grocery costs (Boston, Salem, Marblehead: health insurance, co-op, how much)

[shrimplet]

Hi everyone,

Can anyone give me a link for supermarkets(large grocery stores), both cheaper and more expensive range so I can compare prices to the UK
Are there farmer's markets in Salem and are the fruits and veg cheaper there than in the shops?

If you think you are overtaxed, spare a thought for the British! We pay 17% tax on all our stuff

As for petrol, we currently pay 92p/liter, that would be $6.56 for a gallon of petrol

[macmacmac]

I'm not sure there is one in the Salem area, but it's worth checking on a wholesale club named "Costco". There is another wholesale club in the Boston area called "BJ's". For a yearly membership of about $25, you get deeply discounted prices not only on groceries, but also other household items. The only drawback (for some it's not really a drawback) is that the quantities are large.

[MAtoNC!]

I don't have links but here are the grocery stores in the area:

Market Basket
Stop & Shop
Shaw's
Whole Foods
Trader Joe's

I think there is a Farmer's Market co-op in Marblehead.

[Cart24]

My wife and I are also on our way to massachusetts in the near future as well. A good site to check on for groceries is http://www.stopandshop.com/
You have the option to use the shop online function and that will give you a great idea of how much groceries cost in Mass.

I just shopped online for what we usually buy on a week to week basis and was surprised that we actually would be spending slightly less than we do here in Orlando, FL. (which was a surprise)

[Cart24]

Originally Posted by shrimplet

Hi everyone,

Can anyone give me a link for supermarkets(large grocery stores), both cheaper and more expensive range so I can compare prices to the UK
Are there farmer's markets in Salem and are the fruits and veg cheaper there than in the shops?

If you think you are overtaxed, spare a thought for the British! We pay 17% tax on all our stuff

As for petrol, we currently pay 92p/liter, that would be $6.56 for a gallon of petrol

We are originally from Toronto Ontario, and we also get a good laugh about Massachusetts being nicknamed "taxachusetts" the UK is obviously a bit more extreme than Ontario, but we can relate (even though $6.56 a gallon is alot more than Toronto--currently paying 3.95 a gallon there aprox)

[Parsec]

Originally Posted by mattncind

We are originally from Toronto Ontario, and we also get a good laugh about Massachusetts being nicknamed "taxachusetts" the UK is obviously a bit more extreme than Ontario, but we can relate (even though $6.56 a gallon is alot more than Toronto--currently paying 3.95 a gallon there aprox)

Taxes are all relative. You guys have great healthcare in Canada, for example. I bet your health insurance doesn't cost $11k/yr like it does for my family. It's just a matter of finding a balance. I don't understand why everyone complains about taxes here either. I'd prefer to pay higher taxes and receive better public services. That way, the rich will be subsidizing the poor and middle class =)

[shrimplet]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the feedback!!! We also have a costco here in the UK, but only certain people can shop there. You have to be a civil servant, ie teacher or nurse.

Thanks for the link, will go and check it out now

As for the petrol costs, I remember when visiting Edmonton, Alberta and thinking, wow...the petrol is so cheap, and yet compared to the states it's actually very expensive.

[Cart24]

Originally Posted by Parsec

Taxes are all relative. You guys have great healthcare in Canada, for example. I bet your health insurance doesn't cost $11k/yr like it does for my family. It's just a matter of finding a balance. I don't understand why everyone complains about taxes here either. I'd prefer to pay higher taxes and receive better public services. That way, the rich will be subsidizing the poor and middle class =)

You are absolutely correct that it is all relative, and my wife and I fortunately have great health insurance plans through our employers where our costs out of pocket are minimal (we live in FLA).

My point was not to bash the Canadian system because there are many great things about it, and the social programs for the elderly and sick especially are top notch, but that line between progressive and oppressive taxation has been long passed in Ontario and that is the reason why we no longer live there.

[NY'er lost in MA]

Cheers Shrimplet,

I live in Salem and there is a variety of shopping choices for groceries. As mentioned by MAtoNC, there is:

Market Basket- cheapest, but limited in brands and variety
Stop & Shop- big name store, has their own natural foods line
Shaw's- another big name store- has a organics section/health food
Whole Foods: by far the best opton for veges and fresh seafood, meats and specialties, but also the most expensive option
Trader Joe's : all healthy options, but can be limited in selection- very good frozen foods section

The best strategy is to get non perishable items at maybe Target or Walmart- such as: detergent and shampoo etc. Get all you food items at a store like Shaws or Market Basket for added savings, and get meats and other special items at Whole Foods.

Additionally, you can sign up for a rewards card at Shaws and Stop and Shop for added savings.

As far as gas goes......get a hybrid!

Good luck.

[shrimplet]

Thanks for all your feedback everyone, you've all been very helpful

Funnily enough, I am looking at getting a Ford Hybrid once we relocate to USA. I had a Ford Maverick a year ago which I had to sell due to its massive mpg. It broke my heart to replace it with a considerably smaller C-Max!! Ford no longer makes SUV's in the UK, so I can only get the hybrid once we move.

I meant to ask about furniture too. Is it all flatpack (like IKEA) in the states?? Here we can't even get something as simple as a lawnmower without literally building it

And how much does a vet consultation cost in the Salem area?

Finally broadband costs, if anyone can help. Again, around the Salem area. I imagine there is broadband available everywhere.
Now I know why Bill Gates is so bloody rich...Vista costs £200 here( that would be $100) God knows why, Vista is Vista,no