To Bring or Not to Bring?

Hubs and I will be moving to the UK in the next 3-6 months. I lived there before as a student (about 8yrs ago), so I have just enough knowledge of living in the UK to be dangerous.  I'm just starting to create a mental list of things to bring with us, but if we can replace some of these items over there that would be great. Ideally, we could keep everything we're bringing down to 100cu.ft. or possibly even less, as we don't want to waste too much money on shipping costs.

1) Bedding. I know beds/bedding are different sizes there. We sleep on a queen here, and I believe that's very close in size to a UK king. We are environmentally-conscious, so prefer organic, pesticide-free materials. We have two organic cotton/wool duvets that I'd like to bring, and our sheets are actually made from bamboo fibers. We really love our bamboo sheets, and can hopefully replace them!. Can you find organic cotton or bamboo bedding/sheet sets there? Can we find them in higher thread counts (>300)? Would you all recommend bringing the sheets and the comforters, or what? The comforters will be quite heavy, but they were very expensive and we're loathe to give them up.

2) Kitchen Items. I have a huge laundry list of kitchen items I like, but probably need to reduce! We don't use hardly any plastic tupperware type containers because of the BPA chemicals found in them - we prefer to use glass Pyrex containers. Obviously these will quite heavy to bring/ship. Can you easily find Pyrex-ish containers there? I have quite a few specialty-type tools (salad spinner, mushroom slicer, strawberry huller, melon baller, apple corer, olive pitter, egg-white separator, mango slicer, peach slicer, rotary cheese grinder, etc). Would these be worth bringing, or would it be cheaper to replace over there? I'm going to leave behind all the electrics given the voltage differences (although I really would love to bring our juicer). I've been eying up replacement pots/pans since our existing ones are pretty old. How expensive are the good stainless steel pots/pans? We can get a nice set from Williams-Sonoma for about $700 here (they would last a lifetime).

3) Bath. Can I find organic cotton towels there? If we can, then we won't bring ours and use that space for other stuff.

4) DVDs. Can you get region-free DVD players there? I know you can buy players here in the US, and then use an unlock code that will allow you to play any region DVD. We've gotten rid of all our DVDs except for the sets (like all seasons of the X-Files) and we'd like to bring them with us. On this same line of thought, I assume that our Wii won't work there either?

5)Jewelry-making. I make jewelry as a side hobby. I probably have about $1k worth of supplies and tools in a fairly large rubbermaid-style tub. How difficult would it be to replace tools (they are mostly different types of pliers)? Do any of you know of any bead stores that may exist up in Scotland where I could buy replacement items? I have a site here in the US that will ship overseas, but I'm worried about customs fees if I put in large orders. Or should I just de-stash now, and give up my hobby if it's too pricey to maintain?

Thanks for any help everyone! I'm a long-time member of the BritishExpats forum since my OH came here 7 years ago, so I know just how informative and helpful this forum is for us newbies! I'm sure you all will be a life-saver as I have more of these types of questions pop into my head!  

Ok, so after doing some Googling, it does appear that I can find the organic cotton towels and bamboo sheets on various UK websites. So now the only bedding question I have is should we bring our 2 wool duvets? The woman that makes them says she can re-size if needs be.

I also see that Amazon sells Pyrex dishes, so I would like to think they will also be available in some home goods stores as well. I only asked because I wasn't sure how popular glass containers would over there, since most of my family/friends think we are weird that we don't like plastics touching our food.

1) If you search the boards some more you'll notice that bedding is one of the #1 things people bring with them from the states. The consensous seems to be that sheets tend to be of a higher quality from the states. You can always use space saver compression bags to reduce duvets down, so if you plan on shipping a lot I can't imagine bringing them along would be to prohibitive.

2) I've notice pyrex dishes with lids in lots of places here, including the discount department stores like QD and TJ Hughes. I wouldn't bring them. As to all your kitchen gadgets, I think you have the right idea on not bringing any appliances even with the correct converters/transformers they just don't tend to work here. Do you know how large your kitchen will be in the UK? Because you might just not have the room for all of your cool kitchen tools. You might want to check out John Lewis and Debenhams to see what they have. Also, do a google search for where you are living there might be a specialist cookshop that will meet your needs.

3) Check John Lewis.

4) It is easy enough to find a hackable DVD player, you can tend to get them for £25 or more. What I'd did was check the model numbers on google with region free hacks, and then I went with reviews on how easy the particular model was to hack. I ended up getting a dvd player from argos that did the job nicely. I brought all my DVDs with me on carryon luggage using DVD spindles (like the ones you get with CD/DVD-Rs) it worked a treat (but only if you are not sentimental about the cases).

