Moving to USA - what to take what to leave behind

[acapulco]

Hello lovelies!

So. Just that. I’m currently looking at blenders/nutribullets etc and lamps (around the house) but we won’t be bringing any big appliances. I’ve read slightly different things. Some say ditch all electricals and some say it’s could be worth shipping as they may work?

What would your advice be if you’ve done the move?

We won’t be bringing much furniture - tables and chairs and bits and pieces that should work.

I have the removal company coming to do a quote so want to have everything ready for next Tues.

Do you have any other tips for moving your stuff that you found useful particularly as travelling with a toddler (as well as teens)?

Thank you.

If anyone has Hannaford near them, we love these breads, but they are outrageously expensive.

www.hannaford.com/product/hannaford-all-natural-9-grain-loaf/729036

www.hannaford.com/product/english-toasting-bread/728396

@SofiaAmes

Make sure you bring the kids vaccination records and or their Redbook. You won't be able to get them into any nursery/ school/camp without it. And if your child was vaccinated with BCG at Birth which they do in some parts of England make sure you do a whole lot of research about that and not doing the TB skin test which is required everywhere in the US. There is now a blood test for TB which is accepted as an alternative but not really well known here, but an essential if your child has been vaccinated with BCG. You can get mcvitie's dark chocolate digestives here but you can't get custard creams. I buy my PG tips on Amazon direct from England as the stuff they sell in the American stores isn't as good. If you have your address in advance sign up for Nextdoor.com and get all the neighborhood gossip and great resources for babysitters and handymen and cleaners etc. for the neighborhood you're moving into ahead of time.

The TB skin test thing is interesting. Mine all had the BCG, and I'd wondered how a TB test would work. I will look into that further if they are required to provide a negative test.

I've never signed up to Nextdoor.com - will take a look at that - but have found the local community FB groups are often excellent for useful info and gossip. Also for ridiculous NIMBYism, whining about people from 'away' moving in and ruining the community, and learning about every single last dog or cat that is missing

I came off if nextdoor.com..

Cats were the main news too 🤣

I was going to say M&S knickers! I lived in the states for years and never managed to find pants I was happy with . So I’d always end up stocking up when I came home on holidays. Also bras from Bravissimo. I also used to really miss John Lewis. I never found the equivalent shop - dept stores are a bit different and much more brand-oriented in the US, I think.

I moved back to the Uk 15 years ago though, so the pant situation may have improved since then.

Re the underwear, bras can be really expensive over here, particularly if you're not a common size. I always stock up on bras and m and s knickers when I'm back in the U.K.

We also had issues over the years with the chickenpox thing. Mine had chickenpox before we moved out here and the school were really funny about admitting them because they'd not been vaccinated for it. The only proof we had to show was the odd scar on each of them! More recently, one of mine had to get a blood test to confirm the presence of varicella antibodies before starting a placement.

Whole Foods has a really good in-store bakery if you have one close by, and our local Indian grocery store carries quite a few British items, often cheaper than at the supermarket. Actually, those stores are great if you use quite a lot of spices as they're much cheaper than buying from a supermarket. I am a weirdo who loves salad cream, but I can't pay $7 for a smallish bottle so either bring some back with me or use honey mustard dressing which I have weaned myself onto instead!

I opened a hornet's nest with the pencils Really the Ticonderogas are fine for school, but if you are a pencil aficionado like my oldest, there are options.

Bicycles and parts are also a pandemic shortage though there's been a bit of improvement. If you like to cycle I'd say it's worth shipping at this point.

Nextdoor can be an excellent source of neighbourhood drama.

I get pencils in Muji (along with gazillions of double ended highlighters and gel pens in many colours).

We also had issues over the years with the chickenpox thing. Mine had chickenpox before we moved out here and the school were really funny about admitting them because they'd not been vaccinated for it. The only proof we had to show was the odd scar on each of them! More recently, one of mine had to get a blood test to confirm the presence of varicella antibodies before starting a placement.

It's a PITA isn't it? When we first arrived I mentioned this to the paediatrician and she wrote a letter confirming 'evidence of disease' which we've used as our proof ever since. We've yet to find anyone who won't accept the letter, but next step would be to get the blood test and keep that on record.

Re the underwear, bras can be really expensive over here, particularly if you're not a common size. I always stock up on bras and m and s knickers when I'm back in the U.K.

Both DDs and I get bras in our local Maidenform outlet. They carry loads of brands and sizes, and always have money-off deals.

I was horrified when I saw Victoria's Secret prices!

@Chemenger

I get pencils in Muji (along with gazillions of double ended highlighters and gel pens in many colours).

We go to Muji whenever we are in Boston. Love that store. DD swears by the gel pens.

I also used to really miss John Lewis. I never found the equivalent shop - dept stores are a bit different and much more brand-oriented in the US, I think.

I miss John Lewis so much. Whenever I'm back in the UK it's one of the first places I visit. I do quite like Macy's for kitcheny home goods, but I haven't found an equivalent for anything else.

Oh gosh I miss John Lewis especially for housewares.

Victoria's Secret is horrid and they will sell you the wrong size. Nordstrom is all right (and a nice place to shop) but proper specialist shops are the way to go if you're above a D cup or any sort of unusual size. Also, US cup sizes are different above DD... except when they aren't because it's a European brand. It's horrendously confusing and I've given up.

