It seems unrealistic to me that after 6-7 years, Mark is living in an apartment, Benton living with his sister, ect. The only ones that seem to have some money (or at least a home) is Romano and Weaver? At least Carol has a house, and by the looks of things, its really looking nice now. Maybe its just a show, but I thought Dr's made a fairly decent living $75,000 or more by now?

-- Elaine (Namkcub1@Aol.com), March 27, 2000

Answers

When Carla was trying to get custody of Reese, Peter said he had moved in with his sister so Reese would have more of a home life with family around. I think that's why he lives with his sister, not out of financial necessity. I don't know about the others.

-- Annie (GoldenLaur@aol.com), March 27, 2000.

Actually, residents don't make that much money at all. First year, maybe anywhere from $18,000 to $40,000, depending on the specialty and where they live. Once they are done being residents, they make more, but then they often have up to $200,000 in med school loans to pay off. Mark was a resident when the show first started, and Benton might actually still be a resident.

-- Terri (tduggan@c-b-e.org), March 27, 2000.

There was an episode in the first season about Dr. Benton being behind on paying student loans. Dr. Susan said that it reminded her that she had to start paying back her loans-she said she owed $75,000.00 or close to it. Dr. Greene said he owed around $100,000.00. So, even though doctors make good money, they don't have much to show for it until their loans are paid off. Plus, Dr. Greene went through a divorce which was bound to cost a pretty penny. I don't know if he personally had to pay any money when they settled the suit with the woman in "Love's Labor Lost". I also don't think that doctors in the ER make as much as a doctor in private practice. That may be why they appear to live with meager salaries.

-- Carin (cdenisehaze@usa.net), March 27, 2000.

And maybe Mark likes living in his place since it used to be Susan's.

-- nancy (ntc72@mailcity.com), March 27, 2000.

I remember a conversation between Doug and Anna that stood out to me because they were talking about Anna trying to find a cheap apartment and Doug asked her if the salary for first year residents was still poverty rate. (0r something like that, I'm not sure that she was a first year resident) I was really surprised when she told him how little she made, although I don't remember exactly how much she said.

-- Elaine (mrsclooney78@hotmail.com), March 27, 2000.

It could be because they live in a big city like Chicago where most of the people probably live in apartments anyway. I mean, if they live right in the city, you know? I don't know if they have ever shown whether or not the characters live right in the city or farther out. We've seen most of them riding the subway before. But that could be part of it, not just that they don't have a lot of spare money.

-- melanie (msintn@hotmail.com), March 28, 2000.

Also, the Dr's on ER work for County. Counties can't pay as much as private hospitals.

-- AmyE (roamyn@aol.com), March 28, 2000.

I thought I sent a response to this one a few days ago, but I must not have hit submit. Anyway, my response was similar to Melanie's, that living in an apartment can be a choice and not a requirement for some people, including people who make a lot of money. This is due to the convenience of not having to do yard work and/or maintenance on a house--or not being able to save up the downpayment. Also, I commented that medical staff at a hospital might HAVE to live close to the hospital where there might not be many affordable houses close by (as opposed to the suburbs).

-- Diana (dilynne@juno.com), March 28, 2000.

Amy, county hospitals pay better than private. also they have great benefits.

-- Alexis (lexicat1@webtv.net), March 29, 2000.

BTW - even apts. in Chicago are outrageous. If you want to live in the city in decent surroundings, you better be ready to make more than poverty wages.

-- Chava (ChavaW68@aol.com), March 29, 2000.