What to take?

[MrsSnaplegs]

Ok so we are moving overseas for 2 years in 3 months time with work
What did you take that you really didn't need?
What do you miss that you didn't take?
We will be moving into a furnished place provided by work - they will move stuff we want to take and store the rest for us
Moving to southern Europe with 2 kids and DH
Any advice welcome

Very exciting. Take the opportunity to declutter, throw out/pass on lots of stuff. The last thing you'll want to find in 2 years' time is bags/boxes of stuff you took and never even opened. Think carefully how old your kids are and what toys/items they'll be growing out of soon and don't need to take. Also think how long you might be without your big consignment of stuff and take a core stock of really indispensable things. Identify some expat forum sites, think about the climate (fewer jumpers and coats, for example), find out about the quality of basics like kids' shoes, underwear, school clothes (they may not have uniform so may be straightforward).

2 years isn't actually all that long and, if you're still in Europe, I imagine you'll have quite a few visitors who can bring things out for you if there is stuff you really miss. But it's not like going to a developing country where you can't get staples, so best not to obsess too much and focus on kids' stuff. Otherwise, depends on whether you like to have all your books/pictures around you or whether you'd leave that kind of stuff behind.

Good luck and have a wonderful time. And take some time to learn some of the language before you go.

Ah it is ok - language is English but we are learning Spanish for when we go over the border

Oh great - I imagine you'll be wanting to do that quite a lot (based on people I know who've spent time where I think you're going), and there will be lots of Spanish working where you are as well. Enjoy.

yes def take the time to declutter - I couldn't tell you what we have in storage in the UK and I can't imagine it is worth storing!

My favourites are quite specific to where we live (Asia) but a couple of things you might consider..... internet radio (I bloody love mine!) natural toiletries (not always easy to get but depends where you're going of course), baking supplies (v expensive here), decent teabags (especially decaf for me), kindle/ipad (or one of each!), kids books (never the same selection and it's not really the same on a kindle) decent laptop (so that it's all in English from the start), a slingbox/media player for tv. (I don't know how I'd go back to normal tv now.), eye make up remover, tampax (seriously, what do the women do here??)

What I brought that I didn't need? nappies! They are much better here. Books and magazines (buy a kindle/ipad and be done with it), toothpaste! anything that can be bought in ikea..... I probably didn't need to bring my dishwasher (but am quite glad I did - I rather like my dishwasher) - think this really depends on where you're going

oooh think I just worked out where you're going (ok I'm a bit slow) - have never been but suspect you'll get everything British there so concentrate on taking home comforts! is lovely to have some familiar things in a rented house

Not worried about shopping bits as there is a morrisons so food and nappy wise we should be ok
Interested in a sling box as can't get decent satellite tv only BFBS cable
Will be leaving most garden toys here as will probably be in a flat

Assume you are off to Gibraltar - my pils were there for 3 years over 40 years ago.

If you have furnished accommodation I would only take a few things to personalise your flat - photos, pictures, soft furnishings.
Ipad for the kids is a great investment - entertainment for plane, car journeys and educational apps too.
We took everything when we moved in Europe, but now in China and took books and games for the kids (although advise you to assume you are staying longer than 2 years - we have stuff in store that dd would be able to use now, but don't have access to it. Came for 2 years, now been here for 4 and doing 4 more) .
I lived in Germany and Austria before we moved to Asia and could get everything I wanted. Did miss Next clothes for kids and some food products, but visitors more than happy to brings over some Atora suet, oxo and Cadbury's chocolate.