Your First Week in Austin
A step-by-step guide to getting settled during your first seven days in Austin. From setting up municipal utilities to downloading essential local apps, this checklist covers everything you need to start your new life in the Live Music Capital of the World.
Set up Austin Energy (municipal electric utility)
Austin Energy is the city-owned electric utility serving Austin and surrounding areas. Unlike Dallas and Houston, Austin is NOT in the deregulated electricity market — you do not choose your electricity provider. Austin Energy is your only option, and service must be established before move-in. Call 512-494-9400 or set up service online.
- 💡 Austin Energy is a municipal utility — there is no provider choice like in Dallas or Houston's deregulated markets.
- 💡 Call 512-494-9400 or visit austinenergy.com to start service at least 3-5 business days before your move-in date.
- 💡 Austin Energy offers a GreenChoice program if you want 100% renewable energy — ask about it when setting up service.
- 💡 Budget for higher electric bills in summer (June-September) when temperatures regularly exceed 100 degrees.
Set up Austin Water service
Contact Austin Water to establish water and wastewater service at your new address. Austin Water is the city's water utility and serves the Austin metro area. If you live outside city limits in places like Cedar Park, Round Rock, or Pflugerville, your water provider will be different — check with your local city or utility district.
- 💡 Call 512-972-0000 or visit austintexas.gov/water to start service.
- 💡 Austin has Stage 2 water restrictions most summers — learn the watering schedule for your address.
- 💡 If you live in a suburb like Round Rock, Cedar Park, or Pflugerville, your water provider is different from Austin Water.
- 💡 Austin water rates include tiered pricing — conservation helps keep your bill lower.
Set up internet service
Austin has excellent internet infrastructure thanks to competition among major fiber providers. AT&T Fiber, Google Fiber, and Spectrum are the primary options, though availability varies by neighborhood and address. Google Fiber is available in many Austin neighborhoods and is a significant advantage over other Texas metros.
- 💡 Google Fiber is available in many Austin neighborhoods — check availability at fiber.google.com for your address.
- 💡 AT&T Fiber offers symmetrical gigabit speeds in much of the Austin metro area.
- 💡 Spectrum provides cable internet with wide coverage, especially in areas where fiber is not yet available.
- 💡 Schedule installation as early as possible — wait times can reach 1-2 weeks during peak moving season.
- 💡 Some newer developments in the suburbs may have Grande Communications or Suddenlink as options.
Get a Capital Metro transit pass (if needed)
Capital Metro (CapMetro) operates Austin's public bus system and the MetroRail commuter rail line connecting downtown to Leander. If you plan to commute by transit or use buses regularly, set up a CapMetro account and load a pass on the CapMetro app.
- 💡 The CapMetro app lets you buy and store passes on your phone — no physical card required.
- 💡 MetroRail runs from downtown Austin to Leander with stops in East Austin, Highland, and Cedar Park.
- 💡 The 801 (Expo) and 803 (Burnet/South Lamar) are rapid bus routes with frequent service and limited stops.
- 💡 Austin is still primarily a car-dependent city, but transit works well for certain corridors, especially downtown and UT campus.
Get your Texas driver's license at DPS
If you are moving to Texas from another state, you must obtain a Texas driver's license within 90 days of establishing residency. Visit a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office to complete the process. Book an appointment online — walk-ins face very long wait times at Austin-area DPS offices.
- 💡 Book your DPS appointment online immediately — Austin-area offices often have 2-4 week wait times.
- 💡 The DPS Pflugerville and DPS South Austin mega centers tend to have the shortest waits in the metro.
- 💡 Bring your out-of-state license, passport or birth certificate, Social Security card, two proofs of Texas residency, and proof of insurance.
- 💡 You will surrender your out-of-state license when you receive your Texas license.
- 💡 The 90-day deadline starts when you establish Texas residency (start a job, sign a lease, enroll kids in school).
Register Your Vehicle in Texas
As of January 2025, Texas no longer requires a separate vehicle safety inspection for non-commercial vehicles (HB 3297). A $7.50 inspection replacement fee is included in your annual registration. Visit your county tax office or txdmv.gov to transfer your registration within 30 days of establishing Texas residency.
- 💡 Texas abolished the separate vehicle safety inspection in January 2025 — you no longer need to visit an inspection station before registering.
- 💡 A $7.50 inspection replacement fee is automatically included in your annual registration cost.
- 💡 Bring your out-of-state title, proof of Texas insurance, and valid Texas ID to the Travis County Tax Office.
