Hi ILites, I'm planning to go for good to India next year and would like to know what things, if any, can be bought from USA and used once i settle down. I'm going on vacation this summer , so, i can buy and stock them up for next yr. I know these days we pretty much get everything in India itself... but quality might differ and certain things could be cheaper in US with the sale price. For starters, I have below list 1- Spice rack (better quality and price) 2- memory foam kitchen mats 3- Jeans (i like Jeans fitting in US) 4- pepper mill (quality) plz suggest what else...
Cosmetics , body wash , perfumes ,iPhones , iPads , leather jackets, winter wear , boots ,purses , watches etc
Skin care, cosmetics, nail polish remover (especially non-toxic brands), bed sheets and comforters, cleaners (personal quirk, but I prefer scrubbing bubbles to clean personal space), wet wipes (if you have a child that needs them. actually, all baby supplies, if you have the need), quality water bottles (the brand name kind like camelback, etc.), brand name clothing and shoes (like levi's and crocs shoes), luggage (light-weight and quality)
Please also keep in mind that some things that you use in the US may just not be useful for how you live in India or may just not work for the environment in India, depending on where you plan to be! So stock up carefully and cleverly. If you are in doubt about whether you need something or now, I'd rather not buy it than be stuck with something I can't use. I think this is a good rule to follow on anything you might want to stock up because the price is cheaper.
Multivitamin tablets Modern dresses Foil papers Bounty tissue Bed spread n pillow case Italian seasoning (comes 2/3yrs) Chilli flakes Pepper powder Puzzles for kids Shoes for kids Winter jackets for kids Muffin trays Electric beater banana holder Clothes hanger https://www.walmart.com/ip/InstaHAN...75035&wl11=online&wl12=51554786&wl13=&veh=sem I just got $50 Coupons! (Link for clothes hanger) PS: Most of things were taken by friends on india vacations as gift.
The one thing I wouldn’t want to miss are the nice US bras that don’t dig into your ribs! At least my experience back home wasn’t good. As for the rest, you get almost everything back home.. fitted sheets as suggested above may be good, if you know your mattress size. Handbags, sun glasses, t-shirts, jeans, cardigans and formal pants (if you need them for work). Sneakers if you use them. Kids toys- I found less variety back home in my small town. Things may be different in a bigger city.
I made the move a few years ago. I too bought a lot of things and paid for shipping by container. I covered most of whatever you have listed and more. Mostly unperishables including kitchen storage, electronics, clothes, body and hair care, health aids etc. It was all a big waste. I took me far too long to use some of them and they were of no use. Eg multivitamins & certain skin and hair products. Western clothes looked terribly out of place in Indian environment and weather. They are still neatly stacked in my closet and infact dont fit too well over the years. Not to mention they look dated after a while. The most important thing i learnt was that every single item i wanted is available in india. Including clothes from GAP / other name brand stores. Perfumes etc are available in lifestyle stores exactly as they are in Macys. Thigh high or regular fancy boots are useless and out of place here. Fancy designer purses also available here. Kitchen utilities are cheaper in india. Electronics are better bought here cos u.s warranty sometimes does not cover other countries. Not to mention 120/220 voltage issues So my advice is this - just come as you are. You will be able to get everything and more in india. What you needed there you may not need here and even if you do it can be procured easily on amazon.in or at stores in the mall.
Bhumi everything you pointed out I see listed online or readily available at stores in India. Including crocs, wet wipes & luggage. I am puzzled why you would purchase these and lug them to India.
Each person has their own price point. Certain things are cheaper in the US. Crocs are available, but cost more. Luggage, also available online, but cost more. Wet wipes actually really suck in India- I have not found anything comparable to huggies. I'm sure nail polish remover should be available online, but in store- none of it works well. All my cousins appreciate me bringing some over. Bedding is probably the worst offender - I have been to brand name stores and still struggle to find quality bedding with fitted sheets. Thread count is very low, and sheets from the US last much longer. Everything is available in India- but OP asked for specific items that are better quality and price, to stock up on. I only answered from my observations. I'm sure things could have changed since last year. If you had the money, you could live a better live in India than in the US.
