IF you were ever left questioning how the characters in Friends afforded to live in apartments in Lower Manhattan, New York, you had good reason.

Well, technically Monica inherited her and Rachel's flat from her grandma - but still, Chandler and Joey rented the one across the hall and Ross occupied a swanky pad in the building opposite.

5 Rachel and Monica's apartment would set you back a few million Credit: youtube

Judging by today's prices, estimated by Which? Mortgage Advisers, Monica's two-bedroom, open plan flat overlooking the New York skyline would set you back a hefty £3 million ($4 million).

According to them, Apartment 20 on 495 Grove Street, in the sought after Greenwich Village area, complete with its exterior balcony and roof access, would require a 10 per cent deposit of £308,202 ($400,000).

5 Which? Mortgage Advisers provided an estimate guide price Credit: Which?

5 Monica's pad is worth a LOT of dosh Credit: Warner Bros

It's described as "a great investment" that would suit "young professionals".

Possibly out of the price range for a chef and a jobbing waitress... but clearly affordable for a palaeontologist, and someone who did Chandler's job - whatever that was.

5 The Friends characters all hung out in Monica's apartment Credit: Reuters

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In fairness, Friends ended 12 years ago in 2004 - but this was during the American housing boom, which happened between 1996 and 2006, when all 20 main U.S. cities experienced spectacular house prices.

With that hefty investment behind them it's no wonder Monica and Chandler were able to afford to move to a new house in Westchester County, New York, at the end of season 10... and feed Joey on a regular basis.

5 The quirky apartment was popular with Brits because of it's central New York location Credit: youtube

Recently we reported how Rachel and Monica’s apartment in Friends, a central location for much of the comedy series, was rated as the nation's fourth favourite TV 'home' in a study.