I know this thread is for people a bit senior, but for the first few years out of college, a place fairly close to office and in one of the lawyer colonies is fantastic. I work at Def Col and live in East of Kailash. Being able to walk to and from office on a slow day, coming back home to just grab a bite and take 10 minutes off on a bad day, being within 15 minutes by auto of all of my friends and having friends who live in a walkable distance has been lovely for me. The parks, gyms, etc in this part of the city are a huge plus. Of course, I can afford it because of parental support and some savings from earlier, but if you are young and out of college, I strongly recommend staying within 10 minutes of your office in one of these locations.

The concept of “small” is certainly subjective, but apartments in Civil Lines typically range from 1,800 to 4,500 square feet, which, in my opinion, provides ample space for most households. While Civil Lines, being part of central-north Delhi, does experience poor air quality, the truth is, which part of Delhi doesn’t? Interestingly, Moti Bagh in South Delhi holds the dubious honor of being the city’s most polluted crossing. The somewhat undeserved reputation of Civil Lines as a north Delhi locality is a major factor in its relatively lower property prices compared to comparable areas in South Delhi, Noida, or Gurgaon, despite its lush greenery and ample recreational options. For those unfamiliar with the area, it’s worth noting that traffic congestion in and around Civil Lines is far less chaotic than in places like GK, Amar Colony, Defence Colony, Safdarjung, South Extension, or Jangpura. These areas, while close to the courts, have lost much of their appeal as places to live or work. The influx of poorly constructed and fast ageing builder flats, lawyers setting up basement offices and the resulting maintenance issues, painful / inconsiderate neighbours, electricity and water shortages and parking woes (बन्दूकें निकाती हैं) but ruined these once-desirable neighborhoods…

OP here - Please also share how long you actually commute and whether you feel it's better to stay closer/further away from the office.

A thought-provoking link - https://www.reddit.com/r/RedditForGrownups/comments/111ubp8/move_close_to_work_or_keep_commuting/

Here’s an underrated tip: if you’re moving to Delhi, check out Civil Lines. It’s way safer than Noida or Gurgaon, and rent is surprisingly cheaper. You don’t have to stress about water or electricity cuts here either. The area’s really grown in the past few years—tons of greenery, plenty of spots for running or cycling, plus a solid nightlife scene and great restaurants. For budget-friendly food, Delhi University and Majnu Ka Tila are right around the corner. And if you need to hit the High Court or Supreme Court? It’s a quick 30-minute drive, even during rush hour. Look it up!

South Delhi flats are a mess. I’m past living like a bachelor, in a room barely 15 sq. m. I’ll save rent in Faridabad. I know that the commute will be a butch but hopefully the new Faridabad bypass will be a game changer. I think many senior advocates, partners travel from Gurgaon to DHC every day? Is their commute 1+ hour as well? How long of a commute are you okay with?