$943,045Average Value$460Average Price per Sq Ft19Homes For Sale
Location and community keep people coming to Reading
The town of Reading is popular for its proximity to Boston and a wide variety of amenities. Community initiatives have enlivened downtown, while the farther reaches of Reading offer large green spaces that frequently host concerts and sporting events for adult and youth leagues. “Reading is the kind of place that you can grow up in, then move away for school or work, but you always end up moving back because it is that kind of community that you want to return to and share with your own family,” says Susan Gormady, a Realtor with Classified Realty Group who has lived in Reading since 2008.
Town Hall sits at the top of Main Street in Reading.
Welcome to Reading sign greets visitors entering the town.
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Historic Queen Annes and new condos in Reading
Houses in Reading span several sizes and time periods. Gormady says the town has “some of the most gorgeous 1920s homes.” Many estates are listed on the Woburn Street Historic District, which hugs its eponymous road. This affluent area is notable for its colorful Colonial Revival and Queen Anne builds, which date from the end of the 1800s through the early 1900s. Ranch-style and raised ranch-style homes sit closer to the town’s edges, accompanied by midcentury Colonial Revivals and the occasional 21st-century New Traditional. The median home price in Reading hovers around $775,000, almost double the national median of $410,000. In addition to single-family homes, buyers can also choose from townhouses and condos, some of which are in 55+ communities. Homes remain on the market for an average of 19 days, compared to the national average of 45 days.
Older homes still occupy space in the heart of Reading.
Rows of bright color architecture are seen on the streets of Reading.
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Community initiatives help downtown Reading
Local restaurants adorn Main Street, running from the Town Common down to the railroad tracks. Most serve American fare, though a few offer Japanese and Italian dishes. A group comprised of local businesses and residents is working on designating downtown as a business improvement district, or BID, where property owners pool funds together to create projects and programs to benefit Reading. In the past, the city has launched successful initiatives, including constructing Haven Street Pocket Park and installing bistro tables outside of local restaurants. Shopping centers lie east of downtown along Walkers Brook Drive. Jordan’s Furniture Reading puts a fun spin on shopping, offering an IMAX theater and a rope course called It at Beantown. Many Reading locals are employed in the health and manufacturing sectors, and others commute to Boston.
Don't forget to stop by a cocktail at Veneian Moon in Reading.
Fun character glasses are a staple at Public Kitchen in Reading.
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Ice skating at Memorial Park, dog walking at Reading Town Forest
The Reading Recreation Division manages about a dozen parks, fields and sports complexes. Located near the center of Reading, Memorial Park offers tennis and basketball courts along with a playset. “In the winter, they flood and freeze the park for ice skating,” Gormady says. “Reading is a big hockey town.” Memorial Park is the location of the free Kids Summer Concert Series which runs on Wednesdays from July through August. For indoor activities, residents can participate in programs at the Burbank YMCA from youth and teen development to aquatics lessons. The facility also features a gym, computer lab and roller-skating rink.
Large green spaces buttress the city to the north, including Reading Town Forest, which Gormady says is “great for walking and hiking, as well as a huge dog walking spot. I don’t have any dogs yet, but if I did, that is where I would take them.” The members-only Meadow Brook Golf Club offers 9 challenging holes, plus a 6-lane pool and a clubhouse with dining services.
You'll enjoy taking the dog for a walk in Reading's Washington Park.
Reading friends meet up to skate at the Burbank Ice Arena in Reading.
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The Haverhill line and highways take commuters to Boston
Reading is a mix of suburban and urban, with Gormady noting that residents on the west side can walk downtown while people on the north side prefer driving. Downtown Boston is 14 miles down Interstate 93. This expressway runs perpendicular to Interstate 95, which forms a partial beltway around Boston. Alternatively, commuters can hop on the Massachusetts Bay Area Transportation Authority’s Haverhill line from the Reading commuter rail station all the way to downtown’s North station. Boston Logan International Airport lies 15 miles south, while Reading Medical Center, a clinic managed by Tufts Medicine, sits on the east side of town.
A musical Porchfest and the Reading Fall Street Faire
Porches become stages, and front lawns become amphitheaters during Porchfest, a city-wide music event that invites local and regional acts to perform for a day in June. Each early September, the Reading Fall Street Faire provides a full day’s worth of fun, from vendors and car shows to a pie-eating contest and live music. Gormady also highlights the annual Tree Lighting at the beginning of Christmas and the Downtown Trick or Treat, where costumed kids can get candy and goodies from local businesses.
