An 18-year-old woman in China has cracked a code to survive amid sky-high rental prices. She started living in an office toilet for just 50 yuan or almost $7 per month.
Yang, who comes from a rural family in Hubei province, works in sales at a furniture store in Zhuzhou, Hunan province. Earning just 2,700 yuan a month, far below the city’s average salary of 7,500 yuan, she struggled to find affordable housing, with local rents ranging from 800 to 1,800 yuan.
Instead of taking on extra financial pressure, Yang struck a deal with her boss to live in a six-square-metre office restroom. The space, equipped with two squat toilets and a sink, now doubles as her home. She has set up a folding bed, a clothes rack, a small cooking pot, and a curtain for privacy.
Despite the unconventional arrangement, Yang says she doesn’t mind. She cleans the toilet daily and occasionally cooks noodles at night while her colleagues continue using the space during the day. She also feels safe, as the company has 24-hour surveillance. “I never lock the door, and nothing has ever gone missing,” she said.
Her boss, a woman named Xu, acknowledged the difficulties young workers face when trying to live independently. She even let Yang stay at her home for a while before Yang chose to move into the toilet, citing safety and convenience.
Yang had also considered renting a 400-yuan-per-month room but ultimately decided against it. Xu has now promised to move Yang into a newly renovated office space by the end of the month.
After sharing her story on social media platform Douyin, where she documents her everyday life, Yang gained over 15,000 followers. Some users questioned whether she was staging the situation, but Yang insisted she was being practical. Others expressed admiration and concern.
“A girl like her will succeed at anything she does,” one person wrote. Another added, “As the weather gets hotter, the restroom will become more humid, affecting her health. I hope she can move out soon.”
Yang’s tough upbringing shaped her resilience. Her parents used to leave for work when she was just a year old, leaving her with her grandparents, as per South China Morning Post. While her younger brother, 10 years her junior, was favoured by the family, Yang often faced scolding and heavy chores. Even now, despite her hard work, her parents regularly ask her to send money to support her brother’s education.
Determined to build a better future, Yang spends as little as possible, between 300 and 400 yuan a month, saving the rest for a house and car.
