In an extraordinary testament to the escalating housing costs in Vancouver, Canada, a University of British Columbia (UBC) student has devised a unique solution to bypass the city's exorbitant rental prices. Tim Chen, an arts student hailing from Calgary, has turned to the skies for his bi-weekly commute to campus, finding it more economical to fly over 687 kilometers each way than to rent a room in Vancouver.
Chen's journey into aerial commuting began when he returned from a fall vacation to discover a significant hike in rental rates. The cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment in Vancouver, which averages around £1,658 ($2,100), coupled with the city's minuscule 0.9 percent vacancy rate, prompted Chen to reassess his living arrangements. To his astonishment, he found that round-trip flights between Calgary and Vancouver were substantially cheaper, averaging about £118 ($150) per trip.
With two classes per week at UBC, Chen calculated that he could save a substantial amount by living with his parents in Calgary and flying to Vancouver for his classes. This unconventional approach would cost him approximately £948 ($1,200) monthly for eight return flights, a stark contrast to the steep rental prices in Vancouver.
A student from Canada gets to his studies by airplane to avoid rent pic.twitter.com/HsnuqGmnyx — Historic Vids (@historyinmemes) February 21, 2024
Chen's decision underscores the dire state of Vancouver's housing market, renowned as the most expensive in Canada. The city's sky-high rents have pushed some UBC students to extreme measures, such as living in vans, to afford their education. Xelian Louw, another UBC student, cited van living as the "only financially viable option" given the unattainable cost of even a bachelor suite in the city.
For Chen, the choice to commute by air is not just a financial one. The routine offers him a unique opportunity to focus on his studies while in transit, turning what would be downtime into productive study sessions. As he navigates his final year at UBC, Chen is committed to maintaining his airborne commute until graduation, highlighting a personal solution to a widespread issue affecting students and residents alike.
This case spotlights the broader implications of Vancouver's housing crisis, where traditional concepts of commuting and living are being redefined by necessity. As students like Chen and Louw adapt to these challenges with innovative solutions, the spotlight turns to the city's policymakers to address the underlying affordability issues plaguing one of Canada's most prestigious educational hubs.
