[Topspinmo]

I thought produce would taste better down here, IMO NOT. The dirt is missing something????

[Paper1]

Originally Posted by affald

People saying, "don't let the door hit you on the way out" and other snide remarks don't really add anything or answer the questions.

If taxes, utilities, wages are lower here... then why are groceries higher.

Are there some monopolistic forces at play or is it simply economy of scale?

A reply from someone with real knowledge would be appreciated.

Long ago someone said the area is monopolistically controlled, but I forget the details.

Pricing on everything, including groceries, is based on whatever the market can bear. Average income in Villages is above most communities it’s size so it can bear more. Only competition and desire for market share impacts that.

[Henryk]

Originally Posted by Wing-nut2

Florida is a peninsula. That means everything must be brought into the state by truck, boat or by train. That costs more money because of the distance involved. ...

Gee, Jim. The only thing you left out is delivery by air. So I think the delivery mechanism is apples-to-apples, don't you agree?

[rlcooper70]

In New England we have Market Basket .... they have no debt and are selling food for the same price that it costs Stop and Shop to buy it (when their debt payments are factored in). So we know what good pricing is about.

We have experienced that WD is worse than Public but nowhere as good as Market Basket. Part of the cost of living in Florida. Yet the cost of the restaurants in TV is half of Boston so we consider it all a trade. Its a mind game.

[sam&rog]

Where else can you shop in Turners without driving miles? Greenfield? Nhamp? Guess you are on your back north now for the cheap groceries.

[Spikearoni]

Originally Posted by Wing-nut2

How about that state income tax? That taking a bit out of you too? If living in the North is so great, why did you move here?

We have NO SALES TAX and NO INCOME TAX in NH. However, it gets mighty cold in the winter so we enjoy our time in TV from January until May. Despite the higher cost for groceries and the sales taxes we incur, we are very happy to be in a nice climate at that time of year.

[Susan Schonfeld]

South Florida had a lot of markets and vegetable fruit stands. Can’t believe with all the farms they aren’t any good ones here. We need competition.

[toeser]

I am a snowbird. Publix and Winn-Dixie would be eaten alive by competitors in my summer home.

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by Susan Schonfeld

South Florida had a lot of markets and vegetable fruit stands. Can’t believe with all the farms they aren’t any good ones here. We need competition.

The Brownwood farmers market offers a lot of choices for good veggies, breads, etc. In addition, the Market of Marion has a large assortment of vegetables, as well as the Lady Lake farmers market on 441 (just south of 466), which is open every Tuesday.

[asianthree]

I do container gardening just because it’s quick and easy and you don’t have to bend over. Bumper crop of tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and herbs. Zucchini and squash out of control. Radishes I plant every two weeks, my carrots and potatoes are on their second planting. I quick freeze what we don’t eat right away. Our veggies are virtually free since I’m using heirloom seeds, dry them and replant. Mine look better than anything at the farmers market.

[justjim]

People have a tendency to say “Prices” are high wherever they live and perhaps retirees with “time on hand” even more so. Just saying.......

[affald]

Originally Posted by justjim

People have a tendency to say “Prices” are high wherever they live and perhaps retirees with “time on hand” even more so. Just saying.......

It's not the heat, it's the humidity.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by toeser

I am a snowbird. Publix and Winn-Dixie would be eaten alive by competitors in my summer home.

Mine's better than yours.

[OhioBuckeye]

I agree with most of the post about WD & Publix. But both have their good deals sometime & at least Publix have great pastries. WD I can't say. I always got to Wal Mart to buy groceries. like cereal, I like LIFE, my wife likes RAISIN BRAN. Life cereal is $3.00 a box, WD & Publix for Life cereal is $4.79 a box, Raisin Bran, is $3.79 a box & for the same size box at Wal Mart is $2.58. Half gal. of milk at Wal Mart is less than $2.00. Publix & WD just see a bunch of old people who'll buy anything at any price. Personally I think this is the way everything in The Villages is. Used to be you could live like a millionaire here, now you've got to be a millionaire to live here. Just my opinion!

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Spikearoni

We have NO SALES TAX and NO INCOME TAX in NH. However, it gets mighty cold in the winter so we enjoy our time in TV from January until May. Despite the higher cost for groceries and the sales taxes we incur, we are very happy to be in a nice climate at that time of year.

You've got the best of both worlds!