Congrats on the new job! Moving to a new city for work comes with a long list of things to sort out, and most of it lands in the same few weeks as your first days on the job.
We’re Ali and Muizz, and we rent out rooms in four shared homes in Austin and Manor. Many of our residents come here for a new job, often from out of state, so we see what trips people up in their first month. Here’s the checklist we’d give a friend.
When should I start looking for a place in Austin?
Give yourself at least a month. That way you’re not rushing to sign a lease at the last minute, and you have time to compare places and pick the part of town that fits your commute. Our guide to where to live in Austin compares the popular neighborhoods by rent, walkability, and drive times.
If you’re already short on time, don’t panic. With us, the move-in process can take as little as a few days, so a last-minute start date doesn’t rule you out.
Can I use my relocation package for rent?
Usually, yes. Most relocation packages don’t care much about where or how you spend the money, and we’ve had interns and new hires put theirs toward rent and move-in costs with us. Packages are paid out in different ways, though, as a lump sum, a reimbursement for receipts, or a mix, so check with your employer how yours works before you count on it.
A room can also leave you with money to spare. A room costs less to move into than a whole apartment, with less to buy, so if your package is paid as a lump sum, more of it can go into savings instead of being used up on the move. Our room vs apartment comparison adds up the first-year cost of each, including deposits and furniture.
What should I sort out before I arrive?
Four things make the first week a lot smoother:
- Know exactly what your place includes. Even a “fully furnished” room doesn’t always mean everything. You may still need your own bedding, towels, and kitchen basics like pots, pans, and utensils, so ask before you pack. In our homes, the living and dining areas are furnished and our furnished rooms come with a bed, mattress, and nightstand, but bedding, towels, and kitchen basics are yours to bring. Housemates are usually happy to let you borrow theirs while you get settled, as long as you ask first.
- Know how far you are from work, at rush hour. A drive that’s quick on a Sunday can take a lot longer on a weekday morning, especially if it uses I-35. Work out when you’ll need to leave before your first day.
- Line up how you’ll get around. If you’re not bringing a car right away, know which rideshare apps and bus routes you’ll use for the first couple of weeks.
- Budget for the move-in. Most places want a deposit and your first month’s rent up front, plus an application fee. Our rent and move-in cost calculator shows how much cash you’ll need.
When you’re comparing places, our list of questions to ask before renting a room covers what to check, from utilities to parking.
Do I need a car in Austin?
In most cases, yes. Austin is spread out, many of the big employers are on the edges of the city, and most of the places people go on weekends are a drive apart. You can get by without a car at first by relying on Uber or Lyft and CapMetro, Austin’s bus and rail system, where a monthly pass costs $41.25.
If you’re driving to work, our employer guides list door-to-door drive times from different parts of town to Austin’s big employers.
What do I need to do with my car and license after moving to Texas?
Texas sets two deadlines for new residents:
| Compare | Deadline | Where to go |
|---|---|---|
| Register your car | Within 30 days of moving | Your county tax office (in Austin, the Travis County Tax Office) |
| Pass an emissions test first | Before you register, if you live in Travis or Williamson County | A certified inspection station |
| Get a Texas driver license | Within 90 days of moving | A Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office |
From the Texas DMV’s New to Texas page. Bring proof of insurance and your previous registration or title to register.
Texas dropped the yearly safety inspection for most cars in 2025, but Travis and Williamson counties still require an emissions test before you can register. You’ll also need car insurance that meets Texas’s minimums before you register. Book your DPS appointment as soon as you know your move date, so the 90 days don’t sneak up on you.
What should my first week look like?
Keep it practical. Get your room set up so it feels like home: bed made, clothes put away, and anything you’re missing bought in one trip. Then do a trial run of your commute at the time you’ll actually drive it, so your first morning isn’t a surprise. Find your nearest grocery store, and ask your housemates where they go for everything else.
Austin summers are hot, so if you’re arriving between June and September, plan errands for the morning or evening.
How do I make friends in Austin when I don’t know anyone?
Start with the people you live with. Most of our residents are new to Austin, often from out of state, so they’re just as eager to try new places as you are, and they can tell you what they learned when they moved here. It’s not unusual for housemates to head out together to Austin spots like the comedy clubs and nightlife downtown and on the east side.
Your coworkers are the other easy start, especially if you’re joining with a group of new hires or interns. Plenty of them are new too and happy to explore together. A few of our own favorite weekend outings: the Mueller Farmers Market, a day on Lake Travis, and Gus Fruh on the Barton Creek Greenbelt, a quieter swimming hole than Barton Springs Pool.
Should I rent a room or get my own apartment my first year?
Renting a room is the easier way to land. It usually costs a lot less than a one-bedroom, there’s little to buy, and you have people around from day one. You also get time to learn the city before you commit to a neighborhood. If keeping costs down is the priority, see our rooms under $1,000 a month.
In our experience, people who start a full-time job and rent a room with us usually stay past their first lease, because it works for them. When residents do move on, it’s mostly for life changes: moving in with a partner, heading back home to another state, or a new job in another city.
Arborside — Unit D
Private room with shared bath
Available November 2026
Chapala — Unit B
Furnished private room with private bath
Available November 2026
Chapala — Unit C
Furnished private room with private bath
Available November 2026
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I look for housing in Austin?
At least a month before your start date, so you can compare places and avoid signing something at the last minute. If you’re short on time, some landlords, including us, can move you in within a few days.
Can I use a relocation package to pay rent in Austin?
Usually, yes. Most relocation packages don’t restrict how you spend them, and we’ve had new hires and interns use theirs toward rent and move-in costs. Check with your employer how yours is paid out: a lump sum, reimbursements, or a mix.
How long do I have to register my car after moving to Texas?
30 days. Register at your county tax office, and if you live in Travis or Williamson County, pass an emissions test first. You also need a Texas driver license within 90 days of moving.
Can I live in Austin without a car?
You can at first, using Uber, Lyft, and CapMetro buses and trains, where a monthly pass is $41.25. Most people find a car makes Austin much easier, especially if they work outside downtown.
What should I bring when moving into a furnished room?
Bedding, towels, and anything personal. Ask what the room includes first: in our furnished rooms, the bed, mattress, and nightstand are there and the living areas are furnished, but sheets, pillows, towels, and kitchen basics are yours to bring.