Electricity
You must have electricity before moving into your New York home, be it Brooklyn or another neighborhood. Without it, you will be left in the dark, without heat, and without entertainment since outlets will not charge a phone, tablet, laptop, or DVD player. Ideally have electricity up a few days before you move in. Contact your supplier in advance. This will also make night moves possible should that be a requirement. See moving at night in NYC.
Natural gas
If you are moving into a home that is all-electric, you can skip this step. If your new residence has electric and gas fixtures, make sure your natural gas account is up and in good standing. Many buildings use gas for heat, hot water, and the range. Check with your apartment or property manager that heating is running before looking at switching utilities — especially in winter.
Water
Do not forget to get the water hooked up. Turning it on a day or two before you move in is the best idea. Then turn the faucet on and let it run for a minute or two to rinse the pipes. To open your water account, call the NYC Department of Environmental Protection. Always call in advance.
Trash, phone, and internet
Some apartments require tenants to have their own trash accounts — set that up within a day or two. Recycle packing supplies when you can. Home phone is not technically a utility but matters for many; you can often adjust a plan online. Get internet set up along with phone and electricity. Switching providers and notifying existing providers in advance saves penalties. Local NYC moving is the booking page when the utilities are lined up.