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PfR73 wrote:This Frances Ha thread is missing from the "Index of Threads for Criterion Titles" master list.

Fixed.

LavaLamp wrote:Though, I did find it somewhat unrealistic that Frances could afford the rent for a relatively nice NYC apartment by herself (her parents weren't helping her financially, and it didn't look like she had any roommates) on an administrative/secretarial salary. Those forum members who either live in NYC and/or are more familiar than I am with the rent situation there, please feel free to correct me here if I'm mistaken....

This is from like, four years ago but I was thinking about it while watching the movie and I did a quick glance at current rent and salary for what could be considered equivalent. A one bedroom in Washington Heights runs about $1500-$2000, so assuming she snagged the cheapest possible and gets paid $35k a year for administrative work, she's really only spending slightly more than half of her month's wages on rent. That's pretty luxurious!

Honestly, a lot of factors can come into play with rent. For example, I've met people who live in places like Park Slope for peanuts because of rent control - and believe me, it wasn't handed down from a parent or an aunt or uncle. Regardless, even if you're swinging $35k a year, NYC is an expensive city. Going to the movies is $15 (hell, the Quad just went up to $16), and basic groceries cost a lot more here. After taxes and other necessities like buying your own insurance and MTA travel (a monthly pass from four years ago was probably about $120 a month), you're not saving much and you may even be slowly sinking into debt if you're spending $2000/month on rent.

hearthesilence wrote:... you're not saving much and you may even be slowly sinking into debt if you're spending $2000/month on rent.

Spoiler

Considering she still has Paris to pay off. "Every 1's a Winner" my ass =D

I'm talking about millennial luxury (a third of your monthly wages my ass).

Magic Hate Ball wrote:I'm talking about millennial luxury (a third of your monthly wages my ass).

And their parents before them either expected or had the aim of spending only a *quarter* of monthly earnings on rent. *That's* luxury =] =\ =]