Amblebrook
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Reading, Pennsylvania
What It Is Like to Retire in Reading
Reading, the county seat of Berks County, is located in southeastern Pennsylvania midway between Philadelphia and Harrisburg. With a diverse population of 95,112 (2020 Census), it is the 4th largest city in Pennsylvania, and will be celebrating its 275th anniversary in 2023. Reading was the first to introduce outlet shopping in the 1970
Where to Retire in Reading and Home Prices
According to the National Association of Realtors, the median sale price of a home here was $219,700 during the 1st quarter of 2022, and well below the national average of $368,200. Real estate taxes are higher in Berks County than they are in some other PA counties.
What Is Special about Reading
Reading is in a great location along a major thoroughfare between central and eastern Pennsylvania. The city is approximately 65 miles from both Harrisburg to the west, and Philadelphia to the east. Reading offers parks, miles of biking trails, historical sites, a performing arts center, several musical organizations, GoogleWorks, and an arena that is home to the Reading Royals, an affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers. Alvernia University provides cultural events for the community with student performances and gallery exhibits.
What Is Not Special about Reading
The crime rate here is high, as are real estate taxes, and the winters are chilly.
Who Will Like Retirement in Reading
Those looking for a mid-size city in a tax-friendly state for retirees may like living in Reading. It offers outdoor recreation, a library, museums, public transportation, a hospital, and lifelong learning through Alvernia University that also offers a book club and an iPad club, along with cultural events.
Local Economy Is Driven by
The economy is driven by health care, retail, and education
Climate and Physical Environment
Reading sits at the intersection of two valleys, the east Penn-Lebanon Valley and the Schuylkill River. The average January temperature is 31 degrees and July's average is 77 degrees. The annual snowfall is about 18 inches.
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
There are several restaurants here including fine dining, cheap eats, pubs and bars. The cultural scene is provided by local historic sites, museums, the Reading Symphony Orchestra, GoggleWorks Center for the arts and the Santander Performing Arts Center. The city of Philadelphia is nearby for a plethora of cultural events and historical attractions.
Crime
The crime rate here is higher than the national average.
Medical facilities
Reading Hospital is located here, as are several medical facilities. Philadelphia, and its many medical centers are about 65 miles away.
Transportation
The town offers public transportation by BARTA; In 2022 Berks County voted to establish the Schuylkell River Passenger Rail Authority; the city is making an effort to become a bike friendly community; the nearest international airports are in Harrisburg, 60 miles away, and in Philadelphia, 70 miles away.
Comments on "Reading"