5) I have a friend who is mad about jewelry making, and would probably reccomend bringing everything with you. Craft type stores tend to be a bit hit or miss here, it all depends where you are going. Again, this is where a google search is your friend. I don't know of any stores in Scotland, but I know of one good one in Durham - but that still would be quite a trek even from Edinburgh.

2) Kitchen Items. I have a huge laundry list of kitchen items I like, but probably need to reduce! We don't use hardly any plastic tupperware type containers because of the BPA chemicals found in them - we prefer to use glass Pyrex containers. Obviously these will quite heavy to bring/ship. Can you easily find Pyrex-ish containers there? I have quite a few specialty-type tools (salad spinner, mushroom slicer, strawberry huller, melon baller, apple corer, olive pitter, egg-white separator, mango slicer, peach slicer, rotary cheese grinder, etc). Would these be worth bringing, or would it be cheaper to replace over there? I'm going to leave behind all the electrics given the voltage differences (although I really would love to bring our juicer). I've been eying up replacement pots/pans since our existing ones are pretty old. How expensive are the good stainless steel pots/pans? We can get a nice set from Williams-Sonoma for about $700 here (they would last a lifetime).

Pyrex dishes are available everywhere. I've bought some gorgeous '50s ones at car boot sales for pennies.

As for kitchen tools, if you're packing a lot of stuff then it probably won't take up much additional room for you to bring all your gadgets. But if you don't want to bring them, Lakeland is a great place for buying replacements.

Pots and pans here, just as in the US, come in a huge range of price and quality. Try looking at prices at one of the big shops like John Lewis or a specialty cookshop: I like Silver Nutmeg online, but we have a couple of very good local cookshops too. Depending on where you're moving too, you'll probably have access to at least one.

As far as bedding goes, from the measurements I've seen listed, the UK King size is the same size as the US Queen size.  So you shouldn't have much trouble with the fit.  As for finding organic/bamboo/high thread-count sheets.... I'm certain they're available somewhere in the UK, but I will say that I've done a lot of online browsing and haven't really come across many.  Certainly, they don't appear to be available at the sort of mid-range prices you'd find at a place like Target.  It's possible I've just not found the right shop or site yet, though, so someone else may correct me.

Depending on how you end up shipping your stuff (I'm still trying to sort that out myself!), weight may not come much into the equation.  It seems like some places go more off volume.  If that's the case with your shipping method, then what I'd do is get a few of those vacuum bags and go ahead and pack the bedding you've got.  You'll be surprised at how much those types of things will compress, plus the bag should help keep moisture out on the trip.  I've used the 'original' Space Bags brand, and they work really well.

I wouldn't worry about bringing kitchen stuff.  From what I've seen, the same sorts of items are available at quite reasonable prices in the U.K.  The only kitchen items I'm bringing are my measuring cups/spoons, and a few mugs & things with sentimental value.

Regarding the towels, yes you can get them in the UK.  But try not thinking of them as much as 'things that need to be packed,' as 'things we can use instead of packing paper or bubble-wrap' if you're shipping any fragile items.  

From what I've seen with the DVD players, it's actually easier to find region-free players in the shops/online in the UK.  The other option, depending on what sort of set-up you have, would be to not bother with a stand-alone DVD player, and just hook your TV up to your computer, and watch that way.  That's what my husband & I are planning, but then we've got a ridiculous amount of computer/network equipment & a tv that's optimized for that sort of thing.

I'm bringing all my craft stuff with me (mainly needlepoint/knitting).  It's not so much a question of whether or not I'd be able to replace things in the UK (I'm sure I could, eventually), it's that I've spent an awful lot of money on those things here, and if I'm shipping things over anyway, and the pricing seems to be for a range of cu.ft. (i.e. 'up to 40 cu.ft., 40-100 cu.ft., etc.), then it seems pointless not to find room for them.  

Hope that helps.  Where in Scotland are you going to be, out of curiosity?

As far as bedding goes, from the measurements I've seen listed, the UK King size is the same size as the US Queen size.  So you shouldn't have much trouble with the fit.

Correctamundo. I brought over my US queen size bed and whatever bedding I had. And over the past 7 years, I've bought more bedding in the UK - UK king size. It fits perfectly.

No problems finding high thread count sheets either. I've also not noticed any difference in quality here - and I'm a total thread count snob. However, I've never looked for organic or bamboo, so can't help you there.

