Settling in · Purley
Landing in Purley? Start here.
The first fortnight in Purley, 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
83 places in Purley 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 - Carshalton
Christian, Salvation army
31 Green Wrythe Lane, Carshalton, SM5 2DS
About 5 km away
Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
45 Benhill Avenue, Sutton, SM1 4DD
About 6 km away
The Salvation Army - Thornton Heath
Christian
66 High Street, Thornton Heath, CR7 8LF
About 7 km away
Cheam Baptist Church
Christian, Baptist
4 Park Road, Cheam Village, Sutton, SM3 8QB
About 7 km away
New Birth African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Christian, Episcopal
Windermere Road, Greater London, CR5 2BF
About 2 km away
Carshalton Methodist Church
Christian, Methodist
Ruskin Road, Carshalton, SM5 3DE
About 4 km away
St. Michael and All Angels with St. James
Christian, Anglican
Poplar Walk, Greater London, CR0 2ZD
About 5 km away
West Croydon Methodist Church
Christian, Methodist
93 London Road, Greater London, CR0 2RF
About 5 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Alhidaya Croydon
Muslim
177 Brigstock Road, Thornton Heath, CR7 7JP
About 6 km away
Other places of worship
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Sutton
About 6 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, Wimbledon
About 12 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, Camberwell, London
About 15 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, Battersea, London
About 16 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, Royal Greenwich, London
About 20 km away
Woolwich Common Community Centre, 17 Leslie Smith Square, London SE18 4DW
Worship services: Tue 7:15pm · Fri 7:00pm
Iglesia ni Cristo, Central London
About 21 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 21 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, Orpington
About 21 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, Heathrow, London
About 23 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, Romford
About 23 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 23 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, Heathrow North, London
About 28 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, North London
About 28 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, Guildford
About 36 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
sMart Oriental
Supermarket. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-19:00; Su 12:00-18:00
52 High Street, Sutton, SM1 1HY
About 6 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 6 km away
Food and takeaways
Tuk Tuk Thai Cuisine
Thai. restaurant
202 Croydon Road, Croydon, CR0 4PJ
About 3 km away
Indian Oasis
Indian. restaurant
98 High Street, Carshalton, SM5 3AE
About 4 km away
New Shanghai Pearl
Chinese. restaurant
28 Beacon Grove, Carshalton, SM5 3BA
About 4 km away
Sofra Grill II
Turkish, grill, pizza. takeaway
1 Nightingale Road, Carshalton, SM5 2DN
About 5 km away
Number One Thai
Thai. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Sa 11:30-14:45,17:30-23:00;Su 17:00-22:30
1 Cheam Road, Sutton, SM1 1SN
About 6 km away
Papaya
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 12:00-15:00, 17:30-00:00
7 Cheam Road, Sutton, SM1 1SN
About 6 km away
Cheam Tandoori
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 17:00-23:00
52 Upper Mulgrave Road, SM2 7AJ
About 7 km away
Cheam Tandoori Takeaway
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 17:00-23:00
52 Upper Mulgrave Road, SM2 7AJ
About 7 km away
Mr India
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 17:00-23:00
4 The Parade, Oldfields Road, SM1 2NA
About 7 km away
Waakye Joint
African. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 13:00-00:00
440 Streatham High Road, Greater London, SW16 3PX
About 9 km away
Bright Ocean
Chinese. takeaway. Hours: Tu-Su 17:00-23:00;PH 17:00-23:00
830 London Road
About 8 km away
Sports and clubs
Whyteleafe Football Club
Sports centre
15 Church Road, Caterham, Whyteleafe, CR3 0AR
About 5 km away
Stones Gym & Fitness Centre
Fitness centre
50 Northwood Road, Thornton Heath, CR7 8HQ
About 8 km away
Westcroft Leisure Centre
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-23:00; Sa-Su 08:00-20:00
Westcroft Road, SM5 2TG
About 4 km away
Anytime Fitness
Fitness centre. Hours: 24/7
29 Brighton Road, Sutton, SM2 5AJ
About 6 km away
Caterham School Sports Centre
Sports centre
Harestone Lane, Caterham Valley, CR3 6BD
About 8 km away
Driving schools
GoodLuck Driving School
Driving school
33 Rawnsley Avenue, Greater London, CR4 4BS
About 8 km away
Community and support groups
Assembly Halls
Community centre
18 Gates Green Road, Greater London, BR4 9JW
About 9 km away
Broad Green Community Hall
Community centre
231 London Road, Greater London, CR0 2RL
About 5 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Barbers and salons
Klinik
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu 09:30-17:00; We 09:30-19:00; Th 09:30-17:00; Fr 09:30-17:00; Sa 09:30-16:00
9 Station Approach, Greater London, BR2 7EQ
About 10 km away
The Cutting Company
Hairdresser
52 Brigstock Road, Thornton Heath, CR7 8RX
About 7 km away
Cinemas and libraries
The Library @ The Phoenix Centre
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Mollison Drive, Wallington, SM6 9NZ
About 2 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 9 km away
Wallington Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Shotfield Wallington, SM6 0HY
About 3 km away
Sutton Central Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
SM1 1EA
About 6 km away
Shirley Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Wickham Road, Greater London, CR0 8BH
About 6 km away
Middleton Circle Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
SM5 1JJ
About 7 km away
Worcester Park Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu 09:30-19:00; We 09:30-17:00; Th 09:30-18:00; Fr 09:30-17:00; Sa 09:30-17:00
4 Windsor Road, Worcester Park, KT4 8ES
About 10 km away
Thornton Heath Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Sa 09:00-17:00; Mo,We 10:00-18:00
About 6 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 Purley
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