Settling in · Longbridge
Landing in Longbridge? Start here.
The first fortnight in Longbridge, 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
85 places in Longbridge 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 Mary's
Christian, Anglican
31 St Mary's Row, Birmingham, B13 8HW
About 9 km away
Our Lady of Good Counsel & St Gregory the Great Catholic Church
Christian, Catholic, roman catholic
Three Shires Oak Road
About 9 km away
The Salvation Army - Oldbury
Christian, Salvation army
Merton Close, Oldbury, B68 8NG
About 9 km away
St Andrew's
Christian, Anglican
Oakfield Road, Dudley, DY9 9DG
About 10 km away
St. Andrew's Methodist Church
Christian, Methodist. Hours: Mo-Su 08:00-17:00
Cartland Road, Birmingham, B30 2RD
About 6 km away
New Song Community Church
Christian, Evangelical
Broad Street, Bromsgrove, B61 8LW
About 8 km away
The Salvation Army - Bromsgrove
Christian, Salvation army
Carlyle Road, Bromsgrove, B60 2PN
About 9 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Birmingham Central Mosque
Muslim
180 Belgrave Middleway, Birmingham, B12 0XS
About 10 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Birmingham
About 10 km away
2 Causeway Green Road Oldbury, West Midlands B68 8LD
Worship services: Wed 7:00pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:30pm (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
U Mista Polish Supermarket
Supermarket
297-301 Bearwood Road
About 9 km away
Euro Express International Supermarket
Convenience. Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-21:00; Su 10:00-19:00
1541 Pershore Road, Birmingham, B30 2JH
About 5 km away
International Food Store
Convenience. Hours: 24/7
386-388 Bearwood Road
About 9 km away
Food and takeaways
Taste of Chennai
Indian, south indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-21:00; Sa-Su 09:00-21:00
12 Oak Tree Lane, Birmingham, B29 6HX
About 5 km away
Rainbow Garden
Cantonese, chinese. takeaway. Hours: Tu-Su 17:00-10:15
1225 Pershore Road, Birmingham, B30 2YT
About 6 km away
Dilshad
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Su-Th 17:30-01:00, Fr-Sa 17:30-03:00
618-620 Bristol Road, Birmingham, B29 6BQ
About 6 km away
Purnima Indian Cuisine
Indian. restaurant
622 Bearwood Road, Smethwick, B66 4BW
About 8 km away
Zaalsha Indian Restaurant
Indian. restaurant
22/24 Abbey Road, Smethwick, B67 5RD
About 9 km away
Mount Nemrut Turkish Restaurant
Turkish. restaurant
204 Lightwoods Road, Smethwick, B67 5AZ
About 9 km away
Old Dresser Cafe
Polish, local. cafe. Hours: Su, Tu 10:00-16:00; We-Th 10:00-20:00; Fr 12:00-22:00; Sa 10:00-22:00
434 Bearwood Road, Smethwick, B66 4EY
About 9 km away
New Orient Cantonese Takeaway
Chinese. restaurant
60 Worcester Road, Bromsgrove, B61 7AE
About 9 km away
Sports and clubs
Leasowes Sports Centre
Soccer, badminton, basketball, fitness, judo, kickboxing, yoga, dance, trampoline, netball. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 17:00-22:00, Sa-Su 09:30-18:30
Kent Road, Dudley, B62 8PJ
About 8 km away
HL Therapy
Yoga, pilates. Fitness centre
1401 Bristol Road South, Birmingham, B31 2SU
Linden Road Instruction Pool
Swimming. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-21:00; Sa 08:15-18:30; Su 08:15-16:15
Linden Road, Birmingham, B30 1JR
About 5 km away
Studio 88 Reformer Pilates
Pilates. Fitness centre. Hours: "by appointment"
1272 Pershore Road, Birmingham, B30 2XU
About 6 km away
Perfection Snooker Club
Snooker, pool. Sport club. Hours: Mo-Su 12:00-00:00
1239 Pershore Road, Birmingham, B30 2YT
About 6 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Fishermans Friend Fishing Tackle
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits
31 Abbey Road
About 9 km away
Smithy's Angling Centre
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits. Hours: Mo 07:30-12:30; Tu,Th,Fr 07:30-17:00; We 07:45-13:00; Sa 07:00-17:00; Su 07:00-09:00
1692 Bristol Road South, Birmingham, B45 9TZ
Driving schools
Community and support groups
Avery Fields Sports & Events
Community centre
79 Sandon Road, Birmingham, B17 8DS
About 9 km away
Royal British Legion (Oldbury)
Community centre
5 Windsor Road, Sandwell, B68 8PB
About 10 km away
Rowheath Pavilion
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00
Heath Road, Birmingham, B30 1HH
About 4 km away
1st Bournville Scout Group (100th Birmingham)
Community centre
Laurel Grove, Birmingham, B30 1LE
About 5 km away
The Shed
Community centre. Hours: "Run by volunteers. No set opening, but aligns to scheduled events, and weather dependent."
