Woman commutes 4,000 miles

A student named Nat Cedillo moved from Brooklyn, New York, to Mexico City to improve her quality of life and reduce living expenses. Despite the significant change, she continues to attend her law school classes in New York, flying into JFK every Monday and returning on Tuesday night. Over a 13-week semester, Cedillo made 26 flights, traveling over 4,000 miles and spending more than $2,000 on airfare, food, and lodging. She explained that although she and her husband loved New York, even living in a modest neighborhood was too costly. In Mexico City, they enjoy a more affordable and comfortable lifestyle, though Cedillo admits the best days are those she isn’t commuting.

Cedillo isn’t alone in choosing a long commute for a better life. AirAsia worker Racheal Kaur travels daily from Penang to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, by plane. Her routine starts at 4 a.m. and ends around 7 p.m., but the 40-minute flight each way allows her to save money and spend more time with her children. Kaur’s story reflects a growing trend of people enduring lengthy and unusual commutes to gain financial relief and an improved quality of life.