- 💡 If you have a vehicle loan, your lender may need to send the title to the county directly.
- 💡 The 30-day deadline is strictly enforced — plan to complete this early in your first month.
Open a local bank account
Consider opening an account at a local or regional bank or credit union if you do not already bank with a national institution. UFCU (University Federal Credit Union), Amplify Credit Union, and Frost Bank are popular Austin-area options with strong local branch networks.
- 💡 UFCU is one of the largest credit unions in Texas and has extensive ATM and branch coverage in the Austin metro.
- 💡 Amplify Credit Union is another strong Austin-based option with competitive rates.
- 💡 Frost Bank is a well-regarded Texas regional bank with branches across the state.
- 💡 If you already bank with Chase, Bank of America, or Wells Fargo, branches are widely available throughout Austin.
Explore your neighborhood (grocery, pharmacy, essentials)
Get to know your immediate neighborhood by locating the nearest grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, and restaurants. H-E-B is the dominant grocery chain in Austin and a beloved Texas institution — find your nearest location and download the H-E-B app for curbside pickup and delivery.
- 💡 H-E-B is the most popular grocery store in Austin — their store-brand products are excellent and often preferred over national brands.
- 💡 Central Market (H-E-B's upscale brand) has two Austin locations and is a foodie destination.
- 💡 Trader Joe's, Whole Foods (founded in Austin!), and Sprouts are widely available throughout the metro.
- 💡 The H-E-B app offers curbside pickup (usually free) and home delivery — set it up early.
- 💡 Austin has a thriving food truck culture — explore your neighborhood for hidden gems.
Download essential Austin apps
Several mobile apps are essential for daily life in Austin. Download these during your first week to navigate the city, pay for parking, manage utilities, and report issues to the city.
- 💡 CapMetro app — buy transit passes and track buses and MetroRail in real time.
- 💡 ParkATX or ParkMobile — pay for metered street parking downtown and in popular neighborhoods.
- 💡 Austin 311 app — report potholes, graffiti, code violations, and other city service issues.
- 💡 Austin Energy app — monitor your electricity usage and pay your utility bill.
- 💡 Waze or Google Maps — essential for navigating Austin traffic, especially on I-35 and MoPac.
Stock up on allergy medicine (Cedar Fever season Dec-Feb)
Austin is notorious for severe cedar allergies, caused by Ashe juniper pollen that peaks from December through February. Even people who have never had allergies before often develop Cedar Fever after moving to Austin. Symptoms include sneezing, watery eyes, sinus congestion, and fatigue that can feel like the flu.
- 💡 Cedar Fever season runs from December through February — the pollen count can be astronomically high.
- 💡 Stock up on antihistamines (Zyrtec, Claritin, Allegra) and nasal spray before cedar season hits.
- 💡 Many Austin newcomers develop cedar allergies within their first 1-2 years, even with no prior allergy history.
- 💡 If over-the-counter medicine does not help, see an Austin allergist — they are very experienced with Cedar Fever.
- 💡 Check the pollen count daily at kvue.com/allergy during cedar season.
All Moving Checklists
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I choose my electricity provider in Austin like in Dallas or Houston?
No. Austin Energy is a municipally owned utility, which means there is no deregulated electricity market here. Austin Energy is your only option for electric service. This is different from Dallas (Oncor area) and Houston (CenterPoint area), where you choose from competing retail providers on powertochoose.org. The upside is that Austin Energy rates are generally competitive, and they offer strong renewable energy programs including the GreenChoice option.
How bad is Austin traffic?
Austin traffic has become significantly worse over the past decade due to rapid population growth. I-35 through central Austin is the most congested corridor in the city and can turn a 15-minute drive into an hour during rush hour. MoPac (Loop 1) is the other major north-south route and also gets heavily congested. Many Austin residents plan their home purchases specifically to minimize freeway commuting. The MoPac Express Lane (tolled) and SH 130 (eastern bypass toll road) offer alternatives.
What is Cedar Fever and should I be worried about it?
Cedar Fever is caused by massive amounts of Ashe juniper (commonly called mountain cedar) pollen released from December through February in the Austin and Hill Country area. The pollen counts in Austin are among the highest in the country for this allergen. Many newcomers who have never had allergies develop symptoms within their first year or two in Austin. Symptoms include severe sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, sinus pressure, and fatigue. Over-the-counter antihistamines help most people, but some need prescription treatment from an allergist.