Relocating to Old Basing from USA - need household setup advice

[stephyb13]

Hi All --

I'm so excited to finally be making our move from the USA to Basingstoke. We have just finalized on a home to let in Old Basing and will arrive on Dec 1st. We are moving with just some very simple basics to get us started but will have no furniture or anything really useful to setup house. So it's going to be a busy time to try to setup the house and get settled quick.

My question is where do I go about town to setup a new empty house from scratch? As we will need to get a lot at once I'll also be trying to find any used items or consignment type stores to help with the initial expenses.

Finally, we are having a baby in late Jan (exciting changes abound!) and already have a 2.5 yr old and a 3.5 yr old. So I'm curious to know where to search for basic infant & toddler gear. I don't expect to furnish a nursery but will want to find a simple setup for changing nappies, an infant bath, etc.

Any advice, suggestions, pointers to good places around town to make sure to visit for shopping and finding good deals?
Also, are their any specific forums or email lists (I use Freecycle in US) to help in the process too?

Many, many thanks in advance!
Stephanie

Wow, you're going to be busy! Do you have any friends or family locally? I'm not far away if you need a hand.

We have a Basingstoke Freecycle group too. There is a second hand furniture store run by the local hospice charity, I'll see if I can find an address, it's only a few minutes from you in Old Basing. There is IKEA in Southampton, which I often find as cheap and easier than second hand. eBay is also always worth a look.

For baby things there is a massive Mothercare in Kempshott, which is about 20 minutes away, they have everything and anything for baby, also maternity pads, nursing bras and all that jazz. Supermarkets are often good for baby and toddler clothes, nappies and toiletries.

Thanks so much for the pointers. My husband has one friend nearby who has been a lifesaver to help us secure the house rental. It's been quite a ride to try to pull it all together from a distance. I'll check out the various places you mentioned. My husband and I were just talking about maybe pre-ordering some things from IKEA to have delivered around the same time we arrive. It is going to be busy, crazy, intense the first several weeks to get ourselves together but exciting too :) Thanks again for the tips and I definitely look forward to meeting you soon! I'm thrilled we got the house in Old Basing. I feel like it will be a good space and location to help us get started on the right footing as we make lots of adjustments to life in a new place.

Cheers,
Stephanie

Hi,

try these for second hand furniture:

cfpnewbury.org/basingstoke.php

www.stmichaelshospice.org.uk/?page=furniturestore

www.ymca.org.uk/find/ymcashops/basingstoke-ymca-shop.html (this one is more expensive, and smells funny as it is in an old nightclub!)

Freecyle in the UK is called Freegle:

groups.yahoo.com/group/BasingstokeFreegle/

or try the local cheapcycle group, which is like an online classified adds service:

uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/basingstoke-cheapcycle/?tab=s

The National Childbirth Trust run a second hand sale in February:

www.nct.org.uk/branches/basingstoke/nearly-new-sales

They also have coffee groups, which is a good way of meeting other mums:

www.nct.org.uk/branches/basingstoke/coffee-groups

Your eldest child will be eligible for a free funded preschool place of up to 15 hours a week. It might be worth looking around. Also, if s/he is 4 before the 1st September 2013, s/he will need to start school this coming September. Your local catchment school will be:

oldbasinginfants.co.uk/ I'd contact them as soon as possible to ask about applying for a place. They should also be able to tell you of other schools close by. Don't delay - closing date for applications is coming up. Places have already been allocated for September, but the school will be able to tell you if they have any spaces: www3.hants.gov.uk/education/admissions/ad-applyonline.htm

I would also contact a Sure Start Children's Centre to ask for advice:

www3.hants.gov.uk/childrens-services/childrenandyoungpeople/childrens-centres/childrens-centres-search/hampshire-centres/local-centres-basingstoke.htm

If you are looking for things to do, I can recommend a singing group run bi-weekly by the Salvation Army:

www3.hants.gov.uk/childrens-services/childrenandyoungpeople/childrens-centres/childrens-centres-search/hampshire-centres/local-centres-basingstoke.htm it is called Babysong, and is run every other Monday at 1:30pm for £1.50.

We also have an ice rink, with our own hockey team (the Bisons), and several swimming pools, all of whom run lessons for children. There are loads of toddler groups, many run through local churches, although you don't have to be Christian to attend. If you are looking for a church, our own church has a welcoming all age service on the first Sunday of every month www.facebook.com/BowAndBlueAtStMichaels (as well as worship every Sunday morning). There is also a Mosque and a Hindu community.

I am also having a new baby next year, in March, after two other children, although mine are older (8 and 5). Hope that all this information helps a little.

Also try www.facebook.com/groups/babybuysale/?fref=ts

and

www.facebook.com/mumsintheknowbasingstoke?fref=ts

and

www.facebook.com/groups/260462270635090/?fref=ts

Oh, and my friend runs the real nappy library: www.facebook.com/BasingstokeRealNappyLibrary?fref=ts

You will need to apply for a school place
www3.hants.gov.uk/education/admissions/ad-applyonline.htm

I need to do this for my youngest too, can't believe he's going to be big enough to start school in September! The application system is open now until 15th January.

Thank you sooooo much for these links and suggestions!! So helpful!!

St Michaels Hospice shop and Basingstoke Community Furniture project also sell decent second hand furniture.