Sally Redux

It's car wax now.
Maybe if you lived on Hot Pockets.

Hotscot

We're heading down to stay in Dana Point tonight...will also be doing a Bristol Farms run.

Funstuie

Whats the general consensus on Target. On my numerous visits to the US I have always been quite impressed with their stores (in CA and VA). They seem to stock a wide range of items. I tried to describe them to my wife as Target being Sainsburys to Walmart being Tesco.

I always get a load of clothes and candy etc for the kids and fedex it back (through work ) to the UK. But on my last visit I did a proper reccy (seeing as we might, might be moving to the US) and their prices on some items seemed quite reasonable. Beer seemed very cheap.

Pulaski

The range and quality doesn't seem remarkable in the new(ish) one near us. The prices aren't great, and Mrs P rarely shops there. The main appeal to many/ most of its customers seems to be "it isn't Walmart "!

Mrs P's mother used to be a fan, but "went off" it. (Not sure why?). The range of beer in any/all warehouse or "big box" stores is pretty poor, regular chain groceries are improving rapidly, and can be as cheap, or cheaper than the wine & beer specialists. The red walls, decor, and signage in Target makes my head hurt.

tipex

I live in Lakeland Fl and the wife shops in aldi where milk is only 2.89 a gallon bananas 44c pound, this is a good place for fruit and veg and staple foods. Walmart for other foods, buys my red wine from publix, I don't buy European wines no more, much more expensive than Californian. I do not really know any wines from non Europe so I get what's on special that week from the publix magazine. We also buy our meat from a meat market, cheaper than Walmart and tastes much better.

E3only

When we moved to US, in 2010...one of the first supermarkets that my friend introduced me to was Safeway......

I thought it was terribly expensive and I almost freaked out given we moved from Australia on 2x salaries to US on 1x. I was depressed! Then the following weekend he took me to Wholefoods! It nearly killed me.

So when my wife joined me (she was in LA for a short period until I got settled in the east bay area), we just decided to walk around, drive around...I never shopped at supermarkets in Australia; always supported small businesses locally. So we tried to find some here and thats that.

It's a learning process. If I had all the time in the world then I know exactly where to get things

My notes below are east bay area.
Costco: Can't beat Milk, Bananas, Salad stuff, and a raft of other items
Local: Can't find cheaper fruit and vegetables than local store. Sometimes I selectively buy things from Trader Joe's (specially ethnic stuff). TJs is really awesome
I even find myself shopping a bit at Target and Walmart - groceries, milk, bread, baby food etc.

And we never pass on any deals we may get in the mail. We do everything we can, just as a young family of 3 with one salary would do to save a buck.

The point is, It was a rude shock to visit the wrong places as a new person which is usually what a new comer does. Relies on known names which are above average brands and way above average prices.

You will learn....

No comment on meat/fish...we are vegetarian.

Enjoy. I hear Tampa is much cheaper than CA!

Bob

Depends on location and if it's a super Target or not.

Some can be fab, others less so on price and also on selection of goods. Some areas have better clearance items though.

We don't have booze in MA, so can't say. Kids clothes, not bad value and good for household goods. Fresh stuff, not so much.

Zez

I live target but fresh food there is v limited. I do find that I have to shop in 3 or 4 places (costco, target, Safeway and trader joe's) to get what I want at prices I'm happy with. Come back Tesco, all is almost forgiven!!!

Vimto

Many of us remember the prices when we left the UK and may have lost touch what food costs today, here is a link to what prices are in the UK today
http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/

I have to say personally we do about 50% of our shopping at Aldi, shops are relatively small, there is limited choice (only own brand cornflakes and only 1 size) but they are relatively inexpensive compared to the cheapest available.
They have a small but decent wine and imported beer selection again at reasonable prices

please note if you are a brand name snob its not the place for you otherwise its a good value alternative to the full line supermarkets

Zez

We have no walmart with an hour's drive so I've never shopped there! When you add on the cost of petrol the savings wouldn't be too good! Ditto no Aldi. Is that the same as Aldi in the UK? I would die of happiness if I found one of those. Here my comparisons are Safeway, whole foods and Lucky x

Oh and safeways without a safeways card was our first shop.... Terrifying!

Zez

Oo do thinks it's more expensive... We've only been here 6 months so relatively recent price comparisons and we're on the same salary here as in the UK (didn't move for the money but for the experience!)

Funstuie

Trader Joe's is Aldi (Nord) US offshoot.

Aldi (Sud - which is the one you are used to the in UK) are looking to expand to the West Coast soon from what I read. Aldi (Sud) operate under the Aldi name in the US. Aldi (Sud) are the ones who do the weekly specials etc.

Redwing

It all depends where you live. Prices vary from state to state, and often from city to city. For produce, we buy mainly fresh and from the farmer's markets when they are in season. Right now, we are getting Florida strawberries for between $1 and $2 per lb, cluster tomatoes for $1.98, bananas for 45 cents, but milk is between $3.99 and $4.59. Next month, the Mennonite store opens, and the farmer's market at the end of the month, and we will have a wider range.

AmerLisa

Yes it is! So glad you have the extra time and willingness to bake them!

Sally Redux

Some of us do get back for visits under licence.