFSA: $45k
• FHSA: $16k
• HISA: $15k
• Federal student loans: $30k (no interest)
• AB provincial student loans: $20k (prime + 2% starting May 2027)

I'm pretty torn about whether to stay in Vancouver or move back to Calgary. I've spent the last four years here and gotten use to the routines of the city. Socially I have a few friends here in Vancouver, my social life isn't really that big but I have just kinda started to put myself more out there. During my time at university I didn't really socialize too much here, and lots of my other friends have moved else where in their lives. But I have recently started going to more events and meeting more people here.

I still have some friends in Calgary, but we've grown fairly distant and most of them have formed new friend groups. A lot of my old high school friend groups have fragmented over time. I also enjoy the independence and not having to deal with certain family dynamics back home.

For example, if I move back to Calgary, my dad will probably expect me to help with landscaping and managing a rental property he owns. Because my family is Asian, it's difficult for me to say no, and I wouldn't be paid for that work.

On the other hand, moving back to Calgary would allow me to save a lot more money. My parents would only charge me about $500 per month for rent to live at home, whereas renting in Vancouver isn't cheap. Apartments in areas I'd want to live are usually around $2,000 per month, not including utilities or insurance.

I am not really looking at buying a house for the next 10-15 years, I mainly want to travel, try more hobbies and experience more of life that I feel like I have put as I was busy working/studying during undergrad. However, I do feel like if I do move back home I would be in a great place financially if I live there for a few years and save up my money.

I realize I'm in a very fortunate financial position to even be choosing between these options. I was wondering if anyone here has faced a similar decision and has any advice they could share.

TLDR: not sure if i should adultmax or savingsmax