I moved to London from the US last year and am here to weigh in on the grocery store thing! I would say, ranked by "nice/fancy" to "affordable", it would be: 1. Waitrose and Whole Foods (they have Whole Foods in London, not 100% sure about Edinburgh) 2. Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons (these are prob most similar to your typical every day grocery store in the US, like Albertsons/Kroger) 3. Aldi, Asda (Aldi here is like a better version of Aldi in the US - Aldi is prob the closest you'll get to TJ's but nothing really compares here imo :/ ) Separately, I'd compare M&S to like the Target of the UK, some have groceries some don't. I rarely shop at M&S for groceries so can't speak to quality of the ones that DO have groceries. I have a Tesco Express and Sainsbury's Local right by my flat and prefer the Tesco Express. I have the annual membership for Sainsbury delivery and honestly, it works - no complaints on my end! Also love that the app saves all your most purchased stuff, even stuff you buy in-store, so it's easy to add to card. I also have bigger, normal versions of Sainsbury's, M&S, and Waitrose right by me and I tend to gravitate towards Waitrose for nicer/more niche stuff and Sainsbury's for a bigger "regular" shop... Really I think it comes down to what's most convenient! I have found you can't really go wrong (except the "express"/"locals" can be a bit of a mess) - they're all decent! I don't know if this helped even remotely lol
Hey, here’s my list as someone whose been to 25 US states has lived in the U.K. for 30 years! From most expensively priced to least with consideration for breadth of product assortment. Whole Foods UK - Positioned like Erewhon! M&S Food - Trader Joes Waitrose - Whole Foods USA Sainsburys - Kroger / Harris Teeter Co Op - Walmart Neighbourhood Market Tesco - Wegmans ASDA - Walmart Morrisons - Safeway Lidl & Aldi - Family Dollar / Dollar General Wishing you all the best 🏴
Mary so excited to see your life flourish in Scotland! I’ve been loving your podcast episodes and I also have severe OCD and your videos have been so helpful ❤
I’m so happy for you !!! Your content has been such a bright light and comfort as I’m preparing to move out of my childhood home and hometown for the first time this July ! Your content is such a gift thank you so much
We usually get our groceries from Tesco, not sure if that's an option in Edinburgh since I'm from around the Liverpool area. I've literally never had a problem and been ordering for over a year now. The fruits and veggies are always super fresh and they do really make sure you have multiple days left on the best before date which means I can easily do an entire weekly shop order without worrying about the meat going off. They also have great substitutions, the few times they didn't have the things I ordered, they gave me a higher quality version of the exact item (they do still make sure if you want it and refund you if you choose not to keep it). I haven't tried others since we don't really have Waitrose here and tbh I don't really like Asda. It might be the specific ones I've been to but Tesco here is just the nicer Asda and it's the exact same price for 99% of items so I would honestly just recommend Tesco Delivery!!
I can’t tell you how excited I am for you and for the 3 of you!! I’m loving all the Scotland content and can’t wait to see your packing vlog. And your last night in the US looked DIVINE 🫶🏻
I don’t know what to say besides I’m so happy for you and this new adventure. I’m living through you as an American wanting to move abroad to either Ireland or Scotland. Wishing your safe travels! ❤
Seeing you fulfill this dream is making me sooo emotional 🥹 so so happy for you Mary!! Also pls share your thoughts on the book you got from B&N! I really enjoyed it when I read it and wanna know your thoughts
We have been doing a Waitrose click and collect for 2 years and it's the best! Food is always so fresh, if they don't have a good date on something you order then they give it to you for free (!).
Thank you so much for sharing about the Chase sapphire!! I’m definitely going to look into it because I’m probably booking about eight flights and hotels in the next year, to see my husband while he is away at military training. 😊
Like a few others have said - this made me feel emotional for you! Genuinely so excited for you and can’t wait to follow along with anything you choose to share ❤
I live in England and I love Waitrose!! I use delivery from them exclusively and it’s the best. Definitely the most comparable to Whole Foods, and is typically considered the most posh grocery store. Definitely the best for niche items, but it also has everything you could ever need in general!
