Settling in · Aberdeen
Landing in Aberdeen? Start here.
The first fortnight in Aberdeen, 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
88 places in Aberdeen 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
The Kirk of St. Nicholas
Christian, Church of scotland
Union Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1JL
Catalyst Vineyard Church - Central Site
Christian, Evangelical
49 Gilcomston Park, Aberdeen, AB25 1PN
Hebron Evangelical Church
Christian, Evangelical
Summer Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1RR
St. Stephen's Parish Church
Christian, Church of scotland
Powis Place, Aberdeen City, AB25 3TS
Holburn Gospel Hall
Christian
220 Holburn Street, Aberdeen, AB10 6DB
About 2 km away
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Christian, Latter day saints
North Anderson Drive, Aberdeen City, AB15 6DD
About 3 km away
Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
Christian, Roman catholic
231 Deeside Gardens, Aberdeen, AB15 7PR
About 4 km away
Northfield Parish Church of Scotland
Christian, Church of scotland
Byron Crescent, Aberdeen, AB16 7EX
About 5 km away
Riverside Christian Assembly
Christian, Evangelical
Mugiemoss Road, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, AB21 9BG
About 5 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Masjid Alhikmah & Community Centre
Muslim, Sunni
41 Nelson Street, Aberdeen City, AB24 5ER
Hindu temples
Synagogues
Aberdeen Hebrew Congregation Synagogue
Jewish
74 Dee Street, Aberdeen, AB11 6DS
Other places of worship
The nearest Iglesia ni Cristo to Aberdeen
Iglesia ni Cristo, Edinburgh
About 148 km away
RCCG-Edinburgh Tabernacle Hall 41-42 Inverleith Gardens Ferry Road Edinburgh, Scotland EH3 5PR
Worship services: Wed 6:00pm · Sat 11:00am
Iglesia ni Cristo, Glasgow
About 204 km away
White House Hall, 20 Neilson road, Paisley, Scotland, PA2 6LN
Worship services: Tue 6:00pm · Sat 3:00pm (children) · Sat 5:00pm
Iglesia ni Cristo, North Shields
About 242 km away
1A Stormont Street, North Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE29 OEY
Worship services: Thu 7:00pm · Sun 10:00am · Sun 12:00pm (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
New Spice of Asia
Supermarket. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-21:00; Su 10:00-20:00
54 John Street, Aberdeen, AB25 1LL
Food and takeaways
FreshMex
Mexican, burrito, quesadilla, bowl, breakfast, burger, ice cream. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Th,Su 09:30-22:00; Fr-Sa 09:30-22:30
55 Schoolhill, Aberdeen, AB10 1JT
Burrito & Shwarma
Mexican. takeaway. Hours: Mo-We 12:00-21:00; Th 15:00-21:00; Fr-Su 12:00-21:00
235 George Street, Aberdeen, AB25 1ED
Seoul
Japanese, korean. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 12:00-22:00
13 Crown Street, Aberdeen, AB11 6HA
Muzo's Turkish Kitchen
Turkish. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 12:00-21:00
9 Esplanade, Aberdeen City, AB24 5NS
Gidi Grill
African, caribbean. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Th 12:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 12:00-22:30; Su 13:00-22:00
263 Union Street, Aberdeen, AB11 6BR
8848
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Su 14:00-22:00
347 Union Street, Aberdeen, AB11 6BT
Shabaaz
Indian, pakistani. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-14:00,17:00-23:00; Su 17:00-22:30
19 Rose Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1TX
Sports and clubs
Strikers Indoor Football
Five-a-side. Sports centre
50 Broadfold Road, Aberdeen, AB23 8EE
About 4 km away
Beacon Centre
Netball, gymnastics, badminton. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-22:00; Sa-Su 09:00-17:00
Kepplehills Road, AB21 9DG
About 6 km away
Cults Sports Complex
Badminton, basketball, soccer, swimming. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 17:00-22:30; Sa-Su 08:30-17:00
Quarry Road, Aberdeen, AB15 9TP
About 7 km away
Balgownie Sports Centre
Soccer, rugby union, shinty. Sports centre
The Parkway, Aberdeen City, AB22 8YF
About 4 km away
RGU SPORT
Basketball, climbing, fitness, gymnastics, handball, multi, racquet, soccer, swimming, table tennis, tennis, volleyball. Sports centre
