Expat Life - Electrical appliances
The power supply in the US is 110-120v @60hz.
That voltage is half that of the UK so if you are moving to USA from UK your appliances may not work as efficiently as you want them to, if at all.
So when you hairdryer is taking an hour to dry your locks and when your stereo is playing the CD at half speed you may wish that you had ditched those machines at home and just invested in some new ones here! My sister still insists on bringing her hair dryer and complains every time that it is so slow! I have a spare one here for her, but I guess old habits die hard and she packs her own every time! What a waste of space that should have been filled with Cadburys chocolate, I feel!!
While we are on the subject of hair I feel I should tell you about 'Having a Blow Out'. This is a major thing here and Blow Bars are popping up all over NYC and even in my commuter village! They wash and blow dry your hair so you feel absolutely fabulous as you step out on the town at night! We also have three nail salons in town. Fabulous indeed! Thankfully it costs half of what it does in the UK so when I feel like a treat I can splurge with less guilt!
Most small appliances are relatively inexpensive and easy to get in the USA - hairdryers, toasters, irons. Target is a huge store with all such equipment and everything else to set up a home, except large furniture items.
So when you hairdryer is taking an hour to dry your locks and when your stereo is playing the CD at half speed you may wish that you had ditched those machines at home and just invested in some new ones here! My sister still insists on bringing her hair dryer and complains every time that it is so slow! I have a spare one here for her, but I guess old habits die hard and she packs her own every time! What a waste of space that should have been filled with Cadburys chocolate, I feel!!
While we are on the subject of hair I feel I should tell you about 'Having a Blow Out'. This is a major thing here and Blow Bars are popping up all over NYC and even in my commuter village! They wash and blow dry your hair so you feel absolutely fabulous as you step out on the town at night! We also have three nail salons in town. Fabulous indeed! Thankfully it costs half of what it does in the UK so when I feel like a treat I can splurge with less guilt!
Most small appliances are relatively inexpensive and easy to get in the USA - hairdryers, toasters, irons. Target is a huge store with all such equipment and everything else to set up a home, except large furniture items.
Your computer or laptop possibly has a voltage choice - look for a switch on the rear. You'll need a new powercord or charger in the USA. Back up all your data before you move! Just in case!
Also every socket is live and doesn't have an on-off switch to turn it off. If you have kids you should get some toddler covers so they don't stick their fingers in a live socket!
Gift Ideas - When your mother in law is asking what you want for your birthday - remind her that DVDs from UK will not work in a US machine, but CDs will. So ask for music not movies! UK DVDs and videos won't work in the machines bought in the USA. However, UK CDS will work!
Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
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