Settling in · Whitfield
Landing in Whitfield? Start here.
The first fortnight in Whitfield, 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
77 places in Whitfield 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
Gilfillan Memorial Church
Christian, Congregational
24 Whitehall Crescent, Dundee, DD1 4AY
About 5 km away
The Salvation Army - Dundee
Christian, Salvation army
265 Thurso Crescent, Dundee, DD2 4AU
About 8 km away
Invergowrie Parish Church
Christian, Church of scotland
1 Errol Road, Dundee, DD2 5AD
About 10 km away
Our Lady of Good Counsel
Christian, Roman catholic
Westfield Road, Dundee, DD5 1ED
About 4 km away
Downfield Mains Church
Christian, Church of scotland
1 Haldane Street, Dundee, DD3 0HP
About 5 km away
St Mary Magdalene's Church
Christian, Anglican
Constitution Road, Dundee, DD1 5RR
About 5 km away
Dundee Quakers Meeting House
Christian, Quaker
7-9 Whitehall Crescent, Dundee, DD1 4AR
About 5 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Synagogues
The nearest Iglesia ni Cristo to Whitfield
Iglesia ni Cristo, Edinburgh
About 61 km away
RCCG-Edinburgh Tabernacle Hall 41-42 Inverleith Gardens Ferry Road Edinburgh, Scotland EH3 5PR
Worship services: Wed 6:00pm · Sat 11:00am
Iglesia ni Cristo, Glasgow
About 118 km away
White House Hall, 20 Neilson road, Paisley, Scotland, PA2 6LN
Worship services: Tue 6:00pm · Sat 3:00pm (children) · Sat 5:00pm
Iglesia ni Cristo, North Shields
About 189 km away
1A Stormont Street, North Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE29 OEY
Worship services: Thu 7:00pm · Sun 10:00am · Sun 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
Food and takeaways
Manchurian
Chinese. restaurant
15a Gellatly Street, Dundee, DD1 3DY
About 4 km away
Rancho Pancho
Mexican. restaurant. Hours: Mo off; Tu-Fr 17:00-21:00; Sa 12:00-14:30, 17:00-21:00
16 Commercial Street, Dundee, DD1 3EJ
About 5 km away
Gidi Grill
African, caribbean, west african. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Th 12:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 12:00-22:30; Su 13:00-22:00
6-7 City Square, Dundee, DD1 3BA
About 5 km away
Korean BBQ
Korean. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Fr 12:00-15:00,17:00-22:00; Sa,Su 12:00-22:00
32 Whitehall Street, Dundee, DD1 4AF
About 5 km away
Wagamama
Asian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-22:00
13 Whitehall Street, Dundee, DD1 4AA
About 5 km away
Babujee
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 12:30-15:00, 17:00-23:00; Fr-Su 12:30-23:00
204 Perth Road, Dundee, DD1 4JY
About 6 km away
Gumnam
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Th 17:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 17:00-22:30; Su 12:00-20:30
19 Union Street, Dundee, DD1 4BN
About 5 km away
Mirch Masala
Pakistani. restaurant. Hours: 16:00-23:00
5 Hawkhill, Dundee, DD1 5GP
About 5 km away
Tahini
Lebanese, middle eastern, mediterranean. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 12:00-22:00
11 Bank Street, Dundee, DD1 1RL
About 5 km away
Sports and clubs
SoccerWorld
Soccer. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 16:00-21:00; Sa,Su 10:00-16:00
Old Glamis Road, Dundee, DD3 8LF
About 4 km away
Mayfield Sports Centre
Multi. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 18:00-22:00; Sa-Su 09:00-19:00
193 Arbroath Road, Dundee, DD4 7HS
About 3 km away
McTaggart Gymnastics Centre
Gymnastics. Sports centre
Old Glamis Road, Dundee, DD3 8LF
About 4 km away
Days out and things to do
Avertical World
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-We 11:00-22:00; Th-Fr 08:30-22:00; Sa-Su 10:00-19:00
Blinshall Street, Dundee, DD1 5DF
About 5 km away
Bloc10 Bouldering
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-22:00; Sa 08:30-22:00; Su 09:00-18:00
North Isla Street, Dundee, DD3 7JQ
About 4 km away
Community and support groups
The Crescent Community Centre
Community centre
