In the second of our four-part series on women living on their own in the city, MiD DAY finds hunting for a flat on rent is hassle-free with most consultants giving you good service

The city is abuzz with single women, many of them from other parts of the state and the country, even the world. It is home to several young working professionals, students, women taking it easy on extended holidays and some who are here just to try their luck with a particular pursuit.

But with the rapid rise in property rates of the past few years, it is not feasible for most to buy a home. Rented living space sounds like the perfect solution to many.

After the recent rapes and murders that shook the city, MiD DAY decided to find out how easy or difficult life is for a lone woman here. Today, we take a look at what a woman experiences as she looks for rented accommodation.

MiD DAY found the house-hunting process is fairly easy in the city, thanks to a large number of consultants. But you also end up spending quite a bit in consultation charges.

How did we reach our conclusions? We sent two young working professionals, Katya Sychugova from Russia and Sonia Rodrigues, house-hunting, with MiD DAY reporters in tow, to various parts of the city.

Here is what we found, in Sonia's and Katya's own words.

Agency approached: Balaji Consultants

Accommodation seeker: Sonia Rodrigues
Looking for: A bedroom-hall-kitchen flat in Kondhwa

I told the consultant, Gautam, that I was living with a friend for now, but was looking for a flat around Camp as I worked there. I also mentioned that I did not want any interference from neighbours even if I came home late or my friends decided to drop in at night.

But he was reluctant to give me details of available flats, because I was going to stay alone. He looked at me with doubt, but ultimately assured me that he would get back to me the next day. That was some days ago, and I am still waiting.