High-Priced Apartment Forces Student to Fly to His Lectures

In the spirit of the saying ‘necessity is the mother of invention’, a student named Tim Chen has devised an unusual solution to an economic problem he was facing. Tim is currently pursuing his studies in economics in the bustling west coast city of Vancouver, in Canada. His commute to university, however, is not the usual bus or bike ride that most students experience. Instead, Tim travels to his classes by airplane!

The reason behind this unconventional mode of transport? The incredibly high rental prices in the vicinity of the British Columbia campus. Tim found, much to his dismay, that the apartments around his university were far too costly for his budget. After returning from a vacation, he was shocked to find out that his rent had been increased significantly. He was now expected to pay $2,500 a month, which is roughly equivalent to 2,300 euros. This steep price was simply unaffordable for Tim.

In response to the exorbitant rent, Tim made the decision to move back in with his parents in Calgary, which is situated 430 kilometers away from his university. In order to attend his lectures, he started commuting by plane. Despite the distance, Tim maintains that this arrangement is actually more cost-effective for him. Media reports suggest that a flight to Vancouver from Calgary costs around $110 and takes approximately one hour and 40 minutes, making it a viable option for Tim.

However, this unique arrangement comes with its own set of limitations. Tim is able to commute by plane because his course schedule does not require him to attend university every day. He only has two lectures each week where his presence is mandatory. On a typical university day, Tim spends around three hours in class. Following his lectures, he catches a bus back to the airport.

Tim has plans to complete his graduation in May. Once he has his degree, his airborne commute will likely cease.