Key facts
- The author moved from Montreal, Canada, to California, USA, to be with her partner.
- She sold her Montreal condo and most of her belongings to facilitate the move.
- The relocation involved significant personal and financial challenges, including lack of U.S. credit history and job loss.
- She found a rent-controlled apartment in Venice, California, which is more expensive than her previous condo.
- The author reflects that finding a partner to face uncertainty with was the true dream, not material possessions.
Janine Canillas recounts her significant life change of moving from Montreal, Canada, to California in her 40s, driven by a whirlwind romance. After years of long-distance communication and several visits, she decided to leave behind her established life, including her dream condo overlooking the Lachine Canal, to build a future with her partner in Venice Beach. The move involved selling most of her possessions and facing considerable logistical and financial hurdles upon arrival in the U.S., such as lacking a Social Security number and credit history, which led to apartment rejections and a smaller, more expensive living situation. She also lost her job and access to socialized healthcare. Despite these challenges, she emphasizes that the true dream was finding a partner to navigate life's uncertainties with, rather than material security.