The boxes are mostly unpacked, the internet works and you have found the grocery store. Then the kitchen faucet starts dripping, the car makes a new noise or your dog needs shots, and you realize you don't know a single business in town. Finding local businesses after moving is one of those jobs that is easy to put off and stressful to do in a hurry. A little planning in your first few weeks turns it into a short, calm project instead of a panicked search at 9 p.m.
Why finding local businesses after moving is worth doing early
Back home, you had a list you never thought about: the dentist who knew your teeth, the mechanic who didn't upsell you, the plumber whose number was on the fridge. In a new place, that list is empty, and the moment you need one of them is usually the worst moment to start looking.
Building the list early pays off in a few ways:
- You choose with a clear head. Comparing three plumbers on a quiet Saturday beats picking the first result while water spreads across the floor.
- Some places take time to get into. Doctors, dentists and some specialists may have waits for new patients.
- You start building relationships. A shop that knows you is more likely to fit you in when things get busy.
Build your list in the right order
Not every business needs to be found in week one. Start with the ones you would need in a hurry, then work toward the ones that can wait.
First: the ones you might need in an emergency
- A plumber and an electrician. Water and power problems don't wait for business hours. Find out which local pros handle emergency calls before you need one. Our guide to choosing a plumber you can trust covers what to check.
- An urgent care clinic and a pharmacy. Know where the nearest ones are and what hours they keep.
- An emergency vet, if you have pets. Many regular vets refer after-hours cases elsewhere, so learn where that is.
- A locksmith and a tow service. Save their numbers now, not when you are locked out or stuck.
Next: the regular appointments
- A doctor and a dentist. Check that they take your insurance and are accepting new patients. Browse dentists on Listings Junkie to see who is listed in your state.
- A regular vet for checkups and shots.
- A mechanic for oil changes and the next time a warning light comes on. You can browse automotive businesses by state.
Then: the everyday favorites
Hair salon or barber, dry cleaner, coffee shop, a restaurant for takeout on a tired night. These are the fun ones, and you can take your time finding the places you love.
Where to look for good local businesses
Ask the people around you
Neighbors are the best source of honest recommendations, and asking is a good way to meet them. Coworkers who live nearby, other parents at school pickup and the people at your new gym all have opinions. Online neighborhood groups can help too. Our guide to asking your neighborhood group for a recommendation explains how to ask so the answers are actually useful.
Search directories by category and state
Directories let you see who is out there in one place, with phone numbers, websites and reviews side by side. On Listings Junkie you can browse by category, such as plumbers or home services, and narrow to your state from the locations page. Every listing is checked before it goes live, and reviews are confirmed by email.
Read reviews with a careful eye
Reviews help, but read them for detail, not just stars. A review that says "showed up on time, explained the problem and the price matched the quote" tells you more than a row of five-star ratings with no words. Our guide to spotting fake reviews before you hire shows the warning signs.
Check before you trust
Once you have a short list, a few minutes of checking saves a lot of trouble later.
- Confirm licenses for trades. Plumbers, electricians, contractors and some other trades are licensed in many states. Your state's licensing board usually lets you look a license up online.
- Ask about insurance for anyone working in your home.
- Call and listen. How a business answers the phone, explains its prices and treats a new customer tells you a lot.
- Start small. Try a new mechanic with an oil change before a big repair, or a new cleaner with a single visit before a weekly schedule.
Make your list easy to use
A list only helps if you can find it in a hurry.
- Save numbers in your phone with a label you will remember, such as "Plumber - emergency."
- Keep a shared note with everyone in your household, so whoever is home can call the right person.
- Put the essentials on the fridge the way your parents did. It still works.
- Add notes after each visit: who you saw, what it cost, whether you'd go back.
If you are still in the middle of the move
If the move itself is still ahead of you, our eight-week moving checklist and guide to choosing a moving company you can trust will help. You can browse moving and storage companies on Listings Junkie too. Your Hometown Mover, for example, describes itself as a licensed moving company in Kingston, New York, handling local moves across Kingston and greater Ulster County plus long-distance moves from the Hudson Valley. Haul Bros Moving Co LLC says it is an insured moving company serving Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., and nearby Maryland communities.
Moving to a big city? Our guide for people new to Houston shows how this plan plays out in a large metro area. And once you have found businesses you love, leave them a review. It helps the next new neighbor, and our tips on writing a helpful review make it quick.
Frequently asked questions
What local businesses should I find first after moving?
Start with the ones you could need in an emergency: a plumber, an electrician, urgent care, a pharmacy and, if you have pets, an emergency vet. Then find a doctor, dentist, regular vet and mechanic.
How do I find a good doctor or dentist in a new town?
Check which offices take your insurance and are accepting new patients, ask neighbors and coworkers for recommendations, and read reviews for details about wait times and how patients are treated.
Are online reviews reliable?
They are useful when you read them carefully. Look for specific details, a steady stream of reviews over time and how the business responds to complaints.
How can I check if a contractor is licensed?
Many states let you look up licenses online through the state licensing board. Ask the contractor for their license number and check it before work starts.
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