PA Real Estate Blogs

The city is located in Berks County in picturesque southeastern Pennsylvania. Reading is only 58 miles from Philadelphia, 126 miles from New York City and 120 miles from Atlantic City and the coastal communities of New Jersey. The county encompasses 864 square miles and the city of Reading only 10.3 square miles.

Reading’s history is rich in cultural and heritage. In the 1800’s The Reading Railroad fueled the nation with anthracite coal transport, the World’s largest Corporation in the day, earning a space on the Monopoly board. Steel, Knitting, and Hosiery Mill, and other neighborhood manufacturers employed the residents of the Reading area. The suburbs at the time were mainly agricultural supply the city with local foods. As time change and urban sprawl began the suburbs in the county began. Today there are 75 municipalities, and 18 public school districts and five colleges and universities. There is still a great deal of farmland and Pennsylvania Dutch Heritage alive and well in the County. The county population as a whole is 411,442 according to the 2010 census where as the city of Reading had only 88,082. Although city of Reading struggles to survive with many jobs moving out of the city of the city limits, and now being ranked as the poorest city in the Nation, the city of Reading is Rich in Cultural and recreational activities.

The Sovereign Center and the Sovereign Performing Arts Center represent the continuing commitment to the arts and entertainment. A new venue, The Greater Reading Expo Center, allows the area to support large consumer and business tradeshows. The Reading Symphony Orchestra and the Reading Public Museum and Planetarium are considered among the best in the state. The Miller Center of the Performing Arts, New IMAX theatre, and the in addition there are a myriad of organizations providing residents the opportunity to participate in cultural venues as the Reading Civic Opera, Reading- Berks Ballet, Genesis Theatre, and Reading Community Players. Each year the Berks Arts Council presents the largest jazz festival on the east coast. Reading is home to the Reading Phillies baseball club, and the Royals Professional Hockey Club.

Many of the old city textile mills have been converted in to residential lofts rentals such as the Silk Mill, River Loft. In the Wyomissing area the old Rockwell Mills became the stylish residences known as 100 at Park. The Berkshire Mills became the VF Outlet; one of the first outlet destination in the United States.

Judy’s on Cherry, Canal Street, Kitchen 24, and The Works are popular eateries located in former industrial buildings.

One of the most successful revitalized industrial buildings was the home of Wilson Safety Products the manufacturer of safety goggles has been revitalized in the successful GOGGLE WORKS. The facility a 145,000 sq ft factory conversion on five floors offering galleries, classrooms, dance, drama, and music studios, a dark room, glass blowing building, a ceramics studio, a warm and cold glass studio, a wood shop and a Jewelry studio. In addition there is a 131 seat art film theatre, and a large exhibit area. There are 34 individual working artist studios to educate the public on their medium and sell their works. Additional the loft style building offers a café and outdoor dining area.

Despite the negative press, Reading still is a wonderful city that welcomes its diversity. Residential neighborhoods such as Hessian Camp, Wyomissing Park, Centre Park Historical District, and Hampden Heights, and Castlewood, offer some of the most architectural significant homes in the county. Resident in these fine neighborhoods choose to live in the city Reading.

Reading suburbs are the same beautiful countryside that attracted the early settlers to Berks County continues to provide opportunities to today’s residents. Hundreds of acres have been designed for recreational or preservation purposes. The Berks County Parks and Recreational Department maintains and operates several historic sites, camping and recreational facilities. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineer built and maintains the Blue Marsh Lake, a project designed to provide flood control, an enormous reservoir of drinking water, and extensive recreational opportunities. The State of Pennsylvania maintains the heavily forested, scenic hills of French Creek State Park in the midst of the ever-expanding urban environment of southeastern Berks County. The Nolde Environmental Center and the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary provide unique educational opportunities as well as the chance to enjoy the beauty of nature.

Reading Pa offers unbelievable opportunities to purchase real estate at a low price. The beautiful communities, friendly people, and cultural activities offer a sought after lifestyle not found in neighboring more expensive metropolitan areas.

If you like to travel, you are within driving distance to International airports in Philadelphia, Allentown, Harrisburg, Newark, New Jersey, Atlantic City, Baltimore, and even JFK in New York. Mountains for skiing or hiking are a short distance away, or the beaches on the shores of Long Island, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware.

Before believing everything you read, visit the people and place of Reading Berks County. I feel you will you will be glad you did, and will come away with a different opinion.

Bill Sands

Sands & Company Real Estate

www.PaRealEstate.com