Tip #1 You need power

Set up your utilities first so that you’ve got air conditioning and water when you’re moving in. We’ve got all of the numbers you need here: Westar Energy provides Lawrence residents with electricity. Services can be set up on the telephone or through the Internet. The customer service number is (800) 383-1183. The Web site is www.wr.com.

Residential customers must make a deposit, usually twice the average bill. Early applications receive priority; usually two weeks notice will assure service when requested, although there may be some delay during peak moving season.

Tip #2 Get the gas

Aquila provides Lawrence residents with natural gas. Services can be set up by phone or Internet. The customer service number is (800) 303-0752. The Web site is www.aquila.com.

Tip #3 Set up water, garbage and sewer services

The city of Lawrence handles water, garbage pickup and sewer. Applications can be made between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays on the second floor of City Hall, Sixth and Massachusetts streets.

A $40 deposit is required for residential renters.

Water, garbage pickup and sewer services are billed through Lawrence Utility Billing, 6 E. Sixth St., Lawrence 66044. The customer service phone number is 832-7878. The Web site is www.lawrenceutilitybilling.org. Lawrence Utility Billing also offers Auto Bill Pay, an automatic bank payment plan.

Tip #4 Cable and phone services

Sunflower Broadband provides cable television and high-speed Internet service in Lawrence. Offices are at 1 Riverfront Plaza, Suite 301. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The customer service phone number is 841-2100. The Web site is www.sunflowerbroadband.com. Sunflower Broadband also offers local telephone service via the same phone number and Web site.

Tip #5 Get a Kansas driver’s license and license plate

It’s frowned upon to have no driver’s license available when you’re pulled over that first time you drive down Tennessee Street the wrong way. Motorists must notify the Kansas Division of Motor Vehicles within 10 days of a move. The office of the driver’s license examiner is 1035 N. Third St. Suite 122. The telephone number is 843-9593. More information is available at www.ink.org/public/kdor. You can take care of car tags at the county courthouse, 1100 Mass., or 2108 W. 27th St., Suite I, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or at Dillons, 3000 W. Sixth St., from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, County employees are allowed to eat, too, so expect a longer wait if you do your business at lunchtime.

The county treasurer’s office Web site is www.douglas-county.com/treasurer/treas.asp.

Tip #6 Register to vote

To vote in an election, you must register 14 days before Election Day.

You can register at the county clerk’s office at the county courthouse, 1100 Mass., or visit this link for more information: www.douglas-county.com.

Tip #7 Take care of address changes

Change of address cards are available at the Main Post Office, 645 Vt., and Jayhawk Station, 1901 W. 31st St. Post office boxes also are available.

Last collection is at 5:45 p.m. weekdays and 4:30 p.m. Saturdays at the Main Post Office. The last collection at the Jayhawk Station is 5 p.m. weekdays and 4 p.m. Saturdays.

Tip #8 Tune in to Lawrence

Subscriptions to the Lawrence Journal-World can be obtained by calling 832-7135. Also visit our Web sites: www.ljworld.com; www.lawrence.com and www.kusports.com. Cable station 6News offers local news at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. weekdays, and 10 p.m. Sundays, as well as original programming, on Sunflower Broadband Channel 6.