Friends skillfully tapped into the universal craving for a tight friend group during the hustle of one’s twenties. However, beyond the camaraderie, what really got millions across the globe itch for a Friends-esque reality was their dream lifestyle. The iconic spacious purple apartment, the stylish ensembles, and the luxury of hanging out in a coffee shop around the clock, all hinted that the Friends sure had some cash and time to burn. Naturally, this raises some valid questions for the youth who count their dollars. 

How did the Friends juggle their day jobs, keep their social calendars full, and live the Manhattan dream at the same time? How practical was it, really? Could a regular young adult have made the same lifestyle happen in 90s Manhattan? 

Ross Geller’s Manhattan life while handling part-time parenting 

Ross Geller started off as a paleontologist at the New York Museum of Prehistoric History. Initially earning around $56k annually, Ross hit a financial bump when he took a sabbatical halfway through the series. With a helping hand from Joey and Chandler for a place to stay, Ross bounced back and secured a professorship that could have fetched him between $73-125K a year. With an estimated rent of around $2,700 each month, it seemed Ross could have comfortably footed the bill for his New York City lifestyle.

What often goes unnoticed, though, is the fact that he was also a part-time parent of two kids, which definitely added some extra financial burden. Raising two kids in Manhattan during the ’90s could easily rack up costs ranging from $80,000 to $150,000 or even more annually. This includes everything from education, medical, clothing, and other expenses. No wonder Ross was so tight with his dollars on the show!

Monica Geller and Rachel Green’s dream New York apartment in Friends

One of the biggest head-scratchers in Friends was Monica and Rachel’s fancy apartment. Although the makers clarified that it was Monica’s grandma’s apartment and under rent control in The Last One, it was still unrealistic to have such a pad in the heart of the crowded city. Especially considering that Monica probably pulled in about 36-70K per year as a chef, and Rachel made $4.25 an hour as a waitress, it just would not have made sense without that rent control element. 

Both Rachel Green and Monica Geller, however, made significant strides in their careers. Making her way up the fashion industry ladder, Rachel first snagged a job as a fashion assistant, earning around 19k. She then eventually secured her dream position at Ralph Lauren. Meanwhile, Monica rose to the rank of head chef.

These career strides could have contributed to the feasibility of their plush purple apartment lifestyle.

Phoebe Buffay and Joey Tribbiani’s irregular jobs in Friends

Phoebe Buffay and Joey Tribbiani had some eccentric career twists and turns on the show, much like their characters. Buffay, holding down a job as a masseuse, could not have earned anything more than 45k a year. She briefly switched gears to work in a call center as a saleswoman and even tried her hand as an extra on Joey’s soap. Despite these irregular income streams, Phoebe Buffay somehow managed to afford a Manhattan apartment, mostly without a roommate.

Meanwhile, Joey Tribbiani rode a rollercoaster of highs and lows in his career journey. Starting as an aspiring actor without a steady gig on the show, his financial fortunes took a turn for the better when he landed the permanent role of Dr. Drake Ramoray on Days of Our Lives, making somewhere between $700 and $1500 per episode. While he initially dealt with monetary hurdles, his financially stable friend, Chandler, helped Joey’s casanova lifestyle in Manhattan. 

The most realistic lifestyle of Chandler Bing 

Chandler Bing led the most realistic lifestyle within the Friends group. He also had the most stable and hefty-paying job on the show. This was made clear by his ability to not only sustain his lifestyle but also financially support his friend Joey. Chandler’s financial stability further shined through when he footed the bill for his lavish wedding entirely on his own. As a data processing supervisor, Chandler earned a salary of around 47K initially and then pulled his salary upwards of 100k as the vice president of his company. 

This income was more than enough to afford a decent lifestyle in Manhattan in the 90s. Even when he decided to quit his job, Monica’s promotion as a head chef was enough to pick up the slack in his salary. However, one thing that can never make sense is how the Friends, with their demanding, and not-so-demanding jobs, spend more time in the coffee shop and at Monica’s than they did at work.

What do you think about our take on some of the unrealistic aspects of Friends’ lifestyle? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!