Ha ha the storage unit! 10 x 5 I wish. We sold our house and left in November for what was going to be one year in Spain and now we have decided to stay. We return to Chicago in August for a visit and the storage unit looms large!! We have had one off and on since downsizing in 2023. Ours is 20 x 10! I would like to ship a few pieces of furniture and some boxes that contain my pottery collection and my son’s mementos. I haven’t started the research on it but know that it would not be a practical decision but an emotional one. I cannot fathom getting rid of absolutely everything but know that we could stand to get rid of a lot! When I asked AI the costs to ship a studio or one bedroom worth of boxes and furniture I’m not sure I believed the price as it seemed too low. If you have any tips for how to find a reputable company let me know. There aren’t many Americans in Mallorca so most people I know haven’t shipped anything that far.
I haven’t fallen too far down the rabbit hole of shipping, but I’ve heard a lot of people mention UPakWeShip as a good option. In general, I think the best deals will be with companies where you’re packing it all up and maybe getting it to a particular location.
I kept the things that were most important to us: kids’ childhood things, meaningful Christmas decor, pieces from my mom’s house. I wish I could’ve kept a few more items, but unless we shipped, which we’d already decided against, it just wasn’t possible. And we really didn’t have enough to justify even a partial shipping container.
Looking back, it was hard, but there isn’t much I miss. Will would say the same. But everyone is different, and I will say that the few things I did bring back on our last trip made me happy when I opened up our bags.
Jen, this is so funny cuz you are the 2nd neighbour to write about their mom being a hoarder! (I'm actually envious -- my mom kept very little and I wish I had more mementos). Seems you and Michelle Lester have that in common.
And yes it's so true -- you can sell the houseplants, the Pyrex, the books, the whole life, and still find the restlessness waiting for you on the other side. That feels so true to life abroad. Thank you for bringing this to the Home Abroad housewarming — it's just the kind of conversation I hoped would spill out into the neighbourhood.
I think there’s a happy medium, and my mom went a little overboard. A true child of parents who weathered the Great Depression. I hear you. It was nice to have some things to keep, but a lot of it could’ve just … gone.
Ha ha the storage unit! 10 x 5 I wish. We sold our house and left in November for what was going to be one year in Spain and now we have decided to stay. We return to Chicago in August for a visit and the storage unit looms large!! We have had one off and on since downsizing in 2023. Ours is 20 x 10! I would like to ship a few pieces of furniture and some boxes that contain my pottery collection and my son’s mementos. I haven’t started the research on it but know that it would not be a practical decision but an emotional one. I cannot fathom getting rid of absolutely everything but know that we could stand to get rid of a lot! When I asked AI the costs to ship a studio or one bedroom worth of boxes and furniture I’m not sure I believed the price as it seemed too low. If you have any tips for how to find a reputable company let me know. There aren’t many Americans in Mallorca so most people I know haven’t shipped anything that far.
I haven’t fallen too far down the rabbit hole of shipping, but I’ve heard a lot of people mention UPakWeShip as a good option. In general, I think the best deals will be with companies where you’re packing it all up and maybe getting it to a particular location.
I kept the things that were most important to us: kids’ childhood things, meaningful Christmas decor, pieces from my mom’s house. I wish I could’ve kept a few more items, but unless we shipped, which we’d already decided against, it just wasn’t possible. And we really didn’t have enough to justify even a partial shipping container.
Looking back, it was hard, but there isn’t much I miss. Will would say the same. But everyone is different, and I will say that the few things I did bring back on our last trip made me happy when I opened up our bags.
Jen, this is so funny cuz you are the 2nd neighbour to write about their mom being a hoarder! (I'm actually envious -- my mom kept very little and I wish I had more mementos). Seems you and Michelle Lester have that in common.
And yes it's so true -- you can sell the houseplants, the Pyrex, the books, the whole life, and still find the restlessness waiting for you on the other side. That feels so true to life abroad. Thank you for bringing this to the Home Abroad housewarming — it's just the kind of conversation I hoped would spill out into the neighbourhood.
I think there’s a happy medium, and my mom went a little overboard. A true child of parents who weathered the Great Depression. I hear you. It was nice to have some things to keep, but a lot of it could’ve just … gone.
I loved participating! Thanks for inviting me. 🫶🏻
You're so welcome, Jen!