Do I dabble my foot or jump in?

Howdy all,

This is my first post.  I'm in Georgia right now.  At this point, my plan is to attend University (in Bristol or Bath) part-time starting in October, to study and work for the next two years.  I have a UK passport on account of my Ma and Pa being Brits, so I will be able to get a job to support myself and minimize debt.  I'm a highly adaptable person who fits in well and LOVES the idea of being immersed in the UK culture.  I get giddy when I think about the possibilities.  The idea is that I'd stay on to work and travel for an undetermined time - forever if that's how it works out.

My ponderance of the day is centered around whether I should put my stuff in storage for the next two years, see how I feel then and ONLY then decide if I haul my belongings over.  People keep saying, "What if you don't like it?"  I can't imagine that I wouldn't like it, but then I thought I would like teaching at a public high school.  The last two years have been from Hades.

However, I remember what is was like to do a semester in Germany - sleeping in a single bed surrounded by things that say nothing about who I am.  I got really depressed - but then I was an engaged 20 year old.  Now I'm a happily divorced 40 year old.  I've gotten to the point in life where my stuff is a carefully selected reflection of myself.  What's the point in having it but not using it?  Why start over? 

I'm tempted to assume that I'm in for at LEAST five years - and take the pieces that mean the most (about 200 cubic feet of stuff).  I'm taking about a futon, bedside table and a tall, wide dresser that I ADORE - maybe 10 containers of blankets, clothes, dishes, pots, - a non-oversized sofa, loveseat, armchair and ottoman (my FIRST set of matching furniture)  pride.  Oh plus 3 cats!   I've started the DEFRA process.

From what I've read in the forum - there is something to be said for unburdening yourself, but my taste so NOT Ikea.   

So do I dabble or jump?  Will a cursory trip over help me get a better idea of what I'm in for?  Any advice for the newbie? 

Many thanks...

Hi and welcome.  There is lots of great information on this website, helped me alot.  My family and I had a plan of coming and living here for a couple years to start with to see how it goes (I am UKC and hubby is USC), so we didn't ship anything, I left it in storage as I wouldnt want/have the funds to have to ship it back after a couple of years, I just brought a few things to dot around to make it feel like home.  Our furniture wouldn't have fit in this house, but I really hate having furniture in both countries.  I miss my hubbys nice antique furniture, but a change is nice.  I can't see my husband wanting to live here permanently as we can't even afford a house on two full time salaries, so I think we'll end up going back to South Carolina. 

Good Luck..

From a financial poiint of view you have to factor in the cost of shipping your stuff against the cost of buying new here.  As a rule of thumb things here cost double what you would pay in the States.  I think it is important to be surrounded by your own belongings, it will make you feel more at home, less temporary.

This is a tough one.  I say that because it *is* so important to be surrounded by your belongings to make you feel at home.  But at what point does it all become a burden?  I am close to your age and was already in the process of downsizing my life big-time in order to travel (just after a divorce as well).  When I met my hubby-to-be, then got engaged I got rid of even *more* stuff (it was hard--it was like having my foundations ripped out from under me--but it was good, too) and moved over to the UK with basically only 2 suitcases. I also mailed about 6 boxes to myself.

My move was so much less stressful and expensive because of this.  But everyone is different, of course, so you will have to weigh your options and see what stuff is most important to you.

I can't really give advice on things like furniture - I didn't own any furniture worth moving overseas! - but as far as things like blankets, clothes, dishes and pots, I'd say - bring them!  I moved to the UK in September 2006 and I'm STILL finding things to have my folks box up and send over - if I'd just sent them all to begin with, it would have been a lot cheaper and I'd have saved a lot of money trying to find a viable UK alternate that just isn't quite right.

Whereabouts in Georgia are you?  I'm from Athens.

In some ways, I wish I would have moved my furniture.  We have IKEA stuff now, which is functional, but, I miss my microfiber sofa and big comfy chair.  Sadly, they would not fit in most houses here, so, I made the choice to sell them and the bedroom set.  In some ways, I feel like the house we are in is so cold.  It is too big for us at the minute and it is lacking in character as it is a new build (my house in the states was an old Victorian).  In time, we will get the style of furniture we like, but, it will take time and money.  I did, however, ship over my books, clothing, and some collectables.  I still have some things to ship (quilt, framed art) but it will come in time.  The rest, I find that I don't miss.  It was just stuff.

But, you have to decide what is best for you.  I still have my dogs and my husband so that makes me pretty comfortable anywhere.

Hey Meg - I'm in Dahlonega now, but lived in Athens from 2001-2006.  I really enjoyed living in Athens, mostly I think because I love being in school so very much.

Thanks to everyone!  Truly it is a matter of running the numbers to see what it the best way to go.  I'm still 6 months out, so I've got time...to obsess about things it is too early to decide on!  In the meantime, I shall be lurking about this forum, finding out all I can.

scbrit - it's disturbing to think that with two incomes, it would be impossible/difficult to pay all the bills.  If you don't mind me asking, does that have anything to do with your location?

Again, thanks for your replies!

I think maybe it was the house that two full-time salaries wouldn't cover. It's kind of the same way with us... we can afford current expenses, but saving up enough for a down payment on a house is touch and go!

I think maybe it was the house that two full-time salaries wouldn't cover. It's kind of the same way with us... we can afford current expenses, but saving up enough for a down payment on a house is touch and go!

Exactly right...

Due to a variety of reasons, I didn't bring any of my furniture- the majority of it was sold on craig's list (and man I miss my bedroom set more than anything!)- but I did bring a lot stuff to make my place feel like mine- pots, pans, cookware, pictures, artwork, knick-knacks, books, dvds, music, and my myriad of musical instruments.  So even though the furniture is all from Ikea, and I don't particularly enjoy it too much- I don't consider that the deciding factor in making my place mine-  as I have the stuff that I enjoy and makes me happy to be surrounded by it.  Though I wish I could be more like ghandi and just get rid of it all- but it helps to have some familarality in my life.