Gawd, this is an amazing city. I remember that feeling I had when I first moved here…it was pure excitement. Between the colourfulness of the city, the geekiness and freakiness of it’s residents and the complete essence of hope that pulsates through San Francisco, there is no other place in the world like it. It’s a fantastic city. A real city. A small yet large city. People learn how to fly here every single day. And, unlike other fantastic launchpad cities like New York, you can fall from the sky and survive it here. San Francisco will always have my heart.
So, why am I leaving? Why am I taking a karaoke road trip across America to settle in my new home in Montreal? Because it is time. And it’s been time for just over a year now.
Like any good catalyst, San Francisco isn’t meant to be where someone settles. It would be the antithesis of what the pull of San Francisco is for to be a settling ground. It’s more of an unsettling ground. The place where I questioned everything that I had come to take for granted as the way the world works and is supposed to work. It unsettled the notion of everything I am and what I could do. And once I had that answer and found my new reality, I felt I was unnecessarily holding onto the key that needs to be passed along to someone else who awaits the experience. It would be futile for me to learn so much and then not bring it somewhere else with me. It would be like staying in school forever…getting smarter, but not being able to bring that knowledge to real-world issues. It’s necessary that I move onto my next adventure.
Of course, there are the practical things that most people understand like the cost of living (really high in SF), the lack of public health care, the awful public schools (for my 16 year old son), and the fact that I’m a Canadian citizen and cannot live here without a job to sponsor me and, well, I don’t want a job…I want to write my next book and do all sorts of great entrepreneurial things and keep spreading the message of whuffie and changing the world and stuff. But those are practical bits that I’ve dealt with since day one of living here. If it weren’t for the ethereal stuff, I’d continue working around the impracticalities of living in this city.
If I were to compare San Francisco to a geeky reference, I’d say that SF is like Dagobah, where I got to be Luke Skywalker, learning from the many Yodas here. But even though I want to stay, I know I have to leave and face the Empire. And even more importantly, I have been trained in the Jedi ways, so I can transfer my skills to others. I know…too much geek.
So that’s why I’m leaving San Francisco. Of course I’m going to miss it. And there are tons of great things people get in America that I’m going to miss, too. Like Pandora and Virgin America and Trader Joe’s. I’m going to miss the sheer choice I have. The lack of limitations on delivery. But I’m going to an amazing city. A different city. Montreal is charming, even though there is 5x the population of SF. The architecture is similar, with rows of Victorians to choose from. There is a vibrant technology scene there with venture capital, cool companies and people who really get it. There is also a brilliant coworking space. And an opportunity for me to learn new experiences and share my current ones with others.
Oh. And I can write my next book (proposal is still in progress). That’s what I’m most excited about.
So, on my birthday, July 15, I’m leaving San Francisco and will arrive in Montreal at the end of July to move into my new home for August 1. I hope everyone comes to visit.
Your made me choke and almost cry. You are truly amazing. I knew that when I met you at SXSW. I’ve been struggling with the same thing for awhile now. Ha, I wanted to move to SF, but the city doesn’t have the infrastructure to support my passion for fashion.
I’ve been grappling with the fact that I most likely have to move to New York, or even more scary, Italy or France. But am starting to find the only solace I get is in my industry, and I need more of support network in it. That takes me one of those three places. Please be well and I our paths will cross again.
I’m crushed to hear you’re leaving! I’ll be in San Francisco for the summer again after graduation (and before I go back for a year for my Master’s) – do you think we could grab that coffee we chatted about once, but never happened?
I’ll be in town starting June 11 and will be working in SOMA – I’ll follow up with you via email if I don’t hear from you by then. Hopefully before you leave you can find an afternoon free to chat with an excited(-able?) young CS student
Hey Tara it was great to meet you tonight at your first YULBlog – and I look forward to helping welcome you to Montreal. We have a great community that will embrace you with open arms!
San Francisco will miss you. I’m so glad I got the chance to hear you speak at WordCampSF this year and also glad that I picked up a copy of your book. I’m really enjoying it and your talk was very inspiring.
Love this quote about SF! “The place where I questioned everything that I had come to take for granted as the way the world works and is supposed to work.”
It happens to me almost daily here.
