What nobody told us about arranging electricity, internet and more before moving to America

When people think about moving abroad, they often picture finding a house, arranging visas or packing boxes. Very few people think about hot to setup utilities.

Honestly, neither did we.

Until suddenly, it became one of the most important things on our to-do list.

After months of planning our move from the Netherlands to Texas, we finally found our rental home. We were excited to start this new chapter, but there was one thing we quickly realised: unlike in the Netherlands, many utilities in the US aren’t simply “there” when you move in. You often have to arrange them yourself, sometimes even before you’ve arrived in the country.

Looking back, it wasn’t difficult—it was just different. And because we were arranging everything from the Netherlands, there were a few extra challenges we hadn’t anticipated.

If you’re preparing for your own move to the US, here’s what we learned and what we’d do again.

Set up utilities before arriving in the US

One of the biggest surprises was that several utilities had to be organised before moving day.

After such a long journey, the last thing you want is to arrive at your new home only to discover there’s no electricity, no internet or no way to cool your house in the middle of summer.

I still remember sitting behind my laptop in the Netherlands, trying to arrange everything before we left. Every website seemed to ask for information we simply didn’t have yet. No Social Security Number, no US bank account and no American credit history. For a moment, it felt like we were already behind before we had even arrived.

Thankfully, that wasn’t the case. It just meant we had to do a little more research and be a bit more flexible with the providers we chose.

As soon as we signed our lease, we started contacting utility companies. Some providers wouldn’t let us sign up without a Social Security Number, while others simply asked for alternative identification or a refundable deposit.

The result? We had fewer providers to choose from than someone who’s already settled in the US, but we were still able to arrange everything before we arrived.

Can you set up utilities without a Social Security Number?

This was one of the questions I searched for constantly before our move.

The good news is: yes, in many cases you can.

Every provider has its own requirements, but not having a Social Security Number doesn’t automatically mean you can’t open an account.

Something that helped us was having an international credit card. Several companies accepted it without any issues, and in some situations we were also able to pay using PayPal until we had opened our American bank account.

It’s one of those things that’s easy to worry about beforehand, but in reality there are usually more options than you think.

Little tip: Don’t get discouraged if your first application is rejected because you don’t have a Social Security Number yet. Every provider has different requirements, so it’s absolutely worth contacting a few different companies before giving up.

What utilities do you need to arrange?

Depending on where you live and whether you’re renting or buying, you’ll usually need to arrange:

• Electricity
• Natural gas (if your home uses it)
• Water and sewer
• Trash and recycling
• Internet
• Mobile phone service

Some services are managed by your city or included in your rent, while others require you to choose your own provider.

Before signing your lease, ask exactly what’s included. It’ll save you a lot of confusion later.

Choosing an electricity provider

Coming from the Netherlands, we expected electricity to be fairly straightforward.

Texas proved otherwise.

Instead of automatically being assigned one provider, we suddenly had dozens of companies to choose from. Every website claimed to have the best rates, but once we started comparing contracts, we realised there was much more to it than the price per kilowatt hour.

Contract length, cancellation fees, fixed versus variable rates and monthly service charges all influence your final bill.

Something we also underestimated was estimating our own electricity usage.

Moving to Texas meant we knew we’d be using air conditioning a lot, but it’s difficult to predict just how much before you’ve actually lived there. During summer, our AC runs almost constantly. Someone moving to Colorado or New York will probably spend much more on heating instead.

Where you’re moving really matters when estimating your monthly utility costs.

Little tip: If you’re new to American utility plans, don’t focus only on the lowest advertised rate. Read the small print and think about how long you’ll actually stay in your home. A slightly higher monthly rate can sometimes be the better deal if it offers more flexibility.

Internet: ask the people who already live there

Like most people, we started comparing internet providers online.

But the best advice actually came from people who already lived in our apartment building.

They told us which providers worked well, which ones had the most reliable connection and which ones they’d avoid.

That local knowledge saved us hours of research.

We also looked at how we actually use the internet. We both work online, so reliability was our biggest priority. We don’t watch local television, so there was no reason to pay for a package with hundreds of TV channels we’d never use.

Choosing an internet-only package was the perfect fit for us.

Little tip: Before spending hours comparing providers online, ask your landlord, realtor or even your neighbours what they recommend. In our experience, local advice was far more valuable than reading dozens of online reviews.

Don’t overlook your mobile phone plan

Your mobile phone is another area where it’s easy to spend more than necessary.

When you first arrive in the US, it’s tempting to sign up with one of the biggest carriers because they’re the names you see everywhere.

But they’re certainly not your only option.

For my personal phone, I chose a budget-friendly eSIM provider instead of one of the larger carriers. It gives me everything I need for everyday use while costing significantly less each month.

Especially during your first months in the US, there are already so many new expenses. Saving a little here and there really adds up.

Little tip: If you mainly use Wi-Fi at home and at work, you probably don’t need the most expensive phone plan. Compare providers first—you might be surprised how much you can save.

Every small step makes your new house feel more like home

Looking back, setting up utilities wasn’t the most exciting part of our move. But it became one of those milestones that quietly made everything start to feel real.

• The lights turned on.
• The Wi-Fi worked.
• The air conditioning kept us cool during those first hot Texas days.
• Our phones had American numbers.

They’re all small things on their own, but together they transformed an empty rental house into a place that started to feel like home.

When people talk about moving abroad, they often focus on the big milestones—getting your visa, finding a home or boarding the plane.

But I’ve learned it’s often the little things that make the biggest difference.

• Having working electricity after a long travel day.
• Reliable Wi-Fi so you can call family back home.
• Walking into a cool house when it’s over 100°F outside.

Those probably aren’t the moments you’ll post on Instagram, but they are the moments that quietly help a new country feel like home.

I hope that by sharing our experience, your own move to the US will feel just a little less overwhelming—and a lot more exciting.

Want to know more about living abroad? Check out:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set up utilities without a Social Security Number?

Yes. Many providers accept alternative identification or ask for a refundable deposit instead. You may have fewer providers to choose from, but it’s definitely possible to arrange utilities before you arrive.

How early should I set up utilities?

As soon as you’ve signed your lease and know your move-in date. We arranged most of ours while we were still living in the Netherlands so everything was ready when we arrived.

Can I pay utilities without a US bank account?

Often, yes. We were able to use our international credit card and, in some cases, PayPal until we opened our American bank account.

How do I choose the best internet provider?

Ask people who already live in your building or neighbourhood. Their experience is often much more valuable than online comparison websites.

Do utility costs vary a lot between states?

Absolutely. Your monthly bill depends on where you live, the climate, the size of your home and your daily habits. Someone living in Texas will likely spend much more on air conditioning, while someone in a colder state may have higher heating costs.

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Planning your own move to the US?

I’d love to hear where you’re moving to! Feel free to leave a comment below or send me a message on Instagram.

And if you’re still in the planning phase, don’t forget to check out my other moving guides. They’re all based on our own experience of building a new life in Texas, and I hope they’ll help make your move feel a little less overwhelming.