Must haves...

[Positiveyearaheadplease]

I will be moving overseas again in 2 days so just doing the last bits of packing for flying (not shipping yet).

Looking at the contents of the luggage its a hotch potch of items I know I love and need to help me through until settled, or absolute essentials that are a bit well odd but will make life easier until I find new alternatives.

I know I can get some items at a very much higher cost so maxing out my allowance.

These include my fave brand of muesli, club biscuit's, sainsburys green tea, tins of corned beef, Bisto, hair conditioner, monster munch and hoola hoops, biscuits in general. New underwear (know I cannot get my size) scales, random kitchen bits.....so on.

So just for fun tell would you share your essentials when you first move, I may pick up a few extras!

Electric plug adapters.
First aid kit with all your usual commercial over the counter meds like Savlon, Disprin, Sudacream, Zovirax…
Kettle and toaster in the first box you open.

Marmite
Tea
Spare trainers and socks in my size

Long time expat so have adapted to using local products for almost everything.

None of that stuff except maybe the pants if you really can’t get your size even online. If you’re there long term you have to adapt to the local stuff although I did once smuggle a Colin the Caterpillar in my suitcase!

Have been an expat a few times now but need some home comforts at first!

I always find some type of alternatives (although some places have been a little challenging) but good to have a few basics to hand. This time I will be in a large city, yeah!

Solpadeine
Toothpaste if you have a flavour you always use
Pillow

It totally depends on where you’re off to.
If Asia - tights and bras that fit! Calpol, Mitchum.

Depends where I'm going...

BUT. All the devices. The best blankets (one each for me and the kids).

Food-wise, sometimes teabags, for one place rice crispies, for another instant hot chocolate (If I know in advance these things won't be available)

Box of paperwork, some knitting stuff, mini scanner and printer, extension leads (so I just need one adaptor to plug in multiple devices)

Then when I get there it's a trip to Ikea for all the standard bits that I get in every country.

Mind you, I've hung up my suitcases for a bit now, kids need school stability.

I wish there was an Ikea......

I am in Asia (dont want to be outing atm) so know sizing is a problem, hence underwear!

ahh, no Ikea means furnished apartment too I'm guessing.. in that case, I'd take some of my own bedding - I have a lovely crispy sheet that I like in hot places, I'd make sure I have swimming gear as well as underwear (due to sizing) - potentially shoes (I have little feet so was fine, but my cousin has size 7 or 8 and we used to have to send her shoes), insect repellant (I know you can get stuff like that when you get there, but it's nice to not have to rush), my favourite kitchen knife, the little basket I put on my desk wherever I live, tin opener that I like..

I like to have a few kitchen bits as the serviced apartment places can be annoyingly spartan. So aeropress, coffee, mug, tea towel, cutlery, wine opener.

Slippers.

If you’re coming to Asia and have any dietary req (gluten-free/vegetarian etc) pack for that!!
Knorr stockpots
Baking powder!
Most big cities have some sort of speciality shop servicing the expat community, it’s just expensive.
Do you have to go into a quarantine hotel first?

wine opener.

Oh GOD YES... I have one that's been coming with me for 20 years, after I arrived somewhere, and all I wanted was to drink the wine I'd got at the airport, but there was no bottle opener. Ended up pushing it in with a wooden spoon and a shoe.

Sorry all been mad busy with 'stuff' for leaving, been stressed to the max due to PCR changes, I keep trying to stay cool calm and collected instead of hot bothered and bloody stressed.

And breathe, done this many times before but covid just makes things more difficult and so many other things to do and or think about. I normally take everything in my stride.

So huge amounts of chocolate are needed before I even leave, thanks to all who have posted, I am now off for my last G&T!

Sorry Chief, no I dont have to quarantine, rules have now changed on that front thankfully.

Lakeland Heated Drier (not even joking). I live in fear of mine breaking and not being able to get another one.

Super plus tampons.
We lived in 6 differently countries, none them carried theses.
DH once asked me why I didn’t just use a super and a regular together