Settling in · Balham
Landing in Balham? Start here.
The first fortnight in Balham, 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
100 places in Balham 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
Destiny International Christian Fellowship
Christian
95 Camberwell Station Road, Greater London, SE5 9JJ
About 5 km away
The Salvation Army - Thornton Heath
Christian
66 High Street, Thornton Heath, CR7 8LF
About 6 km away
The Apostolic Faith Mission
Christian, Apostolic
95 Fenham Road, Greater London, SE15 1AE
About 7 km away
The Salvation Army - Carshalton
Christian, Salvation army
31 Green Wrythe Lane, Carshalton, SM5 2DS
About 8 km away
All Saints
Christian, Anglican
East Sheen Avenue, London, SW14 8AX
About 8 km away
St Dunstan-in-the-West
Christian, Anglican, romanian orthodox
186a Fleet Street, London, EC4A 2HR
About 8 km away
St. Mary-Le-Bow
Christian, Anglican. Hours: We 07:30-18:00; Th 07:30-18:30; Fr 07:30-16:00
Cheapside London, EC2V 6AU
About 9 km away
St Olave Hart Street
Christian, Anglican
8 Hart Street, London, EC3R 7NB
About 9 km away
Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
45 Benhill Avenue, Sutton, SM1 4DD
About 9 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Alhidaya Croydon
Muslim
177 Brigstock Road, Thornton Heath, CR7 7JP
About 6 km away
Islamic Universal Association
Muslim
20 Penzance Place, Greater London, W11 4PG
About 8 km away
Muslim World League - London Office
Muslim, Sunni
46 Goodge Street, London, W1T 4LU
About 8 km away
King's Cross Mosque and Islamic Centre
Muslim, Sunni
Cromer Street, King's Cross, London, WC1H 8DU
About 10 km away
Hindu temples
Radha Krishna Temple
Hindu, Krishna
9-10 Soho Street, City of Westminster, W1D 3DL
About 8 km away
Buddhist temples and centres
Other places of worship
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Wimbledon
About 2 km away
Earlsfield Primary School, Tranmere Rd, London, SW18 3QQ
Worship services: Tue 7:30pm · Fri 6:15pm · Fri 8:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Battersea, London
About 4 km away
48 Parkgate Road, Battersea, London, England, SW11-4NT
Worship services: Thu 7:00am · Thu 8:00pm · Sat 7:00pm · Sun 10:00am · Sun 10:30am (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Camberwell, London
About 5 km away
Crawford Primary School, #5 Crawford road, Battersea, London, SE5 9NF
Worship services: Wed 8:00pm · Sat 5:45pm · Sat 7:30pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Sutton
About 9 km away
GRANFERS COMMUNITY CENTRE, 73-79 Oakhill Road, Sutton, London, SM1-3AA, England
Worship services: Wed 7:30pm · Sat 5:00pm · Sat 7:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Central London
About 9 km away
YMCA - Indian Student Hostel 41, Fitzroy Square, London, W1T-6AQ, England
Worship services: Tue 7:30pm · Sat 6:30pm · Sat 8:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Notting Hill
About 9 km away
Kensington Aldridge Academy, 1 Silchester Road, London, England, W10 6EX
Worship services: Wed 8:00pm · Sun 10:00am · Sun 12:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Romford
About 15 km away
Temporarily using, Stratford chapel, 25 Meath road, London, England, E15 3DS
Worship services: Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:00pm (children) · Sat 6:30pm
Iglesia ni Cristo, Stratford, London
About 15 km away
25 MEATH ROAD, STRATFORD, LONDON, E15 3DS, ENGLAND
Worship services: Wed 7:00am · Wed 7:00pm · Sat 6:00pm · Sun 9:00am · Sun 11:30am (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Royal Greenwich, London
About 15 km away
Woolwich Common Community Centre, 17 Leslie Smith Square, London SE18 4DW
Worship services: Tue 7:15pm · Fri 7:00pm
Iglesia ni Cristo, North London
About 16 km away
Barnet Multicultural Community Centre, Algernon, Hendon, London, NW4 3TA, England
Worship services: Tue 7:30pm · Sat 6:00pm · Sat 8:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Heathrow, London
About 19 km away
79 Staines Road West, Sunbury on Thames, Heathrow, London, TW16 7AH
Worship services: Tue 7:45pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:15pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Heathrow North, London
About 20 km away
St. Peter Hall, St. Peter's Way High Street, Harlington, Hayes, UB3 5AB, England
Worship services: Wed 8:00pm · Fri 6:15pm · Fri 8:00pm
Iglesia ni Cristo, Orpington
About 23 km away
The Clock Tower Pavillon, Swanley Town Council, St. Mary's road, Swanley, BR8 7BU
Worship services: Tue 8:00pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Guildford
About 39 km away
