UK city starting points
UK city starting points for newcomers: London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast — councils, transport, health and schools.
London: your local starting point
Living in London: find your council among 33 local authorities, understand Council Tax and TfL fare caps, register with a GP and apply for school places. ↗
Manchester: your local starting point
Living in Manchester: 2026/27 Council Tax bands, Bee Network bus fares and caps, GP registration, school dates and first steps for newcomers. ↗
Birmingham: your local starting point
Living in Birmingham: 2026/27 Council Tax by band, National Express and Swift Go bus fares, GP registration and school application dates, step by step. ↗
Edinburgh: your local starting point
Living in Edinburgh: 2026/27 Council Tax with water, Lothian Buses caps, free prescriptions, GP registration and P1 school dates for newcomers. ↗
Cardiff: your local starting point
Living in Cardiff: Wales' nine Council Tax bands, 2026/27 Band D average, GP registration without ID, free prescriptions and TfW train fare caps. ↗
Belfast: your local starting point
Living in Belfast: work out domestic rates at the 2026/27 rate, see who pays when renting, register with a GP on HSCR-1 and check Metro fare caps. ↗