India, March 23 -- In the heart of Bengaluru, the search for a home close to work is fast becoming an ordeal. Tenants navigating central neighbourhoods such as MG Road, Indiranagar and Domlur describe a market where expectations and reality rarely align: rents are steep, supply is thin, and quality is inconsistent. Listings are scarce, and those that surface often disappoint, featuring cramped layouts, ageing interiors, or both. In some of the city's most sought-after pockets, 1BHK apartments are routinely likened to 'matchboxes,' with sizes shrinking to as little as 300-400 sq ft, even as monthly rents hover around Rs.30,000 or more.

A Reddit post detailing a tenant's search for a 1BHK near office hubs highlighted the challenges of secu...