The pencils thing is funny! I thought it was just me being fussy.
I use pencils all the time for my work, so I have found the plasticy- constantly-breaking, yellow pencils here frustrating. Thanks for all the tips. I've been buying Staedtler from amazon for years but just ordered some (v. expensive!) blackwings :)

I love living here but still find that the familiarity of comfy pants, a decent cup of tea and fairly decent bread makes life nicer.
Living in a new country is wonderful (I was in Asia before)...AND...
at the same time, there are moments that are hard, so if I can smooth the edges by finding familiar things, I find it helps :)

I'm delighted to hear my kettle knowledge is behind the times

Great point about getting an SSN - it's a bit of a nightmare trying to open a bank account without one. We could only find one bank that would do it. In fact banking in the US generally is miles behind the UK - chip and pin only for debit cards and tons of fees, although contactless is taken almost everywhere in my city now.

I still order from M&S but they do sting you a bit on the pound vs $ price. V fast delivery though!

I also miss John Lewis and always go when I'm back home. Also I find US supermarkets to be DIRE compared to UK ones. Don't know if it's just a regional thing but delicious ready meals are few and far between here - I think people maybe just order takeout instead?

If you have any prescriptions that aren't covered by your insurance, the GoodRx app often offers enormous discounts. (Rx meaning prescription, which it took me a v long time to work out!)

Good luck OP, enjoy!

Ready meals really aren't a thing here I agree.

I think people just use the cooked food counters instead, but I don't love those because they get cold going home.

I agree about John Lewis. It's so comforting when I go home. However Target or (tar - jay) has some great homeware ... somewhat like BHS but definitely has improved over the years.
I also go to TJ maxx to buy home goods.

Underwear, I prefer to get stuff delivered from M&S, old habits die hard.

I really don't mind about the food. I am always able to find marmite in the "international section" of the supermarket or on Amazon. My kids who have never lived in the Uk, love 'marmite and marmalade so I feel I have at least achieved something in life 😂😂

Rubbish. I've bought several on Amazon.

If you have the BCG you can't have the TB skin test because it will give you a false positive. They told me that a false positive could be anything from reddish mark to a full swollen arm with loss of circulation. I was also told that it would wear off by the time my DS was 10 or 11. By then the blood test was available so I just did the blood test. But when he was 17 he was accidentally given the skin test and it produced a significant red swollen reaction. Luckily I had the blood test from about two months prior so they could be convinced that he didn't actually have TB. But it did scare the hell out of me that 17 years after having the BCG it could have that large of a positive adverse reaction.

@SofiaAmes

If you have the BCG you can't have the TB skin test because it will give you a false positive. They told me that a false positive could be anything from reddish mark to a full swollen arm with loss of circulation. I was also told that it would wear off by the time my DS was 10 or 11. By then the blood test was available so I just did the blood test. But when he was 17 he was accidentally given the skin test and it produced a significant red swollen reaction. Luckily I had the blood test from about two months prior so they could be convinced that he didn't actually have TB. But it did scare the hell out of me that 17 years after having the BCG it could have that large of a positive adverse reaction.

Blimey that's quite scary. I will reiterate to my lot not to risk getting the skin test.

I buy my kettles from Bed Bath and Beyond.

@paddlingon

Ready meals really aren't a thing here I agree.

I think people just use the cooked food counters instead, but I don't love those because they get cold going home.

In my experience people in the US are more inclined to cook than to go the ready meal type of thing.

Do you know how long you're moving for?

We came to the US 13 years ago. We sold our house and moved everything, then used adaptors for the electrical things we'd brought (not everything, but some things were worth bringing) but DH's company paid for the removal co. including a full packing service, so we didn't consider the financial cost of bringing things.

We can make US Queen size bedding work on our UK king size bed.

I did go through the entire house and cleaned/sorted everything. Luckily I had several weeks when DD was in school but I'd already stopped working. As things were going into a container for who knew how long, I checked everything - down to making sure no biros weren't packed in case they leaked.

Whereabouts are you headed? the States covers a lot of ground and what you want can vary depending on where you'll land.

Well I definitely stock up on M&S underwear for all seems an easy win. I understand it’s the small familiar things that you want around you. Yorkshire Gold was definitely going to come and marmite is a must but it seems you can get these readily.

Sorry I should have said we’re heading to LA. Not sure how long for (in this current climate who knows but let’s say 2-3 yrs as a minimum) but we’re packing up the house and I’ve spent the last 3 days filtering and clearing ‘stuff’ that just wouldn’t even make a house move in the UK!

I’ve taken on board the advice given and we won’t bring most electrical stuff but still wondering about some lamps or whether to simply pass those on. These aren’t expensive items but have followed us around from house to house. I think I’ve been ruthless in sorting. Some furniture will come but not beds or wardrobes.

@KickAssAngel. - good tip about the biros - ill need to recheck some boxes I hadn’t thought of that but makes perfect sense.

@paddlingon

Ready meals really aren't a thing here I agree.

I think people just use the cooked food counters instead, but I don't love those because they get cold going home.

In my experience, people tend to eat out instead.

To add to what everyone else has said, shipping at the moment is a nightmare.

We moved from California back to the UK in January, our shipment arrived last week.

There are huge worldwide delays at the moment, as well as the prices being off the scale.

When we moved to the US we took 7 suitcases and air freighted 8 boxes. We got a rental, went to Ikea and Target and bought everything we needed, and I mean everything. From cutlery to beds.

Ikea delivered within a couple of days. In the meantime we stayed in a serviced apartment, which was fully furnished.

Renting is hard when you first arrive, you have no credit history, and the market in our area was tough. Be prepared to write a really cheesy letter to the landlords about why they should choose you.

Good luck with the move