[EngiNurse]

Hey all,

So it looks like we're gonna be heading to Christchurch in November. In theory we'll be there until May of 09. We're starting to wonder how much stuff to bring.

Jamie wants to bring our bikes, but I think we should buy used bikes there. How about pots, pans, plates, and such? We're not going to bring furniture, and I thinks we're gonna have to leave our books/CDs/DVDs at home. We're definitely bringing hiking/camping gear, as well as a lot of clothes

What other things do you guys suggest we bring, given that we won't be there that long?

Thanks,
Grant

[Oregonkiwi]

You can get pots, pans, plates etc cheaply at a thrift store; I'd say they're not worth bringing for a finite stay. I would bring some favorite CDs/DVDs as they're expensive here and don't take up much room in your luggage.

If you ever use Advil etc, I'd bring a couple of those big drug-store bottles of generic ibuprofen or such, I still can't get over how much it costs here, and in such teeny tiny little packets!

[MB]

Hello! I think I might be on the same wavelength as Oregonkiwi re. this one. Good advice about the pain killers, which I reckon extends to things like A-Z multivitamins.

When we came over with permanent residence visas, we decided to sell/give away everything in the US except what we could bring on the 'plane. Because, as I understand things, even a fairly small amount of freight can get quite costly, you might consider doing what we did... maybe supplemented with a box or two of slow-rate mailed stuff. (However, be clear on your exact air baggage limits first: we got a generous Air New Zealand migrant allowance).

The Warehouse and thrift stores are good sources for cheap basics. The Warehouse is pretty similar to K-Mart in the US. e.g., you can get cheap electric water jugs for about NZ$12, cutlery sets for NZ$5-10, thin cotton bed sheets for $5-10 each, etc. Stores such as Farmer's and Arbcukle's are also good. For Radio-Shack-style electronics there is, e.g., Dick Smith.

On the whole, it is fair to say that the range of goods available is noticeably more limited than that in the US, and, if you stray beyond 'basics' ranges, things can get a bit more expensive than US prices, too.

We have been here 2+ years and love NZ. But we are heading back to the US soon, so by all means post here or PM us with any questions about what to bring/buy from the US.:nice1

[EngiNurse]

Thanks guys!

So a minimum of household goods, but load up on the OTC drugs. We'll probably pick up a cheap laptop for internet and 500GB external hard-drive for music/photo storage. We'll also probably buy a couple of unlocked GSM phones.

Anything else?