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.comAustin Energy
512- 494-9400 888-340-6465 www.austinenergy.comBastrop Power & Light
512- 332-8830 www.cityofbastrop.org/departments/utility_services/index.htmlBluebonnet Electric
512- 272-8721 800-842-7708 www.bluebonnetelectric.coopCenterPoint Energy
512-472-6950 www.centerpointenergy.comChevron Corp.
www.chevron.com Cielo Wind Power 512-440-0305 www.cielowind.comEntergy
512- 487-3900 800-368-3749 www.entergy-texas.comGeorgetown Utilites Systems
512-930-3640 gus.georgetown.orgGreen Mountain Energy
866-301-3120 www.greenmountainenergy.comMeridian Solar
512-448-0055 www.meridiansolar.comPedernales Electric Cooperative
512-219-2602 888-554-4732 www.pec.coopSan Marcos Electric Utility
512-393-8333 www.ci.san-marcos.tx.usTXU Electric
888-399-5501 www.txu.comTexas Gas Service
800-700-2443 www.texasgasservice.comTexas Solar Power Company
512-459-9494 866-459-9494 www.txspc.comResidential 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.comResidential 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.comAT&T
New service: 888-294-8433 www.att.comTime Warner Cable
512-485-5555 www.timewarneraustin.comGrande Communications
512-220-4600 www.grandecom.comWater
Austin Water Utility
512-972-0000 austintexas.gov/department/waterInternet 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.comCox Communications
High Speed Internet 866-298-1514 www.connectutilities.comAT&T Yahoo! DSL
877-722-3755 www.att.yahoo.comPrismNet Inc.
512-821-2991 877-803-5634 www.prismnet.comOnramp Access
512-322-9200 www.onr.comCable Providers
Time Warner Cable
512-485-5555 www.timewarnercable.com/texas/Grande Communications
512-220-4600
