What would make you move back to the UK?
Dec 20th 2006, 10:54 pm
#151
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Location: Melbourne, Oz to Banbury, England to El Mirage, AZ & now back to England!
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Re: What would make you move back to the UK?
Originally Posted by Hayley
Not quite that much.. let me think..
I spend maybe $500 in Costco a month, $200 in WalMart and around $200 to $300 in safeway/ huckleberries (a natural food store) for organic stuff. Holy moley that's scary!!! But I love to cook so perhaps that explains it?
I have to say I hate the grocery stores here- the way they have an aisle for dinner and lunch and breakfast?
really confuses me. I can still remember walking into my first grocery store and being really confused. Was looking for tesco's finest ready meals, organic stuff, non- orange cheese. 
Had to throw out half my meal ideas due to lack of ingredients.
I know, know, I need to try to embrace a new culture of squeezy cheese.
I spend maybe $500 in Costco a month, $200 in WalMart and around $200 to $300 in safeway/ huckleberries (a natural food store) for organic stuff. Holy moley that's scary!!! But I love to cook so perhaps that explains it?
I have to say I hate the grocery stores here- the way they have an aisle for dinner and lunch and breakfast?
really confuses me. I can still remember walking into my first grocery store and being really confused. Was looking for tesco's finest ready meals, organic stuff, non- orange cheese. Had to throw out half my meal ideas due to lack of ingredients. I know, know, I need to try to embrace a new culture of squeezy cheese.
In England I went to one shop to get my groceries, here I have to go to 3! I get my meat at Sprouts (best tasting, closest to the quality we get back home), my regular shopping at Fry's (it's the closest) & then I have to occasionally pop to Safeway to get a few other things that you can't get in Fry's or Sprouts (one being a very nice pate, very very similar to the ones back home). I'm just glad they're all within a few miles of my house.
Dec 20th 2006, 10:58 pm
#152
long live thefinest range
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Higham Ferrers, Northants to Spokane Washington and back again!!
Posts: 445
Re: What would make you move back to the UK?
Originally Posted by Partystar
'Krogers' is called 'Frys' in our part of the US.
Dec 20th 2006, 10:58 pm
#153
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 360
Re: What would make you move back to the UK?
Originally Posted by Hayley
Not quite that much.. let me think..
I spend maybe $500 in Costco a month, $200 in WalMart and around $200 to $300 in safeway/ huckleberries (a natural food store) for organic stuff. Holy moley that's scary!!! But I love to cook so perhaps that explains it?
I have to say I hate the grocery stores here- the way they have an aisle for dinner and lunch and breakfast? really confuses me. I can still remember walking into my first grocery store and being really confused. Was looking for tesco's finest ready meals, organic stuff, non- orange cheese. Had to throw out half my meal ideas due to lack of ingredients.
I know, know, I need to try to embrace a new culture of squeezy cheese.
I spend maybe $500 in Costco a month, $200 in WalMart and around $200 to $300 in safeway/ huckleberries (a natural food store) for organic stuff. Holy moley that's scary!!! But I love to cook so perhaps that explains it?
I have to say I hate the grocery stores here- the way they have an aisle for dinner and lunch and breakfast?
really confuses me. I can still remember walking into my first grocery store and being really confused. Was looking for tesco's finest ready meals, organic stuff, non- orange cheese. Had to throw out half my meal ideas due to lack of ingredients. I know, know, I need to try to embrace a new culture of squeezy cheese.
Dec 20th 2006, 10:58 pm
#154
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,021
Re: What would make you move back to the UK?
Originally Posted by Partystar
I know how you feel, I'm a bit of a chef & have had a rough time trying to find quite a few ingredients here. I also like the best food I can get, it takes me hours to shop as I read all the packets, compare brands etc, it gets on my husbands nerves, but I like to know what I'm eating.
In England I went to one shop to get my groceries, here I have to go to 3! I get my meat at Sprouts (best tasting, closest to the quality we get back home), my regular shopping at Fry's (it's the closest) & then I have to occasionally pop to Safeway to get a few other things that you can't get in Fry's or Sprouts (one being a very nice pate, very very similar to the ones back home). I'm just glad they're all within a few miles of my house.
In England I went to one shop to get my groceries, here I have to go to 3! I get my meat at Sprouts (best tasting, closest to the quality we get back home), my regular shopping at Fry's (it's the closest) & then I have to occasionally pop to Safeway to get a few other things that you can't get in Fry's or Sprouts (one being a very nice pate, very very similar to the ones back home). I'm just glad they're all within a few miles of my house.
I haven't been in any supermarkets here that come close to M & S, Tesco and Sainsbury's. The aisles are so narrow and it really p*sses my off how they stick displays in the already narrow aisles.
