Town0
Reading
- C-Overall Grade
- Town in Pennsylvania
- 170 reviews
- Public SchoolsD
- Crime & SafetyC-
- HousingC-
- NightlifeA
- Good for FamiliesC-
- DiversityA-
- JobsC-
- WeatherB-
- Cost of LivingB
- Health & FitnessC-
- Outdoor ActivitiesB+
- CommuteA-
Real Estate
Median Home Value
$69,500
National
$184,700Median Rent
$770
National
$949Sponsored Mortgage Options for Reading
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Reading Rankings
Niche ranks thousands of places to live based on key statistics from the U.S. Census and and expert insights.
Crime & Safety
Crime & Safety
C-
Based on violent and property crime rates.
Residents
Working in Reading
Jobs
C-
Based on employment rates, job and business growth, and cost of living.
Median Household Income
$28,755
National
$55,322Places to Work in Reading
Colleges in Reading
- Best
- A-Z
- A+
The Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences
- 2 Year
- Reading, PA
- 83 reviews
- B
Penn State Berks
- 4 Year
- Reading, PA
- 459 reviews
- C+
Albright College
- 4 Year
- Reading, PA
- 653 reviews
- C+
Alvernia University
- 4 Year
- Reading, PA
- 522 reviews
- C
Reading Area Community College
- 2 Year
- Reading, PA
- 396 reviews
- 1 of 2
Reading Reviews
170 reviews
All Categories
I love Reading! I understand that Reading is known for many negative aspects, but I've lived here for about 17-18 years of my life and have created such beautiful memories! If you're all about furthering your own selfish ambitions, then you will never see the potential in all of the people around you. Essentially, if you're saying that Reading is garbage, you're saying its people are garbage, which would mean that you don't truly value life and people. Making progress in bettering the city of Reading would include acknowledging the importance of the lives of those in Reading. Everyone is truly valuable and has a God-given talent that can make the city thrive! It's all a matter of how you perceive things to be. We need to recognize how beautiful life is, no matter the current circumstances of the person. If we cannot love our neighbor, then that is the root of the problem. God has called us to love people and our Creator.
Police sirens are a person's lullaby around Reading, especially if you live in center city. Though things have calmed down a bit since I grew up, but the people are still the same. You look ahead when you walk, nod when you see someone you know, and you pass by. The closer you get to Muhlenberg, following 5th street, the nicer the community and the houses look a lot prettier. There isn't a lot to do in Reading, it's typical to what every other place would have, a movie theater, bowling alley, a skating rink, and a central market on Penn St where you could meet anyone there who could try and sell you some bootleg shoe to make a couple bucks.
Reading, Pennsylvania is like many other cities across the United States. There are several aspects of Reading that are very good, but also many things that must be changed. I've grown up in the suburban area of Reading, which is known to be very safe compared to the dangerous inner city. Reading has many restaurants, many of my favorite in the West Reading area. There are a plethora of places to choose among, ranging from Puerto Rican cuisine to Mediterranean food. West Reading is full of small businesses that are widely supported by the community. Reading has various shopping centers, fast food restaurants, and wonderful fitness facilities. There are not many recreational activities, especially for a younger crowd. The inner city of Reading is known to be rather dangerous, as it has been ranked among the most dangerous cities in the US for many years. Despite the dangerous aspects, Reading is a city that takes a lot of pride in culture.