1. Shipped items from Southern CA to Cork. 2. My items were packed mostly in Boxes, and packaged on to 3 pallets (approx 7 feet tall). 3. The items were picked up in CA on May 29, and I received them on August 7th. That's 70 days. The estimate I WAs originally given WAs 8-12 weeks, which turned out to be pretty accurate. 4. Most things were in tact. There WAs some minor damage e.g. bed Frame damage, broken radio. Thankfully nothing WAs missing. I think this information is important to share, because it may help people plan what to bring, and what to re-buy. ...

... only had one child and she WAs aged 2), and we've found the first 4-6 months are the most brutal. We expected meltdowns and sensitivities during this time Frame and we are finding the eldest (the only one who is struggling - my children are 11, 8, and 3) is nearing the tail end of the move-related complaints. She's found other expats to relate to at school (landing in a German school WAs a nightmare initially, due to the circumstances surrounding it, but now I consider it a blessing in disguise). None of my children are whining or crying for American foo ...

hi my name is Ronan originally from Ireland and living in Vancouver working as a mechanic, thinking of moving home but WAnted to bring my tools and tool Box, some of my furniture and possibly a car if it WAsn't to much hassle, it would be a track car so not one for driving on the road, WAs thinking of arranging a 20 ft container but hard to choose a company that you can trust, any company names ? does anybody know if I have to pay custom fees entering Ireland?the fact they are my own personal tools and not for resale, and my car won't be driven on the road ...

Hi Ashley - great question! I have moved Boxes to and from the US via regular mail. It WAsn't a hassle free experience, but mainly due to the number of Boxes I sent (~30). You'll have a very restrictive Box dimension criteria to work with, and the weight is also a big consideration too. One of other forum members here WAs gracious enough to post about this a while back. I'd suggest reading what she had to say:

And I second minimalist living! We learned in those five months we really didn't NEED most of what we'd shipped! And by the time the Box arrived we didn't even remember all of what we'd packed (thank goodness for our personal inventory - I recommend keeping a very detailed and organized inventory). Most of what I shipped WAs for the children. I WAsn't willing to have them part with much because I already felt extremely guilty for uprooting them.

... mementos, and papers from my research career at the Georgia Institute of Technology. I thought I might explain the process for others who are shipping belongings from the US to Ireland. We booked a 20' FCL (full container load) that WAs actually only about half full, with UpakWeShip. This WAs about half the price quoted by Careline. We hired movers on each end to load the container and to unload it, to save our backs. It is especially difficult to get things in and out of shipping containers because there is no ramp or lift gate on their tractor-trailers. T ...

Making the move next June. The plan WAs to move later this year, but we WAnt to travel Australia and New Zealand for 3 months early next year, so we postpone Ireland till June next year. Also, if would be nice to settle in during the summer months. Born and raise in Ca and Mexican food is on the top of the list. Tomatillo for salsa verde and cilantro are on my list to plant. Also, to make friends with a butcher that can cut tri tip. WAlked into a butcher and he had no clue what a tri tip cut WAs. I guess it's a west coast thing. Thing I will try and fit ...

Kate - thanks! I think this is so important to know for people moving to Ireland. The Catholic WAy of life that WAs so deeply ingrained in Irish culture for so long still has a hold over the school system. Like it or not, it's a reality, and good to know in advance. It's probably also good to know that you can't just check the 'Catholic' Box to pass through. On the application forms I've seen they require proof in the form of a baptismal cert, which if you do have, you should have ready to show.

The most frustrating thing we have found with our shipping experience is that the shippers did not label our items very well or not at all. So when it all arrived it WAs a hodge podge of Boxes, some marked most not. We also couldn't match the Boxes against our manifesto, so if something WAs missing we wouldn't know until all the Boxes were opened. My word of advice is to make sure they not only number the Boxes but if you can get in there with a black magic marker and write the room and the general items in the Box you'll know exactly where everything belong ...

I would be interested in this as well. We plan on bringing 2 dogs, a terrier & a lab. I typically look on daft.ie, and you can go to "Advanced Search" and select "Allows Pets" under the "Facilities" drop down Box. I think my plan WAs to contact a local realtor or management company in the area we wish to move and see what they have or can locate for us. Probably a terrible plan, but seeing how we would be trying to secure a place while still in the US I figure I could maybe get pictures beyond what the listing shows.