Dec 20th 2006, 10:59 pm
#155
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Location: Melbourne, Oz to Banbury, England to El Mirage, AZ & now back to England!
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Re: What would make you move back to the UK?
Originally Posted by Hayley
what the blinking eck is frys?
Dec 20th 2006, 11:03 pm
#156
Account Closed
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Posts: 15,019
Re: What would make you move back to the UK?
Originally Posted by Partystar
It's another name for the supermarket, Kroger! I'm sure there are a few other names for it too!
we have Kroger here and Fry's but the Fry's is a big electrical/tv etc store similar to Best Buy
Dec 20th 2006, 11:05 pm
#157
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15,019
Re: What would make you move back to the UK?
Originally Posted by Jerseygirl
and the roof certainly is. 
Dec 20th 2006, 11:05 pm
#158
long live thefinest range
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Higham Ferrers, Northants to Spokane Washington and back again!!
Posts: 445
Re: What would make you move back to the UK?
Originally Posted by Old William
I moved from Rural North Florida to Rural Yorkshire.
Our grocery bill in FLA was around $300 per week.
Our grocery bill here is around £70 per week.
Both not counting luxuries.
As an example...FLA is the self proclaimed citrus capital of the world yet to buy lemons at the supermarket cost in the region of 30c each, yet I can walk into Morrisons here and buy Turkish lemons for 12p each. ALL food is MUCH cheaper here. Full stop. Even eating out...7 quid per head for a full sunday lunch at the Toby Carvery.
My property tax in FLA on a 3 bed house was around 4500 per year...my council tax on a 3 bed detached house here is 1200 per year.
My car insurance in FLA was 5000 per year for 2 people on 2 cars...here it's 600 quid.
My monthly electric bill in FLA was 250 or more...here its 40 quid.
...shall I go on?
I just got 2 pairs of Jeans, a smart T-shirt and a pair of dress trousers from Burtons...40 quid the lot.
Last sunday we had a 4lb fresh beef rib roast bought that morning from the local farmers market...8 quid. Cooked with fresh local organic veggies also bought from the farmers market for a couple quid. All washed down with local Wolds Beer (70p a bottle) from the local micro brewery.
I'm currently typing this on my 8mb broadband that costs me £15 per month. My full Sky Package costs £40...internet (4mb) and cable TV was $120 per month in FLA.
Rip off Britain? You decide.
Our grocery bill in FLA was around $300 per week.
Our grocery bill here is around £70 per week.
Both not counting luxuries.
As an example...FLA is the self proclaimed citrus capital of the world yet to buy lemons at the supermarket cost in the region of 30c each, yet I can walk into Morrisons here and buy Turkish lemons for 12p each. ALL food is MUCH cheaper here. Full stop. Even eating out...7 quid per head for a full sunday lunch at the Toby Carvery.
My property tax in FLA on a 3 bed house was around 4500 per year...my council tax on a 3 bed detached house here is 1200 per year.
My car insurance in FLA was 5000 per year for 2 people on 2 cars...here it's 600 quid.
My monthly electric bill in FLA was 250 or more...here its 40 quid.
...shall I go on?
I just got 2 pairs of Jeans, a smart T-shirt and a pair of dress trousers from Burtons...40 quid the lot.
Last sunday we had a 4lb fresh beef rib roast bought that morning from the local farmers market...8 quid. Cooked with fresh local organic veggies also bought from the farmers market for a couple quid. All washed down with local Wolds Beer (70p a bottle) from the local micro brewery.
I'm currently typing this on my 8mb broadband that costs me £15 per month. My full Sky Package costs £40...internet (4mb) and cable TV was $120 per month in FLA.
Rip off Britain? You decide.
Where is the good bread? $2 and $3 for a loaf? and it doesn't even taste as good as Tesco value bread does. I had a 30 quid weekly shopping budget the Uk- granted it was just me and my OH at the time but we didn't live off baked beans it was good quality stuff. I miss the Tesco finest goats cheese and red pepper quiche wonder if they still have it?
Dec 20th 2006, 11:07 pm
#159
long live thefinest range
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Higham Ferrers, Northants to Spokane Washington and back again!!
Posts: 445
Re: What would make you move back to the UK?
Originally Posted by jen_andreson
I had panic attacks the first few times I went shopping here--it's very confusing. I am a big fan of Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, although WF is quite pricey. We try to eat organic as much as possible, and definitely no squeezy cheese :scared:
Dec 20th 2006, 11:08 pm
#160
Back where I belong!
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Melbourne, Oz to Banbury, England to El Mirage, AZ & now back to England!
Posts: 5,989
Re: What would make you move back to the UK?
