I like to make things SIMPLIFIED for my clients.
This is a good place to start getting settled in Central Texas whether you are making a cross country move or just moving around the corner, here are some details for you to check out!
You will want to make sure you have high-speed internet if you are in a more rural location. Even in the Austin MSA, find out who the provider is and what their options are. Some areas have Google Fiber, and some do not.
Depending on your location, you may have specific utility needs and requirements
Austin (Travis County)Water/ trash/ Recycling:
https://www.austintexas.gov/resident/utilities
Georgetown Texas (Williamson County)Water/ trash/ Recycling:
Learn about CenTex Allergies
Learn about Low Water Crossings! A Central Texas Flash Flood is legit, y’all. Turn around don’t drown is a real thing.
Local Weather Radar and mapping- helpful during storms.
Game Warden
1-800-792-GAME (4263)
Hays County Sheriff (non-emergency)
512-393-7896
Texas Department of Public Safety (State Police)
Driver’s License Station (San Marcos)
512-353-2770, M-F 8:00 to 5:00
Hays County Animal Control
512-393-7896
P.A.W.S. Animal Shelter
Hays County Government
Hays County Tax Assessor-Collector (Property Taxes and Auto Registration)
512-393-5545
Hays County Appraisal District
21001 I-35 Kyle, TX 78640
(512) 268-2522
Telephone
https://frontier.com/shop/phone
Television Services
Spectrum 512-485-5555
https://www.spectrum.com/cable-tv.html
DirecTV
(855)838-4388
Existing customers: www.directvdeals.com/contact-us/
Dish Network
(800)333-3474
Exede Satellite Internet
1-855-627-1584
Pedernales Electric Cooperative
888-554-4732
http://www.pec.coop/Home/ResidentialMembers/ConnectService.aspx
Propane Service
Modern Propane
4903 FM 1327 Ste B Creedmoor, TX 78610
(512)243-6200
Wimberley/Hill Country Hydro Gas
319 RR 2325 Wimberley, TX 78676
(512)847-9825
Ferrellgas
4803 US 183 Austin, TX 78744
(512)385-2130
Garnett’s Propane
400 W. Mercer St. Dripping Springs, TX 78620
(512) 894-4480
Direct Propane
19126-B FM 969 Webberville, TX 78653
(512) 276-7800
Suburban Propane
8613 N Lamar Blvd Austin, TX
(800) 776-7263
Hays County hazardous waste disposal
630 E. Hopkins San Marcos, TX 78666
Hours are Tuesday and Friday, noon – 3:00pm
www.ci.san-marcos.tx.us/index.aspx?page=883
Water
Will likely be specific to your jurisdiction, especially if you are in an Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) which has a co-op well for the community
Trash Pickup
Dispose-All
2518 Muirlands Dr. Austin, TX 78744
(512) 462-3423
TDS
12200 Carl Road Creedmoor, Texas 78610
(800) 375-8375
Frontier Waste Solutions
888-854-2905
Waste Connections
HEB- this is a Texas darling, from humble beginnings, now has an impressive grasp on the Texas grocery store market. From smaller stores to the expansive HEB Plus marketplaces, HEB has everything you need, and even their own brands which are also quite good and sought after by TexPats. They understand how logistics work, too and during times of shift and mania, like a hurricane or the pandemic, HEB works to keep people fed, watered and moving forward. This is a great company with strong values and good food.
Whole Foods- the same that says it all. The original flagship location on 6th and Lamar is enormous, and of course, there are many speckled around town as well offering the same things you have come to expect from this now food giant across Central Texas and beyond.
Trader Joe's- a lower priced counterpart to Whole Foods, Trader Joe's offers more in the realm of whole and organic food products at reasonable prices. There are just a few locations, but they make up for it in size.
Safeway- this is a national chain, that many people are familiar with. You do still need your Safeway card for the good pricing!
Central Market- a fun and exciting way to go shopping, Central Market, only a handful of locations is an epicurean market kicked into high gear. It reminds me of the Wegmann’s platform with a wonderful produce and dairy section and gourmet options for deli, and pastry. You can even take a cooking class, go listen to live music on the patio or grab a meal at the Central Market while you're there. Oh yeah, and they cater.
