New to Georgetown, TX? Here's Everything You Need to Do in Your First 30 Days

The moving truck has pulled away. The boxes are stacked. And suddenly, Georgetown, TX is home.

It’s an exciting moment – but it comes with a long list of practical tasks that most people don’t think about until they’re already behind. Filing the wrong paperwork late, missing a tax deadline, or setting up the wrong utility provider can cost you time, money, and unnecessary stress right when you should be settling in. Before diving into the checklist, it helps to have your unpacking strategy mapped out so the transition from moving day to everyday life goes as smoothly as possible.

This guide walks you through exactly what to do in your first 30 days as a Georgetown resident – in the right order, with the right details.

1. Set Up Georgetown Utility Systems (GUS)

This one surprises nearly every newcomer. Unlike most Texas cities, Georgetown runs its own electric utility – Georgetown Utility Systems (GUS) – rather than a private provider like Oncor or Austin Energy. You need to contact GUS directly to establish electric, water, and wastewater service in your name.

Call GUS at (512) 930-3640 or visit their office at 300-1 Industrial Ave to get service transferred. Don’t assume the previous owner’s account rolls over to you – it won’t, and you could find yourself without power or water on day one if you wait.

2. Forward Your Mail and Update Your Address

Log into USPS.com and set up mail forwarding from your old address immediately. Then start updating your address with banks, insurance providers, subscriptions, and any government agencies. The sooner you do this, the fewer pieces of important mail end up at your old home.

3. Locate Your Nearest Emergency Services

Spend ten minutes identifying your closest hospital, urgent care clinic, and pharmacy. Georgetown is served by St. David’s Georgetown Hospital on Scenic Drive. Knowing this before you need it – not during an emergency – is one of the simplest and most overlooked steps new residents skip.

4. File Your Texas Homestead Exemption

This is the most important financial step any new Georgetown homeowner can take – and one of the most commonly missed.

Texas law allows homeowners to significantly reduce their property tax burden by filing a homestead exemption with the Williamson County Appraisal District. As of 2023, the state exemption removes $100,000 from your home’s assessed value for school district taxes. On a $400,000 home, that’s a meaningful annual savings. You can review the full Texas homestead exemption guidelines from the state comptroller to understand exactly what qualifies before you file.

To qualify, the home must be your primary residence as of January 1 of the tax year. File with the Williamson Central Appraisal District (WCAD) – online at wcad.org or in person at 625 FM 1460, Georgetown. There is no fee to file, and you only need to file once as long as you remain in the home.

Don’t skip this step. Many new homeowners miss it simply because no one told them it existed.

5. Update Your Texas Driver’s License and Vehicle Registration

Texas law requires new residents to obtain a Texas driver’s license within 90 days of establishing residency. If you’re already a Texas resident relocating from another city, you must update your address within 30 days.

The nearest DPS office is located at 1210 Westinghouse Rd, Georgetown, TX 78626. Bring your current license, proof of Texas residency (a utility bill or lease works), and your Social Security number. Book your appointment online at dps.texas.gov – walk-in wait times can run long.

For vehicle registration, visit the Williamson County Tax Office at 301 SE Inner Loop, Georgetown. You’ll need your current registration, proof of insurance, and a passing Texas vehicle inspection.

6. Register to Vote in Williamson County

If you’re moving from another Texas county, your voter registration doesn’t transfer automatically. Submit a new registration with Williamson County Elections at wilco.org/elections or pick up a form at the county clerk’s office. The deadline to register for any given election is 30 days before that election – don’t let your first Georgetown voting opportunity pass you by.

7. Enroll Your Children in Georgetown ISD

Georgetown ISD serves students across Georgetown with multiple elementary, middle, and high school campuses. Your child’s zoned school depends on your home address – use the school locator tool at georgetownisd.org to confirm your assignment.

For enrollment, you’ll need proof of residency, immunization records, the child’s birth certificate, and any previous school records. Contact the Georgetown ISD Enrollment Center at (512) 943-5000 to schedule an appointment and confirm required documents before you arrive. If you’re navigating this process alongside a move, our guide on making the transition easier for your children covers what families need to know during a relocation.

