Canadian influencer compared Bengaluru rent to NYC, London, Dubai. Weeks later, he shares a surprising update

Caleb Friesen, a Canadian influencer living in India, recently caused a stir online after venting about the sky-high rental deposits in Bengaluru. Taking to X, he called the city’s landlords “the greediest in the world,” shocked by a demand for a Rs 23 lakh deposit — the equivalent of 10 months’ rent. To prove his point, he compared Bengaluru’s norms with global cities: New York and Toronto typically require just one month’s rent, San Francisco two, London five to six weeks, and Dubai around 5-10% of annual rent.

But after all that outrage, Friesen’s latest update comes with an unexpected twist.

In a follow-up post, he revealed that he finally found a place to live — and it ticked all the right boxes. Located in Indiranagar, the home is fully furnished, under budget, and owned by what he described as a “wonderful local family” who asked for just a 3-month deposit. No negotiation needed. “Life is good,” he wrote, thanking everyone who helped during his search.




The journey from frustration to contentment seems to have come full circle — and his experience is now a relatable tale for many navigating Bengaluru’s tricky rental market.

Internet reacts

One user commented that finding a good place in Indiranagar with just a three-month deposit is nothing short of winning the Bangalore lottery and congratulated Caleb on the rare find. Another was curious about his approach, asking why he didn’t use any house-renting apps. Caleb replied that he had actually tried several but didn’t have any luck with them. Many others chimed in, echoing the struggle of house hunting in Bengaluru. Some were stunned by his good fortune, while others demanded more details, unable to believe such a deal was even possible.