Setting up House

Local Telephone Service

Residents of Iowa now have a choice of local phone carriers. To compare prices and services or to initiate service visit the website, or call QWEST at 1 (800) 244-1111 and/or McLeodUSA at 1 (800) 909-3012. To order a QWEST telephone book, call 1 (800) 422-8793. To order a McLeodUSA telephone book, call 1 (800) 373-3280. Both are free, regardless of which company you use.

Gas and Electric

MidAmerican Energy is the utility company that services Iowa City and surrounding communities. To set up an account and initiate service visit the website or call toll free 1 (888) 427-5632.

Water, Sewer, and Garbage Services

If any of these are not included in the utilities paid for by the landlord, you need to call the Iowa City Civic Center at 356-5000 located at 410 E. Washington St. to initiate service and get the bill in your name. If you will be residing in Coralville contact the Coralville City Hall at 351-2779 located at 1512 7th Street, or visit their respective websites.

Recycling

Iowa City offers free curbside recycling. The City provides a blue recycling bin. If you have not received one or need information about organizing recyclables, call 356-5180. City Carton, 3 E. Benton St., takes some recyclables that the City does not accept. Curbside recycling in Coralville is also free. Yellow bins are available at City Hall.

Furniture

There are many furniture stores in the Iowa City area. But if inexpensive furniture is what you are looking for, try Houseworks, 1800 Stevens Dr. (338-4357), or Goodwill, 1835 Boyrum St., in Iowa City. Goodwill has a Coralville location on Highway 6 West. Saturday morning garage sales are terrific for bargains. Check the Add Sheet and the classified ads in the local papers. Sharpless Auctions, 5049 Herbert Hoover Hwy., can be a fun source for bargains. It is also possible to rent furniture and appliances — look in the Yellow Pages for more information. There is also a UI Surplus Store (335-5001).

Cable Television

To initiate cable service off-campus, call Mediacom at 1-888-299-9647.