Cost comparison for groceries/other necessities

[dreamofmonterey]

Sav a lot has 50 cent cans- lol. I dont shop there.

Cost of food at Kroger is the same/similar to what I paid in S. Florida. Don't move here thinking you will save hundreds a month on food.

[hiknapster]

And don't forget that you'll pay tax on that food. Just a reminder.

[thirtyish]

Eating out is much less than in California. My daughter and I have had several meals, mostly lunch and dinner for under $15.00 in our 2 week travels. I've paid 2.78 for a gallon of gas in most places. We've stocked up on sodas and snacks but I haven't paid much attention to price. I should have. It is less than Ca though. We went to the movies in Johnson City today, $12.oo for a matinee for us and $10.00 in soda/popcorn. This is the same as Ca. We went to an evening of live music on the square in Jonesborough~ wonderful night out. We gave $5.00 donation during a "collection" and spent the same on ice cream for 2. Johnson City reminds me of the shopping you'd find in Calif. This isn't so about the smaller areas.

[LauraC]

I don't see any savings on food in the supermarket. In fact, I think food costs more here but my car insurance is $300 less per year and I stuck with the same company I had in Maryland with the same coverage. It was cheaper to register my car here, too, but here's a hidden kicker --- I'm now paying mucho sales tax on my car lease payments. UGH! Still, no state income, tax.

I got a SWEEEEEET deal on high speed Internet from the cable giant local guys, though. $19.99 or 19.95 (can't remember which) for the first 12 months.

My rent is $367 per month cheaper than it was in MD for a place that has an extra bedroom and bathroom and was brand new when I moved in. Can't beat that. I also seem to have better neighbors...but that has nothing to do with cost.

About gas. Last time I looked it was about $2.89. I only moved 6 weeks after I retired so I'm not sure if my gas savings has to do with Oak Ridge, my particular Oak Ridge location or the fact that I have retired but I have been here in Oak Ridge about 6 weeks now. I have gone out of town to West Knoxville once (for furniture) in these 6 weeks because so far, I have found everything else I need here, and what I don't have, I will order off the Internet. In fact, except for a little neighborhoods tour I took around Oak Ridge, every place (municipal building where you get your electric turned on, bank, motor vehicle, 3 supermarkets, insurance agent, Blockbuster, park, fishing pier, car wash, college, gas stations, library, book store, Home Depot, super Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Sears, Penneys, Belk's, Staples, Comcast, Post Office, restaurants/fast food) I have had to go to so far seems to be within 3 miles of where I live (the college where I attend classes is less than 1 mile from where I live as is one of my supermarkets and the other is less than 3 miles away) and Oak Ridge is spread out (no central downtown walkaround area). I just had my computer repaired at Staples in town. If I had to go to the hospital, it's probably just a little over one mile from where I live. In the 6 weeks I have lived here I have filled up my car exactly twice and I still have one half tank of gas from the second fill up. I used my car/went out every day except 4 days of those 6 weeks. I think that's key about picking where you live. What do you do a lot of? I can see mountains. There's a lake in my town. I can go to the Smokies fairly easily if I chose to go. I'm within 45 minutes of 4 State Parks. There's even a bus to the casino in North Carolina that leaves from Oak Ridge. But, I don't live in the mountains (or a major city) and I don't have a big ride to get to things I need or want on a fairly regular basis. If you commute to work, you have to ask yourself, is it worth it to live so far away from someplace you have to go on a regular basis?

[Beretta]

Originally Posted by HengyMama

Any Organic markets in Maryville or Knoxville? Not just vitamins but actually groceries like grass fed beef, free range chicken and eggs?

There is a Farmer's Market every Saturday morning at 9 am in Maryville. There are at least 3-4 organic meat and dairy vendors there every week. I was there three weeks ago and I think the eggs were $2.50 a dozen ($1.49 for regular in the grocery store) and the meat (beef, chicken, nice variety of cuts) was equally priced in relation to the grocery store. The people are so interesting and knowledgeable. You can hook up with them there and then find the vendor and location that works best for you to buy from year round. There were also organic farms represented. Oh, and Blackberry Farms always brings baked goods too; yum-o!