We were recently married and are now moving to Spain for several years. As this will be our first apartment together...we're wondering what to bring?
We've budgeted for new furniture, dishes, etc. Assuming we're starting out with nothing, are there things that would be cheaper to buy in the US and pay for shipping to Spain? Or should we just plan on buying everything there?
Specifically, how do prices compare in electronics (TV, VCR, DVD), pots and pans, furniture, etc.
Thanks!
Posts: 2 | Location: oklahoma, US | Registered: 05 September 2003
No- buy what you need there- electronics aren't as expensive as they used to be- and you'll have to deal with different plugs and voltages- buy them there, you could even buy them from other people who are moving back home (wherever that may be) and don't want to ship everything back.
For your first apt. and for affordable furniture- IKEA is a hit (I've had very good experiences both in Spain and the US with them). Relax, you'll find everything you need there. Pack your clothes and your set!
Congratulations and Bienvenida!
Siguiendo mi propio Camino de Santiago
Posts: 387 | Location: Madrid | Registered: 19 October 2002
Barcelonabound, I agree with Espe, wait till you get here to buy what you need. Bring the bare essentials you will need for a day or two and then enjoy wonderful shopping sprees.
I moved here the day after my wedding. When people asked about wedding gifts for us, I simply said that I didn�t want big and bulky things that I would have to ship and that Spain is not a 3rd world country...I can get anything here that I can get in the States (except home made chocolate chip cookies!!). Our guests got the message and the envelopes given to us on our wedding day were well received. What I did ship over were nice big fluffy bath towels and blankets (shower gifts), and one third of my book collection. If you enjoy reading and aren�t up to par with the Spanish yet, be sure to bring plenty of books here in English.
Don�t bring electronics as most won�t be compatible. You can buy DVDs and other goods here at decent prices if you watch the sales. We just picked up two DVD players, brand new, for under 70� each. Maybe not a brand name, but certainly good enough for our needs.
If you already have laptops, bring them over as they are designed for travel and are more readily adaptable.
To compare prices, check out the websites of The Corte Ingl�s, Menaje del Hogar, and Media Markt. These are three major stores in the Madrid area that sell small electronics and things for the home. El Corte Ingl�s also has several locations in Barcelona and is Spain�s largest (and most expensive) department store. As Espe mentioned IKEA is also a sure bet.
However, because you are going to Barcelona, I would wait until you get there and check out other furniture stores. It is such an avant garde city and a lot of creative furniture designs are more readily available there.
"El Corte Ingl�s" is not always the most expensive place, although it is so usually. I would check prices before, because if you can rarely find something at "El Corte Ingl�s" as cheap as in another place, I would buy it there, because they always keep their slogan promise: �si no queda satisfecho, le devolvemos su dinero� (�if you do not get completely satisfied, we give you your money back�).
Posts: 399 | Location: Madrid | Registered: 05 July 2001
I second all said above re. electronics. The voltage is different and transformers can be such a pain...I lost a brand new printer using what I thought was the correct transformer.
Anyhoot...the things I either couldn't find there or...more accurately couldn't find at a decent price...are:
..Potato/Vegetable Peeler and Can Opener (I bought both in Good Grips brand and they are lifesavers.) ..A really good pepper mill. ..A great set of sheets. ..Various small kitchen items as I love to cook. ..Lots of shoes...I am a size 10, 40/41 in Spain and I always have trouble finding my size. I have been in the states two months and have already bought four pairs. Again you might find these items in Oco or El Corte Ingles, but they will be crazy expensive. Have fun shopping. Candela
Posts: 1013 | Location: MADRID! | Registered: 09 November 2002
I don�t know in America, but another thing which seems to be essential at least for U.K people and which is not easy to find here are kettles. Here we boil water either in the microwave or in a pan. I don�t think a kettle is an essential instrument for anyone, but I just warn you.
Cuiusvis hominis est errare, nullius nisi insipientis in errore perseverare
Laidback, oh yes a kettle is an absolute must! I remember years ago here, my parents where staying in an apartment, obviously no kettle. So I looked in the dictionary, and no word for kettle, so I went to reception and explained what I wanted. You got it... my parents were given another saucepan! Now we can buy them but they are very expensive.
Barcelona bound, I agree with Candela, and take a good look round your kitchen at all the silly things you take for granted. You are guaranteed not to be able to find them in Spain. For me as a Brit, it was OXO Cubes and Marmite!!!
________________________________________ Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional
I second (third?) what was said about kettles. Tea itself is also very expensive.
You can buy a glass microwave teapot "una tetera" for a few euros (you just boil the water in it then take out of oven and add tea). I find it tastes fine. It�s probably quite economic as you only heat one vessel, and you can add the tea at a higher water temperature as should be done.
You need to stir the water/shake the tetera around to make sure it�s evenly heated.
Also unaccountably expensive are stationery items like blank paper, pens and pencils; porridge oats; Spanish citrus fruit (!); apples. Stephen
Posts: 319 | Location: Ferrol (Coruña) and Ambridge (Borsetshire) | Registered: 08 March 2003
- rent or buy a cell phone from me for your stay in spain, more info at 
- already have a cell phone, get a spanish SIM card for it at 
(Yes!!! I know ALL the meanings of the word 
).
