Just Moved to Des Moines? 15-Item First Week Checklist
You just arrived in Des Moines. Here are the 15 things you need to do THIS WEEK: set up utilities, find your trash day, learn the parking rules, and get your apartment livable. Every item has the specific Des Moines details you need.
Data verified: November 2026 · See all Des Moines, IA checklists
Estimated total: about 4 hours spread over 4 weeks
Set up electric and gas TODAY
Contact your landlord for the utility provider at your address and start service immediately.
Set up water service
Check your lease — water may be included. If not, contact your city water department.
Get your internet working
Contact local internet providers to schedule installation. Use library WiFi or your phone's hotspot in the meantime.
Find your trash pickup day
Look up your specific address on your city's sanitation website. Trash day varies by block.
Locate nearest grocery stores
Map the 3 closest grocery stores to your Des Moines address. Stock essentials: cleaning supplies, toilet paper, paper towels, basic food, trash bags, and light bulbs. You'll need them before you've fully unpacked.
Locate nearest pharmacy
Find a pharmacy near your Des Moines home and transfer any active prescriptions. Most major chains (CVS, Walgreens, etc.) can pull your prescription history with just your name and date of birth.
Learn where to park
Read ALL parking signs on your block. Note: street cleaning days/times, permit-only hours, meter hours, and hydrant zones. One missed sign = a $25-55 ticket.
Test all locks and save emergency numbers
Test every door and window lock. Save these numbers in your phone: building maintenance/super, landlord, 911, Des Moines non-emergency (311 or local equivalent), and a 24-hour locksmith.
Photograph the apartment condition
Take timestamped photos of every room, every scratch, every stain BEFORE unpacking. Email them to yourself AND your landlord. This protects your security deposit when you eventually move out.
Meet your immediate neighbors
Knock on the doors of the units/houses next to you and across the hall. Introduce yourself. Ask: what's the building/block like, where do you park, what should I know?
Get renter's insurance (if you haven't already)
Most landlords require it, and it's worth it regardless. Typical cost: $15-30/month. Covers theft, fire, water damage to YOUR belongings. Lemonade, State Farm, and Progressive all offer same-day policies.
Set up mail delivery and packages
Put your name on the mailbox. If your building has a package room, get the access code. If not, set up Amazon Locker or a UPS Access Point nearby. File USPS mail forwarding if you haven't already.
Download essential city apps
Download: your city's parking app (ParkMobile, SpotHero, or similar), transit app (Google Maps or Des Moines's local transit app), 311 app for reporting issues, and your utility provider's app for bill pay.
Walk your neighborhood
Walk a 10-minute radius from your Des Moines home. Note: the closest laundromat (if you don't have in-unit), dry cleaner, hardware store, coffee shop, and ATM. Knowing these saves panic later.
Set weekly reminders
Create recurring phone reminders: trash night (put bins out), recycling night, street cleaning (move car), and rent due date. The first month is when you're most likely to forget.
Generated by CityCheck (citycheck.live)
Related Des Moines, IA resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do in my first week after moving to Des Moines?
You just arrived in Des Moines. Here are the 15 things you need to do THIS WEEK: set up utilities, find your trash day, learn the parking rules, and get your apartment livable. Every item has the specific Des Moines details you need.
How do I find my trash pickup day in Des Moines?
Trash pickup day in Des Moines varies by block and neighborhood — there is no single city-wide trash day. Look up your specific address on your city's sanitation department website or call 311. In Des Moines, bins must be at the curb by the set-out time on your scheduled day. Missing your first pickup means a week of trash on the curb. See CityCheck's Des Moines trash guide at citycheck.live/des-moines/trash for the provider name, phone number, and address lookup link.
Need help with Des Moines, IA?
Questions about Des Moines, IA logistics — parking, utilities, neighborhoods, anything. Drop your email and we'll help.
Sources
- State DMV and Secretary of State websites (license transfer deadlines, costs)
- Municipal utility provider websites (electric, gas, water signup)
- City sanitation departments (trash pickup schedules)
- Data verified: November 2026
15 items · Updated November 2026 · citycheck.live