You’re probably thinking, another moving post? Yep. ANOTHER ONE. My flight leaves in just a few days! When I think about this experience, I think about how lost I was at the beginning. While I have lived abroad, it was always for a finite period, rather than moving my entire life. How to move abroad is a frequent question for young people. It’s the time to do so when we’re so young, but there aren’t many answers out there on how to do so. I thought, why not put together a packing list for everyone!
The main question I get is, what are you going to do with all your stuff? Well, the good thing is, most of my things are already in London! Regardless, many of my clothes are in Atlanta, along with many of my electronics and day-to-day items I didn’t send last year. For clarity, I thought I was moving last year, but due to some personal circumstances, I ended up pushing my program for a year. Still, there are many things I will have to evaluate, cut down, but also that must come with me. Today, I’m breaking that list down by what will go on the plane, in moving boxes, and things I’ll buy once I’m in London!
Moving isn’t easy. It’s a lot of Kon Mari style cutting down of clothes, trinkets, jewelry, and more. It shocked me how many things I am donating, but I’m happy to do so. A lot of people are hurting due to the pandemic, meaning there is a need for items for kids & adults & homes. It’s going to be sad to let some of these things go, but so worth it. There will be things I leave in storage, but only a few boxes. That being said, let’s talk about what I’m packing for the plane!
Plane
I’m taking 2 large suitcases with me, plus my carryons. My main carry-on will be my suitcase for Greece, so it’s really just my backpack. I am a woman with a plan. I am going to drop my big suitcases, shower, double-check I have everything for Greece (ex. moving sunscreen from checked luggage to my other suitcase). Then I will head back to the airport! It’s a really quick trip into the city just to get things settled and also pick up my keys! Maybe a small nap if I have the time. I have just a few hours to do so, so keeping my carry-on the same makes everything 10x easier.
Outside of that carry-on, my suitcases will hold most of my clothes. I will pack some of the heavier coats, but all flattened out into space bags. The essentials and those electronics I can’t live without will come with me as well. Obviously, things like my passport, skincare, phone, headphones, laptop, and cameras are coming with me on the day of, because I cannot afford to have them broken in the boxes I’m sending.
I packed all of the art I want to take into 2 packing rolls, so I’ll be popping one into each suitcase. Small bits like my shower drain cover, copies of all important documents, USBs and external hard drives, and extras of any essentials will go as well. Then, any empty space will be full of clothes! Then I am off! I’m staying under that weight limit for sure because I have to lug all of this through Heathrow and on the train, so we’re packing as efficiently as possible!
Mailing in Boxes
It’s impossible to take everything, so I’m going to have to send a few boxes. I’m going to limit how much stuff that is, but I’m expecting 2-3. My Alexa, Fire TV, and Sonos are all going to be safely packed in those boxes, surrounded by some of my fluffy coats and other packing material.
I’m going to send a couple of books, both for reading and cooking. I know how my hair will be on this trip, so I’m mailing my wigs (pray for them and me). There are a few small kitchen items that I love that are easy to pop into a box, along with my boxing gloves, spin shoes, a first aid kit, and any essential shoes that I won’t take to Greece or fit into my suitcase. I surprised myself by finding that I really only have 7-8 pairs here in Atlanta. I know most of my shoes are already in London or I gave them away.
Outside of this list, I’ll take a couple of coffee mugs and reusable water bottles and some small things that will be exponentially more expensive there, like command hooks, my vitamins, and things of that nature. I also use some prescription toothpaste and concentrate for my Waterpik, which I can only get from my dentist here.
Things to Buy
Finally, things I need to buy! Anything I’m buying is too big to pack or not worth it to send. Things like a monitor, office chair, and printer, aka school essentials. I’m going to pick up a SIM card there on day 1. I will need to get all of my kitchenware over there, but that would be resale. Other pieces of my list are beeswax wraps, trash cans, knives, and a food processor. Those appliances are helpful for cooking, but I can’t take them with me because I would blow a fuse.
My apartment will come furnished, so it will come with basic appliances, but I will pick up cleaning things, such as a Swiffer, vacuum, and kitchen towels, or cleaning solution, but that’s normal. I haven’t decided on everything else, but probably drying racks, batteries, and a clothes steamer. If you have ideas, drop them in the comment box and I’ll add them to my list! I’ll need to buy new cables for some of my electronics, but that’s all! Then, I plan on decorating my place with art and plants. That is my final step!
This is by no means a full list. There are tons of things I’ll have to pick up along the way and pack for. That being said, I’m excited to share my new place and how it comes together! I won’t be sharing tons of details about where I’m living publicly, but I’ll do that when I’m preparing to move out! If you’re thinking about how to move abroad, I hope this packing list helps you. Till then, watch this space. Be sure to sign up to my newsletter below to be the first to see everything new!