Curious - how long DID it take for your belongings to arrive? (US to UK)

Moving from the US to the UK I used UPackWeShip and it was 6 weeks, it all went smoothly.

Moving from the UK back to the US it took 2.5 months, we used Robinson's and they were terrible. They didn't pack everything (they left a closet full of coats and shoes and missed packing most of our kitchen items). When the rest of our stuff finally arrived, it turned out they lost our bed. 

We paid close to 3,000 pounds for that botched move. 

Ha! I talked to a local (US) mover to get an estimate back when it was still two bucks to the pound. He said he moved a woman from the US to the UK for $7,000 and moved her back again a few years later for $20,000. Same stuff.

Ok, so another question - for those of you with kids, what did you DO until your furniture arrived? Air mattresses?

I have a 5yo and a 3yo....

(which is why I'm wondering if we shouldn't buy them something over there - IKEA wise)

We lived with my in-laws until we our stuff was due to arrive. It was only then that we moved into our own place. I know that's not an option for you since it's a move for your husband's job. Hmmm. If I were in your shoes and had kids your age, I'd just make it an adventure until you got their bedrooms sorted out and put bedding on the floor.

If you decide to bring the twin beds with you make sure that you bring enough bedding for the 2 to 3 years you are planning on being here, since the beds here are smaller you may find it difficult to get sheets to fit.  Also I find the quality and price and selection of bedding in the States much much better than here.

You haven't mentioned your bed.  I just wanted to give you a heads up that it is not just the twin bed size that is different here.  Basically a US king is a super king here, a US queen is a king bed here, and a double bed is a double bed.

That is good advice about the beds. Most people don't realize the sizes are different, and beds are important.

In general, I think it takes 1-3 months to get all your stuff across the pond. It varies based on several factors. And as someone mentioned earlier, your moving company should be able to give you a time estimate.