What not to forget: moving from Europe: 10 things I should definitely bring!

Elles Hooft

Dear all

So it really seems that we will be moving to Mumbai and most probably already at the end of Octobre. I still find it hard to believe after 9 years Prague . But since I started planning everything now, one of my questions is: What should I definetely pack in the container? Please name me 10 things that I really should not forget. Can be anything from Pc's to cheese (being Dutch that is very important of course Thanks a lot for the suggestions.

Haylo

Well, electronics can be fairly expensive in India, and some things like the iPhone arrived later than in the UK / US but there's nothing I can think of that's not available at all. Oh, apart from sex toys, which are illegal. Presumably there's ways and means, but effectively you cannot buy them.

Cheese is about the only thing we weren't satisfied with in Delhi, nothing came even close to the quality we're used to, but good cheese is apparently available. If you wanted to bring your own in, you'd have to smuggle it in with your checked baggage; I'm an international Stilton smuggler!

No chance of bringing cheese in with your shipment though, even if you're having air shipment, cheese would be ruined by the time it had cleared customs.

After many many threads on IndiaMike where people say "I can't get this in India" and everyone coming back and saying "Yes of course you can, it's called xyz, try here" we now have a thread called what COULDN'T you buy in India ? which I'm sure you'll find very reassuring.

EDITED TO ADD: If there is a particularly unusual product that you particularly like such as twiglets (a marmite coated crispy snack) you may not be able to find it imported or find an Indian version.

EDITED AGAIN TO ADD: Being Dutch, you may also want to bring your own stock of dropjes; though I'm sure that someone on here knows where to find them, we couldn't find any anywhere...

__________________
The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful - E.E. Cummings, poet (1894-1962)

Nick-H

Kitchen knives, if you are used to using anything other than the most basic. Same for pots and pans.

Yes, of course you can get pots and pans, and you can get Indian kitchenware which is just wonderful, but the Indian version of Western kitchen ware will either be overpriced or under quality --- or both.

mattr

I would bring tons of food from home which cant be bought in India :P Trouble is it would have to be something that doesn't require cooling and doesn't expire so quickly, might also run in to trouble with customs at the airport.

For anything you can't bring you will probably or hopefully find a replacement in india

Enjoy your new home :O

Elles Hooft

Everybody thanks a lot for their advice. I was also wondering if a bread baking machine would make sense? Can you buy decent flour? And what about underwear, socks and shoes, the latter especially for kids? Clothes in general? And I mean western style. I remember when we where there 16 years ago that was not too much available. All your suggestions are very welcome!

Nattusbs

Elles:

You wrote:

underwear, socks and shoes

Just a note that please bring a lot of the above items since Indians do not wear them and one cannot find them anywhere

Most other items, other than cheese especially the Dutch ones, are available.

Do bring a 220V Bread making machine - dough should be available.

Cheers

Nattusbs

Haylo

There's a very informative bread making thread on here, which goes into available flour types.

No problem, people in India DO wear underwear!

If there is a particular style of bra you like, you might want to bring a few.

Plenty available of all styles, especially as you're in a big city.

NowInBangalore

Everything is available in India, it just takes some time to locate things. Gouda cheese imported from Holland is available in SPAR here, at double the price. Bring a wheel along, and by the time it finishes, you will probably locate a SPAR.
Re. clothing, bring along enough, so that gives you some time to find clothes shops you like - fitting wise, material wise, etc.
Bread - If you can locate a bakery, you will get good, preservative free wheat breads.
Toiletries - everything is available, just the shampoo bottles are really small.
Oh, I know ONE thing that is not available in India -
STROPWAFFLES!!

Indojingai

- Fietspad, bakfiets ...
- Rookworst
- Erwtensoep
- Uw zorg
- Vondelpark
- Zonnemelk
- Heineken Music Hall, Paradiso
- Grolsch flessen
- Dagelijkse kranten
- Haaring filet en ander gezondheid gerechten

__________________
I need your clothes, your boots and your motorcycle.

Nick-H

Errr... The language of this forum is...



Possibly, somewhere, but it doesn't help that some posh shop in Delhi imports it if one happens to be in Bangalore or Chennai!

Most things are available, yes, but not in the same variety of choices, and often one has to substitute. One ends up, usually, living happily with the substitute.

You'll never really know what you should have brought until you've lived here for a while. What I most regret having given away before coming was all the stuff from my garden shed; all the gardening and decorating tools. Why I didn't think about using them, when I knew there would be a house, one day, I cannot imagine!

Mosi

Isn't the fun part about living somewhere else that you try to manage with the things you can find there? Other than that, you can buy almost anything in Mumbai, you just have to spend some time locating it. Also there are some so-called hypermarkets which sell all the things you might want under one roof. Some things are a bit more pricy, other things are really cheap so it all balances out

Nattusbs

Nick

Since I did a Transfer of Residence and moved a whole container, I brought ALL of the garden tools I had from my house in Southern Calif, much to my wife's chagrin

Cheers

Nattusbs

Haylo

Often, yes it is fun, and I loved finding all the wonderful alternatives that are available, especially in fresh fruit and veg.

But sometimes... just sometimes, it's a bloody nuisance!

Elles Hooft

Thanks for all the info. I must say after spending almost 9 years in a place where fruit and most veggies used to be considered a luxury I am not very spoiled. I will be quite happy to have access to a great variety of fruits and veggies, I cannot wait. I do think I will leave the Vondelpark and Paradiso in Amsterdam so there is something to look forward whenever we visit

Nick-H

I did the same. Just thought it was a good idea to get rid of a lot of stuff before beginning Life Part II. It wasn't