Moving to a new place is both exciting and overwhelming. The Settler’s Compass is here to make that journey gentler. From cozy cafés to everyday essentials, family-friendly corners to hidden gems, this guide points you to all the little things that help a place feel like home. Wherever you’re coming from, let this be your compass to finding your way
Arrival, Legal, & Essential Setup
Starting your new life in Cambridge means getting the essentials in place. For emergency housing, the Cambridge City Council Housing Services is your first port of call. When searching for long-term rentals, check Rightmove and Zoopla. To get settled with council tax and utilities, visit Cambridge City Council – Council Tax and check your Bin Collection Days. For healthcare, register with a GP via the NHS GP Finder and find a dentist using the NHS Dentist Finder. For safety, Parkside Police Station is your local station.
Daily Living Essentials
Your daily needs are easily met in Cambridge. Shop for groceries at Beehive Shopping Centre. Shops include Asda, M&S Simply Food, Next Home, Homesense, Hobbycraft, Pets at Home and many more. For fresh produce, Cambridge Market Square is ideal. If you’re after international groceries, visit Iqbro Halal Grocers or Cho Mee. For home basics, check Robert Dyas Cambridge for kitchenware and Poundland for cleaning supplies. Need laundry services? The Laundry Room Cambridge has you covered. Postal needs can be handled at Cambridge City Post Office.
Family, Kids & Parenting
For parents, Boots stocks baby essentials like diapers and wipes. Find maternity and baby clothes at JoJo Maman Bébé and feeding supplies at Mothercare at Boots. For prams and cots, explore MyBaby Ltd Cambridge. Connect with health visitors via Cambridgeshire NHS Community Services. Family-friendly outdoor spaces include Jesus Green and Parker’s Piece. For indoor fun, visit Cheeky Monkeys Playbarn or Party Man World of Play.
Money, Banking, Jobs & Adult Learning
Opening a bank account is easy at Barclays Cambridge or Halifax Cambridge. For currency exchange, check Fourex Cambridge. Employment support is available at Jobcentre Plus Cambridge. Adults can enhance their skills at Cambridge Regional College or join ESOL classes at Hills Road Sixth Form College.
Health, Wellbeing & Emotional Support
For emergencies, Addenbrooke’s Hospital is the main hospital. Pharmacies like Boots Sidney Street offer over-the-counter care. Mental health support is available at Cambridge Mind and counseling services at Lifecraft Cambridge.
Transport & Getting Around
Cambridge is bike-friendly and well-connected. For public buses, use Stagecoach Cambridge. Trains operate from Cambridge Railway Station, and you can rent a bike from Rutland Cycling.
Shopping, Clothes & Household Items
Shop for affordable clothes at Primark Cambridge and winter gear at Mountain Warehouse. For secondhand treasures, browse British Red Cross. Furnish your home affordably via British Heart Foundation Furniture & Electrical.
Beauty, Haircare, Self-care
Afro hair care is available at Dappa Hair Boutique. For haircuts, try Rush Hair Cambridge. Eczema-friendly skincare products are at Superdrug, and nails and brows can be pampered at Nails2Go.
Community, Faith & Belonging
Worship at Great St Mary’s Church or Cambridge Central Mosque. Meet new people through Cambridge Language Cafe or volunteer via Volunteer Cambs. Stay updated on local culture with Visit Cambridge – What’s On.
Rest, Play & Exploring
For a cosy coffee spot, visit Hot Numbers Coffee. Enjoy a traditional Sunday roast at The Clarendon Arms. Take day trips to Grantchester Meadows or Ely Cathedral. For fresh local produce, shop at Cambridge Farmers Market or explore bargains at Fordham Car Boot Sale. Grand Arcade is a premium city-centre mall anchored by John Lewis, with cafés, shops, and bike park, a good place to shop around and enjoy a cup of coffee. For a boutique cinema with waiter service, adult and family screenings, Everyman Cinema is a wonderful choice!
Settler’s Compass™ – Cambridge Edition TL;DR
Arrival, Legal, & Essential Setup
- Cambridge City Council Housing Services
- Rightmove – Cambridge Rentals
- Zoopla – Cambridge Rentals
- Cambridge City Council – Council Tax
- Bin Collection Days
- NHS GP Finder
- NHS Dentist Finder
- Parkside Police Station
Daily Living Essentials
- Aldi Histon Road
- Lidl Cambridge
- Cambridge Market Square
- Iqbro Halal Grocers
- Cho Mee
- Robert Dyas Cambridge
- Poundland
- The Laundry Room Cambridge
- Cambridge City Post Office
Family, Kids & Parenting
- Boots
- JoJo Maman Bébé
- Mothercare at Boots
- MyBaby Ltd Cambridge
- Cambridgeshire NHS Community Services
- Jesus Green
- Parker’s Piece
- Cheeky Monkeys Playbarn
- Party Man World of Play
Money, Banking, Jobs & Adult Learning
- Barclays Cambridge
- Halifax Cambridge
- Fourex Cambridge
- Jobcentre Plus Cambridge
- Cambridge Regional College
- Hills Road Sixth Form College – ESOL
Health, Wellbeing & Emotional Support
Transport & Getting Around
Shopping, Clothes & Household Items
- Grand Arcade
- Lion Yard
- Primark Cambridge
- Mountain Warehouse
- British Red Cross – Cambridge
- British Heart Foundation Furniture & Electrical
Beauty, Haircare, Self-care
Community, Faith & Belonging
- Great St Mary’s Church
- Cambridge Central Mosque
- Cambridge Language Cafe
- Volunteer Cambs
- Visit Cambridge – What’s On
Rest, Play & Exploring
- Hot Numbers Coffee
- The Light Cinema (Cambridge Leisure Park)
- Everyman Cinema (Grand Arcade)
- The Clarendon Arms
- Grantchester Meadows
- Ely Cathedral
- Cambridge Farmers Market
- Fordham Car Boot Sale
This guide is regularly updated to bring you the latest recommendations and hidden gems. Check back often to discover more ways to make Cambridge feel like home.
Got a hidden gem to share?