Things to pack while moving to the United States – detailed list
When you are preparing for long-term international travel, especially with a child, it becomes much more difficult to pack for any type of trip. You are going to begin packing now that you have begun making plans to visit the USA for an extended period of time and your USA VISAs have been stamped. You must be wondering what you should bring from India to the USA and what you shouldn’t because it would be available there. Making certain decisions can be challenging, especially if it’s your first time taking a long-term family vacation. I realise that you’ll be concerned about the airline’s baggage regulations and wondering if there will be enough. You must be calculating how many kilogrammes of each item you should bring, and vice versa.
1. Pressure Cooker, Dosa Pan, & Cooking Pan
Everyone agrees that this should be done first and foremost, yet they are bulky and take up room. I strongly advise you to start by comparing pricing on Amazon. Carry it from home if the rates are too disparate and you have the room, otherwise, purchase it after you arrive in the USA solely. I brought a tiny cooker, which was very helpful in the early going.
2. Chakla (Rolling Board)
These can be readily adjusted in the bag, so you can take them anywhere. Major US grocery shops like Giant, Wegmans, and Costco have tortillas and Indian naans if you’re a student and don’t want to prepare your own chapatis. Rotis and naan made in the Indian style that is frozen are also readily available in Indian markets.
3. Tava & Chimta for Chapatis
You won’t find Tava and little Chimta to prepare Chapatis elsewhere in other Indian stores. It is preferable to import them from India, particularly if you intend to make your own chapatis.
4. Spices Box & Indian Spices
We were unable to get a suitable Indian-style spice box with larger containers to store spices for longer here. So as to manage and conserve room in luggage, I advise bringing it from India itself and packing little items in its containers.
5. Cutlery & other utensils
The majority of other cutlery, including spoons, forks, knives, and other utensils, is readily available and more reasonably priced at various places around the USA. To get started, you should bring some silverware, but not too much.
6. Kadai, Pots, and Pans
If you enjoy preparing Indian food, you are welcome to bring a Kadai, preferably a little one. For those in the know, Kadai cannot be replaced. The many types of pots and pans are simple to purchase at comparable rates in retailers like Walmart, Ikea or online at Amazon. To conserve weight and room for other essential items, avoid bringing them.
7. Other Miscellaneous
Although these will be accessible in Indian stores as well, I will advise you to carry the following items from India as well.
- The knives in this set, Kitchen Knife & Peeler, are a little large. Take a few with you each.
- If you drink tea, a little drainer is a necessity for you. Take a few with you each.
- Wooden Hand Blender (Mathani), useful for creating raita, lassi, and other dishes.
8. Home & Living
The majority of items needed for a home and daily life are readily available in retailers like Walmart, Ikea, Costco, Home Depot, etc. There is really not much to pack; perhaps a few cotton bedsheets and pillowcases to get things going.
If you have the room, bring in some antiques or decorative items from the past to use as gifts or for home decorating. Once more, just as labour is expensive, so are similar items in the USA.
Religiously committed individuals are required to bring pooja supplies and pooja literature as well. These items are sold in Indian stores, however, nothing compares to bringing them from India.
9. Food Items
The majority of food goods, like Maggie, rice, lentils, flour, beans, etc., are readily available in all Indian supermarkets here in the USA, therefore I won’t advise carrying anything from India other than spices. On similar days, I also see a lot of these things at grocery stores like Giant and Wegmans.
10. Passport Photos
Here in the USA, getting passport photographs is rather expensive. Therefore, the best option is to purchase 50 to 60 passport-sized images directly from India to save some money for yourself.
11. Health Care, Medicines & Well Being
Eye Glasses, Lenses, and Eye Frames
If you don’t have a very good vision insurance plan with you, eyeglasses, lenses, and eye frames are among the most expensive medical and dental expenses in the USA. It is advisable to order extra pairs of prescription sunglasses and eyeglasses from India. Not only are they expensive, but if you don’t have a spare pair with you, you could be without glasses for a week. Therefore, remember to bring along a spare pair or two of glasses.
12. Over-the-counter medicines
After speaking with your doctor and receiving a valid prescription, you should always have a supply of basic medications with you. Here in the USA, it will take some time to figure out which over-the-counter medications are best for you, and they are typically rather pricey when compared to pricing in India. Take painkillers, ointments, nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, fever reducers, and other medications with you.
13. Prescription Medicines (ongoing)
Any continuous prescription medications must be kept on hand for a minimum of two months. Getting set up as a new patient with a family doctor and beginning to schedule appointments may take some time. One of the most annoying aspects of living in the USA is the medical system. It is preferable if you continue taking your prescription medications for at least two months.
14. Electronics
The voltage and power outlets vary between India and the USA (110v) (220v). You cannot use the majority of electrical devices in this situation. Therefore, there is no point in bringing any electrical devices unless they can run on both 110v and 220v and are powered by power adapters. You are welcome to bring your smartphones (assuming they support bands, which is what the majority of modern smartphones do), iPads, laptops, MacBooks, etc.
As the plug designs are different and none of your power outlets will function here, you will need to purchase a travel adaptor. You should buy a multi-socket universal power strip that can accommodate both US and Indian-style power outlets, in my opinion. Compared to any travel adapter, it is more durable and suitable for both types of sockets.
For your laptops, MacBooks, or iPads, don’t buy any power adapters or full charges. To convert the sockets on your MacBooks and iPads, simply buy a power chord for your computers and the Duckhead power plugs. You can replace these with your original ones to support Indian-style power sockets if you fly back to India and save a lot of money.
16. Clothing
Most apparel goods may be found in the USA for substantially less money. So, carry only what you need and avoid buying any clothes; instead, buy everything here, even shoes.
- Winter Jackets and Heavy Woollens
- Regular Clothing
- Ethnic Indian Wear
17. Documents
When travelling to the USA, you must bring all original copies of your official identification documents, transcripts, and educational records. Don’t forget to have your spouse’s necessary documentation with you as well.
You should keep your debit and credit cards in separate purses or wallets so that in the event of the unavoidable loss of one, you still have access to the other. Never check-in luggage with crucial documents; always check in hand or carry-on luggage instead.
