How I Met Your Mother question about the characters' apartments

[Christopher Robin Davies]

I saw a first run episode of the show for the first time in a long time last night. Ted seemed to have moved to a new apartment and the characters of Marshall and Lily seemed to be living in his old place. What happened?

[enalzi]

Ted moved out of the apartment because it reminded him too much of Robin. He gave the apartment back to Marshall and Lily because they missed the city.

[Christopher Robin Davies]

Originally Posted by enalzi

Ted moved out of the apartment because it reminded him too much of Robin. He gave the apartment back to Marshall and Lily because they missed the city.

So they bought an apartment they could barely afford in a terrible neighborhood with little resale value, then bought a house outside the city, then moved back into the place they were living when the show began? Which of them won the lottery in the meantime?

[friedo]

Originally Posted by Christopher Robin Davies

So they bought an apartment they could barely afford in a terrible neighborhood with little resale value, then bought a house outside the city, then moved back into the place they were living when the show began? Which of them won the lottery in the meantime?

Lily inherited the house on Long Island from her grandparents. I'm pretty sure they've since sold the place.

[bouv]

Originally Posted by friedo

Lily inherited the house on Long Island from her grandparents. I'm pretty sure they've since sold the place.

Actually, I think they still own the house, but they sold their apartment.

If they're smart, they'd be renting out the house, since even if they don't have a mortgage, there would still be taxes, utilities, etc...

[Cat Whisperer]

A semi-related nitpick - in a recent episode, Ted talks about living alone in an apartment for the first time in his adult life. I think he was alone before - after Marshall and Lily moved out, and before Robin moved in.

[Dewey Finn]

Originally Posted by bouv

Actually, I think they still own the house, but they sold their apartment.

If they're smart, they'd be renting out the house, since even if they don't have a mortgage, there would still be taxes, utilities, etc...

As I remember, one of Marshall and Lily's neighbors bought their apartment for a lot of money. So they didn't even lose anything on it.

[Turek]

Originally Posted by Christopher Robin Davies

Ted seemed to have moved to a new apartment

And it's Barney's stripper girlfriend's (Quinn) former apartment.

[howye]

Originally Posted by Cat Whisperer

A semi-related nitpick - in a recent episode, Ted talks about living alone in an apartment for the first time in his adult life. I think he was alone before - after Marshall and Lily moved out, and before Robin moved in.

But I think he always had the intention of getting a roommate before. Now he is truly living on his own.

[Munch]

Since we're talking about Monday's episode, I have a question:

When did Barney learn how to drive? I saw a rerun last week where Marshall's car died at 199,999.3 miles, and they were recounting their memories of the car. Barney was terrified of it, because it was the first (and last) car he had driven, never exceeding what seemed like 12 MPH.

[Maus Magill]

Barney's driven a couple of times before. I've noticed the same inconsistency, though. It would bother me more, if the entire series weren't a flashback. Future Ted is a very unreliable narrator.

[AK84]

Originally Posted by Munch

Since we're talking about Monday's episode, I have a question:

When did Barney learn how to drive? I saw a rerun last week where Marshall's car died at 199,999.3 miles, and they were recounting their memories of the car. Barney was terrified of it, because it was the first (and last) car he had driven, never exceeding what seemed like 12 MPH.

Not exactly inconceivable that he learnt how to drive in the meantime, its a fairly rudimentary skill.

[Mr. Excellent]

Originally Posted by AK84

Not exactly inconceivable that he learnt how to drive in the meantime, its a fairly rudimentary skill.

No - driving in suburbia is a rudimentary skill. Driving in Manhattan? You couldn't pay me to do it.

[etv78]

WRT driving-SPEAK for yourselves! I don't drive, nor should I!

[Turek]

Barney drove a lot trying to prove he could charm his way out of a ticket.

[jayjay]

nm