David--How much more do goods cost where you are than on the mainland? Are most things prohibitively expensive or is it just a small amount?
That's an excellent question - but one without a simple answer.
Mostly, everything except some local grown products cost more, but to varying degrees. Keep in mind that everything if not shipped in, takes shipped in resources to produce.
The good thing, is while we do pay more for most, there are other things we don't buy, in our case our house has not HVAC, I shudder when my brother in NH talks about heating costs or the costs for A/C for our more southern relatives. We also buy very little clothing. I wear shorts and Tees year round and they are acceptable almost everywhere we go.
My first choice in shopping smaller items is online, which triggers the shipping dilemma. Most times I can find what I need and total price will be cheaper, especially if USPO shipping. I love "free shipping"
When we first moved I did do a cost analysis and determined my true cost of living here was less than Atlanta. Haven't done so lately, but likely still true but because it is a different lifestyle. Basically it comes down to choices. People who have a problem here tend to not to want to adjust there mainland lifestyle, those that do well here, make major attitude adjustments.
I have to admit, that sometimes the TV commercials for Red Lobster, Chilli's and other kinda get to me, as eating out here is not cheap, but then again, it is our choice so no reason to complain.
I think last I paid for gasoline was around 4.25, but then again, we don't do road trips. We go to Costco, 180 miles round trip 4 or 5 times a year - that is our long distance trip. LOL
Hope this helps.
ETA: at the dentist office right now, then to airport to pickup wife's sister and husband, then off to dinner. Later, while most of you are asleep, I'll post 2 or 3 very recent examples of why not a simple answer.
David Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet
