Cuban woman recalls how she sold her house in Cuba to emigrate to the U.S.: "I had the ticket but I didn't have the money for the journey."

A Cuban woman in the United States shared on TikTok the story of how she managed to sell her apartment in Cuba in just one day to fund her trip. The user Melissa (@meloncitalafaraonayeyeo) recounted in a video how she listed her home for sale and, within hours, found a buyer.

Melissa explained that the property she sold originally belonged to her mother and, after a family exchange, it ended up in her hands. She decided to put it up for sale as the only way to raise the necessary funds for her migration journey. "I had the ticket and everything to come, but the only thing I didn't have was the money for the journey, the most important part," she confessed.

In his testimony, he mentioned that he tried to sell the house by putting up a sign on the street, but the rain ruined it. His mother was against him posting it on social media, but he decided to do it anyway. "Sir, I put my house for sale on social media around 9:30 in the morning, and by 10 something I already had a buyer," he revealed. The property was purchased by a doctor living in Ecuador, who bought it for his wife and daughter in Cuba. In less than an hour, the deal was finalized.

Melissa's video generated multiple reactions among TikTok users. Some expressed sadness over the situation that forces many Cubans to sell everything to emigrate. "It's a shame we got stuck with a dictatorship in our country because we could be happy here, blessings," commented one user. Others made remarks about the apartment in question: "Fifth floor… with no elevator," someone noted critically.

There were also messages of support and congratulations. "Congratulations," "You are blessed by the great person you are," and "I've seen 3 or 4 of your videos, and I like you for free... new follower" were some of the comments Melissa received.

These types of stories have become common in recent years, with Cubans selling their properties to finance their exit from the country amid the economic and social crisis. The shortage of housing and the high prices in the real estate market in Cuba mean that some well-maintained properties sell quickly, especially on social media, where interested parties seek to avoid intermediaries and complicated transactions.

The case of Melissa is related to other testimonies from Cubans who face cultural changes and clashes upon arriving in the U.S. In a previous video, the same creator shared how her mother, newly arrived, had difficulties adjusting to the taste of American food, which sparked a debate among Cuban emigrants about the culinary differences between the two countries.

Stories like Melissa's reflect the reality of thousands of Cubans who, in the face of crisis, choose to sell their most cherished possessions in search of a better future abroad.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cuban Emigration and Property Sales for Emigration