Onslow Hall (Main Hall), Wilderness Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7 QR
Worship services: Tue 8:00pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 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
Hoo Hing
Supermarket. stocks Asian goods. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:30-18:00; Sa, PH 10:00-18:00; Su 10:30-16:30
Bond Road, Greater London, CR4 3HG
About 4 km away
Herne Hill Convenience Store
Alcohol
87 Norwood Road, Greater London, SE24 9AA
About 4 km away
Shivam Convenience
Grocery
12 Formosa Street, City of Westminster, W9 1EE
About 9 km away
sMart Oriental
Supermarket. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-19:00; Su 12:00-18:00
52 High Street, Sutton, SM1 1HY
About 10 km away
OK OK Chinese Supermarket
Supermarket. Hours: Mo-Sa 08:00-20:00; Su 08:00-18:00
64 Grove Road, Sutton, SM1 1BT
About 10 km away
Shreeji News & Convenience Store
Newsagent
20 Museum Street, Greater London, WC1A 1JN
About 8 km away
Baker St. News & Convenience
Newsagent
202 Baker Street, City of Westminster, NW1 5RT
About 9 km away
Food and takeaways
Nazmin's
Indian. restaurant
398 Garratt Lane, Greater London, SW18 4HP
About 3 km away
Bombay Delight
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Fr 11:30-15:00, 17:30-22:30; Sa 11:00-22:30; Su 11:00-22:00
271-273 The Broadway, Greater London, SW19 1SD
About 4 km away
Magoa
Indian. restaurant
244 Upper Richmond Road, Greater London, SW15 6TG
About 5 km away
Pinto Thai
Thai. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Fr 11:30-15:00,17:30-23:00; Sa 11:30-23:00; Su 12:00-22:00
320 Upper Richmond Road, Greater London, SW15 6TL
About 5 km away
Awesome Thai
Thai. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 18:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-15:00,18:00-23:00; Su 12:00-22:00
68 Church Road, London, SW13 0DQ
About 7 km away
Wagamama
Asian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-23:30; Su 11:00-23:00
42 Great Marlborough Street, City of Westminster, W1F 7JL
About 8 km away
Rosa's Thai Cafe
Thai. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 12:00-22:30; Fr-Sa 12:00-23:00; Su 12:00-22:30
36 Queensway, City of Westminster, W2 3RX
About 8 km away
Cottons Notting Hill
Caribbean. restaurant
157-159 Notting Hill Gate, Greater London, W11 3LF
About 8 km away
Circus
Fusion, asian. restaurant. Hours: Tu-We 19:00-00:00; Th 18:30-01:00; Fr 18:00-01:30; Sa 18:00-02:00
27-29 Endell Street, London, WC2H 9BA
About 8 km away
Sofra Grill II
Turkish, grill, pizza. takeaway
1 Nightingale Road, Carshalton, SM5 2DN
About 8 km away
Secret Recipe
Chinese, thai. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Su 17:00-22:30
73 Sheen Lane, East Sheen, London, SW14 8AD
About 8 km away
Kaalika
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo,We,Th 17:00-22:00, Fr 17:00-23:00, Sa 16:00-23:00, Su 16:00-22:00
425 Upper Richmond Road West, East Sheen, London, SW14 7PJ
About 9 km away
Sports and clubs
Wimbledon Racquets & Fitness Club
Badminton, squash. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-23:00; Sa-Su 09:00-22:30; PH "varies"
13 Cranbrook Road, Greater London, SW19 4HD
About 5 km away
John Orwell Sports Centre
Badminton, soccer, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, tennis, netball. Sports centre
Tench Street, Greater London, E1W 2QD
About 9 km away
Westway Sports Centre
Climbing, tennis, badminton, football, eton fives, squash. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-22:00, Sa 07:00-20:00, Su 08:00-21:00
1 Crowthorne Road, Greater London, W10 6RP
About 9 km away
Sheen Park Cricket Club
Cricket. Sports centre
Fife Road, Greater London, SW14 7EW
About 9 km away
Hurlingham House
Multi. Sports centre
Ranelagh Gardens, Greater London, SW6 3PR
About 4 km away
Stones Gym & Fitness Centre
Fitness centre
50 Northwood Road, Thornton Heath, CR7 8HQ
About 5 km away
Powerwave
Fitness. Fitness centre
9 Brookfield Mews, London, SW13 0DP
About 8 km away
Marshall Street Leisure Centre
Swimming. Sports centre
15 Marshall Street, City of Westminster, W1F 7EL
About 8 km away
Bull at the Gate
Fitness centre
4 Gate Street, London, WC2A 3HP
About 8 km away
Days out and things to do
Climbing Co Fulham
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Tu 10:00-22:00, We 07:00-22:00, Th 10:00-22:00, Fr 07:00-21:00, Sa-Su 09:00-19:00
33-39 Parsons Green Lane, Greater London, SW6 4HH
About 5 km away
Driving schools
Enjoy More Driving School
Driving school. Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-21:00; Sa-Su 08:00-17:00
Wilmer Crescent, Greater London, KT2 5LU
