The video is full of ads, sorry. Basically they interviewed a kid who lives in Calgary and flies to school and back because 8 flights per month * $150 per round trip flight = $1200 / month Which...
The video is full of ads, sorry.
Basically they interviewed a kid who lives in Calgary and flies to school and back because
8 flights per month * $150 per round trip flight = $1200 / month
Which is less than his quoted $2500/month rent in Vancouver for comparison
They also super briefly got a single quote from another student living in a van. A literally homeless university student isn't even news anymore.
As of January 2024, the median rent for all bedroom counts and property types in Vancouver, BC is $2,992. This is +54% higher than the national average. (Zumper.com)
Median studio $2395 - and I doubt that's for Shaughnessy, Point Grey, Kitsilano etc. the kid would have to commute anyway on an overcrowded bus.
Flight prices between Vancouver and Calgary can be as cheap as $75 round trip. UBC students already have city bus/rail passes to the airport, so it's just a lot of sitting and studying time. It honestly makes sense, that's the craziest part.
What about rent in Calgary?
According to the same site, a studio is $1605. And if the kid can manage to nab cheap flights and live at home, he's paying
$75 * 8 = $600
In four months he would have saved $7180 From just living expenses, before factoring in expensive Vancouver food.
From the video, he's stacking his classes on two days each week. And he only has two classes left before he graduates by the end of the semester. I did something similar (sans flying) when I was...
From the video, he's stacking his classes on two days each week. And he only has two classes left before he graduates by the end of the semester.
I did something similar (sans flying) when I was in community college, schedule-wise since I was a working student. Entire possibly as a part-time student, which it looks like he basically is.
I think he's nearly graduating and only needs very little actual attendance left. So pretty unique case I guess. But if flight costs are $75 round trip, even 20 trips (5 times a week for four...
I think he's nearly graduating and only needs very little actual attendance left. So pretty unique case I guess.
But if flight costs are $75 round trip, even 20 trips (5 times a week for four weeks) is only $1500.
Say they're more expensive. Unlimited flight passes from Air Canada are $2260/month.
Probably overkill for the kid, but that it's STILL cheaper than a studio in Vancouver is bonkers. kid can live in airport lounges forever and eat totally free this way. Shower in lounges with showers (like Toronto).
I am guessing he just chooses his classes such that he only goes in 2 times a week. I am at a 2 year college right now, so I can’t comment on a 4 year, but it is quite easy to get a schedule that...
I am guessing he just chooses his classes such that he only goes in 2 times a week. I am at a 2 year college right now, so I can’t comment on a 4 year, but it is quite easy to get a schedule that is full time and 2 days a week. And that’s without considering online classes.
If credit cards and rent payments work similarly in Canada to how they do in the US, in this situation one could be double-dipping on credit card points and flyer miles buying flights too (not...
If credit cards and rent payments work similarly in Canada to how they do in the US, in this situation one could be double-dipping on credit card points and flyer miles buying flights too (not possible with rent which typically has to be done via ACH, check, or cash) bringing costs down further.
Hadn’t considered that but you’re right. With regular spending like that meeting bonus minimums would be easy and all the charges would be legit, lacking the usual churner flags.
Hadn’t considered that but you’re right. With regular spending like that meeting bonus minimums would be easy and all the charges would be legit, lacking the usual churner flags.
That leaves $1300 difference, but what is his housing costs in Calgary? Shouldn't that be included in this calc? Maybe he lives with family, but that doesn't mean it's free.
8 flights per month * $150 per round trip flight = $1200 / month
That leaves $1300 difference, but what is his housing costs in Calgary? Shouldn't that be included in this calc? Maybe he lives with family, but that doesn't mean it's free.
This is more common than you'd think. I know at some University of California campuses, UCSC for example, this type of thing was and is becoming more common among graduate students as they don't...
They also super briefly got a single quote from another student living in a van. A literally homeless university student isn't even news anymore.
