Part 22 of 31 Things Americans Should Think About Before Moving Abroad: Missing Everyday American Things in Your New Country

Darien Wilson
Apr 29
3 min read

Updated: 7 days ago

Adjusting to Life Without Your Favorite Brands and Products

Moving abroad means adapting to new foods, new customs, and the devastating realization that your go-to brand of deodorant is nowhere to be found. And sometimes, that stinks.

I am Darien, an American who moved to the Netherlands, and this is Part 22 of my 31-part series: 31 Things Americans Should Consider When Planning a Move Abroad.

Today’s topic? The everyday things you cannot find in your new country as an American abroad, and how to adjust.

grocery and gift items displayed on table — Some of the American items we brought back from a recent trip

Your Shopping List Is About to Change

When we first moved to the Netherlands, we kept a running list of items we "needed" from the United States—everyday staples we felt we could not live without. Quite honestly, I was surprised at how difficult and annoying this was at first.

Over time, we found local alternatives for our everyday items, and today, our U.S. shopping list is mostly just nostalgic treats like Thin Mints or Honey Nut Cheerios.

Here are a few examples of items that are simply not available in the Netherlands.

Antibiotic ointment. Over-the-counter in the U.S., available only by prescription in the Netherlands.
Lawry’s Seasoning Salt. It adds just the right amount of zhuzh to so many foods.
DayQuil and NyQuil. This is not a product I've ever used, but a lot of Americans in the Netherlands struggle without it.
Stick Deodorant. Stick deodorant is more common in the U.S., while sprays and roll-ons are more popular in the Netherlands. So even though there are a few brands of stick deodorant in the Netherlands (VERY few), the U.S. has far more variety, especially among the extra strength options.

Many Americans miss American peanut butter, but I actually prefer Dutch peanut butter. Calve pindakaas met stukjes 4 evah!

Sometimes items are available in the Netherlands, but they are so much less expensive in the U.S., we usually buy them while we are there. Examples of this are Aquaphor, Venus razors, or Liquid I.V. Toiletries are quite expensive in the Netherlands, so many Dutch people shop for them in Germany or other neighboring countries, where there is more selection and the prices are lower. I absolutely love shopping in French drugstores when I get the chance!

As an American abroad, you will miss everyday American things in your new country. So what’s the solution?

Moving abroad is not about perfectly replicating your old life. It is about adapting—and sometimes getting creative. But sometimes you feel more like yourself when you have some familiar things in your daily life.

1. Bring it with you (if you can)

Before you move, research whether your medications, supplements, or must-have products are available in your new country.

If they are not, stock up until you find a new product to transition to.

2. Find local substitutes

Sometimes you will find amazing local alternatives that you might even end up liking more.

3. Rely on friends and family to help you out when they visit

If friends or family visit, hopefully they will leave a little room in their suitcases for items you can't get abroad. Things like:

Hot sauce (or in my case, the fire roasted diced tomatoes that are the base for my salsa)
Ranch dressing
A specific brand of chapstick or lotion (looking at you, Gold Bond)

Whatever it is, it will feel like receiving a care package from your past life.

Final Thought

Those who are happiest living abroad have learned to embrace change.

If you are living abroad and missing everyday American things in your new country, you will find that some comforts are easy to replace, and others are worth finding creative ways to hold onto.

And if you move back to the U.S. someday, you will almost surely miss many things from your everyday life abroad. Discovering new things is both an advantage and a disadvantage to moving abroad!

Did you find this helpful? Are you planning a move abroad? Work with me to make your move from a place of clarity and organization.