Settling in · Ardwick
Landing in Ardwick? Start here.
The first fortnight in Ardwick, 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
98 places in Ardwick 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.
Nothing nearby matches that yet. Try a shorter word.
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 Mary's - The Hidden Gem
Christian, Roman catholic
17 Mulberry Street, Manchester, M2 6LN
About 2 km away
Church of Scientology
Scientologist
258 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4BG
About 2 km away
Union Chapel Fallowfield
Christian, Baptist
2b Wellington Road, Manchester, M14 6EQ
About 3 km away
St Peter's Church
Christian, Anglican
Stockport Road, Manchester, M19 3BS
About 3 km away
Christ world & clergy ministeries
Christian
823A Stockport Road, Manchester, M19 3PN
About 4 km away
The Salvation Army - Openshaw
Christian, Salvation army
Ashton Old Road, Openshaw, Manchester, M11 1DA
About 4 km away
St Mary and the Angels RC Church
Christian, Roman catholic
Elbow Street, Manchester, M19 3PY
About 4 km away
St. Mark's Church
Christian, Anglican
Barlow Road, Manchester, M19 3HP
About 4 km away
The Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation
Christian, Greek orthodox
Bury New Road, Salford, M7 4EY
About 5 km away
St Nicholas
Christian, Anglican
408 Kingsway, Manchester, M19 1PL
About 6 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Madina Masjid & Community Centre
Muslim, Sunni
2 Barlow Road, Manchester, M19 3DJ
About 3 km away
The Eccles and Salford Islamic Society
Muslim
5 Liverpool Road, Manchester, M30 0ZE
About 8 km away
Medina Mosque & Islamic Centre
Muslim, Sunni
Clydesdale Street, Oldham, OL8 1BT
About 9 km away
European Islamic Centre & Mosque
Muslim, Sunni
79 Manchester Road, Oldham, OL8 4LN
About 8 km away
Madrassa Taleemul Islam Markazi Masjid
Muslim, Sunni
Suffolk Street, Oldham, OL9 7DJ
About 9 km away
Buddhist temples and centres
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Manchester
About 6 km away
101 Edge Lane, Stretford, Manchester, M32 8PU
Worship services: Tue 7:00pm · Sat 8:00am (Tagalog) · 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
Food and takeaways
Jūb
Coffee shop, thai. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 12:00-22:00
149A Great Ancoats Street, Manchester, M4 6DH
Arnero
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Th 15:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 15:00-23:00; Su 15:00-22:00
25 Sackville Street, Manchester, M1 3LZ
Peace Garden
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Su-Th 12:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 12:00-22:30
57 Booth Street West, Manchester, M15 6PQ
Bundobust
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 12:00-22:30; Fr-Sa 12:00-23:00; Su 12:00-21:00
61 Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2AG
Try Thai
Thai. restaurant. Hours: Su-Th 12:00-21:30; Fr,Sa 12:00-22:30
52-54 Faulkner Street, Manchester, M1 4FH
About 2 km away
Pho Cue
Vietnamese. restaurant. Hours: We-Mo 12:00-21:00; Tu off
52a Faulkner Street, Manchester, M1 4FH
About 2 km away
Ban Di Bul
Korean. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-23:00
77 Princess Street, Manchester, M2 4EG
About 2 km away
Indian Tiffin Room
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 12:00-22:00; Fr 12:00-22:30; Sa 13:00-22:30; Su 13:00-21:30
2 Isabella Banks Street, Manchester, M15 4RL
About 2 km away
Pho
Vietnamese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-22:00; Su 12:00-21:00
37 Hanging Ditch, Manchester, M4 3TR
About 2 km away
Mowgli Street Food
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 11:30-22:00; Fr,Sa 11:30-22:30; Su 11:30-21:30
Hanging Ditch, Manchester, M4 3TR
About 2 km away
Nùr Café
Coffee shop, pastry, arab, breakfast, cake, mexican. cafe. Hours: Mo-Su 07:30-22:00
45 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2AY
About 2 km away
Tattu
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 12:00-22:45
3 Hardman Square, Manchester, M3 3EB
About 2 km away
Sports and clubs
Rushford Park
Soccer. Sports centre
Slade Lane, Levenshulme, Manchester, M19 2AH
About 3 km away
Whalley Range Cricket & Lawn Tennis Club
Cricket, tennis. Sports centre
Kingsbrook Road, Manchester, M16 8WR
About 4 km away
Platt Lane Sports Complex
