What to Know About Reading, PA

Welcome to Reading, Pennsylvania—a city as captivating as the pages of a well-loved book! Tucked in the picturesque countryside of Berks County, Reading is a hidden gem just waiting to be discovered, but don’t wait too long as the secret’s getting out. US News and World Report has Reading as the tenth-best place to retire in the nation and the sixth-best place to live in Pennsylvania.

What is it that makes Reading, PA, so charming? Is it the architectural marvels like the old Victorian mansions or the Japanese Pagoda? Is it the panoramic views of the Penn-Lebanon and Schuylkill River Valleys? Or is it the delicious pretzels that make it the self-described “Pretzel Capital of the World?”

Whatever it is, get ready to create your own chapter by moving to Reading, PA. Our profile shares helpful information about this Dutch Country Roads region city, from its cost of living to a few fun things to do once you’re settled in.

Where is Reading, PA?

People come to the heart of the Dutch Country Roads region for the charming rolling landscape and delicious homemade treats. This part of southeastern Pennsylvania is where Old World traditions rub elbows against modern cities and tastes.

Reading is part of the Delaware Valley region or the greater Philadelphia metropolitan area. But don’t worry if city living is not appealing to you; Reading is a solid 63 miles from downtown Philly and surrounded by Dutch Amish countryside and farmlands.

The city is the county seat for Berks County, a long-time major agricultural producer and state leader in dairy production, field crops, and poultry.

What is Reading’s background?

Reading’s long and storied history goes back to before our country was born. It was a military base for a chain of forts that stretched along the Blue Mountains used by pioneers during the French and Indian War. The discovery of iron in the local ridges and valleys made it crucial in supplying George Washington’s troops with essential weapons during the American Revolution. The area was also used as a prisoner-of-war camp for captured Hessians after the Battle of Trenton.

Mining and iron manufacturing continued to make Reading a crucial and strategically vital city through the 19th century. The Schuylkill River location helped, as it easily connected Reading to Philadelphia. The Schuylkill Canal was built to further speed up transportation.

With the introduction of the railroad, Reading’s influence and might as a manufacturing center blossomed. In fact, the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad became one of the largest companies in the late 19th century. If you’ve ever wondered where Reading Railroad came from on the Monopoly game board, this town is the real-life inspiration.

However, if you know your American and economic history, then you know that iron and steel production declined in the middle of the 20th century. This required Reading to diversify its economy to meet challenges. Today, leading sectors are healthcare, education, professional services, and retail. But you can still see the influence of the railroad and steel production heyday all around the town.

Is Reading, PA, growing?

Reading fits into the small city category, with around 95,000 residents as of 2022. This is actually a slight population loss over the last year. However, in the previous ten-year Census count, Reading gained about 7,000 residents.

By 2040, Pennsylvania predicts the City of Reading will have around 104,000 residents. The current data suggests it is tracking that way and may hit that number earlier.

What is Reading’s cost of living?

Reading has been named one of the best places to retire partly because of its exceptional affordability and blend of lifestyle essentials and things to do. Looking at how much it costs to live here, Reading is about 10% cheaper than the national average and about 5% less expensive than the rest of Pennsylvania.

Housing is the largest part of most people’s budgets, so it’s good to know that this category is about 38% cheaper than the national going rate. But not all the spending categories are so favorable. Reading residents spend a little more on healthcare and miscellaneous costs. Utilities, transportation, and groceries align with the expected national spending rate.

What is Reading’s real estate market like?

Remember, real estate can change based on varying economic and market factors. Using May 2023 as a snapshot, Redding had a median list price of $210,000 with 540 homes for sale. This brought the median price per square foot to $129.

The median list price was up about 12% year over year, which is part of a more dramatic upward trend that started around December 2022. However, prices have been mostly rising since their dip in January 2020.

What can you get for your money? $5,000 buys an 871-square-foot lot. At the other end, $3.65 million would get a historic, 1736-built farm on 28 acres. The restored 8,500-square-foot home came with five bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms.

Are there condos and townhomes in Reading, PA?

As one of the nation’s top recommended retirement destinations in 2023, there’s good news for those seeking a maintenance-free lifestyle. Reading had 233 homes listed as condos or townhomes, almost half of the available homes in May of that year. So, you’ll have ample choices if this kind of living appeals to you.

At the top of the market, $439,000 buys a 2,542 square-foot townhouse end unit on a cul-de-sac. Condos bottomed out at a listing for $22,000 with 1,242 sq ft in need of renovation.

Are there waterfront homes in Reading, PA?

The Schuylkill River winds its way through western Reading. Unfortunately, you’ll have a hard time if you’re looking to live on the river. Much of the central waterfront is either industrial or has been converted into parks, with a walking trail running miles down its expanse. If you have your heart set on living on a creek or along a small reservoir, you’ll have to look at the suburbs and countryside around Reading.

What are some top Reading neighborhoods to live in?

Located in the heart of Reading, the Centre Park Historic District is known for its beautifully preserved Victorian-era homes and tree-lined streets. Once the “country” part of Reading, the district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its Victorian-style and row homes. Relax on the wide front porches during beautiful spring days, or admire the rounded parapets and towers. The colorful houses capture the bygone area of wealth brought to Reading thanks to the iron and steel industry.

