Moving & Utilities Guide for Tulsa

Your Moving Timeline

A well-organized move reduces stress and prevents things from falling through the cracks. Here is a week-by-week timeline to keep you on track from the moment you know your closing date.

Four Weeks Before Moving Day

Start by getting moving quotes from at least three companies. In Tulsa, reputable local movers include Two Men and a Truck, Tulsa Moving Company, and several other licensed operations. Get in-home estimates rather than phone quotes for the most accurate pricing. A typical local move for a three-bedroom home costs between $800 and $2,000 depending on the size and distance.

Begin decluttering room by room. Donate, sell, or discard items you no longer need. The less you move, the less it costs and the easier unpacking will be. Tulsa has several donation centers including Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Habitat for Humanity ReStore locations.

Start collecting boxes and packing supplies. Liquor stores and grocery stores are great sources for free boxes. Purchase packing tape, bubble wrap, and markers for labeling.

Two Weeks Before Moving Day

Begin packing non-essential items: seasonal clothing, books, decorations, and items from guest rooms and storage areas. Label every box clearly with its contents and the room it belongs in at the new house. This simple step saves hours of confusion on moving day.

Schedule your utility transfers and new service activations (see the Tulsa utility providers section below). Most utility companies require at least a few business days' notice, so do not wait until the last minute.

File a change of address with the USPS online at usps.com. This ensures your mail is forwarded to your new address. Also update your address with your bank, insurance companies, employer, and any subscription services.

Confirm your moving company booking and review the details: date, time, address, and any special instructions for large or fragile items.

One Week Before Moving Day

Pack the remaining non-essential items. Prepare an essentials box or bag that you will keep with you on moving day containing toiletries, medications, phone chargers, a change of clothes, important documents, snacks, and water.

Clean out your refrigerator and plan meals to use up perishable food. Defrost the freezer if needed. Transfer prescriptions to a pharmacy near your new home if you are changing areas.

Confirm that all utilities will be active at your new address on or before your closing date. You do not want to arrive at a dark house with no running water.

Moving Day

Do a final sweep of your old home. Check every closet, cabinet, drawer, attic, and garage space. It is incredibly common to leave items behind in the rush of moving day. Take meter readings at both your old and new home for utility billing purposes.

Be present to direct movers at both locations. Have a floor plan or at least a clear idea of where furniture goes in the new house. This saves the movers from having to rearrange heavy items later.

Tulsa Utility Providers

Electric: Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO)

PSO is the electric provider for most of the Tulsa metro area, including Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Jenks, and Bixby. You can set up service online at psoklahoma.com or by calling (888) 216-3523. New accounts typically require a social security number for a credit check. If you have a limited credit history, a deposit may be required.

PSO offers budget billing, which averages your monthly costs across the year to provide consistent payments. This can be helpful in Oklahoma where summer electric bills can spike due to air conditioning usage.

Natural Gas: Oklahoma Natural Gas (ONG)

ONG provides natural gas service across the Tulsa area. Natural gas powers most home heating systems, water heaters, and some cooking appliances in Tulsa. You can establish service online at oklahomanaturalgas.com or by calling (800) 664-5463. Like electric service, a credit check is standard and a deposit may be required for new customers.

Gas bills in Tulsa are typically highest in winter months when your heating system is running. Budget billing is available here as well to smooth out seasonal fluctuations.

Water, Sewer, and Trash: City of Tulsa

If your new home is within Tulsa city limits, water, sewer, and trash collection are managed by the City of Tulsa. You can set up service through the City of Tulsa Utility Office at cityoftulsa.org or by calling (311) from within Tulsa or (918) 596-2100. You will need your new address and closing date to establish service.

If you are moving to a suburb like Jenks, Bixby, Broken Arrow, or Owasso, water and sewer services are handled by the respective city utility offices. Trash collection in suburban areas may be provided by the city or by a private company like Waste Connections or Republic Services.

Internet and Cable

Tulsa has several internet and cable providers depending on your location:

• Cox Communications: The most widely available provider in Tulsa, offering cable internet, TV, and phone. Speeds up to 1 Gbps available in most areas.
• AT&T Fiber: Available in many Tulsa neighborhoods, offering fiber-optic internet with speeds up to 5 Gbps. Check availability at your specific address.
• T-Mobile Home Internet: A wireless option available in most of the Tulsa metro. Good for areas where wired options are limited.
• Xtream (formerly Suddenlink): Available in some surrounding areas outside Tulsa proper.

I recommend checking availability at your specific address before closing, as coverage can vary even within the same neighborhood. Schedule installation for your closing day or the day after so you have internet from the start.

Setting Up Mail Forwarding

File your change of address with USPS at least two weeks before your move. You can do this online at usps.com for a $1.10 verification fee. Mail forwarding lasts for 12 months for first-class mail and 60 days for magazines and periodicals.

In addition to USPS forwarding, manually update your address with these important contacts:

• Banks and credit card companies
• Insurance providers (auto, health, life)
• Employer and payroll department
• Oklahoma Tax Commission (if applicable)
• Vehicle registration (Oklahoma requires address updates within 10 days of a move)
• Voter registration
• Schools and childcare providers
• Doctors, dentists, and veterinarians
• Online shopping accounts (Amazon, etc.)

Settling Into Your New Home

Once the boxes are unpacked and the utilities are running, take some time to get to know your new surroundings. Walk the neighborhood, visit local parks, try nearby restaurants, and introduce yourself to your neighbors. Tulsa is a genuinely friendly city, and building community connections makes your house feel like home faster.

If you are new to Tulsa, explore the Gathering Place (one of the top-rated parks in the country), check out the Philbrook Museum, walk the Turkey Mountain trails, and sample the local food scene along Cherry Street, Brookside, and the Blue Dome District. Tulsa has a lot to offer, and discovering your new city is one of the best parts of moving here.

And remember, I am here as a resource long after closing. Whether you need a plumber recommendation, have a question about property taxes, or just want to know the best pizza spot near your new house, do not hesitate to reach out.