Moving to Cambridge: An Essential Guide to Getting Settled

Moving to Cambridge can be exciting, but there's a lot to organise before your new home starts to feel like home. From setting up household bills and council tax to registering with a GP, finding local schools and getting to know your new neighbourhood, a little preparation can make the move much easier.

Whether you're relocating to Cambridge from overseas or moving from elsewhere in the UK, this guide covers some of the essentials to think about before you arrive.

At Present Made Eddington, we help residents through the moving process with practical information before they arrive, a detailed resident handbook once they move in and an on-site team who can help them settle into their new home and neighbourhood.

 

What do you need to do when moving to Cambridge?

Every move is different, but there are a few essentials worth getting organised early. These include having the right documents ready, understanding which household bills you'll be responsible for, registering for council tax, considering contents insurance and finding important local services such as a GP, dentist and pharmacy.

If you're moving to Cambridge with children, you'll also want to research schools and childcare early, while anyone relocating from overseas may need a little extra time to familiarise themselves with how services such as council tax and healthcare work in the UK.

Get your important documents ready

Before moving day, keep important documents somewhere safe and easy to access. These may include your tenancy documents, identification and other paperwork connected with your move.

If you're moving to Cambridge from overseas, it's particularly useful to check which documents you'll need after arriving in the UK rather than packing everything away with your belongings.

 

Understand your household bills when renting in Cambridge

When renting in Cambridge, it's important to understand which household bills you will be responsible for and how they are set up. Depending on your rental agreement, these could include electricity, water, heating, broadband and council tax.

Check what's included in your rent before moving in and make a list of anything you need to arrange separately. 

At Present Made Eddington, Wi-Fi is included in your rent, and we also work with a dedicated utility partner to help make setting up your other household bills as simple as possible.

How does council tax work when renting in Cambridge?

Council tax is a local tax that helps pay for services provided by your local authority. If you're moving to the UK from overseas, it may be something you haven't encountered before.

The amount you pay depends on factors including your property and personal circumstances, while some households may be eligible for a discount or exemption. When moving into a new rental home, check which local authority your property falls under and make sure you register your new address with them.

Present Made Eddington falls within South Cambridgeshire District Council, and residents are provided with information on how to register for council tax as part of their move-in process.

 

Do renters need contents insurance?

Contents insurance isn't the same as buildings insurance. While a landlord will usually be responsible for insuring the building itself, that doesn't necessarily protect the possessions you bring into your home. 

Contents insurance can provide protection for personal belongings such as furniture, clothing, laptops, phones and other valuables against certain risks such as theft or damage. It's therefore worth considering when you move into a rental home.

At Present Made, we recommend that residents consider contents insurance to protect their personal belongings.

 

Register with a GP and find the local healthcare services

One of the practical things to do after moving to Cambridge is to familiarise yourself with the healthcare services near your new home. This can include your local GP surgery, dentist and pharmacy as well as knowing the location of your nearest hospital.

It's worth doing this after you arrive rather than waiting until you need medical care. This can be particularly useful if you're relocating to the UK and aren't yet familiar with the healthcare services available locally.

Residents at Present Made Eddington are given information about useful local services including nearby doctors (we suggest Huntingdon Road Surgery), dentists (we recommend Girton Dental Practice), pharmacies and Addenbrooke's Hospital.

 

Moving to Cambridge with children? Research schools early

If you're moving to Cambridge with your family, researching schools and childcare is likely to be high on your list. 

School admissions can depend on factors such as your child's age, where you live and availability, so it's worth researching your options as early as possible and checking the latest admissions information with the relevant school or local authority.

Eddington itself has the University of Cambridge Primary School, alongside further education and childcare options across Cambridge and the surrounding area.

You can use the Cambridgeshire County Council school admissions website to research primary and secondary schools, catchment areas and find information on applying for a school place.

If you're moving from overseas, allow additional time to understand the UK school system and any documents that may be required as part of the application.

Work out how you'll get around Cambridge

Cambridge is well-known for cycling, so getting around doesn't necessarily mean relying on a car. Before you move, it's worth looking at the walking, cycling and public transport options between your new home and the places you'll visit regularly such as work, school or the city centre.

Eddington has access to nearby bus stops and cycle routes, giving residents different ways to get around Cambridge.

At Present Made Eddington, some homes come with parking included, while residents in other homes can rent a parking space. EV charging points are also available, with further information provided in our Resident Handbook.

Learn how waste and recycling works

Waste and recycling arrangements vary between local authorities and developments, so it's another useful thing to check when moving somewhere new. 

Eddington has a distinctive underground waste and recycling system. Instead of traditional wheelie bins, residents use waste and mixed recycling chutes located around the neighbourhood.

It's worth familiarising yourself with what can be recycled locally and where different types of household waste should go soon after you arrive.

Get to know Eddington and your new neighbourhood

Getting settled after moving to Cambridge isn't only about paperwork and household bills. Knowing where to buy groceries, grab a coffee, go for a walk or meet people can make an area begin to feel familiar much more quickly.

Eddington is a neighbourhood in Cambridge designed around homes, green spaces and community facilities. Local amenities include a supermarket, cafes and restaurants while residents also have access to landscaped parks, sports facilities and events at Storey's Field Centre.

Present Made Eddington also hosts regular resident events and activities, from fitness classes and workshops to social gatherings, giving residents opportunities to meet their neighbours and become part of the community.

Moving to Cambridge checklist

If you're preparing for a move, use this simple checklist as a starting point:

• Keep your tenancy and identification documents accessible 
• Check which household bills are included in your rent
• Arrange any utilities you're responsible for
• Register for council tax
• Consider contents insurance
• Find and register with local healthcare services
• Research schools and childcare if you're moving with children
• Check your commute and local transport options
• Understand parking and EV charging arrangements if applicable
• Learn how local waste and recycling works 
• Find your nearest everyday shops and services

Take some time to explore your new neighbourhood

Moving somewhere new will always involve things to organise, especially if you're relocating from another country. But having the right information before you arrive can make settling in much simpler.

At Present Made, support doesn't end when residents collect their keys. Residents have access to a detailed handbook, the Present Made app and an on-site team with information covering everything from getting set up at home and accessing local services to maintenance, events and making the most out of the neighbourhood.