Why did Rhoda live in a tiny space with a hot plate and no furniture?

[TMC]

Her guests had to sit on her bed! She was still only in her 30s and had a good job, why was her character living so bare-bones? Granted, her storyline in the first episode was about wanting the more desirable apartment, but couldn't the writers have just made Mary's apartment have a better view or something?

[TVFactFan]

I dont remember seeing her apt because she was always at Marys place

[PracTz]

Perhaps Rhoda lived in this tiny apartment sans furniture or oven because that flat was relatively close to her department store downtown job AND was in a fairly pleasant, safe neighborhood (even though her downstairs neighbor Mary DID get her place robbed once)- and likely the most practical she could afford on her window dresser's salary. I don't know the numbers but it seemed more likely than not that department store window dressers made somewhat less than local television news producers in 1970.

Yes, I know the show started out with Rhoda trying to nab the iconic apartment that Phyllis gave to Mary but I'm not sure whether truly could have afforded it on a regular basis.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by PracTz

Perhaps Rhoda lived in this tiny apartment sans furniture or oven because that flat was relatively close to her department store downtown job AND was in a fairly pleasant, safe neighborhood (even though her downstairs neighbor Mary DID get her place robbed once)- and likely the most practical she could afford on her window dresser's salary. I don't know the numbers but it seemed more likely than not that department store window dressers made somewhat less than local television news producers in 1970.

Yes, I know the show started out with Rhoda trying to nab the iconic apartment that Phyllis gave to Mary but I'm not sure whether truly could have afforded it on a regular basis.

Seemed kind of a odd storyline for her apt to be robbed since they neighborhood that was featured in the opening didnt come off as a high crime area

[PracTz]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Seemed kind of a odd storyline for her apt to be robbed since they neighborhood that was featured in the opening didnt come off as a high crime area

Also, it would seem that Phyllis's downstairs apartment would have had FAR more loot to have taken but since it was Phyllis herself who'd unwittingly let it in the thieves into Mary's apartment, she herself was home and they decided it was better to loot an apartment where the renter wasn't present and, hence, would have been able to have called the police before anything had gotten taken.

Still, perhaps the looters decided that a low-crime area would more likely have MORE valuables for the picking than a picked-over high-crime area!

[Alan Brady's Hair]

It could just be that it was her first apartment moving from New York, so she wouldn't have had a lot of money for a flashy place.

[PracTz]

Originally Posted by Alan Brady's Hair

It could just be that it was her first apartment moving from New York, so she wouldn't have had a lot of money for a flashy place.

True- AND she could also wanted to make sure her new apartment would have been too small for Ida to stay over for extended periods of time!

[Bonniegirl]

And that attic apartment was cozy and charming and off beat ! Perfect for an artistic type person like Rhoda .

Also as stated before, good neighborhood, close to her job and very affordable so she could save money.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by PracTz

Also, it would seem that Phyllis's downstairs apartment would have had FAR more loot to have taken but since it was Phyllis herself who'd unwittingly let it in the thieves into Mary's apartment, she herself was home and they decided it was better to loot an apartment where the renter wasn't present and, hence, would have been able to have called the police before anything had gotten taken.

Still, perhaps the looters decided that a low-crime area would more likely have MORE valuables for the picking than a picked-over high-crime area!

I would have to move immediately if my current place was rob because it would mean it was either a

Inside Job
Not a secure building

[Yong Fang]

How did she not freeze up there?

[MichaelKeith]

It also made a good contrast with Mary’s beautiful apartment. Rhoda was a quirky character so it made sense she’d love a quirky lifestyle.

[PracTz]

Originally Posted by MichaelKeith

It also made a good contrast with Mary’s beautiful apartment. Rhoda was a quirky character so it made sense she’d love a quirky lifestyle.

Rhoda was quirky and more adaptable to the quirky lifestyle than Mary would have been but she DEFINITELY would have preferred to have lived in Mary's apartment- which almost derailed their potential friendship first thing!

[MichaelKeith]

So true, PracTZ. In fact that was a main plot line in the very first episode.