This is more common than you'd think. I know at some University of California campuses, UCSC for example, this type of thing was and is becoming more common among graduate students as they don't have the same access to housing as do undergrads, and are paid very little by the University.
The US had a big crash in 2008 and the UK had big drops a couple times. https://www.livabl.com/articles/news/canadian-house-prices-since-1921 Look how flat it is compared to Canada (cries) Flyover...
Flyover places can be very nice as well. It's what you make of it while you're there, and who you're with. Especially if one can work from home and we've got internet and home deliveries now. Besides, cheaper suburbs or even rural places with access to cities are a great way to save money....
And never say never....look at that poor town in Iceland. Hong Kong prices are super coming down as well. I do wonder what will happen to BC - California as wildfires and draughts get worse every year. What will happen to real estate in the Pacific northwesf after the really big one ?
There's probably good reason why dozens of vineyards in BC are up for sale (more awful video news)
Then your options are either downtown cities where you'll spend even more on living or even more rural places but that that point you're sacrificing a lot on infrastructure.
Then your options are either downtown cities where you'll spend even more on living or even more rural places but that that point you're sacrificing a lot on infrastructure.
This seems like the sort of story CTV would blow out of proportion, I have a hard time believing it's actually cheaper even if you write off the cost his rent in Calgary (assuming he's living with...
This seems like the sort of story CTV would blow out of proportion, I have a hard time believing it's actually cheaper even if you write off the cost his rent in Calgary (assuming he's living with his parents).
Rent in Vancouver has definitely gone up since I lived there 6 years ago, but if you're sharing a place (as you probably need to do as a student) it's not that bad. In a few minutes of looking I can see multiple 2 or even 3 bedroom places in east van in the $2-3K/mo range. Of course the hardest part is actually getting a place, you basically need to see and put a deposit down on the same day it's listed but it's definitely do-able.
According to the article his monthly transportation costs come out to $1,200. It’d be pretty hard to find a place for that much in Vancouver. You’d need like 4 roommates or something.
According to the article his monthly transportation costs come out to $1,200. It’d be pretty hard to find a place for that much in Vancouver. You’d need like 4 roommates or something.
From what I'm seeing, you can definitely do that even with just 1 roommate but you'll be living in east Van, so an hour and change commute (although it does beat flying). You also have to account...
From what I'm seeing, you can definitely do that even with just 1 roommate but you'll be living in east Van, so an hour and change commute (although it does beat flying).
You also have to account for the fact that he's homeless for 1/7 nights if he has two days of classes.
The video is full of ads, sorry.
Basically they interviewed a kid who lives in Calgary and flies to school and back because
8 flights per month * $150 per round trip flight = $1200 / month
Which is less than his quoted $2500/month rent in Vancouver for comparison
They also super briefly got a single quote from another student living in a van. A literally homeless university student isn't even news anymore.
Median studio $2395 - and I doubt that's for Shaughnessy, Point Grey, Kitsilano etc. the kid would have to commute anyway on an overcrowded bus.
Flight prices between Vancouver and Calgary can be as cheap as $75 round trip. UBC students already have city bus/rail passes to the airport, so it's just a lot of sitting and studying time. It honestly makes sense, that's the craziest part.
What about rent in Calgary?
According to the same site, a studio is $1605. And if the kid can manage to nab cheap flights and live at home, he's paying
$75 * 8 = $600
In four months he would have saved $7180 From just living expenses, before factoring in expensive Vancouver food.
I couldn't load the video, but how does this work exactly? Does he only have 8 classes a month?
From the video, he's stacking his classes on two days each week. And he only has two classes left before he graduates by the end of the semester.
I did something similar (sans flying) when I was in community college, schedule-wise since I was a working student. Entire possibly as a part-time student, which it looks like he basically is.
I think he's nearly graduating and only needs very little actual attendance left. So pretty unique case I guess.
But if flight costs are $75 round trip, even 20 trips (5 times a week for four weeks) is only $1500.
Say they're more expensive. Unlimited flight passes from Air Canada are $2260/month.
