With London's expensive living costs, coupled with the desire to having his own apartment, Sam Cookney left the city and moved to Barcelona. He now commutes everyday to work by plane, which takes him about five-and-a-half hours door to door. The change of environment has also given him the opportunity to reduce living costs considerably, and still being able to afford a central renovated two-bed apartment with roof terrace, not to mention change of weather.

It sounds like the start of a joke at the expense of hard-up Londoners: Did you hear the one about the man who flies to work and still saves money compared to renting?

In fact it was written up as joke two years' ago. Except it's not a joke any more. It's absolutely true.

Three months ago Sam Cookney moved to Barcelona and now flies to his job in London. He's able to get to his desk by 9:30am and actually afford the rent on a two-bed apartment by himself. Oh, and he gets the other benefits of life in Barcelona too – the food, the weather, the beach and more – all far cheaper than you'd pay for the same in London.

Tempting?:

Featured image: Barcelona via MiscEvelyn.