Moving to New York: utilities and your first-month checklist
Which company serves your new address depends on where in New York it is. Each link below goes to that company's own page for starting service. Start it two to three weeks ahead, from the day you get the keys.
Electric companies in New York
New York City (except the Rockaways) and Westchester CountyNational Grid (Upstate NY)
Upstate: Albany, Syracuse, Utica, Buffalo and much of central, northern and western NYPSEG Long Island
Nassau and Suffolk counties and the Rockaways (Queens)NYSEG
Much of upstate NY: Southern Tier, Finger Lakes, Hudson Valley and North CountryRG&E
Rochester and surrounding countiesCentral Hudson
Mid-Hudson Valley: Dutchess, Ulster, Orange and nearby countiesOrange & Rockland
Rockland and Orange counties and part of Sullivan
Natural gas in New York
Manhattan, the Bronx, parts of Queens, and WestchesterNational Grid (NYC)
Brooklyn, Staten Island and most of QueensNational Grid (Long Island)
Nassau and Suffolk counties and the RockawaysNational Grid (Upstate NY)
Albany, Syracuse, Utica and parts of central and eastern upstateNational Fuel Gas
Western NY: Buffalo, Erie and surrounding countiesNYSEG
Parts of upstate NY: Southern Tier, Finger Lakes, Hudson ValleyRG&E
Rochester areaCentral Hudson
Mid-Hudson ValleyOrange & Rockland
Rockland and Orange counties
Water in New York
Choosing a supplier
New York lets some customers choose who supplies their electricity and gas. The wires and pipes stay with the utility. Compare on the state's own page before signing anything a door-to-door seller offers: official shopping page.
Help with the bills
If deposits or bills are a stretch, New York runs energy assistance: official assistance page. Ask the utility about deposit waivers too; many waive the deposit with a good payment letter from your old company.
Problems with a utility
The New York State Department of Public Service regulates utilities in New York and takes complaints.
New-resident deadlines in New York
- Driver's license: within 30 days of moving. Official page
- Car registration and title: within 30 days of moving. Official page
- Inspection: Not needed before registering. Annual safety inspection, with an emissions check for most vehicles. A valid inspection from your old state counts until it expires or one year after you register, whichever comes first. Official page
- New York driver license office
- Register to vote in New York
From the state's own websites, checked October 2026. Deadlines can change; check the official page before you rely on one.
Your first month in a new state
- USPS: change your address: Start mail forwarding up to 30 days early. The real site is usps.com.
- Your new state's motor vehicle office: Driver's license, registration and title. Most states set a short deadline after you move, so check yours first.
- Register to vote: Routes you to the official registration for the new state.
- Medicaid, if you have it: Medicaid doesn't move with you. You apply again in the new state.
- Health insurance: A permanent move can open a special enrollment period.
- Social Security: Change your address once here; Medicare gets it from Social Security.
Utility companies and service areas checked October 2026. Service areas follow addresses, not county lines exactly: confirm with the company before you book.