Student Takes Flight To College Twice A Week To Avoid 'High' House Rent

A student from the University of British Columbia (UBC), Tim Chen, has sparked a debate after revealing his unconventional approach to saving money on rent. Hailing from Calgary, Canada, Tim Chen flies to Vancouver twice a week for his classes, claiming that this is a cheaper alternative to renting an apartment in Vancouver.

Tim Chen shared his story on Reddit claiming that his strategy involves taking two classes per week at UBC, which require him to be on campus only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. He flies from Calgary to Vancouver in the morning and returns the same day, avoiding the need for accommodation in Vancouver. According to Chen, this approach allows him to save on rent, as he can continue living with his parents in Calgary and only incur minimal expenses for utilities.

The cost of Chen’s flights amounts to approximately $150 (roughly Rs 9200) per round trip, totalling around $1200 (roughly Rs 73000) per month. In comparison, renting a one-bedroom apartment in Vancouver could cost him around $2100 (roughly Rs 1,20,000) per month. Chen shared his experience on Reddit, where some users expressed admiration for his cost-saving measures, while others raised concerns about the practicality and sustainability of frequent air commutes.

One user remarked, “It’s honestly doable. The flight is pretty quick, and good deals on flights would be way less than rent, food, and other costs.”

Another user expressed, “That just shows what an absurd situation we are all in the lower mainland.”

Meanwhile, a third user countered, “That doesn’t really make sense. $100 one way * 2 there and back * 2 days a week * 4 weeks = $1600. That’s decent rent money.”

Another user suggested, “Bro just find a cheap rent. If you monitor Craigslist, you can find rent for less than $1000 with a good deal.”

The high cost of living in Vancouver, particularly in terms of housing, is well-documented. According to a report by Rentals.ca and Urbanation from October 2023, Vancouver is Canada’s most expensive city for renters, with the average one-bedroom unit listed at $2,872 (roughly Rs 1,70,000) and a two-bedroom at $3,777 (roughly Rs 2,30,000). The report also highlighted a trend of fewer people looking to become homeowners, which is driving up rent prices.

Giacomo Ladas, a spokesperson for Rentals.ca, explained to CBC News that high interest rates are discouraging people from entering the homeownership market, leading to increased demand for rental properties. He noted that the rate of Canadian households renting is growing twice as fast as the rate for homeownership.