Ocado is great for food delivery (they sell M&S). The closest thing to Trader Joes and Whole Foods we have is M&S/independent food halls you typically find at farms. There’s also a great supermarket chain called Booths but that’s only located in NW England (lucky for you the nearest store won’t be terribly far away for a visit but wouldn’t be viable for a weekly shop!)Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons are the equivalent of Walmart and obviously we have Lidl and Aldi
Waitrose = Erewhon, M&S = Trader Joes, Sainsburys is good quality, Asda/Tesco/Morrisons are similar quality - maybe Publix?, Aldi/Lidl are cheapest but don’t do home delivery. I used to like Tesco home delivery
@@MarySkinner you will get the best selection of stuff and branded items in the mainstream supermarkets but if you wanted cheaper stuff but with less selection then go for Aldi/Lidl. Also if you live in town and don’t have a car then home delivery is a good idea as there are not many large supermarkets available centrally 😊 all the main stores have points systems too so sign up to those for deals
For your groceries check if Ocado deliver to you they do anything and everything lots of unique brands that normal stores don’t sell and they do great new customer discounts. Otherwise Sainsbury’s and M&S are the best in person stores. Welcome to the uk 🎉🎉
Chase sapphire has quite literally changed my life. 😂 best credit card ever! So happy for you Mary. I’ve been watching since probs 2020/2021, and I know how much this means for you.
I haven’t ever been to the US, but I would say the best organic store would be Waitrose, followed by Sainsbury’s. I swear by Tesco because it’s decently priced and always has everything you need in the “big” Tescos. It depends what you have near by to you. Lidl and Aldi is cheap and cheerful, but you can’t guarantee they will have everything you need. Co-op is overpriced but it is ok for a little corner shop. I haven’t actually ever ordered delivery groceries because I love going to the shop, but I’ve heard Tesco and Sainsbury’s is very good. Make sure you get a Tesco clubcard and Nectar card for Sainsbury’s to save ££.
If you have a big M&S food by you, it is actually such a good place for a weekly shop. The basics are not too expensive and good quality and the fresh stuff lasts longer than other places IMO. Tescos and Morrisons are kind of the same and normal supermarkets. I feel like Asda is not good quality. Waitrose (and Booths in the north of England) are generally high quality and a bit more expensive.
Ocado is the best online delivery service! Has such a good range that you don’t find in supermarkets here! It’s also very reasonably priced cause it has its own food and M&S food !!
Asda - Walmart? Trader joes - not sure we have an equivalent maybe Waitrose? Marks and Spencer and Waitrose are both more high end but very good quality fruit veg etc. Tesco is a good all rounder but can be a bit more expensive than Asda.
“I don’t think I’ve processed a damn thing in months” GOT ME. I just finished college and moved out of my college apartment and said goodbye to my friends and I feel the SAME WAY like all these thing she’s happened but I have not processed ANYTHING
I would have moved outside the US, because that’s been a lifelong dream of mine! I actually used to be convinced I’d move to Ireland haha and in 2019 I was seriously looking up programs in Wales. I don’t know if I would have considered Scotland but I’m certainly happy to be here!
I really don't know why but you saying "I'll see you in Scotland" made me tear up🥺 so so happy for you, Mary!
The long silence and staring followed by “I don’t think I’ve processed a damn thing in months “ made me genuinely bust out laughing lmaooo
Omg me too hahahahaha
me too! It was perfect, comedic timing, whether intentional or not haha
I moved to London from the US last year and am here to weigh in on the grocery store thing!
I would say, ranked by "nice/fancy" to "affordable", it would be:
1. Waitrose and Whole Foods (they have Whole Foods in London, not 100% sure about Edinburgh)
2. Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons (these are prob most similar to your typical every day grocery store in the US, like Albertsons/Kroger)
3. Aldi, Asda (Aldi here is like a better version of Aldi in the US - Aldi is prob the closest you'll get to TJ's but nothing really compares here imo :/ )
Separately, I'd compare M&S to like the Target of the UK, some have groceries some don't. I rarely shop at M&S for groceries so can't speak to quality of the ones that DO have groceries.
I have a Tesco Express and Sainsbury's Local right by my flat and prefer the Tesco Express. I have the annual membership for Sainsbury delivery and honestly, it works - no complaints on my end! Also love that the app saves all your most purchased stuff, even stuff you buy in-store, so it's easy to add to card. I also have bigger, normal versions of Sainsbury's, M&S, and Waitrose right by me and I tend to gravitate towards Waitrose for nicer/more niche stuff and Sainsbury's for a bigger "regular" shop...
Really I think it comes down to what's most convenient! I have found you can't really go wrong (except the "express"/"locals" can be a bit of a mess) - they're all decent!
I don't know if this helped even remotely lol
Hey, here’s my list as someone whose been to 25 US states has lived in the U.K. for 30 years!
