Dr. Jennifer Cassidy Finds Dublin Commute More Affordable Than Living in Oxford.
Dr. Jennifer Cassidy, a lecturer specializing in global governance and diplomacy at Oxford University, has taken an unconventional approach to combat the high cost of living in Oxford. She has chosen to commute from her parents’ home in Dublin, Ireland, rather than facing the exorbitant rents in the historic university city.
Cassidy, who earns £32,817 ($45,000) annually, cited the “astronomical” cost of living in Oxford as the primary reason behind her decision. She explained that on her current salary, renting a one-bedroom flat in Oxford was simply unaffordable.
To make her unique situation work, Dr. Cassidy plans to fly to Oxford for three days every fortnight and work remotely for the remainder of her time. Despite the costs associated with this arrangement, she estimates that her monthly travel expenses of approximately £250 ($343) are still more budget-friendly than renting a property in Oxford.
In a candid statement, Dr. Cassidy expressed her deep love for her job and students but also voiced her feeling of being “let down” by both the university and the government for not adequately addressing the ongoing housing crisis in Oxford. She noted that her situation was not an isolated one, as many of her colleagues were grappling with the same housing affordability challenges.
Dr. Cassidy hopes that her story will shed light on the struggles faced by academics and other workers in expensive cities like Oxford. She advocates for increased investment in social housing and the implementation of rent controls to make living in Oxford more accessible and sustainable for all residents.
This situation highlights the broader issue of housing affordability in Oxford, where the cost of living has long been a concern for both students and faculty members. Dr. Cassidy’s unconventional approach to address this issue serves as a call to action for institutions and policymakers to find viable solutions to ensure that Oxford remains an inclusive and attractive place to live and work.
Resources:
1.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-66732639
2.https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-66732639
3.https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-66732639
4.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssZqLOddag8