UBC student flies from Calgary to save money

Vancouver's high rent prices have forced many residents to find creative ways to live in the city.

Turning to creativity is what Tim Chen did to avoid paying rent in Vancouver.

As a final year art student at the University of British Columbia, going to class feels very different for Chen.

“I thought why not stay in Calgary and then fly here, it's like a one-hour flight, it's the same as a bus,” he said.

Chen is originally from Calgary. He had previously lived in Vancouver while studying at UBC, but was turned down by the hiring department when he went on vacation in the fall.

When he returned, he was met with sticker shock.

“When you check house prices, you're like, 'oh, take it down, there's been a huge increase!' I thought. he said. “I have to pay $2,500 to rent, so I don't think it's viable.”

He started looking at the prices of flights from Calgary to Vancouver and realized they were about $150 each way.

He takes two classes a week at the university.

In total, he pays about $1,200 a month for flights while he lives at home with his parents in Calgary. After all, it's much cheaper than the average price of a one-bedroom apartment in Vancouver, which is around $2,100.

“I have a total of three hours of classes, and when the class is over, I will take the bus and go back to the airport!” Chen said.

Vancouver tops the list as the most expensive city in Canada for renters. But with the city's 0.9 percent vacancy rate, finding a place to rent is harder.

Chen plans to fly to UBC for two of his classes before the end of the school year, before he graduates.