Settling in · Greenwich
Landing in Greenwich? Start here.
The first fortnight in Greenwich, 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
71 places in Greenwich 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 Salvation Army Ripley
Christian, Salvation army
25 Heath Road, Amber Valley, DE5 3EN
Saint Wilfrid's Church
Christian, Anglican. Hours: Tu,Th 09:00-dusk
The Village, Erewash, DE7 6GR
About 10 km away
Wesley Methodist Church
Christian, Methodist
Ellesmere Avenue, Alfreton, DE55 7HW
About 5 km away
Alfreton New Life Church
Christian, Evangelical
Church Street, Alfreton, DE55 7AH
About 5 km away
Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
124A Market Street, Alfreton, DE55 2EJ
About 7 km away
West Hallam Methodist Church
Christian, Methodist
High Lane West, Erewash, DE7 6HP
About 9 km away
Elim Christian Centre
Christian, Elim pentecostal
4B Charlotte Street, Ilkeston, DE7 8LH
About 10 km away
St John the Evangelist
Christian, Anglican
Skegby Road, Nottingham, NG17 9JE
About 10 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Nottingham
About 20 km away
Leyton Crescent Beeston, Nottingham NG9 1PR
Worship services: Tue 7:00pm · Fri 7:00pm
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
Hilltop News & Convenience Store
Newsagent
193-195 Nottingham Road, Nottingham, NG16 3GS
About 8 km away
Food and takeaways
Ilkeston Kebabs
Kebab. takeaway. Hours: Mo,We-Th 16:30-23:30; Tu 16:30-23:15; Fr-Sa 16:30-00:30; Su 16:45-23:30
119 Cotmanhay Road, Ilkeston, DE7 8NZ
About 9 km away
Yak & Yeti Belper
Indian, nepalese. restaurant. Hours: Mo off; Tu-Su 10:00-22:00
99-101 Bridge Street, Amber Valley, DE56 1BA
About 7 km away
Jade Dragon
Chinese. takeaway
193-194 Awsworth Road, Ilkeston, DE7 8HX
About 10 km away
Sports and clubs
Langley Mill United Cricket Club
Cricket. Sports centre
Station Road, Nottingham, NG16 4BE
About 6 km away
Eastwood Community Football Club
Soccer. Sports centre
Chewton Street, Nottingham, NG16 3HB
About 8 km away
Birnam Park
Soccer. Sports centre
Notts and Derby Off Road radio controlled race track, Broxtowe, NG16 2DE
About 9 km away
Community and support groups
Eastwood Young People's Centre
Community centre
Kelham Way, Nottingham, NG16 3SG
About 7 km away
Derbyshire Army Cadet Force: Heanor Detachment
Community centre
Hands Road, Amber Valley, DE75 7HD
About 6 km away
Cotmanhay Community Network
Community centre
39 Vernon Street, Ilkeston, DE7 8PD
About 9 km away
Alfreton and District Memorial Hall
Community centre
Grange Street, Alfreton, DE55 7JA
About 5 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Barbers and salons
Hair Studio 57
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo "Appointment Only"; Tu 09:30-18:00; We,Fr 09:30-14:00; Th 09:30-19:00; Sa 08:30-14:00
57 Church Street West, Pinxton, Nottingham, NG16 6ND
About 7 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Selston Community Partnership Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Chapel Road, Nottingham, NG16 6BW
About 6 km away
Heanor Library and Information Centre
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Ilkeston Road, Amber Valley, DE75 7DX
About 5 km away
Belper Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Derwent Street, Amber Valley, DE56 1UQ
About 7 km away
Eastwood Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Wellington Place, Nottingham, NG16 3GB
About 7 km away
Duffield Library and Information Centre
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Wirksworth Road, Amber Valley, DE56 4GH
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 Greenwich
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