I know this sounds ridiculous but on the Monterey peninsula the best deal on most groceries is Whole Foods. So we shop there and Costco and it works. Safeway is outrageous as is Luckys. HEB is a National treasure but we’ll never get them out here.
I had barbecue today and as long as you don’t want brisket you can be ok. I had pulled pork and chicken that was delicious.
Finally, to echo @closetohumping the cost of living for middle class is ridiculous out here. Between folks who are locked into minuscule valuations and can transfer it across family, making existing housing extremely pricey, and new construction being really expensive, you have to go to Merced or Los Banos or Palm Desert or Inland Empire, and it’s crazy. There is an attempt to increase the housing stock finally but it’ll be very limited in its effect.
But now that I’m here there’s no way I’m going back. QOL is just so good.