Top 6 Essential Things to Do When You Move to Austin

You're finally moved in to your Austin apartment. The hard part is over, and now it's time to settle in to your new city! Here are six essential things to do once those boxes are unpacked.

1. Update your address

In addition to forwarding your mail, head to the Department of Motor Vehicles to change the address on your license and vehicle registration. If you moved from out of state, you'll need to apply for a new license and registration in Texas. Also, get ahold of any subscription services to make sure they have your new address. If you use Amazon Prime or other online stores, log in and delete your old address so you don't accidentally have packages shipped to the wrong place.

2. Change Your Voter Registration

When election day comes, you don't want to discover that you're unable to vote because you never changed your polling place. Visit Vote.org to change your voter registration and find out where your new polling station is so you can participate in democracy.

3. Get Connected

There are a number of companies that provide broadband internet in the Austin area, including Spectrum, AT&T, Frontier and Google Fiber. Look into the various packages offered by these companies, and make an installation appointment so you can get connected.

4. Meet the Neighbors

You'll really start to feel like a part of the community once you get to know your neighbors. Don't be shy to knock on a few doors and introduce yourself, and if you see someone walking to their car or getting their mail in the morning, stop to say "hi." At Springs apartment communities, the coffee bars and community clubhouses are also great places to get acquainted with your fellow residents.

5. Find Out Where to Engage in Your Favorite Hobbies

Austin is a vibrant and active community, so whether you're a dedicated rock climber or an avid runner, you'll have an easy time finding clubs and groups dedicated to your interests. Visit Meetup.com to search for relevant events and groups you're interested in joining. Here are a few specific hobby group suggestions:

• Austin Runners Club is a non-profit group that welcomes runners of all ages and abilities.
• North Austin Rock Gym is a mecca for climbers, offering memberships starting at just $50 per month.
• Austin Amateur Golf connects golfers of all levels and keeps points to rank players throughout the season.

6. Walk the Neighborhood

Take a few walks around your neighborhood to get a sense of the "layout of the land." Make note of local restaurants you want to try out, coffee houses you can stop at on the way to work, and convenience stores that might come in handy when you need toilet paper or Advil late at night. Use Google Maps to guide you. Remember to greet people you pass along the way—you never know who you'll meet!

Current Springs residents, what are some things you did to settle in when you first arrived in Austin? Share them with our new residents in the comments section.