You’ve just arrived in a new city. Everything feels unfamiliar, but that’s normal. What matters now is focusing on essential tasks. Your first week in Philadelphia should start with structure and purpose. Instead of rushing to explore, ground yourself by taking care of the basics first. This includes setting up services, securing your home, and understanding your new environment.

Set Up Your Utilities Immediately

If your move-in was well coordinated, electricity, water, and gas should already be activated. But always double-check. Contact providers to confirm your account details, billing start date, and meter readings. Next, get your internet service connected.

Philadelphia has options like Comcast Xfinity and Verizon Fios. Install your modem early if you work remotely or stream media.

Understand Public Transit and Driving Rules

Philadelphia’s public transit system, SEPTA, connects most neighborhoods by bus, trolley, and subway. Download the SEPTA app to check schedules and buy digital passes. Using Key Cards saves time and money on fares.

Driving here requires patience. Street parking is limited, and many areas require residential permits. Look for posted signs. Street sweeping and timed zones are strictly enforced. If you’re shipping a vehicle abroad and only staying temporarily, consider using public transportation instead of registering a car locally. If you need a permit, apply through the Philadelphia Parking Authority as soon as possible.

Update Your Address and Official Documents

Visit the USPS website or your nearest post office to submit a change of address form. Update your address with banks, employers, and insurance providers. If you brought a vehicle, head to PennDOT to update your license and registration. Schedule an appointment in advance to avoid long waits.

If you moved with children, contact the School District of Philadelphia. Confirm school assignments and provide any required documents, such as immunization records or proof of address.

Unpack the Essentials First

Resist the urge to do everything on day one. Unpacking can take days. Prioritize the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. You’ll function better when you can eat, sleep, and shower without stress. Take time to unpack rather than scatter boxes throughout the space. This keeps your home cleaner and your mind more relaxed.

Label each box clearly before you open it. Break the process into short sessions. You’ll stay productive without feeling burned out during the first week in Philadephia.

Find the Closest Grocery Stores and Pharmacies

Within your first few days, locate stores where you’ll shop regularly. Trader Joe’s, Acme, Aldi, and Whole Foods have locations across the city. There are also excellent independent grocers and produce markets in neighborhoods like East Passyunk and Chestnut Hill.

For pharmacies, you’ll find CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens throughout Philadelphia. Confirm the one nearest to you is open during hours that fit your schedule. Also, check if they offer prescription delivery, which is helpful during busy weeks.

Secure Your Living Space

Safety should come before aesthetics. Change the locks unless your property manager confirms they did so before your arrival. Test the doorbell and any intercom system. Check all windows and doors for working locks.

Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors or test the existing ones. Add nightlights in hallways or bathrooms to reduce accidents while you’re still adjusting to the layout.

Familiarize Yourself with Local Services

From hardware stores to dry cleaners, you’ll need practical services nearby. Walk around your block to find essentials like laundromats, ATM machines, and public libraries. Libraries are great for free Wi-Fi, printing, and community info.

Also, look for neighborhood Facebook groups or use Nextdoor. These resources help you connect with neighbors and learn about service providers with good reputations.

Locate Health and Emergency Care Providers

Search for nearby hospitals and urgent care clinics. Jefferson Health and Penn Medicine operate in many locations across the city. Add the nearest 24-hour pharmacy to your phone contacts, along with poison control and your local fire department.

If you have chronic health conditions, begin the process of transferring medical records. Contact primary care providers or specialists for new patient appointments. Confirm that they accept your health insurance before scheduling. Many providers have online portals for uploading your records securely.

Plan a Light Grocery Restock

Instead of buying everything in bulk, start with just the basics. Bread, eggs, fruit, bottled water, and snacks are good first purchases. You’ll save time by avoiding multiple trips. Keep meals simple while your kitchen is half unpacked.

Grab cleaning supplies too—things like all-purpose cleaner, dish soap, and paper towels. You’ll want these handy while unpacking. Check your fridge and freezer settings to ensure food stays fresh after you stock it.

Get Acquainted with Your Neighborhood

Spend part of each day walking around your immediate area. Note the fastest routes to bus stops, cafes, or gyms. You’ll learn the flow of your new block and get a feel for what time people are out.

Use this time to look for parks or green spaces. Philadelphia has great options like Fairmount Park, Rittenhouse Square, and the Schuylkill River Trail. Even small neighborhood parks give you a peaceful break during busy days.

Explore Local Food and Takeout Options

Philadelphia is known for food—cheesesteaks, hoagies, soft pretzels, and more. But it also has global cuisine on every corner. Pick one local restaurant each evening and try something new. This helps you avoid cooking while your kitchen is chaotic and offers a chance to make friends in new country settings by chatting with locals or fellow newcomers.

Apps like Grubhub, Uber Eats, and Caviar are popular here. Some neighborhoods have local delivery services or walk-up windows, especially near universities and cultural districts.

Check Trash and Recycling Days

Trash collection is weekly, and each neighborhood has a set day. Recycling is collected on the same day. The city requires bags to be placed curbside by 7 a.m. on collection day. Philadelphia does not offer bulk pickup without a request, so call 311 if you have large boxes or furniture to dispose of.

Download the “PickupPHL” tool to look up your specific schedule by address. If you moved into a building with shared bins, ask your landlord or neighbors about the rules.

Final Reminders for a Smoother Start

Review your lease to double-check pet rules, maintenance responsibilities, or visitor policies. If your building uses a portal, create your login and explore its features. Some offer rent autopay, maintenance requests, or package tracking.

Create a folder—digital or paper—for receipts, warranties, rental documents, and emergency contacts. Having everything in one place saves time later. If you haven’t already, get renters insurance. It protects you from unexpected losses and is often required in city rentals.

Own Your First Week

Your first week in Philadelphia will set the tone for your experience in this city. Keep your focus on key tasks—utilities, safety, health care, local services, and neighborhood routines. Don’t rush to decorate or over-schedule. Instead, allow yourself time to adjust and handle each priority one by one.

Once you complete the basics, the city opens up. You’ll move more confidently, enjoy your surroundings, and feel more at home. That’s the real success of your first week—feeling ready, not just unpacked.