Beautiful weathervanes grace the skyline of Reading.
Stroll down Main Street and stop by the Children's Shop in Reading.
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Reading Public Schools is highly rated
Nearly 4,000 students attend Reading Public Schools, a district which earns an A-minus on Niche. A-rated Reading Memorial High offers Innovation Career Pathways in manufacturing and computer science, where students visit work sites and meet with individuals from industry partners.
Walter S. Parker Middle School is one of 2 Middle schools located in Reading.
Cheer on the home team at Reading High School.
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Crime and climate in Reading
According to FBI crime statistics, violent crimes increased by 75% between 2022 and 2023, while property crimes decreased by 17% over the same period. Both violent and property crimes have been trending down since the mid-2000s. The Citizens Police Academy familiarizes residents with police proceedings and offers them a chance to participate in a ride-along. Reading experiences four seasons with warm summers, cold winters and high humidity year-round. Residents can expect an average of five feet of snow each year.
Written By
Alexander Breuhan
Photography Contributed By
Amanda Beattie
Video By
Ellie Brown
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Brody Murphy Novak Group,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Reading, MA sell after 22 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Reading, MA over the last 12 months is $801,500, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Charming Central Entrance Colonial on One of the Area’s Most Beloved Streets! Welcome to this classic 3-bedroom turnkey home, freshly painted throughout & ready for you to move right in and put down your roots!. Located on a street recognized by Boston Magazine as one of the BEST PLACES TO LIVE, this home combines timeless charm w/ modern updates including a beautifully UPDATED KITCHEN W/QUARTZ
So much potential with this solid three bedroom Ranch style home in a great location just waiting for a fresh look! Nice kitchen with cozy dining area, with convenient side entry leading to paved driveway. Enjoy summer evenings on the screened porch overlooking a private backyard oasis. Three nice sized bedrooms all with hardwood floors. Living room also with hardwood floor and picture window
Welcome to 609 Gazebo Circle, a charming townhouse tucked into the sought-after Summit Village community in Reading. This well-maintained 2-bedroom, 2-bath home offers a comfortable and functional layout with gleaming hardwood floors and thoughtful touches throughout. Enjoy indoor-outdoor living with two private decks—one off the dining area and another from the spacious primary bedroom. The
This exceptional five-year-old Colonial offers the space, quality, and modern features you've been dreaming of—plus an easy commute and peaceful dead-end street location! Fall in love with the stunning white kitchen, open-concept design, and cozy gas fireplace. Enjoy REAL hardwood floors and quartz countertops throughout, including in the bathrooms. Fresh paint enhances the spacious layout,
Top floor (6th) unit with screened in balcony for summer enjoyment! Unit features laminate flooring, cabinet-packed eat in kitchen with SS appliances (dishwasher to be replaced prior to closing). Master bedroom with en-suite full bath and 3 generous closets. Second bedroom has a full wall of closet space! Condo fee includes heat, water, hot water, maintenance, insurance, etc. There's ample
Charming Central Entrance Colonial on One of the Area’s Most Beloved Streets! Welcome to this classic 3-bedroom turnkey home, freshly painted throughout & ready for you to move right in and put down your roots!. Located on a street recognized by Boston Magazine as one of the BEST PLACES TO LIVE, this home combines timeless charm w/ modern updates including a beautifully UPDATED KITCHEN W/QUARTZ
The following unit is becoming available:*Spacious 2 Bed / 2 Bath available for July move In**These luxurious apartments feature spacious floor plans unique with their upscale finishes and location. Nestled in the heart of Reading, a lively town 20 minutes from Boston, you will become part of the community and neighborhood that is thriving. This home features beautiful gray wood
UTILITIES INCLUDED!!! Bright and well maintained two-bedroom with extra large rooms, laundry, hardwood floors, TWO parking spots, side porch, and a private section of the lush, green backyard to enjoy those summer nights. Easy highway access to Boston or walk to the commuter rail only .07 miles for a quick ride into the city. Enjoy the shops and restaurants of Reading Center only one mile away.
Inwood West features remarkable amenities and stylish apartments in Woburn, MA. Now offering furnished and unfurnished apartments, these spacious floor plans boast gas cooktops, large closets, private patios and balconies, and an in-home washer/dryer. Select Woburn apartments at Inwood West include cathedral ceilings, maple cabinetry, and gas fireplaces. Enjoy access to on-site amenities
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