Settling in · County Antrim
Landing in County Antrim? Start here.
The first fortnight in County Antrim, in order: the paperwork that has to happen, then the places that make it feel like somewhere you could stay.
Week one and two
The order to do things in
1
Ring your Sama contact when you land
Whoever placed you. Tell them you arrived and that you are all right.
2
Apply for your National Insurance number
You can start work before it arrives, but do not leave it: your tax will be wrong until you have it.
3
Open a bank account
Passport, visa or share code, and proof of address. A letter from your employer usually does it.
4
Get a UK SIM
A local number makes the bank and the GP straightforward.
5
Register with a GP
Free at the point of use. Do it in your first week.
6
Check your tax code with HMRC
Get on the right code early or you will be paying too much for months.
7
Save your share code
You will be asked to prove your right to work and rent more than once.
8
Find the nearest shop, place of worship and club
The part that decides whether you stay, and the part no handbook covers.
Official, and free
Official finders
Run by the State, so they stay current. Search each one for your own town.
Find a GPThe NHS list of GP surgeries, searchable by postcode.Apply for a National Insurance numberYou need one to be taxed correctly. Apply once you are in the UK.Find an NHS dentistHarder than the GP. Start early and ring around.Check your visa and BRP or eVisaView and prove your immigration status online.Find your local police stationEmergency is 999 or 112. Non-emergency is 101.Understand your tax codeCheck what HMRC thinks you earn, so you are not overtaxed for months.Driving on a foreign licenceHow long you may drive on it, and whether it can be exchanged.Renting: know the rulesYour rights as a tenant, deposit protection and what a landlord may and may not do.Citizens AdviceFree, independent help with anything at all.Public transportNational rail and bus times and tickets.
Near you
84 places in County Antrim worth knowing in week one
From OpenStreetMap, the map that locals build, plus places our team knows. Every card has a map link. If one has closed or moved, WhatsApp us and it comes down.
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Places of worship
Every faith near you, listed so people can find a community when they arrive. Sama Talent Group is not affiliated with any religion or religious organisation.
Churches
St Joseph's Parish
Christian, Roman catholic
56 Greystone Road, Antrim, BT41 1JZ
About 2 km away
Ballee Presbyterian Church
Christian, Presbyterian
Old Antrim Road, Ballymena, BT42 2HG
About 15 km away
J.Kyle Paisley Memorial Free Presbyterian Church
Christian, Presbyterian
12 Toome Road, Ballymena, BT42 2BP
About 15 km away
St Patrick's Parish Church
Christian, Anglican
Castle Street, Ballymena, BT43 7BT
About 16 km away
Ballymena Elim
Christian, Elim pentecostal
42 Castle Street, Ballymena, BT43 7BT
About 17 km away
Ballymena Congregational Church
Christian, Congregational
Kinhilt Street, Ballymena, BT43 5BD
About 17 km away
Ballymena Baptist Church
Christian, Baptist
18-22 Mount Street, Ballymena, BT43 6DX
About 17 km away
All Saints
Christian, Roman catholic
2 Broughshane Road, Ballymena, BT43 7DX
About 17 km away
The Ballymena Church of God
Christian, Church of god
35 Frys Road, Ballymena, BT43 7EN
About 18 km away
Hindu temples
ISKCON Belfast
Hindu, Hare krishna
2a Brooklands Grange, Belfast, BT17 0SA
About 22 km away
Synagogues
Belfast Synagogue
Jewish, Orthodox
49 Somerton Road, Belfast, BT15 3LH
About 21 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Ballymena
About 16 km away
28 Henry Street, Ballymena, Northern Ireland, BT42 3AH
Worship services: Fri 8:30pm · Sun 11:00am (Tagalog) · Sun 1:15pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Belfast
About 24 km away
2-4 University Avenue Belfast, BT7 1GY
Worship services: Thu 6:00pm · Sun 11:00am · Sun 1:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Dungannon
About 43 km away
Unit 2 8 Beechvalley Way Dungannon, BT70 7BS Northern Ireland
Worship services: Fri 9:30pm · Sat 11:00am · Sat 1:00pm (children)
Addresses and worship service times from the Iglesia ni Cristo directory, checked October 2026. Times can change, so check the locale's own page before you go. directory.iglesianicristo.net
Shops from home
Eurospar
Supermarket. Hours: 24/7
290 Antrim Road, Newtownabbey, BT36 7QT
About 17 km away
Eurospar
Supermarket
220 Stewartstown Road, Belfast City District, BT17 0LB
About 22 km away
Food and takeaways
Emerald House
Chinese. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Fr 17:00-00:30, Sa 17:00-01:00, Su 17:00-12:00
489 Falls Road, Belfast, BT12 6DE
About 21 km away
Golden Palace
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 16:30-23:00
Lower Mill Street, Ballymena, BT43 5AX
About 17 km away
Ballyronan Chinese Takeaway
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Sa-Th 16:00-23:00; Fr 16:00-00:00
135 Shore Road, Ballyronan, BT45 6JA
About 21 km away
Evergreen Chinese Take Away
Chinese. restaurant
