We have really good furniture that we would hate to leave behind. Permanently moving from US to UK with 2BD sets, Living Room with entertainment units and Dining room furniture. Does anyone have any experience with such a big move? Any advice about cost and time? Is it worth the effort?
2007-09-04 07:39:20 · 15 answers · asked by avi_nm 1 in Travel ➔ United Kingdom ➔ Other - United Kingdom
I moved in the opposite direction. The cost of surface shipping (about 3 months from West Coast US -> UK) is not very high. You will recoupe the cost of the move for 1 decent piece of furniture. Talk to the usual set of movers about it.
Typically you can get things moved in "tea-chest" size containers separately or you can get part of a standard shipping container. We found a half container was ideal for moving a house-full.
It's not worth moving appliances unless it's something unique that you don't want to leave (e.g. your laser-disk player & collection - you will need to buy a special voltage converter for it in the UK). As for everything else, you should fill whatever container you choose, it will save you time, money and stress buying it in the new place. I regret not bringing silly things like garden furniture because it just meant we had to go out and choose it all over again.
Lastly, you will need a rental place in the UK to tide you over until it all arrives - and until you find the right place for a permanent move. Make sure you research homes in the area you are moving to - you may find that British homes are a lot smaller than those in some parts of the US.
2007-09-04 07:54:38 · answer #1 · answered by hbarrass 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Shipping Furniture To Usa
2016-11-01 21:31:47 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you already know where you are going to live? I mean, are you sure the furniture will fit?
I moved from the US to the UK years ago with everything I had except the furniture and I really regret bringing so much stuff with me (kitchen stuff, CDs, sports equipment, books etc) since dwellings in the UK are much smaller than in the US! I'm soooo glad I didn't bring my furniture with me- that would have been tragedy. So think about SPACE as well, not just the cost. Best of luck.
2007-09-04 22:23:32 · answer #3 · answered by viaj... :) 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Cornwall is around 250 miles from London - whether that's "near" depends on your point of view. You would not be able to commute daily, for example. Cornwall itself has a high rate of unemployment, high living costs, and low wages for the few jobs that are available. Gaining the right to live and work in the UK is not in any way a straightforward process, and you will need to learn about British immigration laws and how to apply for visas. Depending on the type of visa you apply for, you may have to get an employer to sponsor you and he/she would (in theory) have to demonstrate that the job could not be filled by a British citizen. Pretty difficult in a recession, when there's a ratio of about 10 unemployed people to every job vacancy going. You'd have to pack your possessions into a shipping crate which would then be sent to the UK aboard a large ocean going vessel. Your cat could fly with you, but you'll have to get around the British quarantine rules - they are very strict. It would cost a huge amount of money to ship your car over here, and the steering column is on the "wrong" side for UK roads anyway. Sell your car before you leave, and buy another car when you reach the UK. Bear in mind that petrol (gasoline) is very expensive in the UK (at least double what it costs in the US), so you may prefer to buy a smaller and more economical vehicle than you're used to.
2016-03-17 23:37:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The UK is really cramped already and I do not think we have room for your furniture.
Just kidding.
But the costs of shipping could be more than the furniture is worth.
2007-09-04 07:49:40 · answer #5 · answered by Great Eskape 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've been through this sceanario more times that I care to think about. My advice is, SELL THE FURNITURE BEFORE YOU MOVE AND BUY NEW WHEN YOU GET THERE.
There is no furniture worth going through the effort of moving it. If you are moving to another country, then MOVE to another country... and buy your furniture there.
2007-09-04 07:46:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your biggest hurdle will be when UK Customs ask you to value all your stuff, you can't just say it's personal. The entertainment units are going to be of limited use because of different voltages and TV standards in Europe, check they are up to the job before shipping them. Sea freight in a container sounds like your best bet for shipping, slow but cheaper than air.
2007-09-04 07:53:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
try www.shipit.co.uk the 1st move International?my friend did it cost a fortune but her furniture was fab 4 poster bed and large furniture make sure your new house it will fit in she went into a big house here and to tell you you cant buy the stuff here that you will have?work it out how much it will cost if its about 2 grand for saying sake how much would it all cost you hope it all goes well and welcome to the UK
2007-09-04 08:17:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bring it with you - decent furniture over here is a disgusting price compared to what you pay out there!!!
We were going to do the same move in reverse a couple of years ago - no way in this world would I have shipped furniture out there after reasearching what you pay compared to us!!
Good luck.
2007-09-04 07:49:05 · answer #9 · answered by Sal*UK 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The theme here seems to be - don't bother.
It's too expensive; you will need to insure your stuff just for transit purposes, and you may find the style, or lack thereof, completely incompatible with UK living.
This is before we take into consideration the electrical differences which are significant to say the least.
2007-09-04 08:52:22 · answer #10 · answered by Modern Major General 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