Here are a few simple tips that might help the moving process once you get to Austin.  To start becoming acclimated to your new community check out the Austin Relocation Guide and other community resources for fun things to do and places to go as well as for practical information like school districts and voter registration locations.

Call ahead to have utilities connected at your new home the day before or the day of your scheduled move-in (resources for phone Internet cable gas electric and other utilities are listed below.)  Check to make sure the utilities have been connected and follow up on any delays.  Make sure your phone is connected.  Ideally you should have the phone company hook it up the day before you move in.

Most moving companies advise that to prevent possible damage televisions stereos computers other electronic equipment and major appliances should not be used for 24 hours after delivery allowing them time to adjust to room temperature.

Make sure you have payment on hand for your moving charges.  Unless other billing arrangements were made in advance (like with a new company if you’re relocating in a corporate move) most moving companies require payment upon delivery in cash traveler’s checks money order or cashier’s check.  Personal checks are usually not accepted.


Electric and Gas Service Utilities

The following utility companies offer either electric light gas services or all three:

Atmos Energy

888-286-6700 Customer Service
866-322-8667 Gas Emergency
www.atmosenergy.com

Austin Energy

512- 494-9400
888-340-6465
www.austinenergy.com

Bastrop Power & Light

512- 332-8830
www.cityofbastrop.org/departments/utility_services/index.html

Bluebonnet Electric

512- 272-8721
800-842-7708
www.bluebonnetelectric.coop

CenterPoint Energy

512-472-6950
www.centerpointenergy.com

Chevron Corp.

www.chevron.com
Cielo Wind Power
512-440-0305
www.cielowind.com

Entergy

512- 487-3900
800-368-3749
www.entergy-texas.com

Georgetown Utilites Systems

512-930-3640
gus.georgetown.org

Green Mountain Energy

866-301-3120
www.greenmountainenergy.com

Meridian Solar

512-448-0055
www.meridiansolar.com

Pedernales Electric Cooperative

512-219-2602
888-554-4732
www.pec.coop

San Marcos Electric Utility

512-393-8333
www.ci.san-marcos.tx.us

TXU Electric

888-399-5501
www.txu.com

Texas Gas Service

800-700-2443
www.texasgasservice.com

Texas Solar Power Company

512-459-9494
866-459-9494
www.txspc.com

Residential Trash and Recycling

The following organization offers curbside trash recycling and yard trimmings collection and operates a drop-off location for household hazardous waste electronics and appliances:

Austin Resource Recovery

Set up new service: 512-494-9400
General inquiries: 3-1-1 or 512-974-2000
austinrecycles.com

Residential Telephone Service

The following companies offer a local calling plan or a comparable alternative in the Austin area:

MCI Worldcom

Residential sales:  800-950-5555
www.mci.com

AT&T

New service:  888-294-8433
www.att.com

Time Warner Cable

512-485-5555
www.timewarneraustin.com

Grande Communications

512-220-4600
www.grandecom.com

Water

Austin Water Utility

512-972-0000
austintexas.gov/department/water

Internet Service Providers

In a tech town like Austin there’s no shortage of Internet resources.  The following are located in Austin and provide dialup or high-speed Internet access to the Austin area.  Refer to individual web sites for current rates or call the number listed.

AOL Broadband Earth Link High-Speed Online Road Runner High Speed Online STIC.net Time Warner Cable

512-485-6000
800-418-8848 Outside Austin
www.timewarneraustin.com

Cox Communications

High Speed Internet
866-298-1514
www.connectutilities.com

AT&T Yahoo! DSL

877-722-3755
www.att.yahoo.com

PrismNet Inc.

512-821-2991
877-803-5634
www.prismnet.com

Onramp Access

512-322-9200
www.onr.com

Cable Providers

Time Warner Cable

512-485-5555
www.timewarnercable.com/texas/

Grande Communications

512-220-4600

www.grandecom.com

DirecTV

800-543-1549
www.directv.com

Dish Network

512-870-8221
www.dish.com