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District 8

District 8

Neighborhood in Reading, Pennsylvania

Berks County 19602

$163,561 Average Value
$90 Average Price per Sq Ft
2 Homes For Sale

Downtown Reading's quieter neighborhood

District 8 is one of the quieter neighborhoods of downtown Reading despite being made up of the signature densely packed row houses that characterize the city. The area is nestled between many of the city’s natural areas, and it is situated farther away from downtown’s epicenter, leading to less noise and road traffic. Its residential streets also surround 16th and Haak Elementary School, which is why so many families with small children choose to move to the area.

Row houses for affordable prices

District 8’s row houses were all built around the early 1900s; some maintain their original red brick exteriors, while some have been updated with colorful siding. Despite homes being typically under 1,300 square feet, most listings have four to five bedrooms and multiple levels. Prices range from $110,000 to $160,000, while some go for above $200,000. The homes generally have small, covered porches and short stoops that lead directly onto the city’s wide sidewalks. Parking is usually on-street.

Variety of colonial style row homes in District 8.
Variety of colonial style row homes in District 8.
Several styles of row homes in District 8.
Several styles of row homes in District 8.
Bird's eye view of District 8 neighborhood.
Bird's eye view of District 8 neighborhood.
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16th and Haak Elementary School entry.
16th and Haak Elementary School entry.

Reading School District's solution to overpopulation

Students can attend 16th and Haak Elementary, which has a D-plus rating on Niche. Most local children can walk to school every morning because the school sits right at the center of District 8. Students can move on to Southern Middle School, which has a D grade on Niche and is under 1 mile away. High schoolers can attend Reading Senior High School 1 1/2 miles away, which earns a C-minus on Niche. While the staff works hard to best serve all of Reading’s high schoolers, Marjorie DeJesus, a seasoned Reading-area Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty, sheds some light on the school district’s struggles and development plans. “The fact that there’s only one high school is a downside of the area,” she says. “There’s definitely an overpopulation issue at Reading High, but the school district is planning on building a new STEM school soon. That will take some of the pressure off Reading High, and it’s going to be so good for the kids and the community.”

Pendora Park and the Olivet Boy's & Girl's Club

Pendora Park runs parallel to District 8 and offers plenty of after-school amenities. Over 6 acres wide, the park has a playground and various sports facilities that are free to the public. Family gatherings are common at the park’s pavilion and field house, and residents can rent out sports equipment or even the venue itself for events. Many local children spend their free time at the Olivet Boy's & Girl's Club, which can also be found at Pendora Park. City Park is considered Reading’s central green space and is a 1/2 mile from District 8. Nearly 50 acres, the park features an all-abilities playground, a splash pad and benches. Beyond the playground are many walking trails and historic statues, as well as basketball and tennis courts. The park also houses the Veteran's Grove Memorial Park and the Volunteer Fireman’s Memorial Amphitheater where community and seasonal events will occasionally take place.

Aerial of Penns Commons, better known to locals as City Park
Aerial of Penns Commons, better known to locals as City Park
Enjoy live entertainment and seasonal events at the bandshell in City Park.
Enjoy live entertainment and seasonal events at the bandshell in City Park.
Enjoy a game of hoops with some friends at the City Park playground.
Enjoy a game of hoops with some friends at the City Park playground.
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Friendly staff are ready to help you at the local Shop Smart.
Friendly staff are ready to help you at the local Shop Smart.

Peruvian flavors and sweet ice cream shops

There are a few nearby supermarkets where residents can get groceries. On the other side of U.S. Route 422 is Shop Smart Supermarket, while Guru Sub and Grocery Store is two streets down. For a sit-down meal, locals love The Blue Farm Chicken & Ceviche Shop, a nearby Peruvian restaurant serving authentic Latin American eats. Customers appreciate how large the portions are and how flavorful each dish is for prices that don’t break the bank. Or locals head over to Tambora Restaurant, a cozy Spanish restaurant only a couple streets away. Around the corner is Traveler’s Pub, a well-loved hole-in-the-wall bar where residents like to grab drinks together and play darts. La Niña Fresa is a favorite among children and adults alike to stop by for a sweet treat. The shop is known for its creamy and refreshing ice cream and aguas frescas, as well as familiar Mexican candies and snacks like horchata and spicy street corn.

Traveling by car and nearby public transport

Generally, the Berks Area Reading Transportation Authority, also known as BARTA, would provide the area with public transportation. However, the closest BARTA bus stop to the area is the RDI stop, which is a little over 1 mile away. Therefore, most locals travel by car, and some even work outside the city. Residents are about 56 miles from Philadelphia and can arrive there by car in under two hours via 422 and Interstate 76. Lehigh Valley International Airport is the nearest airport to the area at 40 miles away.

Isabel Butler
Written By
Isabel Butler
Danny Lambert
Photography Contributed By
Danny Lambert
Mark Tilley
Video By
Mark Tilley

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
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. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Kevin Toll, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Lehigh Valley International

61 min drive

Bus

Perkiomen Ave. & 16th St. Farside Wb

Bus

Perkiomen Ave. & 15th St. Farside Wb

Bus

Perkiomen Ave. & 17th St. Farside Wb

Bus

Perkiomen Ave. & Spruce St. Farside Wb

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime District 8 US
Homicide 8 4
Sexual Assault 5 4
Assault with Weapon 7 4
Robbery 7 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 5 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 5 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$162,500
Median Single Family Price
$164,900
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$90
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Last 12 months Home Sales
18
Months of Supply
1.30
Median List Price
$164,900
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
41%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
322
Median Year Built
1900
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,741
Below the national average
1,937
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,819
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
1,742

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Kevin Toll, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
1,677
Median Age
31
Population Density
41 ppl/acre
Population under 18
33.3%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
10.2%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$60,383
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$53,806

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
79.3%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
11.1%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
0%
% Population in Labor Force
71.4%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
18''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

26 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®

65 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Reviews

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
District 8