Why My Partner and I Choose to Live in Both the US and Canada
As remote work reshapes modern employment, binational couples like Catherine Collins and Andrew balance careers and family across the US and Canada, navigating distinct cultural paces, digital ecosystems, and structural differences in healthcare without immediate plans to permanently consolidate households in a single country.
The Logistics of a Bi-National Remote Work Routine
Maintaining a cross-border relationship requires precise scheduling and constant adaptation to international travel routes. Catherine Collins spends a week every month taking a two-and-a-half-hour flight from Chicago to Winnipeg, Canada, sustaining a long-distance partnership with Andrew that has spanned over two years, according to published personal accounts.
The two met a decade ago at a financial bloggers’ conference, transitioning from professional colleagues and friends to romantic partners. Because both individuals manage an online business together and share custody of children from previous marriages in their respective home countries, neither partner plans to relocate permanently in the near term.
Cultural Divides and Digital Inconveniences
Living across two countries exposes stark contrasts in daily conveniences, digital applications, and regional pace. Collins notes that Canada offers a more relaxed environment, serving as a distinct counterpoint to the high-intensity American hustle culture.
However, jurisdictional boundaries create friction in everyday digital tools. Popular American peer-to-peer payment platforms like Venmo and Cash App are unavailable in Canada, requiring couples to rely on services like Wise to split expenses. Similarly, streaming availability fluctuates; services like Hulu restrict viewing access outside the United States.
Culinary traditions also mark the divide. Andrew travels without local access to Chick-fil-A in Winnipeg, though the chain operates in select Canadian markets like Toronto, while Collins regularly orders poutine—widely recognized as an unofficial Canadian national dish—upon arriving in Canada.
Contasting Healthcare Frameworks and Future Planning
Structural differences between the two nations extend deeply into public services, most notably healthcare. Canada funds its universal healthcare system through taxation, insulating residents from unexpected medical bills or high out-of-pocket emergency room expenses. Yet, this system involves trade-offs, including extended wait times for specific surgical procedures and emergency care.
Conversely, the American healthcare model relies predominantly on private insurance. While this structure generally permits rapid appointment scheduling, it introduces significant financial exposure for patients. These systemic differences influence long-term lifestyle choices for binational families weighing access to care against financial predictability.
Looking ahead, Collins and Andrew contemplate a blended living arrangement: spending half of the year in Canada and relocating to a warmer region during the American winter months once their children complete their education. Balancing these structural realities requires deliberate planning to craft a sustainable dual-country routine.