The first weeks after a move are full of small tasks, and in Arizona some of them come with deadlines or local twists. This checklist puts them in a sensible order, from turning on utilities to preparing for your first summer. Use it as a starting point and adjust it to your situation.
Key takeaways
- Set up electricity and water before you arrive so the air conditioning works on day one.
- Register your vehicle and get your Arizona license once you become a resident.
- Learn the basics of heat and monsoon safety in your first weeks, whatever the season.
Before you arrive
- Find out which electric, water, gas and trash providers serve your new address.
- Schedule service to start the day before you move in.
- Arrange internet installation, since appointments can take time.
- Plan to move heat-sensitive items in your air-conditioned car.
- Keep important documents with you rather than in the moving truck.
Week one
Check that the air conditioning works well and change the filter. Find the circuit breaker panel, water shut-off valve and thermostat settings. Walk or drive your new area to find the nearest grocery store, pharmacy, urgent care and hospital. If you have pets, find a veterinarian and learn how hot pavement gets for paws in summer.
Weeks two and three: paperwork
Once you are a resident, get your Arizona license and register your vehicles. In the Phoenix area, many vehicles need an emissions test before registration. See Getting an Arizona Driver License as a New Phoenix Resident and Registering Your Car in Arizona: Emissions, Title and Fees. Update your address with the post office, banks, employer, insurers and the IRS, and register to vote at your new address if you are eligible.
Week four: settling in
Get a library card, find parks and trails near you and learn your trash and recycling days, which vary by city. If you have children, confirm school enrollment and bus or drop-off arrangements. Look up your city’s emergency alert sign-up so you receive warnings about extreme heat and storms.
Essential vs nice to have
| Do right away | Can wait a few weeks | |
|---|---|---|
| Home | Utilities, working A/C, smoke alarms | Shade screens, landscaping changes |
| Paperwork | License and vehicle registration once a resident | Library card, loyalty programs |
| Safety | Water in the car, heat plan | Full emergency kit |
| Health | Pharmacy and urgent care locations | New doctor and dentist |
Tip: Keep a case of water and a sunshade in your car from your first day. Summer car interiors get dangerously hot, and a breakdown in the heat is more serious than in milder places.
Preparing for your first summer
If you arrive in the cooler months, use the time to prepare. Get the air conditioning serviced in spring, add shade to west-facing windows, and plan outdoor exercise for early mornings. Learn the signs of heat illness. Our Living With Phoenix Summer Heat: A Newcomer’s Guide guide explains what to expect.
Your first monsoon
Monsoon season officially runs from June 15 to September 30. Before it starts, check your roof and gutters, secure outdoor furniture and learn the dust storm driving rules. The state’s advice is to pull completely off the road, turn off all lights and wait. See Monsoon Season in Phoenix: Dust Storms, Flooding and Safety.
Home safety basics
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and learn where the fire extinguisher is.
- If the home has a pool, check that gates latch and barriers are in good repair.
- Ask whether the home has had pest control, since scorpions and other desert pests are common.
- Save your city’s non-emergency police number and the poison control number in your phone.
- Know how to shut off water quickly in case a pipe or irrigation line fails.
Money and accounts
Update your bank and card accounts with your new address, and check whether your bank has branches or partner ATMs nearby. Review your insurance: car, renters or homeowners, and health coverage all depend on your address. If you are starting a new job, set your Arizona withholding and review your first pay stub. Our Arizona State Income Tax for New Residents guide explains the part-year return you will likely file.
Getting to know the Valley
Spend weekends exploring. In the cooler months, desert parks, botanical gardens and hiking trails are at their best. In summer, museums and indoor attractions are a welcome escape. Our Things to Do in Phoenix, Season by Season guide suggests where to start.
Common mistakes
The most common mistake is arriving in summer before the power is on. Another is putting off vehicle registration, which becomes harder to fit in once work starts. Newcomers also often underestimate how quickly heat becomes dangerous on a short walk or hike. Start small, carry water and learn the rhythms of the Valley.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do first after moving to Phoenix?
Make sure the power and air conditioning are working, then handle your license and vehicle registration once you are a resident.
When should I service my air conditioning?
Many residents do it in spring, before the summer heat.
How do I get emergency alerts?
Sign up through your city or county emergency management website, and keep wireless emergency alerts turned on.
For a bigger picture, read Phoenix Neighborhoods: A Newcomer’s Overview and Phoenix Cost of Living: What to Budget For.