In 2021, my husband and I made the big move to the Netherlands. Fast-forward three years later, and I still find myself reflecting on the fact that we packed our entire lives into six suitcases. Besides your clothes and personal items such as jewellery, toothbrushes, and hairdryers, you might be wondering what else is necessary to pack. This is a question that many expats find themselves discussing repeatedly. After careful consideration, research and discussions with other expats, here’s what you should really consider when making the move:
Pillows & Bedding:
Ask any South African expat living in the Netherlands: Dutch pillows will rob you of a good night’s sleep. They’re very square, which I personally dislike. They’re much bigger and resemble something used for decorating purposes in SA. While you can apparently get standard South African pillow sizes on Amazon here, I would recommend bringing your own pillow. We even brought our duvet from South Africa, which I find is slightly bigger than the ones you find here. Of course, now we have to buy new duvet covers in South Africa and ship them over, as the sizes are different from the ones found in most stores here.
Medication:
Trust me, you will not find over-the-counter medicine as good as Corenza C, Allergex, Linctagon, Med Lemon, ACC, Citrus Soda or Mybulin. My friends and I literally stuff our shoes full of these medications when we visit South Africa and return to the Netherlands.
Your Braaibak, Potjie & Braai Accessories:
We’re so spoiled in South Africa when it comes to the sun (firstly), proper meat, and braai accessories, especially a traditional braai bak. You won’t find something equivalent to that in the Netherlands unless you buy it from a South African shop. It’s better to just chuck it into your bag when you come over.
Sentimental Stuff:
If you’re like me, your fridge has always been a dream board with cute magnets and photos of your nearest and dearest. That’s why I packed my fridge magnets and photos that I’ve accumulated over the years and brought them to the Netherlands. My husband and I also love a game night with friends, so we packed some board games as well. Sentimental stuff like this was a no-brainer for me to bring along.
Shipping Your Own Stuff:
This one is a bit controversial. Apart from the financial factor, many people believe that their stuff in South Africa can easily be replaced. Washing machines, dishwashers, and all of that are easily replaceable here and definitely won’t break the bank, but I wish that we did not get rid of everything. Before we moved, we sold everything; from our wedding presents (the cutest towel rack comes to mind!) and the most amazing Masterchef pots and pans, to name just a few. I still regret it to this day. If I got a do-over, I would ship some of my stuff. Having at least some of my own stuff would have made the move a little bit easier, in my opinion. Plus, replacing everything, does add up in Euros.
Important Note:
If you’ve never been to the Netherlands before, it’s crucial to understand that apartments, houses, and staircases tend to be very small and narrow. If you opt to ship over a few belongings, consider this factor carefully. Staircases pose the most significant challenge, in my opinion. While larger items on the ground floor are generally manageable, anything requiring transport upstairs is better purchased here in flat-packed form, as it can be easily disassembled.
The South African Expat 