From most expensively priced to least with consideration for breadth of product assortment.
Whole Foods UK - Positioned like Erewhon!
M&S Food - Trader Joes
Waitrose - Whole Foods USA
Sainsburys - Kroger / Harris Teeter
Co Op - Walmart Neighbourhood Market
Tesco - Wegmans
ASDA - Walmart
Morrisons - Safeway
Lidl & Aldi - Family Dollar / Dollar General
Wishing you all the best 🏴
“I don’t think I’ve processed a damn thing in months” made me lol. So happy for you Mary!!
Mary so excited to see your life flourish in Scotland! I’ve been loving your podcast episodes and I also have severe OCD and your videos have been so helpful ❤
I’m so happy for you !!! Your content has been such a bright light and comfort as I’m preparing to move out of my childhood home and hometown for the first time this July ! Your content is such a gift thank you so much
Been holding back tears this whole video but really bawled when you said “I’ll see you in Scotland”
We usually get our groceries from Tesco, not sure if that's an option in Edinburgh since I'm from around the Liverpool area. I've literally never had a problem and been ordering for over a year now. The fruits and veggies are always super fresh and they do really make sure you have multiple days left on the best before date which means I can easily do an entire weekly shop order without worrying about the meat going off. They also have great substitutions, the few times they didn't have the things I ordered, they gave me a higher quality version of the exact item (they do still make sure if you want it and refund you if you choose not to keep it). I haven't tried others since we don't really have Waitrose here and tbh I don't really like Asda. It might be the specific ones I've been to but Tesco here is just the nicer Asda and it's the exact same price for 99% of items so I would honestly just recommend Tesco Delivery!!
I guess it is really up to the staff in certain stores as well though so probably just try multiple and see which one you like best
“I don’t think I’ve processed a damn thing in a month”…while looking like the princess diaries movie cover. Iconic.
I honestly would not get an AMEX in europe because not all take it, its mostly mastercard or visa
I can’t tell you how excited I am for you and for the 3 of you!! I’m loving all the Scotland content and can’t wait to see your packing vlog. And your last night in the US looked DIVINE 🫶🏻
I don’t know what to say besides I’m so happy for you and this new adventure. I’m living through you as an American wanting to move abroad to either Ireland or Scotland. Wishing your safe travels! ❤
This feels so incredibly full circle 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼 I can’t wait to keep following your adventures in your new home 😭😭
Seeing you fulfill this dream is making me sooo emotional 🥹 so so happy for you Mary!! Also pls share your thoughts on the book you got from B&N! I really enjoyed it when I read it and wanna know your thoughts
We have been doing a Waitrose click and collect for 2 years and it's the best! Food is always so fresh, if they don't have a good date on something you order then they give it to you for free (!).
Mary!!! An end of an era.
been following you since your 2020 tik tok days and it’s been so wonderful to see this entire journey 🥲 can’t wait to see you in scotland!!
Congratulations on the move Mary!!! Thank you for sharing all the sides of an international move, I hope everything ran smoothly for you guys 💖
We’ve been waiting for this one! Turn it up
Thank you so much for sharing about the Chase sapphire!! I’m definitely going to look into it because I’m probably booking about eight flights and hotels in the next year, to see my husband while he is away at military training. 😊
Like a few others have said - this made me feel emotional for you! Genuinely so excited for you and can’t wait to follow along with anything you choose to share ❤
I live in England and I love Waitrose!! I use delivery from them exclusively and it’s the best. Definitely the most comparable to Whole Foods, and is typically considered the most posh grocery store. Definitely the best for niche items, but it also has everything you could ever need in general!
M&S is top tier !!! The fruit and vegetables are always so much fresher than other supermarkets
Ocado is great for food delivery (they sell M&S). The closest thing to Trader Joes and Whole Foods we have is M&S/independent food halls you typically find at farms. There’s also a great supermarket chain called Booths but that’s only located in NW England (lucky for you the nearest store won’t be terribly far away for a visit but wouldn’t be viable for a weekly shop!)Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons are the equivalent of Walmart and obviously we have Lidl and Aldi
I studied at Edinburgh uni and tesco was my go to for a haul and then corner shops for little runs throughout the week
This was emotional. Thank you for sharing that with us! 🥰
Waitrose = Erewhon, M&S = Trader Joes, Sainsburys is good quality, Asda/Tesco/Morrisons are similar quality - maybe Publix?, Aldi/Lidl are cheapest but don’t do home delivery. I used to like Tesco home delivery
the same thing about M&S, Waitrose might be Whole Foods, too. Sainsburys might be your best bet for weekly delivery!