MetroRail- This trip planner will become your best friend when you are relocating to Central Texas. Look at the different colors of the lines and learn your way around your community!
CapMetro Buses- The Austin Transit page will help you navigate the non-metro waters of Austin and beyond. Bookmark this page for sure!
Share the Road- Commute via bike share Austin or other alternative commuter options. Austin’s Car Free Diet has some wonderful ideas on how you can share the road from safety to general tips.
TxDot- The Texas Department of Transportation travel division can give you some great insight as to what is going on in and around your community when you are trying to navigate the great State of Texas. Always look at Twitter to see what is going on if you can’t see the issue immediately.
TXTag- the TXTag offers Express options for a high-functioning tollway system that feeds into the metro from most of the suburban areas now. This makes a wonderful bypass option of those who want to have more home and space for the money, but don't want to drive themselves in crazy traffic. Yes, there is a price for this,as it is a tollway, but you don’t have to use them all of the time, just as bypass options and expressways when needed.
View information and the School Report Cards for Central Texas and the Austin MSA: school report cards here! It is awesome to see local schools on the top school rankings!
Universities in and around Central Texas- there are aplenty! From UT Austin to St. Edwards and everything in between, Austin and the surrounding Central Texas communities have wonderful university systems for both under-graduate and post-graduate work. If you're thinking about furthering your education while you're near the Capital, take a look at the amazing opportunities for personal growth!
- Austin Public Schools
- Eanes Public Schools
- Lake Travis Public Schools
- Dripping Springs Public Schools
- Leander Public Schools
- Williamson County Public Schools
- Hays County Public Schools
- Marble Falls Public Schools
US Postal Service- don't forget to get your mail changed to your new address in Central Texas. You can do it online for the service charge, or walk into the USPS and pick up a form to change your address.
If you have issues with your address “not existing” with new construction, make sure your check with your local GIS at the County to ensure the builder registered your address!
Become a Texas Resident
DMV- make sure you take everything along that they require when you're going to get your out of state license switched! Also, some counties and municipalities require parking tags for your community so you'll want to check with your HOA or condo association as well as specific county! Make sure you look into this as well.
Register to Vote- You know the drill. You can get this accomplished when you are getting your driver’s license, too! Make sure to do it! Get registered to have your voice heard.
Travis County-Here is everything you need to know about Travis County. Sign up for their newsletters and green initiative details when you move to Travis County.
Williamson County- Here you will find all of the governing information for Williamson County, lovingly called WilCo.
Hays County- Here is everything you ever wanted to know about Hays County, the county seat located in San Marcos for Buda, Kyle, Creedmoore and Mountain City at the entrance to the Hill Country
Rollingwood Westlake Hills - Here is the consolidated information for the City of Rollingwood Westlake Hills, which is aplenty. From water to schools to county government.
City of Lakeway- Here is the information for the consolidated city of Lakeway, which has their own police force, just like Westlake does!
Bee Cave- Everything you wanted to know about the consolidated City of Bee Cave on your way towards Lake Travis in the beautiful hill country.
Know your neighbors! Check this out for yourself. I can't discuss it with you, but I sure can point you in the right direction
Medical- Ask your new friends for references, and totally check out local write ups! for information on good doctors in your area of CenTex or you can always look up the goods on a doctor on the American Medical Association's Site.
Dental- There are tons of dentists in Central Texas- get a reference from Yelp! or ask me.
Pharmacy- Local and national chains are available for your health care and pharmaceutical needs.
Sports Clubs- Yep, the gym. From Golds and beyond, there are a lot of options for sports clubs in Central Texas. There are also a lot of recreational facilities in specific counties, such as the many in the hill country surrounding area. There are also tons of trails and outdoor recreation options, which you will see abundantly utilized.
Veterinarians- Our animal family members need health care, too! I have two senior dogs whom I've taken to a number of vets (both for regular well-care and for emergency visits), and I can share with you whom I've had the best experiences with and those we would never go back to in a million years. As always, there is Yelp! to get the community vote on good vets and other pet oriented services.
