Moving to the UK- - what to pack?

mel_82
Junior Member



Joined: 01 Oct 2006
Posts: 19
Location: London

Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 7:29 am

 

---

I'm moving on Wednesday to London for somewhere between 10 and 22 months on a WHV . I'm starting to assemble piles for what I need to take with me, but I'm really not so sure. Does anyone have any tips? Like things they didn't take that they wish they did, or regret taking? Thanks.
_________________
*MeL*

---

oohmercyme
Moderator



Joined: 21 Mar 2004
Posts: 312
Location: London, England

Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 9:35 am

 

---

Hiya Mel- welcome to the board.

I'm glad I didn't bother to take the down lining for my wintercoat or winter boots. With the exception of a handful of days, I have been able to wear just my "spring coat" for two winters here.
_________________
Lori

---

mari-mac
Senior Member



Joined: 01 Sep 2006
Posts: 94
Location: U.K.

Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 8:27 am

 

---

Yep, definatelty leave the heavy winter clothes behind! I wouldn't bother with really bulky winter sweaters either (especially if you're staying mostly in London) - go for layering instead. I find my office so hot in winter, that there's no need for a sweater. But in my flat, I do need my fleeces!

If you're based in London, you will want summer clothes too - although the summer does seem to last a lot shorter time.

Toiletries - you can buy everything over here, although it may take you a bit to find new brands (although a lot of same brands you'll find here) - so I would pack a minimal amount of that, just enough to see you through the first couple weeks until you've figured things out. That said - I still buy my painkillers (advil, tylenol, etc) in Canada - they only sell painkillers in like packs of 8 here (for your own safety, so you can't O.D. apparently) - and I like having the big bottles on hand so I don't have to remember to buy more!

I'd make sure to pack some things from home - load up an mp3 player with lots of canadian music (to remind you of home, and to educate the masses over here!), and bring some photos.

A beloved teddy bear helps too!
_________________
We've got rocks and trees, and trees and rocks, and rocks and trees and trees and rocks and.water!

---

mel_82
Junior Member



Joined: 01 Oct 2006
Posts: 19
Location: London

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 5:30 am

 

---

Thanks everyone.my mom was telling me I needed to take lots of sweaters so it was useful to hear that I really only need a few. I found the website for the Canada shop and I used it to gauge what they didn't have available in the UK. I'm well stocked now with Quaker instant oatmeal, Jello-o and dill pickle seasoning. One more Day!
_________________
*MeL*

---

tavcanada
CanuckAbroad Regular


Laura

Joined: 30 Jun 2006
Posts: 33
Location: Oxfordshire

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 9:05 am

 

---

Hope you have a good trip over and enjoy London, it's a great city! Happy packing and I can't believe nobody pointed out the obvious necessities.raincoat, umbrella and boots (a.k.a. "wellies" ) It really does rain a lot here especially now that winter is on the way.sigh. Fleeces are perfect because although it doesn't get silly cold here, winter does bring a damp, biting cold so a light pair of gloves and hat can come in handy too.you can safely leave your ski touque at home.hehe. I think the anti-perspirant here sucks so I have friends and family keep me stocked up on Degree!

Check in with us when you arrive and let us know what you think of the U.K.

"Cheers",
Laura
_________________
Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it.

---

Deus
CanuckAbroad VIP



Joined: 16 Sep 2004
Posts: 216
Location: Wrecsam

Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 8:40 am

 

---

buy some cold medicine (i.e: sinutab)

The stuff here doesn't work on me.


Oh. and Kraft dinner. It sells for a fortune here!

Like 5$ a box!

_________________
----------
For wedding, family portraits or commercial photography contact Ioan at: ioan@celynnenphotography.co.uk
http://www.celynnenphotography.co.uk

---