Originally Posted by Jerseygirl
I haven't been in any supermarkets here that come close to M & S, Tesco and Sainsbury's. The aisles are so narrow and it really p*sses my off how they stick displays in the already narrow aisles.
Dec 20th 2006, 11:09 pm
#161
long live thefinest range
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Higham Ferrers, Northants to Spokane Washington and back again!!
Posts: 445
Re: What would make you move back to the UK?
Originally Posted by britvic
I have me darling, but I dont mind saying it over and over will get me through this last Christmas over here, about September time and the Bedfordshire area.
will get me through this last Christmas over here, about September time and the Bedfordshire area.No I'll post here just like old William hopefully to restore some balance
Dec 20th 2006, 11:10 pm
#162
Back where I belong!
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Melbourne, Oz to Banbury, England to El Mirage, AZ & now back to England!
Posts: 5,989
Re: What would make you move back to the UK?
Originally Posted by TruBrit
we have Kroger here and Fry's but the Fry's is a big electrical/tv etc store similar to Best Buy
Dec 20th 2006, 11:10 pm
#163
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 360
Re: What would make you move back to the UK?
Originally Posted by Old William
I moved from Rural North Florida to Rural Yorkshire.
Our grocery bill in FLA was around $300 per week.
Our grocery bill here is around £70 per week.
Both not counting luxuries.
As an example...FLA is the self proclaimed citrus capital of the world yet to buy lemons at the supermarket cost in the region of 30c each, yet I can walk into Morrisons here and buy Turkish lemons for 12p each. ALL food is MUCH cheaper here. Full stop. Even eating out...7 quid per head for a full sunday lunch at the Toby Carvery.
My property tax in FLA on a 3 bed house was around 4500 per year...my council tax on a 3 bed detached house here is 1200 per year.
My car insurance in FLA was 5000 per year for 2 people on 2 cars...here it's 600 quid.
My monthly electric bill in FLA was 250 or more...here its 40 quid.
...shall I go on?
I just got 2 pairs of Jeans, a smart T-shirt and a pair of dress trousers from Burtons...40 quid the lot.
Last sunday we had a 4lb fresh beef rib roast bought that morning from the local farmers market...8 quid. Cooked with fresh local organic veggies also bought from the farmers market for a couple quid. All washed down with local Wolds Beer (70p a bottle) from the local micro brewery.
I'm currently typing this on my 8mb broadband that costs me £15 per month. My full Sky Package costs £40...internet (4mb) and cable TV was $120 per month in FLA.
Rip off Britain? You decide.
Our grocery bill in FLA was around $300 per week.
Our grocery bill here is around £70 per week.
Both not counting luxuries.
As an example...FLA is the self proclaimed citrus capital of the world yet to buy lemons at the supermarket cost in the region of 30c each, yet I can walk into Morrisons here and buy Turkish lemons for 12p each. ALL food is MUCH cheaper here. Full stop. Even eating out...7 quid per head for a full sunday lunch at the Toby Carvery.
My property tax in FLA on a 3 bed house was around 4500 per year...my council tax on a 3 bed detached house here is 1200 per year.
My car insurance in FLA was 5000 per year for 2 people on 2 cars...here it's 600 quid.
My monthly electric bill in FLA was 250 or more...here its 40 quid.
...shall I go on?
I just got 2 pairs of Jeans, a smart T-shirt and a pair of dress trousers from Burtons...40 quid the lot.
Last sunday we had a 4lb fresh beef rib roast bought that morning from the local farmers market...8 quid. Cooked with fresh local organic veggies also bought from the farmers market for a couple quid. All washed down with local Wolds Beer (70p a bottle) from the local micro brewery.
I'm currently typing this on my 8mb broadband that costs me £15 per month. My full Sky Package costs £40...internet (4mb) and cable TV was $120 per month in FLA.
Rip off Britain? You decide.
Enjoy that 70p beer!
Dec 20th 2006, 11:12 pm
#164
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Mother Land.
Posts: 14,858
Re: What would make you move back to the UK?
Originally Posted by Hayley
you'll be near to me then! hope it all goes well for you I'll have prob vanished by then!
No I'll post here just like old William hopefully to restore some balance
No I'll post here just like old William hopefully to restore some balance
and best of luck to you me darling.
Dec 20th 2006, 11:14 pm
#165
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 360
Re: What would make you move back to the UK?
Originally Posted by Hayley
you'll be near to me then! hope it all goes well for you I'll have prob vanished by then!
No I'll post here just like old William hopefully to restore some balance
No I'll post here just like old William hopefully to restore some balance
You must keep posting! We'll want to read about your new adventures and the first-hand reports of life at home.