Random tips from a new expat

Some tips from a recent wetback:

Schools: we used the ofsted reports online and tracked down catchment areas, visited schools and talked to anyone we could, from parents to friends of friends to school goundkeepers before settling on a neighborhood that had three schools which all met our minimum requirements and had one that was really quite good.  Our daughter entered year one there this month.

Shipping stuff: we moved with North American, which has been fine and reasonably priced if a little slower than we’d like.  I think it all comes down to trusting the contractor at your end since ultimately there’s not much you can do once they have all your stuff.

Shopping: stuff is definitely cheaper in the US, even after you ship it it comes out the same.  We left behind almost all of our electrical stuff, but kept in mind that anything that comes with a transformer can be switched over to work here with a new transformer.  We found them pretty cheap at a few shops, not the major electronics stores.  One big store is Argos, a catalog operation that is dirt cheap but is not worth the trouble -- I’d say avoid at all costs.  Waitrose has become our preferred supermarket because they have free delivery from our local shop (although that’s due to change once they revamp.

Internet:  There must be a thousand broadband suppliers and it’s probably pay your nickle and take your chances.  But it takes time for them to change from one ISP to another, so if you can find out who is on your BT line for ADSL it may be worth just sticking with it.  They all advertise speed, but the speed is dependent on your phone line and you can ask BT or  use their site (there are some others too) to find out what your line will really support in terms of speed.

Kid Gear: we brought over a double stroller but it’s really too wide for here.  We just bought an e3 explorer which seems to be the buggy of choice for people with two or more kids.

That’s my unsolicited opnion, just an effort to give something back to all those who helped us with advice through the move.

We are going through the same search with schools. I am wondering where you ended up, if you do not mind me asking.

I have also not been sure what to ship and what not to ship. It has, however seemed to me that it would be less expensive to buy new furniture, but I would love to hear why you think differently now that you are in the UK.

Who did you use to move?  I have thus far only gotten really high quotes.

Thanks

Funnily enough...I love Argos...have not had a single problem with anything I've ordered through them at all.  And being inexpensive has helped as well.

I've never had a problem w/Argos, either.  Have used them lots of times.

Big Argos fan here, too.  Haven't had any real problems with them in the past 3 years.

I've only bought small things like a kettle, toaster, curling iron etc...no problems at all and were all great prices I thought.

I don't have a problem with Argos either, we've used them loads of times, in fact, we got the nursery furniture from them! At a great price too, and it's the pine set.

exchaoordo- just wondering what trouble you've had with argos?  i agree they're not the best for quality but it's cheap as chips and convienent!

No Argos complaints here either and we get loads of stuff from there!

Oh, I knew that Argos comment was going to get a few responses

I too have never had any problems with Argos and it's the kids favourite reading material at the holidays.  Perhaps he was dismayed by the huge queue that seems inevitable on any given day?

I'm no Argos fan!    It's always hot, crowded, disorganized and your item always takes about a million years to come up.  But I wouldn't say 'avoid at all costs'.   

Here's a vote of support for Argos -- we did our wedding registry with them.  Is that a bit chavvy?  Ok, I feel like I'm hearing snickers.     But I like them, so there.

HOWEVER, the gift registry section of their website has been broken for about a month now, and so now we're re-registering with another store.   

I've had good and bad experiences with Argos.  2 weekago  my parents got some birthday presents for our son delivered directly to our house from Argos. Argos do not give you a delivery time, you have to wait in all day. And we did. Me and baby. All day. On a sunny day. The delivery finally came at 5.55pm. 

Here's a vote of support for Argos -- we did our wedding registry with them.  Is that a bit chavvy?  Ok, I feel like I'm hearing snickers.     But I like them, so there.

HOWEVER, the gift registry section of their website has been broken for about a month now, and so now we're re-registering with another store.   

No it's not Chavvy at all - half of the population in the UK probably wouldnt have regular new furniture and household goods if it wasn't for Argos! If I need a new kettle or whatever, I'd always look there first! I just see no need to pay more for items that are not mean't to last forever, hey if that's chavvy then I must be one too and I never imagined I'd say that 

We got Argos vouchers for wedding gifts! We were able to buy a washing machine and a dryer!