What to Bring With You, Part 2

I wrote about this before, but now that I'm here, I'd like to add a few more things. 

From the date our belongings were shipped, we were in another state for 4 weeks before coming to England.  So we were that long without the need of those things.  Once we got here, we found out it would be another 4 weeks before our stuff arrived. 

I had thought of a lot of things we would need, and expected to get them all when we got here.  Other things I forgot about.  Luckily we had wonderful arrangements on this end and ended up quite comfortable until our things get here.  Also, we move directly into our permanent residence.  We didn't stay in a furnished place first or a hotel.  So I'm going to list items that you would need to have to live someplace in the hopes that it helps you plan better for your move.  If any of these items can be brought with you, as air freight or in luggage, that is probably best.  If not, you could try to make arrangements for it to be here when you arrive.  The last thing you'll want to do (unless you can sleep soundly on a plane) when you arrive is go shopping.  Note: this is all additional to the obvious clothing and shoes etc.

-A place to eat - whether it be on your couch or at a table or counter; you'll need chairs, possibly a table.  If you have children, do you need highchairs?  I thought my son would be fine without one as he's almost 2, but he quickly proved me wrong.

-A bed.  We currently have a king inflatable mattress.  This is smaller than an american king bed, so my husband is currently sleeping on the couch.

-Couch or chairs.  If you aren't going to be home much, you could possibly make do with just kitchen table and chairs, but if your spouse stays at home or if you want to enjoy some tv, you'll want something in the living room as well.

-Towels.  Yup, you need to shower.  I had remembered to pack towels for my husband and I, but forgot our son.

-Soap/Shampoo.  You can easily buy this once you get here, but if you want to be able to get in and settle without running out to buy essentials, you'll need to have some at your place already.

-Linens.  You could make do with just a blanket for your bed, but that depends on how long you will be without your things and what you can tolerate.

-Pillow.  If you have a special pillow (special-medical, not special-sentimental), you might want to bring it with you.  I get migraines if I sleep wrong so I knew my pillow had to come with me.

-TV.  Obviously can't be brought with you as air freight, but if you can arrange to have it in your place when you arrive, it helps keep you from going crazy.  You might want something to play movies on as well, if that suits you.

-Dishes/Silverware.  You need to eat.  You can't live on take-away forever.  Grocery stores have excellent chilled meals, and it's just nicer to eat with real silverware.  Makes you feel less like you're on vacation.  Don't forget some type of serving ware as well.  Even if it's just one big spoon, you'll be glad you had it.

-Can Opener.  Pretty obvious why.  A lot of cans are tabbed, but not all.

-Medications.  Make sure you have at least a month supply with you.  That will give you time to get settled, get registered with NHS and find a local surgery, which can take a while if you aren't accepted at the first.

-Coffee and Coffee Maker/Kettle.  Again, can be purchased when you arrive if you feel like going out.

-Baby/Child Needs.  Someplace to sleep, toys, bottles/sip cups, diapers/training potty, lovie, food for a day or two until you can get out to shop, monitor.  Our poor boy has been sleeping in a playpen now for 6 weeks.

-Cleaning Supplies.  dish soap, dishwasher tablets, laundry detgt, a dishrag and/or sponge.  Those are the most immediately needed.

-Books.  If you read, bring a few.  You might find you have a lot of free time on your hands until your things arrive.  I suddenly have time to sit and do nothing.  Once our stuff comes I'll be unpacking, then rearranging, then cleaning and crafting and suddenly wishing I had time to just sit again. 

-Food.  Some basic sustenance until you can get out.

-Paper Products.  Toilet tissue, paper towel, tissues.

-Phone.  You'll want to stay connected with home.  Unless you can arrange for your home phone to be turned on when you arrive, you'll need a mobile phone that can make international calls.  You can usually have this feature turned on your existing phone before you leave the US.

-Computer/Internet.  Internet can take some time to get setup.  You could get a pay-as-you-go USB stick until your high speed can be installed.  We're on week 3 and we still have no high speed internet.  And that's not because we slacked in trying to get anything setup.