https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 29 May 2026 23:39:57 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travelingliving-abroad-with-lo#post-1850343 Fri, 05 Sep 2014 08:54:03 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 1850343@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have both lived abroad and traveled a lot and I guess the question is what you're going to be doing more of. Honestly for moving style I have had great luck with buying huge hockey duffle bags ( the biggest ones that aren't oversize). They are like 15 bucks. I love our good luggage, but the more sturdy suitcases are also heavier so unless you are moving around a lot then it's not necessary. Also, you might want to look into what you would bring with you vs buy there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travelingliving-abroad-with-lo#post-1850261 Fri, 05 Sep 2014 08:05:17 +0000 lamariniere 1850261@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LovelyPlum: in that case it's probably more of a question of season-appropriate clothing and shoes and whatever personal items you need. You won't have any problems finding toiletries, so I would take just enough to get by while you settle in, unless there is a very specific product you like. Also, I would consider bringing some baby meds like Tylenol, just so you have it in the beginning in case of emergency. How old will your LO be when you go? I assume you will have at least a partially furnished place with things like dishes? I know a few people who have come here for just a year, and it seems like when they leave they always have much more stuff than when they arrived! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travelingliving-abroad-with-lo#post-1850243 Fri, 05 Sep 2014 07:53:50 +0000 travelgirl1 1850243@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LovelyPlum: I will come back when I have more time, but my husband and I moved abroad (we're still here five years later and LO was born here) with just two suitcases each. I'll write more at nap time. I totally agree with @Looch: that you don't need household items. Especially places like Britain, where many rentals are fully furnished anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travelingliving-abroad-with-lo#post-1850192 Fri, 05 Sep 2014 07:04:26 +0000 looch 1850192@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LovelyPlum: So, you'd have to pack suitcases then? What you can bring is going to depend on the customs rules in the country you're going to, so be careful of the value of new goods you bring.</p> <p>If I had to pack a suitcase per family member, for a year, I like to think I would be up to the challenge! You don't need household goods, then, just personal items, like clothing? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travelingliving-abroad-with-lo#post-1850188 Fri, 05 Sep 2014 07:01:09 +0000 LovelyPlum 1850188@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: @lamariniere: unfortunately, no. I'm a graduate student and will be on my research year. I'll have fellowships, but nothing like a relocation package. So the goal is to be as efficient as possible! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travelingliving-abroad-with-lo#post-1850183 Fri, 05 Sep 2014 06:54:55 +0000 mynoahbear 1850183@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We currently live abroad and have been for the past eight years. My LO's were all born abroad. We've lived in four different countries. Each move was because DH was transferred by his company. All of our moving expenses have been paid for by his employer, including full shipping container, as well as excess luggage fees. They also put us up in a hotel until we found housing and our shipment arrived. Housing allowance is also included. </p> <p>In your situation, if it is only going to be 3 months to a year, I might consider looking for a furnished apartment or housing rather than ship all of our things, and just move with suitcases. </p> <p>We have hard suitcases that roll on four wheels. We went with Rimowa brand, although they're a bit pricey, they last a long time and have a great warranty. It's just easier to handle and the hard cases seem more durable. Our 2.5 year old loves helping by pushing a suitcase. I always try to pack as light as possible but with a toddler and a baby, it's hard. Especially since I don't always know what brands are available where we are moving to plus, the shipment usually takes a month or longer to arrive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travelingliving-abroad-with-lo#post-1850168 Fri, 05 Sep 2014 06:41:35 +0000 regberadaisy 1850168@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LovelyPlum: I don't have experience but TJ Maxx always has a huge luggage selection. And also there are quite a few hb regulars in GB. They could be a great source of information as to what to pack depending on your season. </p> <p>Another idea if no moving costs will be provided is to bring what you need immediately then ask family when they come visit to bring other items like clothing not needed immediately. You know siblings will take advantage of you being overseas and come visit! ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travelingliving-abroad-with-lo#post-1850161 Fri, 05 Sep 2014 06:32:19 +0000 lamariniere 1850161@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes and yes. We've been living abroad for 2.5 years with our LOs and have traveled abroad many times. Honestly, we use cheap suitcases. They get the job done. Ours are a total mishmash and we've never had any issues with them being damaged. We even bought cheapie $20 huge rolling duffles before the transatlantic move and they were fine. </p> <p>If you are going abroad for work, is work paying your relocation costs? Our experience seems to be similar to @looch: 's. We were relocated by my husband's employer and had a container shipped by boat plus 3 suitcases each on the plane. When we were relocated a second time, everything was trucked to the new location (within Europe) and we got one square meter of air freight in addition to 3 bags each on the plane. </p> <p>If you are going for less than a year, I would take some essentials, especially things like winter coats/shoes, keeping in mind that consumer goods in Europe are often much more expensive than in the US. </p> <p>Feel free to wall me of you have any specific questions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travelingliving-abroad-with-lo#post-1850146 Fri, 05 Sep 2014 06:18:14 +0000 looch 1850146@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am not sure how to answer your question, I have lived abroad with my son, he was born abroad actually.</p> <p>I was relocated by my employer, it entailed a half container as well as 500 pounds of air freight (as the container deliver can take anywhere from 4-12 weeks to arrive and clear customs). So all our stuff was in those vac bags inside boxes. </p> <p>As for suitcases, the last time we relocated, we had seats in business, so we had 9 suitcases for the three of us. We used a mishmash of cases, because there was no way I was passing up an opportunity to bring stuff that didn't make it into our container this time around.</p> <p>The one thing I can't live without though, is a luggage scale. When you're shopping for luggage, bring it with you, to see how much the bag weighs while empty, you'd be surprised! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travelingliving-abroad-with-lo#post-1849527 Thu, 04 Sep 2014 17:35:08 +0000 Arden 1849527@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LovelyPlum: Usually the recommendation is to pack light to save on excess baggage fees and not have to haul stuff around from place to place.</p> <p>I've moved internationally more than ten times, and my recommendation is hardside luggage. It holds up. Duffel bags have gotten literally ripped open on my international flights before. Hardside case survive longer.</p> <p>For a good affordable option, I like these: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008LR9R3K/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1409870195&#038;sr=8-1&#038;pi=SY200_QL40" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008LR9R3K/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1409870195&#038;sr=8-1&#038;pi=SY200_QL40</a></p> <p>If you can afford to spend more, there are some other brands that are higher quality. Check out eBags.com </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travelingliving-abroad-with-lo#post-1849521 Thu, 04 Sep 2014 17:28:38 +0000 LovelyPlum 1849521@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you ever traveled/lived abroad with your LO for an extended period? We're looking at being abroad next year for my work for somewhere between 3 months to a year, and I would love to hear your experiences.</p> <p>Specifically, what did you do about luggage? I ask because we need new luggage to travel this year for the holidays, and I want it to be useful for next year, too. I assumed we would be bringing rolling suitcases, but everywhere I read online says to pack light, like in a large duffel. Is this even possible when you're going to be gone for so long? Any brands you'd recommend? If it matters, we'll be in Western Europe, mostly Britain and maybe Germany as well.</p> <p>Thanks! </p>