The Best Rom-Com Apartments and Their Hefty Price Tags

by Nicolette Estrada

Whether it’s Valentine’s Day or really just any old day, rom-coms are a great way to pass the time. Do you ever find yourself pondering how those characters can afford the magnificent apartments they live in? And don’t give us that “Friends” excuse about rent control. We all know it’s BS. But that doesn’t stop us from watching the films and coveting those fabulous flats.

Here are a few of our favorite rom-com apartments!

27 Dresses

While we’re not totally sure about the full layout of this apartment, it appears to be a two-bedroom since Jane’s sister Tess comes to stay and it doesn’t look like she’s sleeping on the couch. Plus, there’s that extra hall closet large enough to fit those 27 bridesmaid dresses. Color me jealous! The apartment is located in the East Village where the average rent price for a one-bedroom is $2,315.

13 Going on 30

Jenna Rink’s Manhattan apartment can only be described as “baller.” And if the massive layout, ample natural light, and built ins aren’t enough, how about that closet? On average, a one-bedroom in that building rents for about $4,000 a month, or $1.3 million for purchase.

Sex and the City

Yes, we know. This is more memorable as a TV series, but Carrie’s apartment is on full display in the films too. Size wise, it’s actually pretty realistic – though that closet is quite the find. According to Glassdoor, a columnist staff writer in NYC today would average just over $100K a year, which is about $8,500/month. Because of rent control, Carrie only paid $700 a month on the show (good luck even finding that price in Austin). The average for a one-bedroom on the Upper East Side is actually around $3000.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s

This is another one that looks pretty realistic. The decor is sparse. In fact, it appears Holly Golightly is using a trunk for a coffee table. And that kitchen is minuscule. Still, the brownstone in which the apartment is located is nothing to thumb your nose at. Located on the Upper East Side, the building sold for $10M in 2015.

Sweet Home Alabama

We don’t get to see much of Melanie’s NoHo apartment but we do get a bit of a tour when she arrives home to find the place covered in roses. NoHo is primarily made up of loft apartments, which makes it one of the most expensive and desirable neighborhoods. The average rent for a studio is over $3000.

Just Like Heaven

This apartment truly is a dream. Couldn’t you just die for those windows? Yes, pun intended. With a large, well everything, this place ranks as one of the most unbelievable rom-com apartments. There’s even a view of the Golden Gate bridge! So what would this place cost IRL? I couldn’t find the price for the San Fran victorian style apartment they modeled the apartment after, but I did find the selling price for an equivalent style down the street in the Russian Hill neighborhood – just over $2M.

And don’t think it’s only the ladies who are sitting pretty in their drool-worthy rom-com apartments. There are some slick-looking bachelor pads as well.

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

The infamous home of the love fern is another apartment that appears to be realistic. Benjamin’s apartment isn’t lavish, though it’s large enough to host a poker game with the boys. And that exposed brick is bomb. The eight-story elevator building was built in 1900. Located in Soho, two-bedroom units in that building rent for just under $10,000 per month.

When Harry Met Sally

Harry’s Greenwich Village place was previously a sewing machine factory, built in 1903. Those windows alone are worth the price tag! The two-bedroom loft would cost about $3800 per month, which seems unfair in relation to the previously mentioned flat from 10 Things.

Runaway Bride

The ultimate man’s pad belongs to Richard Gere’s character in Runaway Bride. Rent on a 2700-square-foot apartment is a whopping $16,500 a month! Pretty sure that would be quite a difficult price for a newspaper columnist to pay.

So there you have it. Our favorite rom-com apartments.

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