Austin is welcoming, opportunity-rich, and still growing fast. But if you want you are moving to Austin in 2026, you’ll want to plan around the things that trip up newcomers the most: commute reality, utilities, Texas DMV timelines, school enrollment, and Central Texas heat + water rules.
The 2026 Austin newcomer checklist
Before you arrive (or your first week)
- Pick your commute strategy first: where you live should match how you work (traffic patterns vary dramatically by corridor and time of day).
- Confirm your utilities provider setup: many Austin addresses use Austin Energy (you typically don’t “shop” electric plans the same way as deregulated Texas areas).
- Build your “Texas admin” folder: lease/mortgage, proof of insurance, proof of residency, vehicle title/registration docs, and IDs.
Within 30 days of moving
- Vehicle registration: new Texas residents generally have 30 days to title/register a vehicle—don’t wait. Start with TxDMV’s resources below.
Within 90 days of moving
- Texas driver license: plan to obtain your Texas driver license within 90 days of moving.
Housing + neighborhoods: how to choose the right area…