Bring furniture from US?

I read in a book that it is cheaper to ship our furniture from the US as UK furniture prices are much higher. I do want most of my furniture which is just mid price range like Lexington and Stanley and Flexstel (sp.?) My stuff makes a home my home.

However I am liking learning about IKEA.

I love white wood frame platform beds (I'll never buy a boxspring mattress again)so hope I can find in UK?

What about mattress prices? Should I move mine? All I need is firm and not all the pillow top or deep or high ones.

I hate to say it but my English husband now loves his reclining chair. He is rough on them because he is a tall and about 210 lbs. So...should we bring a recliner with us or buy there.

because of me using a wheelchair, built in furniture isn't helpful at all.

A lot of US furniture probably won't fit in a UK house. 

I brought all of my furniture over and had no problem with it fitting. However, the reason I brought mine is that a lot of it is either antique or old family stuff that has sentimental value. If it were just a question of buying replacement furniture, I'd probably have just bought new in the UK.

Chary, how do you like living in the UK? I'm thinking about moving there, but a lot of UK citizens on other sites are telling me that it is awful over there.

Like chary, we brought most of our furniture with us including a US king sized bed and have had no problem in the 2 places we have lived in.  I will add, though other than the king sized bed, none of our furniture is oversized.  Like chary, most of our furniture is vintage or hand made.  What we did do though, was scale down a little bit and the Ikea stuff that we had didn't make the cut.

Can gretel or chary recommend their movers? I also have antique family furniture and it is breaking my heart to even think of leaving it behind. I had thought of shipping perhaps a small cedar chest or small table my great grandfather made, but I also have two mahogany dressers, several (unmatched) dining chairs and an armchair with matching settee (unfinished) that he made.
I like the look of IKEA but it probably won't last as long as GG-pa's stuff!

Can gretel or chary recommend their movers? I also have antique family furniture and it is breaking my heart to even think of leaving it behind. I had thought of shipping perhaps a small cedar chest or small table my great grandfather made, but I also have two mahogany dressers, several (unmatched) dining chairs and an armchair with matching settee (unfinished) that he made.
I like the look of IKEA but it probably won't last as long as GG-pa's stuff!

Our move was work related so the company picked up the tab even though we arranged everything ourselves.  It was 7 years ago and a little convoluted. We moved from NYC and used a local moving company that we had used before who did a lot of fine art transporting.  We were also there when they packed things up so we could point out if something needed extra attention and also how things came apart for easier packing.  Our stuff was in climate controlled storage for a couple of months before it was shipped over by a freight forwarder arranged through my brother-in-law's company and then we used a local moving company here. Sorry I can't be more helpful, but I do think it's key to keep an eye on the movers and if you want something to get special attention and extra wrapping, be assertive if you have to.

Thanks for the tips, gretel 

Can gretel or chary recommend their movers?

Our move was corporate, but we had used Gentle Giant for 2 moves and they were excellent.  We've moved a lot in the past 10 years and they were far and away the best.  Until we got all of the corporate stuff sorted out, we were looking at using them for our move here.  I'd like to believe that whoever they partner with for int'l moves does as outstanding a job.

We ended up using the corporate-provided company and they did a good job.  It was Patriot Relocation Service, based in Foxboro.  I believe they're the local office of Paramount Transportation.  We didn't move a lot of furniture, but the stuff that did come was in good shape upon arrival. 

We ended up using the corporate-provided company and they did a good job.  It was Patriot Relocation Service, based in Foxboro.  I believe they're the local office of Paramount Transportation.  We didn't move a lot of furniture, but the stuff that did come was in good shape upon arrival. 

Well, that sounds handy 

Chary, how do you like living in the UK? I'm thinking about moving there, but a lot of UK citizens on other sites are telling me that it is awful over there.

That question is way too vague to answer on a specific furniture thread. There's many reasons and feedback for people wanting or thinking of moving to the UK and everyone's circumstances and experiences are individual.

You need to 'balance' the people on other sites who say it's awful, with more research, coming here yourself to see things with your own eyes and have your own experiences. What may be 'awful' to some might be perfectly acceptable to others...

Living with hope - there's a multitude of furniture retailers in the UK, IKEA is a popular choice as well, and all pricing of goods they sell are easily seen on their website. Its totally up to you if you want to bring any of your current furniture over, you'll need to find pricing of containers and evaluate if it's worth bringing over or not or just perhaps a few favourite pieces etc.

Cheers, DtM!

Can gretel or chary recommend their movers?

I used Rainier, but this was back in 2003 so I have no idea if they're still good. However, back then I was very pleased.

That question is way too vague to answer on a specific furniture thread. There's many reasons and feedback for people wanting or thinking of moving to the UK and everyone's circumstances.

I couldn't agree more. I personally love it here, but obviously we all have different preferences and priorities. Nobody is ever going to be able to tell you if you'll like it.