Franklin Road, Birmingham, B30 2HF
About 5 km away
Quinbourne Community and Adult Education Centre
Community centre
Bourne Green, Birmingham, B32 2XL
About 7 km away
The Billesley Ark
Community centre
725 Yardley Wood Road, Birmingham, B13 0PT
About 8 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
MAJ Scissor Turkish Barber ️
Hairdresser
160 Causeway Green Road, Sandwell, B68 8LF
About 10 km away
Pavel Turkish Barber
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-We,Sa 09:00-18:00; Th,Fr 09:00-18:30; Su 10:00-16:00
High Street, Sandwell, B65 0DT
About 10 km away
Barbers and salons
D's International Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo 12:00-19:00; Tu-Sa 09:00-19:00
1616 Pershore Road, Birmingham, B30 3BL
About 5 km away
Clay Hair Studio
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-We 11:00-18:00; Th 11:00-20:00; Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:00
1555 Pershore Road, Birmingham, B30 2JH
About 5 km away
Harris Hair Studio
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 11:00-15:00
1541 Pershore Road, Birmingham, B30 2NW
About 5 km away
Ninety Degree Barbershop
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Th 10:00-19:00; Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 09:00-18:00
1503 Pershore Road, Birmingham, B30 2JL
About 5 km away
Joshuaa Shaun Hairdressing
Hairdresser. Hours: We 09:00-17:00; Th 09:00-19:00; Fr-Sa 09:00-17:00
1259 Pershore Road, Birmingham, B30 2YT
About 6 km away
Hannah Swan Hair & Beauty
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-We 09:00-18:00; Th 09:00-19:00; Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 08:30-15:00
1229 Pershore Road, Birmingham, B30 2YT
About 6 km away
The Finery Barbers
Hairdresser
31 Raddlebarn Road, Birmingham, B29 6HH
About 6 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Brandhall Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Tame Road, Sandwell, B68 0RT
About 8 km away
Bleakhouse Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Bleakhouse Road
About 9 km away
Quinton Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Ridgacre Road, Birmingham, B32 2TW
About 7 km away
Bromsgrove Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:00-19:00; Tu-Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-16:00
Market Street, Bromsgrove, B61 8DA
About 8 km away
Odeon Luxe Birmingham Broadway Plaza
Cinema
220 Ladywood Middleway, Birmingham, B16 8LP
About 10 km away
Blackheath Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Th 09:30-17:30; Fr 09:30-17:00; Sa 10:00-16:00
145 High Street, Blackheath, B65 0AE
About 10 km away
Northfield Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Tu,Sa 09:00-13:00,14:00-17:00; Th 10:00-13:00,14:00-18:00
Church Road, Birmingham, B31 2JW
About 2 km away
Frankley Community Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,We,Fr 09:00-13:00, 14:00-17:00
Birmingham B45 0EU
About 2 km away
Rubery Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Tu,Fr 09:30-17:00; Th 09:30-18:00; Sa 10:00-14:00
7 Library Way, Birmingham, B45 9JS
About 3 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 Longbridge
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