Nestled within the natural areas of Reading is East Reading, an expansive neighborhood stretching from the border of downtown Reading to neighboring regions Oley and Jacksonwald. Residents may be far from amenities, but locals love the community’s connection to nature and stately, rural homes. The area is also home to the locally famous Reading Pagoda and historic Mount Penn Preserve.
Houses situated closer to the city and downtown were built in the early- to mid-1900s and are generally priced between $150,000 and $260,000 for under 1,500 square feet. However, more rural listings built in the late 1990s or 2000s typically cost between $375,000 and $550,000 for 2,000 to 3,000 square feet. Homes come in New Traditional or ranch styles and generally have multi-car garages and long paved driveways that stretch across expansive and well-kept green lawns. Surrounding the properties are heavily wooded areas with mature trees.
Depending on where residents live, students can attend 16th and Haak Elementary School, which is about 4 miles away and has a D-plus rating on Niche. The school has an annual tradition where students come together to paint murals representing the unique qualities of their school and city. Students can move on to Southern Middle School, which has a D grade on Niche and is 4 1/2 miles away, followed by Reading Senior High School which is 3 1/2 miles away and earns a C-minus on Niche. While the school mainly offers in-person instruction, students can also learn through the Reading Virtual Academy, a tuition-free online program with flexible pacing and individualized learning plans.
East Reading mainly consists of vast natural areas ideal for hiking, cycling and sightseeing. Antietam Lake Park and the Antietam Reservoir are fairly central in the neighborhood, and locals enjoy hiking through the park's many interconnected trails, as well as fishing in the lake. In the neighborhood’s northwest portion is the Mount Penn Preserve, a heavily wooded area with protected historic stone structures. Trails at Mount Penn are rockier than others in the neighborhood, so it is recommended that hikers, runners and mountain bikers be cautious when navigating the trails. A major landmark attraction also draws visitors to the neighborhood; the Reading Pagoda is a seven-story Japanese-inspired pagoda with sweeping views of the surrounding city that can get crowded during tourist season. However, even with access to nature within the neighborhood, Marjorie DeJesus, a seasoned Reading-area Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty, says that residents sometimes venture farther afield for a change of pace. She says that “Blue Marsh past the western side of Reading is really popular. A lot of people go in the summertime because there are big swimming holes that East Reading’s natural areas just don’t have.” Blue Marsh National Recreation Area is about 13 miles away, or a 30-minute drive by car, making it a favorite day-trip destination for East Reading residents.
East Reading may be rural, but it has some well-loved spots to grab a bite. Marisol's Bakery & Café may sound like it only sells sweets and specialty cakes, but the restaurant serves up all sorts of savory delicacies, too. The menu consists of authentic Puerto Rican cuisine, and locals can get anything from a breakfast sandwich to a full, freshly cooked sit-down meal. Bertie’s Inn in the center of the neighborhood is a family-friendly bar and grill serving char-grilled burgers and local beer on tap. Occasionally, Bertie’s will bring in a pianist to play tunes, and bands can be found jamming out on the deck on the weekends. Where locals grocery shop can depend heavily on where residents live. Those living in the northeast portion may find it more convenient to shop at Weis Markets in Oley, while southeastern residents might favor Aldi or Giant off U.S. Route 422. However, most locals on the west side of East Reading shop downtown at Weis Markets or Shop Smart Supermarket.
Public transportation is not an amenity typically available in East Reading, so most residents get to their destinations by car. Depending on where locals live, residents are within 3 to 7 miles away from the closest 422 on-ramp, which can lead to other major cities. Residents are about 65 miles from Philadelphia and 34 miles from Allentown and the neighborhood’s closest airport, Lehigh Valley International Airport.
Erica Fair
Iron Valley Real Estate of Berks
(484) 388-4814
139 Total Sales
2 in East Reading
$210K - $430K Price Range
Keave Slomine
KW Empower
(484) 806-8811
108 Total Sales
1 in East Reading
$420,000 Price
Todd Sell
Pagoda Realty
(484) 772-2844
138 Total Sales
1 in East Reading
$255,000 Price
Melanie Hughes
Crescent Real Estate
(717) 420-8166
77 Total Sales
2 in East Reading
$255K - $290K Price Range
Nicholas Smith
Coldwell Banker Hearthside-Allentown
(484) 246-7713
221 Total Sales
1 in East Reading
$210,000 Price
Cameron Crossley
Skale Real Estate
(484) 513-2077
16 Total Sales
1 in East Reading
$449,000 Price
On average, homes in East Reading, Reading sell after 28 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in East Reading, Reading over the last 12 months is $388,250, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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A small village at the foothills of Reading's Mount Penn
Midcentury homes among the foothills of Mount Penn
Storybook charm, natural scenery and scholarly streets in north Reading
Comfortable living at the foothills of Mount Penn
A laid-back and peaceful borough with a small-town feel