Probably overkill for the kid, but that it's STILL cheaper than a studio in Vancouver is bonkers. kid can live in airport lounges forever and eat totally free this way. Shower in lounges with showers (like Toronto).
That was a COVID promo that ended 3 years ago.
Oh you're right! Aww that's disappointing
I am guessing he just chooses his classes such that he only goes in 2 times a week. I am at a 2 year college right now, so I can’t comment on a 4 year, but it is quite easy to get a schedule that is full time and 2 days a week. And that’s without considering online classes.
here's a mirror that will disappear in two days --- https://streamable.com/x24opq
If credit cards and rent payments work similarly in Canada to how they do in the US, in this situation one could be double-dipping on credit card points and flyer miles buying flights too (not possible with rent which typically has to be done via ACH, check, or cash) bringing costs down further.
Good point - could be even cheaper with credit card plus frequent flyer points.
while I was watching this, I felt like this was totally something someone into churning would do and successfully get away with.
Hadn’t considered that but you’re right. With regular spending like that meeting bonus minimums would be easy and all the charges would be legit, lacking the usual churner flags.
I'd love to get his rundown. The whole thing seems insane unless you're more than breaking even.
What are the sort of flags that identify a churner? Gift cards?
Gift cards or any other type of spend that looks artificial, mainly. Anything that doesn’t look like a natural purchase.
That leaves $1300 difference, but what is his housing costs in Calgary? Shouldn't that be included in this calc? Maybe he lives with family, but that doesn't mean it's free.
This is more common than you'd think. I know at some University of California campuses, UCSC for example, this type of thing was and is becoming more common among graduate students as they don't have the same access to housing as do undergrads, and are paid very little by the University.
Are housing prices in cities ever going to come back to earth, or am I just stuck in a flyover hellhole for the rest of eternity?
The US had a big crash in 2008 and the UK had big drops a couple times. https://www.livabl.com/articles/news/canadian-house-prices-since-1921
Look how flat it is compared to Canada (cries)
Flyover places can be very nice as well. It's what you make of it while you're there, and who you're with. Especially if one can work from home and we've got internet and home deliveries now. Besides, cheaper suburbs or even rural places with access to cities are a great way to save money....
And never say never....look at that poor town in Iceland. Hong Kong prices are super coming down as well. I do wonder what will happen to BC - California as wildfires and draughts get worse every year. What will happen to real estate in the Pacific northwesf after the really big one ?
There's probably good reason why dozens of vineyards in BC are up for sale (more awful video news)
The suburbs are what I'm trying to escape.
Then your options are either downtown cities where you'll spend even more on living or even more rural places but that that point you're sacrificing a lot on infrastructure.
There was also a UC Berkeley student who commuted from LA, doing basically the same thing:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2023/06/30/berkeley-grad-student-flight-commute-rent/70374527007/#:~:text=He%20simply%20commuted%2092%2C089%20miles,save%20on%20rent%2C%20AMA.%E2%80%9D
His commute is also shorter than yours was. 1h 30 minutes for the flight, 40 minutes for other transportation.
This seems like the sort of story CTV would blow out of proportion, I have a hard time believing it's actually cheaper even if you write off the cost his rent in Calgary (assuming he's living with his parents).
Rent in Vancouver has definitely gone up since I lived there 6 years ago, but if you're sharing a place (as you probably need to do as a student) it's not that bad. In a few minutes of looking I can see multiple 2 or even 3 bedroom places in east van in the $2-3K/mo range. Of course the hardest part is actually getting a place, you basically need to see and put a deposit down on the same day it's listed but it's definitely do-able.
According to the article his monthly transportation costs come out to $1,200. It’d be pretty hard to find a place for that much in Vancouver. You’d need like 4 roommates or something.
From what I'm seeing, you can definitely do that even with just 1 roommate but you'll be living in east Van, so an hour and change commute (although it does beat flying).
You also have to account for the fact that he's homeless for 1/7 nights if he has two days of classes.
He is also in school for one term only, which makes it more reasonable. Most places want a year long lease.