What to pack to move abroad … or what we did not, and regret it. We moved from the US to Germany in 2021, with the idea that we would live somewhat as minimalists, planning to rent a furnished apartment.
Store the Treasures
We gave away most of our furniture to family and friends. Our kitchen items, some clothes, and our most treasured items are living in a storage unit back in the US. We used the PackRat system to move and store, and with great luck we had it packed and ready for pick-up just as a big Colorado snow storm was rolling in.
Ocean Shipment versus Air Freight
We moved during Covid Days, when global shipping was taking longer than usual. Shipping items by air freight took 6 weeks, but by boat would take up to 6 months. The hitch is that air freight requires a minimum volume and weight. We opted to ship the minimum to be settled in our new place as soon as possible.
What Items We Should Have Shipped
The biggest thing we should have shipped and didn’t, is our bikes. We both had great bikes, and this is a wonderful area for bike riding. There are lots of paths running through beautiful countryside, including vineyards. We bought bikes here, but the inventory is very small, so we took what we could find.
Another thing we could use more of is cold weather gear, which we have plenty of back home in storage. The decision to use air freight happened only a few days before we moved, so we scrambled to re-pack and pare down what we shipped. If you’re moving to Germany, make sure you bring things like winter jackets, cold weather boots, really anything warm and waterproof, which we had to purchase new.
What Items We’re Really Happy We Shipped
A furnished apartment is a good choice here in Germany, it’s an easy way to start with the basics needed. We are renting through Agent Home, which offers furnished apartments all around Germany. Our rent includes utilities, wifi, and basic TV channels, which is super helpful with setting up life in a new country. European apartments are small, and hopefully efficient with some storage space.
The things that really come in handy are Rob’s kitchen knives, and our camping gear. The furnished kitchen is adequate but comes with nothing sharper than a butter knife. And we’re looking forward to using our tent and sleeping bags now that we can take off in the Mini to go camping.
It’s a Big Project
It’s impossible to know exactly what you’ll need to pack for your own move abroad, but hopefully our experience will be of some help. We still think bringing the minimum seems like the best idea. Once you get settled, you can replace needed items from either Amazon or your local shops. Of course, when we eventually go home and unpack our storage unit someday, it will be like finding treasure to see all of our belongings.😀
Cheers!
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