Relocation Tips

Gas and Electricity

Gas and electricity service for Oakland is supplied by Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E). Its customer service representatives will be glad to assist you at (800) PGE-5000.

If you phone one or two days in advance, you should be able to have the gas and electricity on when you move in. Naturally, the company asks for as much lead time as possible; you can call up to one month before service is required.

Should the gas need to be turned on, someone will need to be home or the door unlocked for work inside the house. A good credit rating and evidence of prompt payment with another utility company are all you need to secure service. A deposit may be necessary.

Sanitation

Waste Management of Alameda County, which can be reached at (510) 613-8710, takes care of refuse removal. You can set up your service over the phone, learn which days your garbage will be picked up, and discover the company’s recycling service. No deposit is necessary. A similar service is provided by Norcal Waste Services of Alameda County, which can be reached at (510) 267-0852.

Telephone

The Oakland area, including Alameda and Contra Costa counties, is served
by AT&T.

If you have had telephone service in another area and a history of good credit, the business office at (800) 310-2355 should be enough to secure new service.

A customer service representative will take your account application over the phone.

If you are building a new home, you should have it pre-wired for telephone service. AT&T can do this, or you may choose to do it yourself.

Housing

Interested in buying a new home? Visit one of our many local realtors. How about renting an apartment in town? Visit www.apartments.com.