Essentials to live in Czech Republic

I live here now so it's hard to say what to pack in a suitcase for a trip, but I can say a few things I buy when I'm back home in the USA to bring back with me are Mach3 razor cartridges (about 40% cheaper there than in Czech).  If it wasn't so heavy, I'd buy Listerine in the US as it's about 50% cheaper than here.  Many men's colognes and fragrances are cheaper in the US as well.  And it isn't just VAT/DPH, they are just more expensive.

But honestly, things have changed a lot in the last few years.  It used to be impossible to find decent corn tortilla chips, root beer, marshmallows, chocolate chips, actual milky way bars (though Mars bars are a decent substitute) but now you can find all that stuff here.  One thing I still can't find anywhere in the EU though is normal, American sweet pickle relish.  My kids love it so I'm probably throwing a couple jars int he suitcase next trip.

But there isn't a lot I miss anymore and the fact is that 97% of things bought in stores here are cheaper, often much cheaper than in the USA.  Just yesterday at Lidl I bought some "tool organizer" hooks in a set for less than the cost of a single pair of similar hooks in the US.

I've been living in the Czech Republic since 2004 and a lot of things that used to be difficult to get here are not such a challenge anymore.

One thing that's an absolute must is a mobile phone. I still know quite few people back in North America who get along without mobiles; you won't be able to do that here. You'll need a mobile to stay connected to anyone here. If you don't have a mobile when you arrive, you'll soon find yourself needing to get set up with one. Thankfully, there's no shortage of mobile providers here.

Peanut butter can be a challenge to find, but that's because it isn't very popular with Czechs. Most Czechs I've met who've encountered peanut butter consider it revolting stuff.

Good quality Oreo cookies are a challenge here too. Oreos are locally produced here, but they are not nearly the quality of those you can get in North America.