Moving to Westwood Lakes? 7 Things You Need To Do Immediately!

(1)

Your First Order of Business: Gas, Water, and Electricity in Westwood Lakes

What slows most people down in their first week in Westwood Lakes isn't unpacking, furniture delivery, or even learning the streets—it's realizing that your new life can't really start until the utilities are sorted.

So, before routines settle in, workdays normalize, and dinners stop being takeout-heavy, give your home essentials the attention they need—starting with electricity. 

Service in Westwood Lakes runs through Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), and setting it up early prevents overlap charges, delays, or accidental gaps in service. 

New customers will need identification, a Social Security number or tax ID, the service address, and a preferred start date, and existing FPL customers can transfer service by updating their address and move dates. 

A setup deposit is typically around $25, depending on account history.

Gas is the next potential bottleneck—but only if your home is set up for it. 

Not every property in Westwood Lakes has gas service, so availability should be confirmed first through Florida City Gas (FCG).

If gas is an option, new accounts require ID and a requested connection date, while transfers involve updating addresses and scheduling the switchover. 

Deposits and connection fees vary and are often tied to anticipated usage.

Water and sewer service is handled separately through the Miami-Dade Water & Sewer Department, and this step tends to surprise newcomers who assume it's bundled with power. 

You'll need to verify service availability, create an account, and plan for standard deposits—$50 for water, $50 for sewer—plus a one-time, non-refundable $45 connection fee. 

Existing customers, on the other hand, should make sure there's no outstanding balance before requesting a transfer.

Once these three are handled, the rest of the move starts to click into place—because in Westwood Lakes, progress doesn't stall over boxes or Wi-Fi routers, it stalls when the basics aren't turned on.

(3)

The 30-Day Clock You Don’t Want to Ignore: Applying For a Florida Driver's License

Living in Westwood Lakes means your car isn't optional, and neither is a Florida driver’s license. 

Grocery runs, school drop-offs, and errands that hop from plaza to plaza — daily life in Westwood Lakes assumes you're ALWAYS behind the wheel, which is why the license switch matters early. 

Once you establish Florida residency, the state gives you a 30-day window to make your license official—but in practical terms, waiting slows everything down. 

Insurance updates, vehicle paperwork, and even certain services hit pause without a Florida ID tied to your address.

So, unless you plan on becoming an outlaw in your new community, it's time to visit the nearest Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) or a licensed local branch with identification based on residency status.

•    U.S Citizen
•    Immigrant
•    Non-Immigrant
•    Canadian

The standard Florida Class E license costs $48, the commercial Class A license is $75, and an ID card costs $25.

For a complete list of driver's license fees, click here.

If you're transferring a valid license from another state or country, you can avoid written and driving tests, though vision and hearing checks still apply.

Already licensed in Florida? Update your Westwood Lakes address to receive official mail, renewals, and notices.

One last thing newcomers often overlook: vehicle registration. 

Florida requires cars to be titled, registered, and insured in-state within 10 days of establishing residency—often sooner than people expect.

In a neighborhood where driving powers nearly every routine, handling your driver's license early keeps daily life moving without unnecessary detours.

(5)

Match Your Ballot to Your New Address: Voter Registration in Westwood Lakes 

Some updates feel urgent the moment you move, while others, like voter registration, quietly slip through the cracks. 

New address, same registration sounds harmless, until ballots, polling locations, and election notices are still tied to a ZIP code you no longer live in.

In Westwood Lakes, this step matters more than people realize. 

Local elections affect things residents actually notice day to day, from schools and libraries to community services and funding decisions. 

Ensuring your registration reflects your current address is what keeps you looped in when those votes come in.

So, if you're a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, and meet eligibility requirements, update or register through the Florida Department of State or the Miami-Dade County Elections Department—online, by mail, or in person at an Elections Department branch.

A valid ID with both a photo and a signature is required. 

Most people use a Florida driver's license or U.S. passport, and alternative forms of identification are accepted if they meet state guidelines, which can be confirmed here.

Once that update is done, it's one less loose end tied to your old address—and a sign that you're fully settled into life in Westwood Lakes, not just living here, but officially counted here, too.

(7)

Life After the Checklists: Falling in Love with Westwood Lakes

At some point, the lists stop running your days. 

You're no longer chasing appointments or triple-checking schedules, and that's when Westwood Lakes starts to show its real appeal—not as a destination, but as a place that supports daily life.

This part of Miami revolves around simplicity: familiar streets, neighbors who nod as they pass, and steady routines that are far from rushed. 

Green space plays a bigger role than newcomers expect, as nearby parks offer families and solo residents alike breathing room, whether that means a quick walk, time with kids, or just stepping outside without needing a reason.

And when you're ready for more, Westwood Lakes doesn't box you in. 

Coral Gables, Kendall, and other high-energy pockets of Miami are all easy drives away, making it simple to dip into busier scenes and just as easy to retreat back home afterward — a balance that many residents end up appreciating most.

For a deeper look at what surrounds you—from nearby eats to lifestyle essentials—visit Westwood Lakes, Miami, Florida — EVERYTHING You Want to Know.