I've read the "what advice would you give" thread, and thought this could kind of supplement that. With hindsight, what would you have brought with you from the UK, and what do you wish you hadn't bothered with?

Av

We arrived with the clothes in which we stood, a snooker cue and a pair of skis. In retrospect, we needn't have bothered with the skis.

The Corby trouser press was probably a mistake. It cluttered up the place for close to 3 years before I eventually put it out for the scavengers. None of them took it (didn't have a clue what it was, is my guess).

I did wonder if you were joking, but somehow I don't think you are .....

That's absolutely true. We had about -GBP2,000 (500 in cash and a bit over two grand in credit card debt). I'll soon be back to that state but, for a few minutes, I was the classic immigrant done good.

This all depends upon how much 'immediate luggage' you will be bringing, what your situation is upon immediate arrival, and what you are shipping. But let's assume it's 2 suitcases per person:

Bring:-
-The clothes, footwear, you wear the most, ship the rest or don't even bother. Maybe 1 bath towel and 1 hand towel. Some hangers. If you are planning on job hunting, suitable interview attire.
-If you are NOT planning on going back to the UK before the change in season, obviously a selection of winter and summer clothes.
-Winter jackets are fine if they are 'fleeced', or can be worn with multiple layers. Otherwise it's not really suitable for winter (unless you are headed to Vancouver.)
-If you arrive between Dec-Mar, GLOVES.
-A portable CD player with your favourite CDs in one of those wallet things.
(better still an MP3 player).
-A couple of books.
-Camera. Camera charger. Adapters
-Mobile Phone (IF it's a Triband). Phone charger. Adapters
-Pen, pencil, notepad.
-Paracetomol (if you can't take Ibuprofen or Aspirin)

Don't bring:-
-Toilettries. Only the smallest bare minimum to survive until you reach a supermarket.
-Food. Forget it.
-Electrical heavy-duty stuff, e.g. Hair dryer. Iron. Kettle. Unless it's of the dual-voltage type. 240v kettles take an AGE to boil on 120, so you'll end up getting on here anyway.
-Don't even bother shipping things like: Vacuum cleaner. Washing machine. Dryer.

Hope this is useful.

Surprisingly, they do sell GLOVES here, and probably much more effective ones than any you'd bring from the UK. Plus we had our coldest weather last winter in NOVEMBER, so the Dec-Mar rule wouldn't really have worked.

They also sell stationery here.

Paracetamol here is called Acetaminophen. Look for that on the label if you want to avoid aspirin-based analgesics.

I was thinking the Gloves were a good idea because you might need them immediately.... as the comments about the stationery.
I didn't know that about Acetaminophen....thanks

yw

You're right, gloves are a good idea, and the best you can buy,... but be prepared to buy Canadian gloves, and be prepared to need them before December.

Otherwise ignore me, I'm feeling very grumpy today, so I think I'll go do something else.

Winter clothing is actually a good idea if you are arriving mid winter. Stuff sells out pretty early in the season here, and you might not have a great selection to chose from.

Thanks everyone (I think! ). Hubby is in the process of job interviewing and hoping to be moving on a temporary work permit to start with. If it works out, we will look to make it permanent. At the mo, we're renting, so we're not tied to selling/renting out a house, but might have to pay for storage (or store with family) and I was just wondering what we should actually bring with us assuming the "temporary to permanent" thing.

Don't have skis, or a trouser press, so that's all good

Av

Paracetamol is the same at Tylenol in Canada, or Aceteminifin if you want the generic. Comes plain or with codeine over the counter, although you have to ask the pharmacist for it if you want the codeine version.

You know, i lived in US for 1 yr and now Canada for over 4,..... took Tylenol numerous times, inc. the extra strength variety.... never occured to me it was bog-standard Paracetamol.

Y'learn something new evr'y day!

LOL! I had to look it up for my friend's British wife a couple of years ago. She took it for her bad knee (the codeine version) and that is prescription only in the US, so she stocks up when they come visit us each year. :-)

The wife and dog

(and at this moment in time i'm serious but for two different reasons).