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What to Do Your First Week After Moving to Los Angeles

Published 2026-06-19 · Best Movers LA editorial team

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The boxes are in — now make the new place actually work. The first week after an LA move is mostly admin and setup, and knocking it out quickly is the difference between living in chaos and feeling settled.

Utilities and address

Confirm power and water are on in your name (LADWP for most of the city), set up gas (SoCalGas) and internet, and file a change of address with USPS so mail forwards. Update your address with your bank, employer, insurance and any subscriptions. If your building needed it, return any elevator or COI paperwork to management.

California admin

If you moved from out of state, you have 10 days to update your California driver's license and 20 days to register your vehicle with the DMV (REAL ID needs two proofs of residency, so bring documents that show your new address). Re-register to vote at your new address while you're at it.

Unpack smart and learn the area

Unpack in priority order — the room you labeled "first" (usually the bedroom and a working bathroom and kitchen) before anything else — so daily life functions while the rest waits. Then learn your block: where you park (and any permit rules), street-sweeping days so you don't get ticketed, the nearest grocery and pharmacy, and your trash pickup schedule. We can place furniture and reassemble beds so day one already feels livable — see our local moving details.

Related guides

Related questions

How long do I have to change my driver's license after moving to California?

10 days if you're a new California resident. Existing CA residents have 10 days to update their address.

How do I set up electricity in Los Angeles?

Most of LA city is served by LADWP (ladwp.com). Some areas use Southern California Edison. Check your specific address.

What is the street sweeping penalty in LA?

$88 for street sweeping violations. Check posted signs on your block for days and times — they vary block by block.

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