Garthdee Road, Aberdeen City, AB10 7GE
About 4 km away
Aberdeen Sports Village
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-22:30; Sa-Su 08:30-17:00; PH off
Linksfield Road, Aberdeen, AB24 5RU
Albury Community Sports Hub
Tennis, bowls, croquet, petanque. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 15:00-21:00, Sa-Su 13:00-17:00
Albury Road, Aberdeen, AB11 6TN
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Driving schools
Community and support groups
Ruthrieston Community Centre
Community centre
532-536 Holburn Street, Aberdeen, AB10 7LL
About 3 km away
Kingswells Community Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-16:15; We 12:45-16:15; Sa 09:00-12:00
Kingswells Avenue, Aberdeen, AB15 8TG
About 8 km away
Dyce Church Hall
Community centre
145 Victoria Street, Aberdeen, AB21 7BJ
About 9 km away
Ferryhill Community Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-We 09:00-16:30; Th 09:00-15:30,16:45-21:00; Fr 15:00-19:00; Sa 10:00-16:00
Albury Road, Aberdeen City, AB11 6TN
Trinity Hall - Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen
Community centre
Holburn Street, Aberdeen City, AB10 6DA
About 2 km away
Cairncry Community Centre
Community centre
Foresterhill Road, Aberdeen, AB16 5HL
About 3 km away
Cummings Park Centre
Community centre
Cummings Park Crescent, Aberdeen City, AB16 7AR
About 4 km away
Cummings Park Community Flat
Community centre
122 Cummings Park Drive, Aberdeen, AB16 7BB
About 4 km away
Mastrick Community Centre
Community centre
Greenfern Road, Aberdeen City, AB16 6TR
About 4 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Barbers and salons
Menspire Salon Aberdeen
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-We 10:00-19:00; Th 10:00-20:00; Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 09:00-17:00
29 St Andrew Street, AB25 1JA
Angel's Hair Mall
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-20:00
557 George Street, Aberdeen, AB25 3XX
Kut Loose
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-We 09:00-17:30; Th 09:00-19:00; Fr 09:00-17:30; Sa 09:00-16:00
11 South Mount Street, Aberdeen, AB25 2TN
Master Cut Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00
89 Holburn Street, Aberdeen, AB10 6BQ
About 2 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Tillydrone Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,We 10:00-19:00; Tu,Th-Fr 10:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-13:00
52 Hayton Road, Aberdeen, AB24 2UY
About 3 km away
Bridge of Don Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,We 10:00-19:00; Tu,Th,Fr 10:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-13:00,14:00-17:00
Scotstown Road, Aberdeen City, AB22 8HH
About 4 km away
Airyhall Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,We 09:00-19:00; Tu,Th-Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-13:00,14:00-17:00; PH off
Springfield Road, Aberdeen, AB15 7RF
About 4 km away
Mastrick Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-16:45; Sa 10:00-12:45
Greenfern Road, Aberdeen, AB16 6TR
About 4 km away
Northfield Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Byron Square, Aberdeen City, AB16 7LL
About 5 km away
City of Aberdeen Central Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:00-20:00; Tu 09:00-17:00; We 09:00-20:00; Th 09:00-17:00; Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su closed
Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen, AB25 1GW
Bucksburn Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Kepplehills Road, Aberdeen, AB21 9DG
About 6 km away
Advocates Library and Committee Room
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Concert Court, Aberdeen City, AB10 1BS
Taylor Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-22:00; Fr 09:00-20:00; Sa 09:00-22:00; Su 13:00-22:00
AB24 3UB
About 2 km away
Sir Duncan Rice Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-22:00; Sa 09:00-22:00; Su 11:00-22:00
Bedford Road, Aberdeen City, AB24 3AA
About 2 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 Aberdeen
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