When I look back at some of the places I've lived over the years, I remember different patterns of spending and consumption based on what the community was like. Many small towns don't have rapid transit. Around here (in North Central Texas), the big towns don't have rapid transit that serves everyone--you have to live along certain corridors.
When I lived in New York City I loved the idea that I could hop on a bus or a train and get to within a few blocks of where I wanted to go. They have made it even easier with the weekly and longer passes that you just swipe in the reader and go. Driving there is insane. Going to places with good prices is always possible in NYC, though I haven't lived there in a long time to know if I'm doing better or worse as far as thrift stores and discount grocery chains. A lot of little neighborhood stores in NYC are expensive if you do your shopping there, and the bigger grocery stores don't appear to be much cheaper--they have you where you live. I imagine an expeditionary train ride out to one of the other boroughs might find lower prices.
We always start our clothes search at the thrift store, and what Don describes above is true--it's amazing how many things have barely or never been worn. I can typically walk away from a couple hours of shopping there with the kids for about $60. That seems to be the amount we always land on, but for that cash, I leave the store with dozens of garments. Pants, shirts, sweaters, skirts.
There is a frugal little grocery chain in this area called "Save A Lot." It has brands that one wouldn't always recognize in the big grocery chains, but they are all comparable quality. They don't carry every flavor a brand may make. They run specials when they get something unexpected and can sell it at a discount.