In many major cities, rent takes up a significant portion of a worker’s monthly income—especially for those who have moved from other towns or provinces for employment. But one man in China has come up with an unusual solution to avoid this financial burden.

Living in a Car to Avoid High Rent

A man named Yan, who works in Beijing but is originally from Tianjin, has been living in his car for the past three years to avoid paying rent. His strategy? He sleeps in his electric vehicle from Monday night to Thursday night, and returns to his family home in Tianjin every Friday after work.

Every Monday at 5:30 a.m., Yan begins his journey—driving 130 kilometers from Tianjin to Beijing to reach his office. After completing his weekly work responsibilities, he heads back to Tianjin on Friday afternoon, where his wife and two sons live.

The Turning Point

Back in 2022, Yan decided that paying 2,500 yuan per month for a small apartment in Beijing was simply too expensive. Instead of continuing with that lifestyle, he purchased a large electric car that would double as his mobile home. Since then, he has managed to save a considerable amount on living costs.

“I’ve been living in my car for three years now,” Yan said in an interview. “When your car has enough space and charging stations are easy to find, it’s actually not such a bad experience.”

Life Inside the Vehicle

Yan parks his car near a public park in Beijing and sleeps there at night. He wakes up around 6:30 a.m., goes for a walk in the park to freshen up, and then prepares his breakfast inside the vehicle.

After work, his routine includes watching TV, singing, calling his family, and even coding computer programs. He usually goes to bed by 10 or 11 p.m. inside the car.

He admitted that the only consistent challenge he faces is finding a toilet, but otherwise, he finds this minimalist lifestyle quite manageable.

Major Cost Savings

Yan says this way of life has drastically reduced his monthly expenses. Where he used to spend thousands of yuan on rent, he now gets by with just 800 yuan a month, which includes car maintenance, charging costs, and daily necessities.

“My lifestyle may seem strange to some people, but I don’t take offense at their opinions,” he said. “Everyone has to choose what works best for them.”

Why Not Work in His Hometown?

While his family remains in Tianjin, Yan says that job opportunities in his hometown are limited, and Beijing offers him better prospects. This compromise—of living in a car during the workweek—has allowed him to strike a balance between career and family, without being burdened by the sky-high rent of the capital city.

A Growing Trend?

Yan’s story is a reflection of the rising cost of urban living and the lengths to which people are willing to go to make ends meet. While not everyone would consider car living a viable solution, Yan has proven that with discipline, planning, and a bit of creativity, it’s possible to live comfortably—even in one of the world’s most expensive cities—without paying rent.

His experience may not appeal to everyone, but it certainly highlights the need for more affordable housing options in major urban centers like Beijing.

AIn many major cities, rent takes up a significant portion of a worker’s monthly income—especially for those who have moved from other towns or provinces for employment. But one man in China has come up with an unusual solution to avoid this financial burden.

Living in a Car to Avoid High Rent

A man named Yan, who works in Beijing but is originally from Tianjin, has been living in his car for the past three years to avoid paying rent. His strategy? He sleeps in his electric vehicle from Monday night to Thursday night, and returns to his family home in Tianjin every Friday after work.

Every Monday at 5:30 a.m., Yan begins his journey—driving 130 kilometers from Tianjin to Beijing to reach his office. After completing his weekly work responsibilities, he heads back to Tianjin on Friday afternoon, where his wife and two sons live.

The Turning Point

Back in 2022, Yan decided that paying 2,500 yuan per month for a small apartment in Beijing was simply too expensive. Instead of continuing with that lifestyle, he purchased a large electric car that would double as his mobile home. Since then, he has managed to save a considerable amount on living costs.

“I’ve been living in my car for three years now,” Yan said in an interview. “When your car has enough space and charging stations are easy to find, it’s actually not such a bad experience.”

Life Inside the Vehicle

Yan parks his car near a public park in Beijing and sleeps there at night. He wakes up around 6:30 a.m., goes for a walk in the park to freshen up, and then prepares his breakfast inside the vehicle.

After work, his routine includes watching TV, singing, calling his family, and even coding computer programs. He usually goes to bed by 10 or 11 p.m. inside the car.

He admitted that the only consistent challenge he faces is finding a toilet, but otherwise, he finds this minimalist lifestyle quite manageable.

Major Cost Savings

Yan says this way of life has drastically reduced his monthly expenses. Where he used to spend thousands of yuan on rent, he now gets by with just 800 yuan a month, which includes car maintenance, charging costs, and daily necessities.

“My lifestyle may seem strange to some people, but I don’t take offense at their opinions,” he said. “Everyone has to choose what works best for them.”

Why Not Work in His Hometown?

While his family remains in Tianjin, Yan says that job opportunities in his hometown are limited, and Beijing offers him better prospects. This compromise—of living in a car during the workweek—has allowed him to strike a balance between career and family, without being burdened by the sky-high rent of the capital city.

A Growing Trend?

Yan’s story is a reflection of the rising cost of urban living and the lengths to which people are willing to go to make ends meet. While not everyone would consider car living a viable solution, Yan has proven that with discipline, planning, and a bit of creativity, it’s possible to live comfortably—even in one of the world’s most expensive cities—without paying rent.

His experience may not appeal to everyone, but it certainly highlights the need for more affordable housing options in major urban centers like Beijing.