About 10 km away
GoodLuck Driving School
Driving school
33 Rawnsley Avenue, Greater London, CR4 4BS
About 6 km away
Earlsfield School Of Motoring
Driving school
360 Garratt Lane, Greater London, SW18 4ES
About 3 km away
Holborn School Of Motoring
Driving school
Clerkenwell Road, Greater London, EC1R 4PP
About 9 km away
Community and support groups
The Brunswick Club for Young People
Community centre. Hours: Tu-Fr 15:00-21:00
34 Haldane Road, Greater London, SW6 7EU
About 6 km away
London Welsh Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo 09:00-21:00; Tu-Th 09:00-23:00; Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su Off
157-163 Gray's Inn Road, London, WC1X 8UE
About 9 km away
Portsoken Community Centre
Community centre
20 Little Somerset Street, London, E1 8AH
About 9 km away
Vida Walsh Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo 13:00-16:00; Tu,We,Fr 10:00-16:00; Th 10:00-13:00
2B Saltoun Road, Greater London, SW2 1EP
About 3 km away
Sands End Arts & Community Centre
Community centre
Peterborough Road, Greater London, SW6 3BB
About 4 km away
Hollington Youth Centre
Community centre
Redcar Street, Greater London, SE5 0LT
About 5 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Barbers and salons
Andrew Stephen Hairdressing
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Tu 9:00-18:00; We-Th 10:00-19:00; Fr 10:00-20:00; Sa 9:00-18:00
7 Rocks Lane, London, SW13 0DB
About 7 km away
Nouvelle hair and beauty
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo 10:00-15:00; We 10:00-18:00; Th 10:00-19:00; Fr 10:00-20:00; Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00
109 High Street, Greater London, SE20 7DT
About 7 km away
Fowler35
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-Fr 10:00-21:00; Sa,Su 09:00-18:00
35 Windmill Street, London, W1T 2JS
About 8 km away
Manoj Men's Grooming
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-20:00
45-47 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4N 4SF
About 9 km away
RAVEN Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-19:00
35 Grafton Way, London, W1T 5DB
About 9 km away
Frankie Cochrane
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo off, Tu 08:00-20:00, We 08:00-18:00, Th 08:00-20:00, Fr 08:00-19:00, Sa 08:00-17:00
42 Lamb's Conduit Street, London, WC1N 3LJ
About 9 km away
Cutbox
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-19:00
87 Clerkenwell Road, London, EC1R 5BX
About 9 km away
Sanrizz
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Tu 10:00-19:00; We-Fr 10:00-20:00; Sa 09:00-18:00; Su off
38A Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AE
About 9 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Southfields Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
300 Wimbledon Park Road, Greater London, SW19 6NL
About 4 km away
Whirled Cinema
Cinema
259 Hardess Street, Greater London, SE24 0HN
About 4 km away
The Cinema in the Arches
Cinema
22 Arches Lane, Greater London, SW11 8AB
About 4 km away
Upper Norwood Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu-We, Fr-Sa 10:00-18:00; Th 10:00-20:00
39 Westow Hill, Greater London, SE19 1TJ
About 6 km away
Durning Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
167 Kennington Lane, Greater London, SE11 4HF
About 6 km away
Peckham Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Tu,Th,Fr 09:00-20:00; We 10:00-20:00; Sa 10:00-17:00; Su 12:00-16:00
122 Peckham Hill Street, Greater London, SE15 5JR
About 7 km away
Raynes Park Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Tu, Th-Fr 08:00-20:00; Sa 08:00-17:00
Approach Road, Greater London, SW20 8BA
About 7 km away
Una Marson Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-18:00,Sa 10:00-17:00
62 Thurlow Street, Greater London, SE17 2GN
About 7 km away
Paddington Children’s Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:30-05:30; Sa 10:30-05:00
Westbourne Park Villas, City of Westminster, W2 5EF
About 9 km away
Beckenham Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:30-19:00; Tu,We,Fr 09:30-17:30; Sa 09:30-17:00, Th,Su closed
22 Beckenham Road, Greater London, BR3 4PE
About 9 km away
Deptford Lounge Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 09:00-17:00
9 Giffin Street, Greater London, SE8 4RJ
About 10 km away
British Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Th 09:30-20:00; Sa 09:30-17:00; Su 11:00-17:00; Fr 09:30-18:00
96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB
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 Balham
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