This is exactly what I needed, thank you!!
@@MarySkinner you will get the best selection of stuff and branded items in the mainstream supermarkets but if you wanted cheaper stuff but with less selection then go for Aldi/Lidl. Also if you live in town and don’t have a car then home delivery is a good idea as there are not many large supermarkets available centrally 😊 all the main stores have points systems too so sign up to those for deals
Asda is Walmart
Silent viewer for years but I want to tell you I have the biggest butterflies for youuu and this next phase of your life!!!
"I'll see you in Scotland.." SO HAPPY FOR YOU
For your groceries check if Ocado deliver to you they do anything and everything lots of unique brands that normal stores don’t sell and they do great new customer discounts. Otherwise Sainsbury’s and M&S are the best in person stores. Welcome to the uk 🎉🎉
So incredibly happy for you guys Mary! Cannot wait to see more vlogs❤️❤️
oh my goshhhh i am so excited for this journey for you!!!!!! i hope you get to enjoy the transition and bask in the excitement!!!
Chase sapphire has quite literally changed my life. 😂 best credit card ever! So happy for you Mary. I’ve been watching since probs 2020/2021, and I know how much this means for you.
I haven’t ever been to the US, but I would say the best organic store would be Waitrose, followed by Sainsbury’s. I swear by Tesco because it’s decently priced and always has everything you need in the “big” Tescos. It depends what you have near by to you. Lidl and Aldi is cheap and cheerful, but you can’t guarantee they will have everything you need. Co-op is overpriced but it is ok for a little corner shop. I haven’t actually ever ordered delivery groceries because I love going to the shop, but I’ve heard Tesco and Sainsbury’s is very good. Make sure you get a Tesco clubcard and Nectar card for Sainsbury’s to save ££.
You have no idea how much I've been looking forward for this vlog!
If you have a big M&S food by you, it is actually such a good place for a weekly shop. The basics are not too expensive and good quality and the fresh stuff lasts longer than other places IMO. Tescos and Morrisons are kind of the same and normal supermarkets. I feel like Asda is not good quality. Waitrose (and Booths in the north of England) are generally high quality and a bit more expensive.
So far I’ve been liking M&S and Sainsburys. Shopped at Waitrose and basically had to take out a loan for it my god
@@MarySkinner I forgot Sainsburys, but yeah I would say it falls a step above Morrisons and Tescos in the main supermarket category
Ocado is the best online delivery service! Has such a good range that you don’t find in supermarkets here! It’s also very reasonably priced cause it has its own food and M&S food !!
Ah I'm so excited for what's to come! Good luck I wish you the best 🤎
I’ve missed your vlogs! I’m so excited to see your life in Scotland!
Asda - Walmart? Trader joes - not sure we have an equivalent maybe Waitrose? Marks and Spencer and Waitrose are both more high end but very good quality fruit veg etc. Tesco is a good all rounder but can be a bit more expensive than Asda.
I am so happy for you! From a fellow immigrant, I hope this is the best experience of your life ❤️
I’m Australian but I used to live in Scotland and Sainsburys is hands down the best grocery store! I will die on that hill aha
I am so so happy for you, enjoy your new home❤
“I don’t think I’ve processed a damn thing in months” GOT ME. I just finished college and moved out of my college apartment and said goodbye to my friends and I feel the SAME WAY like all these thing she’s happened but I have not processed ANYTHING
Gworlll we need a travel hack/savings/finance pod episode!
why did i want to cry at the end of this video. like i am so so happy for you but know it’s so hard
best wishes on this new chapter 🎉
Never clicked on a video so fast I’ve been waiting for this one 🥰
“i dont think i processed a damn thing in months” 😭😭😭😭 so real
credit card talk! i have the chase sapphire and my partner has the amex plat so we get the best of both worlds lol
Girlie, not the Jane Eyre reference! It made me CACKLE
Bitter sweet, but such a fun time
It's pronounced EY-TWO-FEY :) from a Louisiana resident
Would you have moved to Scotland if you hadn’t married someone who is from there ?
I would have moved outside the US, because that’s been a lifelong dream of mine! I actually used to be convinced I’d move to Ireland haha and in 2019 I was seriously looking up programs in Wales. I don’t know if I would have considered Scotland but I’m certainly happy to be here!
@@MarySkinner that’s awesome! Love your videos!!