182 Station Road, Greenisland, BT38 8UN
About 22 km away
Sports and clubs
Cardinal O'Donnell's Gaelic Athletics Club
Gaelic games. Sport club
43 Whiterock Road, Belfast, BT12 7PF
About 21 km away
St Joseph's Glenavy GAC
Gaelic games. Sports centre
Scroggy Road, Glenavy, BT29 4NE
About 16 km away
Lamh Dhearg GAC
Gaelic games. Sports centre
Upper Springfield Road, Belfast City District, BT17 0LT
About 18 km away
Ballymaguigan St Treas GFC
Gaelic games. Sports centre
Shore Road, Gracefield, BT45 6LL
About 20 km away
Seven Towers Leisure Centre
Multi. Sports centre
Trostan Avenue, Ballymena, BT42 3GA
About 16 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Days out and things to do
Driving schools
Community and support groups
Benview Community Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-21:00; Tu 09:00-21:30; Fr 09:00-20:00; Sa 10:00-12:30
80 Ballysillan Park, Belfast City District, BT14 8HD
About 18 km away
Girdwood Community Hub
Community centre
10 Girdwood Avenue, Belfast City District, BT14 6EG
About 21 km away
Ballymena North Business & Recreation Centre
Community centre
120 Cushendall Road, Ballymena, BT43 6HB
About 18 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Kurdish Barbers Ballymena
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Th,Sa 09:00-18:00; Fr 09:00-19:00; Su 11:00-17:00
23 Wellington Street, Ballymena, BT43 6AH
About 17 km away
Mo's Turkish Barbers
Hairdresser
Mount Eagles Square, Belfast City District, BT17 0GY
About 21 km away
Barbers and salons
Blades and Beauty
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-20:00, Fr 09:00-21:00, Sa 09:00-15:00, Su closed
25 Weavers Gate, Antrim, BT41 4LD
Preston Barber Shop
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo 10:00-18:00; Tu 09:00-22:00; We 09:00-18:30; Th-Fr 09:00-20:30; Sa 09:00-17:30; Su off
High Street, Antrim, BT41 4AN
Cinemas and libraries
Antrim Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,We-Sa 09:30-17:00; Tu 12:30-20:00
10 Railway Street, Antrim, BT41 4AE
Greystone Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Greystone Road, Antrim, BT41 1JW
IMC Ballymena
Cinema
St Patrick’s Link Road, Ballymena, BT42 3GA
About 16 km away
Ballymena Central Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
5 Pat's Brae, Ballymena, BT43 5AX
About 17 km away
Randalstown Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
34 New Street, Randalstown, BT41 3AF
About 8 km away
Suffolk LIbrary
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Stewartstown Road, Belfast, BT11 9JP
About 21 km away
Kells and Connor Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
5 Main Street, Kells, BT42 3JH
About 10 km away
Crumlin Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Orchard Road, Crumlin, BT29 4SD
About 11 km away
Ballyclare Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
School Street, Ballyclare, BT39 9BE
About 14 km away
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. We do not make places up: if the map has it wrong, fix it on openstreetmap.org and it comes through at the next refresh.
Saving money
What locals use to spend less
The shops and sites people here use for cheap clothes, second-hand furniture, a car, and the weekly shop. We are not paid to list any of them.
Facebook Marketplace and GumtreeSecond-hand furniture, bikes, tools and cars, often for very little. Meet in public, and never pay before you see it.Freecycle and OlioThings people give away for free, and food from neighbours and shops that would otherwise go in the bin.Too Good To GoSurprise bags of food from cafes, bakeries and supermarkets at the end of the day, at a fraction of the price.PrimarkCheap everyday clothes, work basics and bedding.Aldi and LidlThe cheapest big supermarkets for the weekly shop.B&M and Home BargainsCleaning products, kitchen kit and household bits for less.Charity shopsClothes, coats and furniture, and the money goes to a good cause.MoneySavingExpertFree guides to cheaper phones, energy, bank accounts and sending money.
Getting around
Getting around from County Antrim
TravelineBus, coach and train times for the whole of Great Britain.National RailTrain times, tickets and railcards.Transport for LondonThe Tube, buses and the Oyster and contactless fares.
Driving here on your licence
Once you live in Great Britain you can drive a car or motorcycle on your full, valid licence for 12 months. After that, a licence from a designated country can be exchanged for a GB licence; from other countries you apply for a provisional licence and pass the theory and practical tests. Lorries, minibuses and buses have stricter rules: check before you drive one.
Check your licence on GOV.UK Exchange a licence
Hiring a car
Each rental company sets its own rules on age, how long you have held your licence and which licences it accepts, and young drivers often pay more. Check those rules before you book, and bring your licence and passport to the desk.
Driving rules taken from the official pages linked above, checked October 2026. They change, so the official page is the one to rely on.
While you are here