Section Image

Hillside

Hillside

Neighborhood in Reading, Pennsylvania

Berks County 19604

$138,248 Average Value
$118 Average Price per Sq Ft
3 Homes For Sale

Hillside, where workers for top employers settle down

Hillside is an up-and-coming urban neighborhood next to the well-known Penn Commons Historic Site of Eastern Reading. According to Marjorie DeJesus, a seasoned Reading-area Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty, homebuyers are drawn to the area for the pricing of homes and its proximity to employers. “Amazon has two or three warehouses throughout Reading, and a lot of people work there for the flexible hours,” she says. “Deka and Reading Hospital have also been top employers in recent years, and they aren’t far, so people have an easy commute to work.”

In Hillside, homes are affordable and desirable with proximity to Reading and things to do.
In Hillside, homes are affordable and desirable with proximity to Reading and things to do.
The views in Hillside are scenic and it is one of the favorite parts that residents enjoy.
The views in Hillside are scenic and it is one of the favorite parts that residents enjoy.
1/2

Cozy colonial-style row houses for commuters

Hillside housing is made up of row houses that cost between $130,000 and $160,000, with some options listing as low as $70,000. Homes are typically between two and three stories and have three to five bedrooms. Because many houses were built in the late 1800s or early 1900s, they maintain colonial-style brick exteriors, even if their interiors have been remodeled. Residents can practically step out of their front door onto the street, as covered porches and concrete stoops lead directly onto the neighborhood’s sidewalks. Parking is usually on-street, but some homes have a one- or two-car detached garage.

A plethora of colors can be found throughout Hillside, PA.
A plethora of colors can be found throughout Hillside, PA.
Rowhomes are commonly seen in Hillside, Reading with beautiful vibes.
Rowhomes are commonly seen in Hillside, Reading with beautiful vibes.
1/2

East Reading education

Students can attend 13th & Green Elementary. The school primarily serves low-income students and ranks among the top 10% of Pennsylvania public schools that have students eligible for free lunch. It has a D-plus rating from Niche, while Central Middle School earns a D rating. Through the Every Student Succeeds Act, Central Middle is one of 100 schools statewide designated for Comprehensive Support and Improvement. This designation allocates additional resources and stakeholder partnership opportunities to the school so its administration can address its most pressing needs. High schoolers can attend Reading Senior High School, which earns a C-minus on Niche. The school offers students a rigorous AP program and has a theater department that produces student-run musicals every spring and fall.

Younger students attend Thirteenth and Green Elementary School.
Younger students attend Thirteenth and Green Elementary School.
Central Middle School
Central Middle School
Reading Senior High School
Reading Senior High School
1/3

City trails and a Flying Dutchman

City Park, Reading’s central green space, is adjacent to Hillside’s southern border. Nearly 50 acres, the park features an all-abilities playground and splash pad. The play area has a music station, a lemonade stand, language panels, rock climbing steps and a surface spinner. 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. Skyline Downhill MTB Trail is a cycling park a little over 2 miles away. Skilled mountain bikers frequently enjoy both its freeride trails and intricate technical courses featuring table tops and severe drops. Riders using the trail pass Drenkel Field, home of the Flying Dutchman model airplane flying club. The large concrete field was once an orchard but is now a beloved take-off spot for drone and model airplane enthusiasts.

Pay your respects at the war memorial in City Park, just minutes from Hillside.
Pay your respects at the war memorial in City Park, just minutes from Hillside.
Residents in Reading head to City Park for relaxing midday walks along well-maintained trails.
Residents in Reading head to City Park for relaxing midday walks along well-maintained trails.
1/2

The best Mexican sweet bread in all of Reading

Hillside is full of small businesses and quick bites. La Fidelita Mexican Bakery is a small but beloved bakery area regarded by locals as serving the best Mexican sweet bread in all of Reading. The shop has a variety of sweet and savory pastries, such as bolillos and panes rellenos, conchas, pastillas and churros. Residents also like to stop by Nino & Sons for a warm slice of freshly made pizza and other classic Italian specials. When shopping for groceries, locals head to Emily Mini Market or travel a mile down the road to CTown Supermarkets. The store puts out weekly ads for its merchandise, and around the holidays, the store even has sweepstakes where customers can win up to $1,000.

Enjoy a variety of specialty pizzas from Nino and Sons in Hillside.
Enjoy a variety of specialty pizzas from Nino and Sons in Hillside.
Delicious pastries, donuts and churros are a delight in Hillside at La Fidelita Mexican Bakery.
Delicious pastries, donuts and churros are a delight in Hillside at La Fidelita Mexican Bakery.
1/2
The Barta Bus in Reading runs routes to Hillside consistently.
The Barta Bus in Reading runs routes to Hillside consistently.

BARTA public transportation

Berks Area Reading Transportation Authority, also known as BARTA, provides Hillside with public transportation. There are plenty of bus stops around the neighborhood, but residents can also travel 1 1/2 miles to downtown Reading to catch their bus at the BARTA Transportation Center. Locals can also make transfers between bus routes from the station. Even with the bus system, most locals travel by car and work outside the city. Residents are roughly 60 miles from Philadelphia and can arrive there by car in an hour via U.S. Route 422 and Interstate 76. For more extensive travel, Lehigh Valley International Airport is the nearest airport to the area at around 40 miles away.

Isabel Butler
Written By
Isabel Butler

Agents Specializing in this Area

See All Agents

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 Jerry Buffa, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Lehigh Valley International

61 min drive

Bus

13th & Elm St. Farside Nb

Bus

11th St. & Elm St. Farside-Nb

Bus

12th & Elm St. Nearside Sb

Bus

Walnut & 13th St. Farside Nb

Bus

12th & Buttonwood St. Farside Sb

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Hillside US
Homicide 8 4
Sexual Assault 6 4
Assault with Weapon 8 4
Robbery 8 4
Burglary 6 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 6 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 6 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$135,000
Median Single Family Price
$135,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$172,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$118
Number of Homes for Sale
3
Last 12 months Home Sales
24
Months of Supply
1.50
Median List Price
$135,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-4%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
480
Median Year Built
1902
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,260
Significantly below the national average
1,936
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,229
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,077
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
1,306

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 Jerry Buffa, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
1,780
Median Age
32
Population Density
39 ppl/acre
Population under 18
32.2%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
11.1%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$51,875
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$68,133

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
75.8%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
11.9%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
6.7%
% Population in Labor Force
70.9%

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®

31 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

74 / 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

Are you familiar with the Hillside neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
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
Hillside