We asked 50 people in the Remse community the same blunt question: what did you pack that you didn't need, and what did you desperately wish you'd brought? The answers were funnier, and more useful, than any generic packing list could be.
The regrets: what people over-packed
- "Six months of skincare." Almost every product you use is sold somewhere in your new city — often the exact same brand. Pack a two-week supply, not a warehouse.
- Formal wear "just in case." Unless you know you have a specific event, one outfit is enough. You can buy or rent for anything unexpected.
- Multiple adapters for the wrong country. Check your destination's plug type before you buy — universal adapters exist and cost less than three wrong ones.
- Books. Heavy, replaceable, and — sorry — usually unread in the chaos of month one. E-readers exist for a reason.
The gaps: what people wish they'd packed
- A weather-appropriate coat, even if it seems excessive. Multiple people underestimated how fast they'd need real winter gear, and paid a premium buying it locally in a panic.
- Physical copies of key documents. Not just digital scans — printed copies of your passport bio page, degree certificates, and vaccination records. Some offices still insist on paper.
- A small stash of home spices or snacks. Not for survival — for the 9pm homesick evening in week two. Almost everyone mentioned this.
- Comfortable "admin day" shoes. You will walk more than expected between the bank, the housing office, and the phone shop. Your going-out shoes are not it.
The universal advice: pack for week one, not year one
The single most repeated piece of advice was to stop trying to pack your whole future life. Pack enough to function comfortably for the first two weeks — clothes, essential documents, a few comfort items — and plan to buy the rest locally once you understand what you actually need in your new environment.
Book temporary housing and a local SIM through a verified agent before you fly. Landing with a plan for your first three nights takes enormous pressure off your packing list — you don't need to bring everything if you know where you're sleeping.
Every relocation story has at least one packing regret — that's just part of the process. But the pattern is clear: pack light, pack practical, and trust that your new city has a shop for almost everything you left behind.