Starting this process in Week 3 gives you buffer time to gather paperwork and get your child enrolled without a rushed, last-minute scramble.

8. Get Your Georgetown Public Library Card

This one feels small but pays dividends immediately. The Georgetown Public Library at 402 W 8th St offers free library cards to all Williamson County residents. Beyond books, your card unlocks digital resources, free museum passes, community event access, and local databases – tools that make learning your new city significantly easier.

9. Find a Primary Care Provider

Don’t wait until you’re sick to establish care. Georgetown’s healthcare network has grown substantially and includes primary care practices affiliated with St. David’s, Ascension Seton, and independent family medicine clinics throughout the city. Most providers require a new patient appointment before they’ll see you for acute needs – schedule it now while you have time to be deliberate about the choice.

10. Discover the Georgetown Square

Georgetown’s historic downtown square is the social heartbeat of the city. The Georgetown Farmers Market runs on Saturdays from April through November and is one of the best ways to meet neighbors, discover local vendors, and feel immediately connected to where you live. Exploring Georgetown’s historic downtown in your first few weeks is one of the fastest ways to feel at home in the community.

The square also hosts regular events through the Georgetown Main Street program – outdoor concerts, holiday markets, and seasonal festivals that fill the calendar year-round. Showing up to one in your first month accelerates the feeling that Georgetown is truly home.

11. Join Local Community Groups

Facebook groups like Georgetown TX Community and Georgetown Moms and Families are active, friendly, and genuinely useful for new residents. Neighbors share recommendations for everything from contractors to pediatricians to the best breakfast spots. The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce is also worth connecting with if you’re a business owner or entrepreneur.

12. Explore Georgetown’s Parks and Trails

Georgetown sits at the edge of the Texas Hill Country, and its outdoor offerings are exceptional. The San Gabriel Park along the river provides picnic areas, sports fields, and easy walking trails right in the city. The Georgetown Inner Space Cavern off I-35 is a unique geological landmark worth exploring early. And the Berry Springs Park and Preserve offers hiking and wildlife observation just north of the city.

Getting outside in your first month doesn’t just help you learn the geography – it reinforces why you chose Georgetown in the first place.

Moving to a new city is a process, not an event. Georgetown rewards the people who engage with it – who show up at the square, introduce themselves to neighbors, and put in the small effort to connect. The logistics in this guide matter, but the community you build in Month 1 is what makes Month 12 feel like home.

If you’re still in the planning stages of your Georgetown move, Mighty Might Moving is here to make the transition seamless. As trusted Georgetown, TX movers, we’re fully licensed, insured, and deeply familiar with the roads, neighborhoods, and communities across Central Texas. Our team handles everything from packing and loading to delivery and setup – so you arrive ready to start your first 30 days, not recover from moving day.

Call (512) 797-5922 or visit mightymightmoving.com to schedule your free in-home estimate.

How soon after moving to Georgetown do I need to file a homestead exemption?

You can file your homestead exemption as soon as you close on your home and establish it as your primary residence. The exemption applies for the full tax year if you owned and occupied the home as of January 1. There’s no strict deadline to file, but submitting promptly ensures you don’t miss a tax year’s savings. File directly with the Williamson Central Appraisal District at wcad.org – it’s free and takes less than 15 minutes online.

Who do I contact to set up electricity in Georgetown, TX?

Georgetown operates its own municipal utility – Georgetown Utility Systems (GUS) – which is separate from Oncor or Austin Energy. Contact GUS directly at (512) 930-3640 to establish electric, water, and wastewater service in your name before or on your move-in date. This surprises many newcomers who expect to choose from the open energy market as they did in other Texas cities.

Does Mighty Might Moving serve neighborhoods throughout Georgetown, TX?

Yes. As trusted Georgetown, TX movers, Mighty Might Moving serves all Georgetown neighborhoods and surrounding communities including Liberty Hill, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, and the broader Central Texas region. Whether you’re moving into a master-planned community like Wolf Ranch, a home near the historic square, or a property further out in Williamson County, our team brings the same level of care and professionalism to every job.