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@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.

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.

For a good affordable option, I like these: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008LR9R3K/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1409870195&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40

If you can afford to spend more, there are some other brands that are higher quality. Check out eBags.com

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.

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.

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.

Feel free to wall me of you have any specific questions.

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.

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.

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.

@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.

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?

@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!