Newly single and 42, I left Connecticut for Montreal on a whim. People told me I was brave.

Erin Levi, a 42-year-old travel journalist, moved from Connecticut to Montreal on a whim last summer. She had barely any acquaintances in the city and the relocation left her with a panic attack. Moving to a new city while being self-employed was challenging, but it made her feel brave. In her previous life in Connecticut, Erin had immersed herself in various cultures, including a trip to Nepal to follow a snow leopard expert and living with an English-speaking family in Uzbekistan.

Montreal was just a 6-hour drive from her hometown in Connecticut, which made her feel safe rather than brave. However, her decision to move to Montreal was solidified after her landlord increased the rent to $3,250 a month, making it financially difficult for her to stay. A Canadian friend offered her a one-bedroom apartment near Little Italy for $775 a month, which included utilities, Wi-Fi, furniture, and a patio.

This opportunity, combined with her French language skills and love for Montreal, made her move a no-brainer. Since settling in, Erin has explored the city by learning to row and visiting local restaurants and markets. While she has experienced loneliness and longing, she has also made new friends and opened herself up to new experiences.

She admits that moving to a new city while working for herself and being far from her parents was not easy, but she has found a way to embrace her brave move.