What would you bring?

I would have brought Jack Link's brand beef jerky! Haha! And some Krispy Kreme doughnuts, Taco Bell, Burger King and a big bag of Arby's! Haha! Other than that, we have everything else here that you will need. Pack one bag with clothes (not nearly as many long pants as you think you will need) and personal items and you're ready to go! (well, money doesn't hburt! Haha!) You'll be surprised to find out what you really don't 'need' to live a happy life.

Hello,

I love this question! I brought a lot of stuff and wished I hadn't. I think that you want to leave behind a lot of things that go on the walls. We have been able to hang a few decorative things, but for the most part, you can't hang pictures, mirrors, sconces, etc. on cement walls unless they are permanent.

I brought way too many sweatshirts, pants, long sleeve clothing, etc. You need to bring a few, but not many. It can get chilly at night in December or January, but not so chilly that you have to wear layers. Just chilly enough that I could pull a blanket up over me at night - with the windows still open of course.

Most places have tile floors, so carpet pieces are good to bring. I wish I had brought more bookshelves, but I have found some reasonably priced at Home Depot. I brought way too many blankets.

What I really wish I knew before moving here is that insects are a problem. From termites, mosquitos, ants, spiders, etc. Anyway, everything you have in your home needs to be inspected, cleaned, or used at least once a month in my opinion. That might help narrow down what you really need to live with.

I also brought too many dishes. I don't even use a quarter of them. You eat out more here, and I don't usually feel like heating up the place by cooking. Grilling is easier and microwave works well, so not much use for all my cooking supplies and dishes.

Does that give you an idea? Were you only asking about clothing and I overwhelmed you with everything else? 🙂 Good luck with your move.

Teresa

I am surprised you say you eat out more. I thought eating out was expensive. I was considering building an outside kitchen in addition to my inside one. You see them in the fancy magazines and always wonder who does this lol. But it seems to make sence when you live in a warm place. I have to do some more ressearch and make a mental note on that. So would you say you never used a lite dawn comforter?

My one big question; can you get maple syrup and how expensive is it? How you deal with books and papers? I can't imagine sorting though my books every month. I would hate to leave them back. I use many of them a lot and some only around holidays.

Iris

as far as the cement walls, some of our college apartments have those right now...have you had any luck with the 3M picture hangers, or does the humidity make them plop right off? We have acutally hung some heavy pictures with them. i tend to really love decorating, so i cant imagine hanging stuff on the walls, as trivial as it may seem!

Thanks for the response Teresa, it is EXACTLY the kind of thing I want to know. 🙂 I am in the process of packing up my house and trying to figure out what I really need to move to my new one and what I really need to ditch. So far, the hardest stuff to get rid of is anything that belongs to the kids - they just can't let go of anything!

Iris - I am from NH so I checked about maple syrup too! I found it at Plaza Extra on STX when I was there in Feb. It was almost $11 for a quart... It is a little less expensive here, but not much. My Dad says it costs more than that in TX! 🙂

Susan

Meg,

One of the things my hubby will be producing when we move to STX is picture rails... it is a molded rail system to hang pictures, mirrors, etc. It works well and we hope it will take off on-island 🙂

Susan

At least they have maple syrup. I have seen those picture rails in old homes. I see them coming back in style. Some magazines have featured them. I was considering them here because I have old walls which can't handle new holes anymore.
Iris

I wish I had brought a couple extra sets of brake pads!!! The replacements I have bought at Western Auto have been sub standard so I have ordered my next set from my dealership back home.
I also brought a lot of pictures and paintings but had no problem hanging them using those three prong hooks from Home Depot. When we go home my wife stocks up on make up and I usually pick up a couple pair of running shoes and work out gear that I cant find here.

my mom just actually did a nice wall display with those picture rails and some artwork i picked up in haiti...if you start selling them down there, I will be a good customer, I think they look awesome...

Susan,

I am wanting to be a customer too! I would love to be able to hang pictures, etc. Pottery Barn catalog had a metal picture hanger type thing. I don't really understand how it balances, but bare walls are boring.

Eric,

What is a three prong hook and how does it work?

Iris,

I guess I should be more specific. We eat out about four or five times a week for evening meals and I eat out for lunch maybe four times a week. Back in Missouri we never ate out. I am just not a cook at all. There are some local places that you can eat dinner from $5 to $10 per person. I find that competitive pricing with grocery shopping and cooking at home. However, my husband just bought a grill and I imagine we will be using it almost every night. So cooking outdoors is the best way! 🙂

Teresa

Meg and Teresa,

Ralph and I will be moving to STX at the end of June. I can see if he has any samples I can mail to you in the meantime...

Once we are permanently on-island, I'll keep in touch and let you know when we are ready to start producing picture rails.

Susan

it really isn't a problem hanging things on cement walls. as mentioined, you use the 3-prong hooks. they are plastic hooks, usually in a big or small size that have 3 metal prongs. you hammer the 3 prongs into the wall & the hook is then there for hanging things.

You can buy an electric hammer drill for less than $50. They are designed for drilling in masonary walls. With a sharp masonary bit it isn't any harder or slower than drilling in wood.

Then either use a plastic insert in the hole or a Tapcon screw. I use my drill to hang all the things in my home.

Never had much luck with the three pin hangers on concrete.

Jim

Any idea how you patch those holes when you leave? We are renting and I am not sure how the owner would feel about us putting holes in the walls. I would rather have something less intrusive, but thanks for the info. Good to have some more options. 🙂

Teresa

Remove the screw, pull out the plastic anchor if you used one, then spackle the hole. If necessary, hide the repair with some touch up paint.

Same proces as if it were drywall.

Jim