71 Lothian Crescent, Dundee, DD4 0HU
Finmill Centre
Community centre
Findcastle Street, Dundee, DD4 9EW
About 2 km away
Ardler Complex
Community centre
Turnberry Avenue, Dundee, DD2 3TP
About 6 km away
Lochee Community Hub
Community centre
118-120 High Street, Dundee, DD2 3BL
About 6 km away
The Larick Centre
Community centre
Shanwell Road, Tayport, DD6 9EA
About 6 km away
Menzieshill Community Hub
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-22:00; Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 09:00-21:00
260 Dickson Avenue, Dundee, DD2 4TQ
About 8 km away
Rio Community Centre
Community centre
St Mary's Lane, Newport-on-Tay, DD6 8AH
About 6 km away
Monifieth Activity Centre
Community centre
Riverview Drive, Monifieth, DD5 4NH
About 6 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Kurdish Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-18:00; Fr-Sa 09:00-19:00; Su 10:00-17:00
22 Reform Street, Dundee, DD1 1RH
About 5 km away
Barbers and salons
Dundee Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 10:00-17:00
53 Reform Street, Dundee, DD1 1SP
About 5 km away
R+R Studios
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-We 09:00-18:00; Th 09:00-20:00; Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 09:00-16:00; Su off
12 Union Street, Dundee, DD1 4BH
About 5 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Whitfield Community Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:00-13:00,14:00-19:00; Tu,Fr 09:00-13:00,14:00-17:30; We 10:00-13:00,14:00-17:30; Th 09:00-13:00
71 Lothian Crescent, Dundee, DD4 0HU
The Hub Library & Learning Centre
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:00-13:00,14:00-19:00; Tu,Fr 09:00-13:00,14:00-17:30; We 10:00-13:00,14:00-17:30; Th,Sa 09:00-13:00
171 Pitkerro Road, Dundee, DD4 8ES
About 2 km away
Fintry Community Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:00-13:00,14:00-19:00; Tu,Fr 09:00-13:00,14:00-17:30; We 09:45-13:00,14:00-17:30; Th 09:00-13:00
1 Findcastle Street, Dundee, DD4 9EW
About 2 km away
Dundee and Angus College Gardyne Campus Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 08:30-16:30
Gardyne Road, Dundee, DD5 1NY
About 2 km away
Arthurstone Community Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:00-13:00 || Mo 14:00-19:00; Tu 09:00-13:00 || Tu 14:00-17:30; We 10:00-13:00 || We 14:00-17:30; Th 09:00-13:00; Fr 09:00-13:00 || Fr 14:00-17:30; Sa 09:00-13:00
5 Arthurstone Terrace, Dundee, DD4 6RT
About 4 km away
Dundee and Angus College Kingsway Campus Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 08:30-16:30
Old Glamis Road, Dundee, DD3 8LE
About 4 km away
Coldside Community Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:00-13:00,14:00-19:00; Tu,Fr 09:00-13:00,14:00-17:30; We 10:00-13:00,14:00-17:30; Th,Sa 09:00-13:00
150 Strathmartine Road, Dundee, DD3 7SE
About 4 km away
Dundee Contemporary Arts
Cinema. Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-00:00
152 Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4DY
About 5 km away
Library & Learning Centre
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Su 08:00-02:00; Dec 25 00:00-02:00; Dec 26 off; Dec 27 08:00-02:00; Dec 31 00:00-02:00; Jan 01 off; Jan 02 08:00-02:00
Small's Wynd, Dundee, DD1 4HN
About 5 km away
DJCAD Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
About 6 km away
Ardler Community Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:00-13:00 || Mo 14:00-19:00; Tu 09:00-13:00 || Tu 14:00-17:30; We 10:00-13:00 || We 14:00-17:30; Th 09:00-13:00; Fr 09:00-13:00 || Fr 14:00-17:30
Turnberry Avenue, Dundee, DD2 3TP
About 6 km away
Menzieshill Community Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:00-13:00,14:00-19:00; Tu,Fr 09:00-13:00,14:00-17:30; We 10:00-13:00,14:00-17:30; Th 09:00-13:00
260 Dickson Avenue, Dundee, DD2 4TQ
About 8 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 Whitfield
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