BEIJING: A 38-year-old programmer who lives in his car during the workweek here and returns home to Tianjin each weekend has caught the attention of Chinese social media users, the
South China Morning Post reported.
Known only as Yin, he drives 130 kilometres from Tianjin early every Monday morning and heads back to his family after work on Fridays.
Yin has kept up this routine for nearly three years, switching to a larger electric vehicle in 2022 to make his weekday stays more comfortable.
He previously rented a flat in Beijing for 2,500 yuan (RM1,476) a month before opting to live in his car to save money.
Yin, whose wife and two sons live in Tianjin, said he works in Beijing because there are limited job opportunities for programmers in his hometown.
Each morning, he parks near a public park, wakes at 6.30am for a walk, and prepares breakfast in his car using a portable electric cooker.
He spends his evenings watching TV, calling his family, singing karaoke, and occasionally working on new programmes.
To manage hygiene, Yin uses a water tank for showers in summer and takes midweek train trips home during colder months when bathing is less convenient.
His monthly expenses include 400 yuan (RM236) for tolls and under 300 yuan (RM177) for charging his vehicle, while midweek train fares cost around 100 yuan (RM59).
Yin’s lifestyle has drawn both praise and concern online, with some admiring his dedication and others questioning the comfort of his living situation.