Craft stuff isn't difficult to find online here. But, it does cost a lot more. I brought all my crafting stuff with me. Pyrex and salad spinners are easy to source and inexpensive. Good stainless steel pots and pans, you will pay through the nose for.  I used my 100 cu. ft. of shipping space by packing my stainless steel pots full of craft items and cushioned everything with next season's clothes.

I think most of that stuff is probably quite easy to get here- and would recommend just buying a DVD player here as you don't have to faff with plug adaptors, etc...

I think you may want to do a cost/benefit analysis- is it worth paying for shipping and not having to buy it again?  You may find that for some of the stuff, its better to just pay for shipping and to not have to buy again- or it may not be worth it.  
I think it depends on how much you're already planning on shipping...  Are you doing a container shipment/youpackweship/postal/excess baggage fees method?  

I think its awesome the people who can move just in excess baggage fees alone.  My musical instruments alone would have been a nightmare to bring on a plane. The cost/benefit on not bringing and buying new over here was definitlye ship what I owned! However,  I was lucky though of having to not really worry, as my company paid for the relocation, instead of having to do it on my own...  


 

i would surely bring my linens.......i brought some with me and just used to wrap around breakables...............just ordered a new dvd multi regional off ebay........not too hard to find............pyrex and cookware i buy at tkmaxx and sainsburys.........kitchen items-boundry mill has a great selection..........crafts-good lord that stuff is expensive here........when i go back home im buying new comforter and sheets.......quality here to me is just awful.....i too love bamboo sheets but im gonna wait to buy back in america.......just my take on food products-bring grits, lipton ice tea bags, powdered ranch dressing, and cornmeal......i find that i need to stock pile these things...haha

I agree linens were a big thing for me. I did vacuum bag my comforter and sooo glad I did as I didn't want a duvet and I haven't found sheets I like here that don't cost my paycheck.
Everything else you can find if you look but if you have kitchen gadgets and can bring them - do.  It gets expensive to buy them again.  I brought 3 of my Kitchen Aid Pots and BIG frying pan and my old Tupperware ice cream scooper, potato peeler, nice spatula and spoons for cooking (high heat plastic thingies) and BAKING Sheets! We even bought more baking sheets when we were there this past year b/c the ones I find here are crap and if they aren't crap once again super expensive.

What makes it feel like home? What do you use a lot that is just "yours?" Towels, Sheets, Kitchen Towels (I did use mine to wrap stuff) make each room feel like my house...Random kitchen utensils and my good pots make the kitchen feel like mine without having to rebuy it all.

Its totally up to you and I agree with pb to do a cost analysis but now I wish I would have brought more stuff! Next trip back to Texas I am boxing up 10 more boxes to ship over I believe.  OH and I brought Xmas stuff but wish I had my other holiday stuff as well since can't get Tday or 4th of July stuff really.

BAKING Sheets! We even bought more baking sheets when we were there this past year b/c the ones I find here are crap and if they aren't crap once again super expensive.

Not a bad point, just be aware that a lot of homes in the UK have smaller, apartment-sized oven, so some larger baking sheets (or other large things like roasters) might not fit.

I'm probably going to make decisions about possessions that suspend logic. Unlike most people here, I won't have a home to move into, and I'll probably end up renting a room somewhere where the kitchen is already stocked. However, I still want to bring my dishes, even though they aren't particularly expensive, because my mom gave them to me when I got my first "real" apartment. I also want to bring my Pyrex bowls, even though you could get them in the UK easily, because they're mine. I guess I just don't want to feel like I'm casting everything away and I want to feel settled.

i have to say i got fantastic baking sheets at tkmaxx and only paid £3 each....in the clearance section.........i came over on the ship and checked in 18 cases etc......it was a pain to lug around so much stuff and haul it from southhampton to birmingham but i find it was so worth it......it has made me feel a bit more at home.......there are some things i wish i would have brought as in more sheets etc but when i go back to usa for visit ill stock up...lol

For linens, I would recommend bringing what you already have.

I brought my US queen sheets/duvet/blankets as well as my towels from the US and I don't regret it at all. Quality linens are designed to last for years and I didn't see the point of getting rid of something that I already invested in, especially since the prices tend to be higher here.

I also echo the thoughts about feeling more at home having your own things with you. For me this is especially true with bedding.

Unlike most people here, I won't have a home to move into, and I'll probably end up renting a room somewhere where the kitchen is already stocked.

I've moved around to several different rental houses/flats, always furnished- and I can tell you, the kitchens may be well stocked, but the stuff is all rubbish. The pans are flimsy and cheap and the handles can't go into ovens, the knifes are dull and my scissors have more cutting power, etc.  So I am beyond happy that I brought all my cookware with me.  It would have been quite expensive to replace for the same quality!!