Reading has five other recognized historic districts, including Callowhill, The Princes, and Penn’s. These neighborhoods have homes dating to the 1800s. Some were built with stone facades or in the row-house style that accommodated the city’s steel mill workers.

College Heights is a historic section near Albright College in northeast Reading. Tucked between the college and Hampden Park, the local community council puts on events like Night in the Heights and organizes the neighborhood watch program.

What is there to do in Reading, PA?

The Pagoda is perhaps Reading’s most iconic landmark. The Japanese-style tower tops Mount Penn for stunning views of the city and the surrounding landscape. Built as a luxury hotel resort in 1908, the Reading Pagoda is set on ten acres of conserved land.

Reading’s community heavily supports creativity and the arts. One creative hub, GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, features artist studios, galleries, and educational programs. The center runs juried art shows, local classes in various mediums, and has a 125-seat theater in its renovated former glass lens factory.

Spark curiosity as the Reading Public Museum, a century-old community centerpiece that houses diverse art and historical collections, a planetarium, and an arboretum.

Besides these year-round facilities, Reading’s festivals and events bring the community together to celebrate its uniqueness, like at Pagoda Hillclimb and the Berks Jazz Fest. The annual Reading Fair combines an agricultural showcase with classic midway entertainment.

Like sports? The Reading Royals professional ice hockey team plays in the Eastern Conference at the Santander Arena. The facility also houses the Santander Performing Arts Center, the local venue for major concerts, sporting events, and live performances.

In the summers, escape to Blue Marsh Lake, a 1,150-acre day-use lake with boating, fishing, hiking, and picnicking facilities.

Nolde Forest is another popular outdoor recreation space that welcomes pets on its 10+ miles of walking trails. The environmental education center was reforested from a single tree.

Check out historic aircraft at the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum (MAAM). The aircraft in its collections were built between 1928 and 1982 for military and civilian use. The warbirds are especially popular.

Are there golf courses in Reading?

Golfers, rejoice, as there are 32 golf courses in the greater Reading area! The only problem you’ll have is deciding which one is your favorite. The options include public and private courses. Just a sampling of your choices:

• Chapel Hill is one of the newer courses but opened in 1980. It is 18 holes of championship golf played for a par 70 at 6,056 yards from the back tees. It is a semi-private course.
• Scottish golf course architect Alexander Findlay designed the public Manor Golf Club in 1928. It’s one of the older courses in Pennsylvania but is fully stocked with modern amenities like dining and a pro shop.
• Berkshire Country Club is Reading’s first golf club, having been incorporated in 1899. This is an upscale country club experience with an on-staff certified sommelier and fine dining venue. The facilities include a resort-style swimming pool, social events, and tennis courts.

What is near Reading, PA?

Reading is at the center of a larger metro comprising beautiful small towns and cities in the hills and valleys of Berks County.

Across the Schuylkill River, West Reading is a borough with a vibrant downtown area, home to a farmer’s market, a summertime monthly music street fair, and multiple festivals like the Craft Pretzel + Beer Fest and Art of the Avenue. It may be smaller than Reading proper, but that small-town and tight-knit community vibe adds to its charm.

Located immediately adjacent to West Reading, Wyomissing is a borough with around 10,000 people. It is known for its upscale residential areas, shopping centers, and proximity to the Reading Hospital and Medical Center.

Sinking Spring is about four miles west of Reading, with around 4,000 residents. It offers a mix of residential neighborhoods, local businesses, and parks, such as the popular Willow Glen Park.

Wernersville is known for its serene setting and the presence of the South Mountain YMCA Camp. It’s further west from Sinking Spring.

Philadelphia is approximately 60 miles southeast of Reading, so it’s easy enough for residents to day trip to its cultural, educational, and employment opportunities.

What should I know about living in Reading?

Reading’s nickname “Pretzel City” or the “Pretzel Capital of the World” comes from the proliferation of pretzel bakeries based in the region. Around one-third of all pretzels in the US are baked here, producing around 15 million a year.

Another thing Reading is famous for are the shopping outlets. The city boasts numerous shopping centers and malls. At the Berkshire Mall, Fairgrounds Square Mall, and Broadcasting Square, the shops sell everything from fashion and accessories to sporting equipment. Additionally, Reading’s unique boutiques and local shops source one-of-a-kind goods. These homegrown shops are particularly in the downtown West Reading area, where shoppers can select from artisanal crafts and locally made products.

Several educational institutions are local fixtures. Albright College, a private liberal arts college established in 1856 enrolls around 2,000 students a year.

Additionally, Reading Area Community College is a resource for associate degree programs and vocational training. In nearby Kenhorst, Alvernia University enrolls 3,000 students in a private college built on a Franciscan tradition.

Reading has been actively engaged in revitalization efforts to enhance the quality of life for its residents. These efforts include downtown initiatives, neighborhood improvement programs, and small business promotions. It all comes together to contribute to the city’s positive trajectory.

Moving to Reading, PA

Living in Reading, PA, is a fulfilling and dynamic experience. Not only do you have unique attractions like the Reading Pagoda and the Reading Public Museum, but life comes with an affordable cost of living that’s excellent even for Pennsylvania. So explore this small city outside the Philly city limits with an expert local real estate agent who can direct you to great places in the Reading metro.