Instead of renting near his campus, a student in Canada prefers traveling by plane
TIM CHEN – An Art student at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, Canada, made an unconventional decision to commute via airplane twice a week to attend school. He lives in Calgary, which is 687 kilometers away from UBC.
The surprising reason behind his choice is the significant savings he can make compared to renting an apartment near his school. A round trip ticket for Tim costs 150 Canadian dollars (approximately PHP6,000), according to a report by CTV News in February 2024. For twice a week over a month, his total fare expenses amount to 1,200 Canadian dollars (approximately PHP49,000).
On the other hand, the rent for a one-bedroom apartment near UBC ranges from 2,100 to 2,500 Canadian dollars (approximately PHP86,000 to PHP102,000) per month. In summary, renting an apartment would likely cost him more than twice as much.
Tim’s situation reflects the challenges of the “out-of-control rental market” in Vancouver, which is considered the most expensive city in Canada for renters. He expressed his concerns about the high cost of rent, stating, “I need to pay like 2,500 for the rent. I don’t feel like that’s viable.”
He found flying to Vancouver more feasible, likening it to taking a bus due to the short one-hour flight. After his classes, he immediately returns to the airport to fly back home.
Tim plans to continue attending his remaining two subjects until the end of the school year, as he is set to graduate. The report also mentioned that other UBC students have resorted to living in camper vans due to the exorbitant apartment rents.
Meanwhile, renting in Vancouver is expensive due to limited housing supply, population growth, a strong economy, foreign investment, and government policies. Geographical constraints restrict new construction, while population growth and a robust economy drive up demand. Foreign investment further inflates property prices, and government regulations can impact affordability. These factors collectively contribute to the high cost of renting in Vancouver.