What to bring vs. what to buy?

My family and I will only be in the UK for two years or so, so we're renting a furnished place and putting most of our stuff in storage. I figured I'd just buy some used pots and pans, linens (new), wellies (I just love saying that, hee) and the like once we arrived to save us from shipping, but what do yall think? Are there things we should make room for in our suitcases vs. buying once we arrive? We have a baby so a lot of our room will be full of stuff for him!

My family and I will only be in the UK for two years or so, so we're renting a furnished place and putting most of our stuff in storage. I figured I'd just buy some used pots and pans, linens (new), wellies (I just love saying that, hee) and the like once we arrived to save us from shipping, but what do yall think? Are there things we should make room for in our suitcases vs. buying once we arrive? We have a baby so a lot of our room will be full of stuff for him!

I moved to the UK as a student, and mainly just brought clothes with me. I bought most things once I got here.  But, as moving countries can be expensive, we started out with a few (really cheap) pots/pans from Ikea, and have gradually gotten items of better quality.  TK Maxx can also have a good selection of kitchenware, but this may vary from store to store.

Depending on the quality of linens you like, I suggest bringing your own.  For some reason, bedsheets here are either of low threadcount, or more pricey than I'm willing to spend. They also sell flat and fitted sheets separately, and pillow cases come separately on top of that.  I wanted a new sheet set last year, so waited till Christmas when I was in the US to buy them.  I bought the actual duvet here though.

I still don't have wellies. I haven't realistically needed them, and they cost more than I expected (but I've only ever considered Hunter, not sure if having a brand name matters with respect to wellies...).

I suggest you bring some of the things that will remind you of home when you miss it, but try not to go overboard.

My family and I will only be in the UK for two years or so, so we're renting a furnished place and putting most of our stuff in storage. I figured I'd just buy some used pots and pans, linens (new), wellies (I just love saying that, hee) and the like once we arrived to save us from shipping, but what do yall think? Are there things we should make room for in our suitcases vs. buying once we arrive? We have a baby so a lot of our room will be full of stuff for him!

Are you limited to what can be moved in suitcases?

Not necessarily, but shipping stuff is just so expensive it almost makes sense to just buy things when we arrive.

That's good to know about the linens. I might try to squeeze in a nice set then. Are beds different sizes over there than they are in the US?

I use US queen sheets on a UK king and they fit fine.  Not exactly the same measurements but you'd be hard pressed to tell.

I brought all my kitchen stuff (non electric) and am glad I did.  But I have nice pots and pans, dishes, and flatware.  To have the same here would have cost a crazy amount of money.  I also brought blankets (I love a good blanket on the sofa), my down comforters, and towels.  Again, all nice quality items that I would have been disappointed to trade down.  It also would have been very difficult (logistically) to replace those items immediately after moving into my rental.  Not to mention expensive.

I would bring items that you love and leave the things you aren't that into behind.  It is good to have some comforts of home.

Yeah, I would go with the linens, if at all possible.  You probably wouldn't want second-hand for that  and cheapo new ones would probably not be very nice.  You might want American measuring spoons and cup measures.

I agree about bed linens. I bought another set of US Queen sheets on my last trip. Far better quality for far less money, and perfect for the UK King bed. I find the UK sheets to be thin, not deep enough (even when they say for a 15" mattress) and very expensive for what they are. I do like my high thread count Egyptian cotton sheets.....and for $60 for a set, I like them even more!

Measuring cups/spoons are easier to find here now than they were years back, but I still prefer the set I bought in the US decades ago.

Thanks for the advice, yall! I'll bring a set of sheets for sure. I wonder why they're so much more expensive in the UK?

Most things are more expensive here.  It's just annoying when it's more expensive and lesser quality.