We plan to rent an apartment for several months. What's the best way you've found to handle forwarded mail and/or packages we want to send ourselves (kitchen items, books etc) or packages others might want to send??

Thanks for your help!

It's easy to get mail. They will hold it at the post office until you go pick it up.
I would however check into how much it will cost, including duty to have anything mailed that doesn't fit into a large envelope. It is VERY expensive, and the mail service is pretty slow at times. I laughed when someone told me it isn't uncommon to get Christmas cards in July, well, I do know that they come in March.....
I had mailed down an air mattress (it was flat, not a big box at all), was told 2 weeks delivery time, it was there 6 weeks later.
Also, make sure that anything you mail includes receipts... you certainly don't want them assessing duty on their appraisals!

Have fun!!!!!

Be sure and doctor those receipts, the duty is sky high. Remove price tags and replace with garage sale stickers or the like. Have fun!