It will be great to have you back in Canada, and Montreal seems to be buzzing with great ideas in every area right now. I just finished a documentary filmmaking workshop in Ottawa and almost everyone cool I met was from Montreal. I haven’t been there for 15 years but I’m now eagerly planning a long-overdue trip.
I hope you’ll find it a great place to recharge your creative batteries and I know you’ll invigorate the web community there.
i really loved your entry. thanks for sharing. best of luck with your future endeavors. keep moving.
Tara- Ive followed your blog for ages now.
If you ever randomly decide to move to England and want to work with a software company with way too much work to do and (way too) big ambitions – be sure to drop me a line
Good luck – moving anywhere is always exciting (or should be).
Wow, this is a huge move! It’s really weird for me since I think of you as an icon of SF. Anyway, I wish you the best of lucks for both your personal and professional life.
I still hope you manage to free some time up and visit Buenos Aires on the other side of the world. I don’t have to say that you’re more than welcome to drop by
- Fernando
Hi Tara, we met a while back at WineCamp, and just wanted to leave a note that I’m sorry to hear you’re leaving our SF Bay Area community, but I know you’ll continue to contribute to many many people from your new home base. Best wishes in Montreal!
Patrick
Can’t wait to have you here. Does your son babysit?
You are so amazing!! I was all excited to try & visit you in San Fran now that I am on the west coast too… and here you are heading back to the other side of Canada! But I love Montreal and think it will be a great city for you. Hugs & roses, Becky
I salute you, Tara. For your insight and how you will carry everyone you’ve touched and inspired with you…all over the world if that is what you choose.
You arrive in Montreal on my 56th birthday; August 1. This distant connection I have with you..rather ghostly since I “see” and listen to you and you don’t know me..enlivens me and I consider it a gift to have you shifting and sharing and re-creating your power on that great day, August 1.
My distant-cyber-spiritual best wishes to you!
Tara – You will be badly missed in SF, but your legacy will live on in so many amazing groups and friendships that you have established here. As a former Canadian I understand the pull back to some of the amazing cities and people there… and I also understand the perception of San Francisco as a catalyst. I am sure that Montreal will be another fantastic adventure for you and although you will be far away – I for one will be following you online and meeting up when possible…Ottawa is just 2 hrs from Montreal and I am there several times a year. Bonne chance à Montréal!
Here’s to new beginnings!
But I really think you should consider joining us in Vancouver instead. You can be back in Canada, but still have the west coast vibe AND a Trader Joe’s within driving distance!
WOW, that just sums up San Francisco, as I left my heart there too. It is an awesome city and nearby Santa Rosa becons my mind as I think of the roses. Heard you speak at the SES Toronto, you were great, loved your outfit, and now I know why? Must be from San Fran! Enjoy Montreal.
Tara,
We do hope you will stop in Detroit as you traverse North America. A whuffaoke Tweetup would be awesome. Please consider Detroit as it looks like your planned route will bring you very close.
Thanks to @SugarJones for linking to this post, bringing it to my attention.
Best,
David
Best of luck, Tara! You continue to be a huge inspiration for me! xo
nice bridge
Goodbye my friend. You will be missed.
We will miss you Tara! It has been great getting to know you over the past year, and in the short time we worked together, I learned so much from you. I have a feeling that although you’ll be miles away, we’ll stay in touch. I’ll keep following you for the latest on your move and your next book. Good luck!
So I guess you’re leaving Intuit. Good Luck on your adventure.
Godspeed, as a word, is a wish for a prosperous journey, success, and good fortune (from Middle English God speed you, meaning “May God help you prosper”).
I feel the same way, I came to Phoenix one person and now I am another, I have a little girl and a little boy and I’m married not the same person and its been wonderful for my career.
I wish you the best and I hope you keep this site up.
Thanks, Jason
“Between the colourfulness of the city, the geekiness and freakiness of it’s residents and the complete essence of hope that pulsates through San Francisco, there is no other place in the world like it. It’s a fantastic city. A real city. A small yet large city. People learn how to fly here every single day. And, unlike other fantastic launchpad cities like New York, you can fall from the sky and survive it here. San Francisco will always have my heart.”
pure poetry, loved it!
Awww Tara, I’ll miss you.
Tara, thanks so much for sharing. I admire your courage, strength, decisiveness. Best of luck in Montreal. I love it!
And keep up your great posts. Thank you.