Soccer, rugby union, badminton. Sports centre
Werneth Avenue, Manchester, M14 7BN
About 3 km away
Manchester Tennis And Football Centre
Soccer, tennis. Sports centre. Hours: 08:00-22:00
9 Sportcity Way, Manchester
About 2 km away
Denton Cricket Club
Cricket. Sports centre
Egerton Street, Denton, Manchester, M34 3PB
About 7 km away
Didsbury Sports Ground
Rugby union, soccer, athletics. Sports centre
Ford Lane, Manchester, M20 2SZ
About 7 km away
Monton Sports Club
Cricket, soccer, lacrosse, tennis, squash. Sports centre
Welbeck Road, Manchester, M30 9EH
About 9 km away
Whalley Range Sports Centre
Soccer, fitness. Sports centre
11-18 Wilbraham Road, Manchester, M16 8GW
About 4 km away
Cheetham Hill Sports Club
Cricket, squash, bowls. Sports centre
Catherine Road, Manchester, M8 4HF
About 6 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Days out and things to do
Driving schools
Fastpass Driving School
Driving school. Hours: Mo-Su 08:00-20:30
Heatley Close, Tameside, M34 2JD
About 6 km away
Community and support groups
Birch Community Centre
Community centre
Brighton Grove, Manchester, M14 5JT
About 2 km away
Wai Yin Society
Community centre
18-32 Brentfield Avenue, Manchester, M8 0TW
About 4 km away
Coppice Community Hub
Community centre
Clydesdale Street, Oldham, OL8 1BT
About 9 km away
422 Community Hub and Cafe
Community centre
422 Stockport Road, Manchester, M12 4EX
About 2 km away
Aquarius Community Centre
Community centre
21 Eden Close, Hulme, Manchester, M15 6AX
About 2 km away
CFO Activity Hub Manchester
Community centre
50-56 High Street, Manchester, M4 1ED
About 2 km away
St. George's Community Centre
Community centre
Bothwell Road, Manchester, M40 7NY
About 2 km away
Proctor Youth Centre
Community centre
Hulme Street, Manchester, M15 5EF
About 2 km away
Moss Side Millenium Powerhouse
Community centre
Raby Street, Moss Side, Manchester
About 2 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Barbers and salons
DN Hair Design
Hairdresser
92 Oldham Road, Manchester, M4 5EB
About 2 km away
King Street Grooming
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Su 09:00-19:00
44 King Street, Manchester, M2 6BA
About 2 km away
Barber Barber Manchester
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-We 09:00-18:00; Th-Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 08:00-17:00; Su 09:00-16:00
3 Barton Arcade, Manchester, M3 2BH
About 2 km away
City Cut
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Su 09:00-20:00
1 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 1AZ
About 2 km away
Tony's Barbers Shop
Hairdresser. Hours: Th-Sa
913 Stockport Road, Manchester, M19 3PG
About 4 km away
Amanda James Hairdressing
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu,We,Fr 09:30-18:00; Th 09:30-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:30; Su,Mo off
17b Barlow Moor Road, Manchester
About 6 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Manchester Central Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-20:00; Fr,Sa 09:00-17:00
St Peter's Square, Manchester, M2 5PD
About 2 km away
Vue
Cinema. Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-23:30
27 Withy Grove, Manchester, M4 2BS
About 2 km away
Working Class Movement Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu-Fr 10:00-16:30
51 Crescent, Salford, M5 4WX
About 4 km away
Clifford Whitworth Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: 24/7
Cockcroft Road, Salford, M5 4WT
About 4 km away
Abraham Moss Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Tu, Fr-Sa 09:00-17:00; We 09:00-20:00
Crescent Road
About 5 km away
Lower Kersal Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:30;Sa 09:00-13:00
Littleton Road, Salford, M7 3NQ
About 6 km away
Eccles Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Th 08:00-22:00; Fr 08:00-19:30; Sa 09:00-13:00
28 Barton Lane, Manchester, M30 0TU
About 8 km away
Swinton Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Tu 08:00-22:00;Fr 08:00-19:30;Sa 09:00-13:00
100 Chorley Road, Manchester, M27 6BP
About 9 km away
Clifton Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 14:00-19:00;We 15:00-18:00;Fr 14:00-17:00
6 Wynne Avenue, Manchester, M27 8FU
About 10 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 Ardwick
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