If you’re moving to Austin, Texas, or even just thinking about becoming an Austinite, then you probably have a long list of questions about your move, the city of Austin, and the Lone Star State.
That’s where we come in: We’ve assembled a moving guide just for you, to help you make the most out of your move to Austin, Texas. We’ll walk you through everything the city of Austin has to offer and show you the ropes for things like setting up utilities in the Austin area, so you can settle in with as little stress as possible.
How Do I Set Up Utilities if I’m Moving to Austin, Texas?
One of the first things you’ll want to focus on as part of your move to Austin is your new utilities. The last thing you’ll need after a long day of moving boxes into your new house or apartment is having to track down an electricity supplier or gas company.
Don’t worry though, we’ve got you covered. Let’s break this question up into a simple three-step process.
1. How Do I Set Up Electricity Service When Moving to Austin, Texas?
Anyone moving to the Lone Star State for the first time will need to check to see if their new home or apartment is located in a deregulated energy market. Let’s quickly explain what that means.
In 1999, Texas lawmakers passed a bill that deregulated roughly 85% of the Lone Star State‘s electricity market. This gave home and business owners the option to choose between a number of different Retail Electricity Providers (REPs), depending on where in Texas they were located.
However, a handful of cities were exempted from this deregulation, including San Antonio, El Paso, San Marcos, and — relevant to us today — Austin. In these cities, the electricity markets are still regulated the way they are in most of the rest of the United States.
For Austinites (like yourself), this means two things. First, you won’t have a lot of different options for electricity providers and plans from which to choose. That lack of choice might be frustrating, especially if you’re moving from a deregulated area elsewhere in Texas, where you’ve been enjoying the Power to Choose.
However, this also greatly simplifies this step in setting up your new utilities. If you’re moving to Austin, Texas, then it’s likely you’ll only have one option for electricity: Austin Energy. Austin Energy is a not-for-profit electricity provider owned by the community and has been serving Austin’s energy needs for more than 125 years.
The Austin area is booming, so there’s a chance that you may live outside the service area of Austin Energy. If that’s the case, you can visit the Austin Chamber of Commerce’s website to learn more about what energy providers are available to you at your new home, apartment, or business.
2. How Do I Set Up Gas Service When Moving to Austin, Texas?
Setting up your natural gas service in Austin won’t take long. First, find out the name of the county in which your new home, apartment, or business is located. If you’re living in the central Austin area, it’s likely that you’re living in Travis County.
If you live in Travis County, then your natural gas provider is going to be Texas Gas Service. To set up new service with them, you can visit their website, or reach their call center at 1-800-700-2443.
If you live in Georgetown, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Leander, or Taylor, then your natural gas service is going to be Atmos Energy. The best way to set up a new gas service with Atmos Energy is to either call them at 1-888-286-6700, or visit their website.
Finally, if you live in Bastrop, Buda, Elgin, Kyle, San Marcos, or Smithville, then your natural gas service provider is going to be Centerpoint Energy. To get started with Centerpoint, visit their website or give them a call at 1-800-992-7552.
3. How Do I Set Up Water Service in Austin, Texas?
Setting up water service for the first time in Austin is simple. Your water service provider is the municipal water company Austin Water. To start service, visit the City of Austin‘s Utilities website, where you can create an account and set up all of the information you’ll need to get those taps flowing.
If you’re in the service area of Austin Energy, you’ll be able to manage your account from this website, as well — one-stop shopping!
What Are the Best Things To Do in Austin, Texas?
Now that you’ve gotten all of the important stuff out of the way, it’s time for the fun part: learning about all of the fantastic things you’ll be able to do as an Austinite.
Check Out Austin’s Food Scene
If you’re a foodie, you’re going to love being an Austinite. The capital city of Texas is also home to some of the best Tex-Mex food (breakfast tacos, anyone?) you’re going to find. Austin is also known for its food truck culture, so make sure to check out some of Austin’s gourmet meals on wheels.
If coffee is more your thing, be sure to drop into one of Austin’s many world-class coffee shops, many of which roast their own beans in the city.
Enjoy “the Live Music Capital of the World”
When it comes to Austin nightlife, the city’s music scene can’t be beat. That’s why it’s earned the nickname as the “Live Music Capital of the World.” The city is chock-full of music venues, so if you’re the kind of person who is drawn to a city or region’s music scene, Austin (also known as the ATX, to those in the know) is the place for you.
And while you won’t find it difficult to catch a live show at any of the city’s many music venues (from concert halls to coffee shops) at any time of the year, you’ll especially want to pay attention to the city’s two massive music festivals: Austin City Limits and South by Southwest (sometimes abbreviated to SXSW, or simply South by).
Austin City Limits
Austin City Limits is an annual music festival, usually held in Austin’s Zilker Park in October. The music festival isn’t only about the music scene though — you’ll have plenty of opportunities to enjoy Austin’s many food trucks, too.
South by Southwest
South by Southwest is Austin’s other premiere music festival, but it’s much more than that. Every year people from all over the world descend on Austin to participate in SXSW. The event includes a film festival in addition to its live music, and it also includes numerous conferences, exhibitions, and plenty of opportunities for those in the tech industry, music industry, and entertainment industry to meet and mingle.
Your Power, Connected Fast
Call before 12pm CST on move-in day and your power will be flowing same-day.
What Kinds of Outdoor Activities Can I Do in Austin, Texas?
Austin has a wide variety of outdoor activities available to its residents. Barton Springs is a popular pool, located in Zilker Park and fed from underground springs that make it a great choice for swimming year-round.
Lake Travis is another popular body of water in the Austin area. Located northwest of downtown Austin, Lake Travis is a flood-control reservoir on the Colorado River that also provides Austinites with countless opportunities for outdoor activities. From kayaking to boating, there’s plenty to do on Lake Travis.
If you’re looking for a day on the water closer to downtown Austin, check out Lady Bird Lake. While you’re there you can check out some of the many watercraft rentals nearby, including canoes, stand-up paddleboards, and kayaks.
What Is the Cost of Living Like in Austin, Texas?
The cost of living in Austin, Texas is 3% lower than the national average. You’ll be happy to hear that Austin utility bills are 12% lower than the national average, and public transportation expenses are 7% lower than the national average.
Austin’s cost of living is 4.5% lower than the cost of living in Dallas, Texas, and a whopping 57.5% lower than the cost of living in New York City!
What Is the Housing Market Like in Austin, Texas?
If you’re thinking of moving to Austin, Texas, then you need to know all you can about the city’s housing market. Austin’s real estate market is red-hot right now, with the median home price in the greater Austin area jumping an eye popping 30.4% from January 2021 to January 2022.
In 2021, Zillow named Austin, Texas as the hottest housing market in the country. If there’s good news for buyers, it’s this: Home prices in the Austin area have come down enough that Austin slipped to number 10 on Zillow’s list of the hottest housing markets in 2022.
How Is the Job Market in Austin, Texas?
Finally, any aspiring Texan looking to move to Austin is going to want to know about the city’s job market. There’s good news, here: Austin’s median salary is slightly higher than the national average.
Austin is also home to a vibrant and growing tech industry. Tech companies have flocked to the capital city of Texas, earning Austin the title of “Silicon Hills,” referring to the Texas Hill Country.
In addition to Austin’s tech industry, the city is also the capital of Texas, which brings many jobs along with the responsibility. Austin is also home to the University of Texas at Austin, a top 50 national university that itself employs thousands.
In fact, of the country’s top 50 major metro areas, Austin ranked second as the “best performing job market” between 2020 and 2021.
