$162,315Average Value$116Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Reading city life with park access
Penn’s Common is a bustling community near the heart of Reading, Pennsylvania. “If you like inner city walkability, you’re in the right area — it’s probably the busiest part of the city,” says Jerry Buffa, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty who has lived in Reading since 1996. “Reading used to be a great place. It’s slowly trying to rebuild, but it’s not quite where it should be.” The neighborhood's streets flank Reading’s City Park, a hillside green space that was established by the grandsons of Pennsylvania founder William Penn in the 18th century. In the years since then, the space has housed everything from fairgrounds to a prison. Today, the nearly 50-acre park once again serves its purpose as an outdoor recreation facility.
City Park sits at the edge of Penn's Common, with an extensive mix of amenities.
City Park offers many beautiful and quiet places to reflect.
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Early 1900s row homes in varied styles
The residential streets of Penn’s Common are packed tightly with early-1900s row homes that stand two and three stories high. “It has some great architecture and spacious row houses,” Buffa says. The facades vary widely, from red brick and stone siding to brownstone styles with Victorian-era bay windows and covered porches. There are a few detached homes as well, but row houses are most common. Prices start around $140,000 and may top out at $365,000. Most homes directly front the city sidewalks, and yards are rare. The CAP Index crime score for Penn's Common is 8 out of 10, which is double the national average of 4. Local organizations like the Community Prevention Partnership on the north side of town offer a variety of prevention services to help mitigate future risks.
In Penn's Common row houses are located directly on the sidewalk with no front yards.
Larger row houses in Penn's Common can include five bedrooms.
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Accessible playground at City Park and the nearby GoggleWorks
The neighborhood’s biggest draw is its grassy centerpiece. In 2022, the city launched a $1 million renovation, expanding the park and adding walking trails, sports courts and an accessible playground with a splash zone. Sports leagues can play into the evening here, thanks to ample lighting. Locals can watch the Reading Royals hockey team play at the Santander Arena, just a few blocks west, or catch musicals at the nearby Genesius Theatre. Another nearby attraction, Buffa says, is the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, about 1 mile west of the community. This former safety glasses factory now hosts holiday art markets, glassblowing studios and lessons for the community. A few blocks south of the community is the southeast branch of the Reading Public Library, which hosts weekly crochet classes and chess meetups. The iconic Reading Pagoda rests on top of Mount Penn, overlooking Penn’s Common and the rest of the city. Each summer, amateur drivers compete in the Pagoda Hillclimb, a race up the winding roads to the pagoda.
Kids of all ages love the playground at City Park.
City Park includes historic statues and serene walking trails.
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High school at the Castle on the Hill
Penn’s Common is zoned for the Reading School District, which carries an overall D-plus rating on Niche. The neighborhood is split into two zones for elementary and middle school. Some students attend 10th and Penn Elementary School, while others attend 16th and Haak Elementary School — both score D-plus on Niche. Southern Middle School and Central Middle School both earn D ratings. The C-minus-rated Reading Senior High is a prominent city landmark known locally as “The Castle on the Hill” for its towering early 20th-century building. There are also several private schools in the city. Fairview Christian School is less than 1 mile south of Penn’s Common, and it serves students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Niche notes that 100% of Fairview graduates go on to four-year colleges.
Reading Senior High School in Northeast Reading is fondly nicknamed 'The Castle on the Hill'.
Tenth and Penn Elementary School serves 345 students in grades PK-4.
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A world-class hospital and plans to improve Reading’s transportation
Reading residents live roughly 65 miles from both Philadelphia and Harrisburg. U.S. Route 222 Business passes along the southern edge of the neighborhood, linking commuters with U.S. Route 422 toward Philadelphia. The Berks Area Regional Transportation Authority, or BARTA, buses serve the community for car-free trips around town. While Reading was once a railroad hub, Amtrak now only provides a bus connection to and from Philadelphia. The Schuykill River Passenger Rail Authority has a proposal in the works to reinstate rail service to Reading. The Reading Regional Airport currently only offers flight lessons and a runway for private planes, but there are plans to add commercial flights to Orlando. Reading Hospital is less than 3 miles west, and Newsweek named it one of the World’s Best Hospitals in 2024.
BARTA buses serve residents throughout Penn's Common.
Plentiful BARTA bus stops make Penn's Common an easy place to get around.
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Mom-and-pop shops and corner markets
Sidewalks lead from the row houses to the many eateries lining the neighborhood’s namesake street. Franklyn's Breakfast Burgers & Shakes is a family-run diner, and Florino’s Pizza & Bar specializes in cheesesteaks. Residents can fill their prescriptions at Penn Pharmacy. There are several pubs within a 1-mile radius as well, including Saucony Creek, located in the old Reading train station, and The Ugly Oyster Drafthaus, where diners can have fish and chips with their expertly poured Guinness. While West Reading has several grocery chains, such as Giant and Redner's Warehouse Markets, “there are mostly mom-and-pop shops in Penn’s Common,” Buffa says. “If you’re in the city, you go to bodegas.” Neighborhood markets like Santa Rita Grocery and Karen Food Market dot many street corners on this side of town.
Penn's Common includes a plethora of corner markets for convenient shopping.
Local businesses comprise the majority of retail offerings in Penn's Common.
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
Keave Slomine,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Centre Park
Pendora Park
Picnic Area
Playground
Waterpark
Egelman Park
City Park
Baseball/Softball
Picnic Area
Playground
16th & Haak Playground
Riverfront Park
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Skateboard
Reading Skatepark
Heritage Park
Transit
Airport
Lehigh Valley International
60 min drive
Bus
11th St. & Penn St. Farside-Nb
Bus
11th & Washington St. Farside Nb
Bus
11th St. & Walnut St. Farside-Nb
Bus
Perkiomen Ave. & Franklin St Nearside Wb
Bus
Perkiomen Ave. & Chestnut St.Nearside Eb
Bus
Walnut & 12th St. Farside Eb
Bus
Perkiomen Ave. & Franklin St.Nearside Eb
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Penn's Common
US
Homicide
9
4
Sexual Assault
8
4
Assault with Weapon
9
4
Robbery
9
4
Burglary
8
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
7
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
8
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Penn's Common Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Penn's Common, Reading sell after 29 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Penn's Common, Reading over the last 12 months is $184,950, up 23% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Beautiful and versatile 2-unit property in the heart of Reading—perfect for investors or owner-occupants! Unit #1 offers 3 spacious bedrooms, 1 full bath, a bright kitchen, and a cozy living room—plenty of space to feel right at home. Unit #2 features 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, a well-appointed kitchen, and a comfortable living area. Each unit has separate electric and heat—keeping costs and management
Charming Fully Rehabbed 4-Bedroom Gem Near Downtown Reading – Priced to Sell!Welcome to 1030 A Elm St., a beautifully renovated stone-front townhome that blends its original characteristics with today's time.. This fully rehabbed home boasts four spacious private bedrooms, offering ample space for families, guests, or home office needs.Step inside to a bright, inviting living area, highlighted by
Property Id: 1220246Large second floor two bedroom apt. Featuring 2 unique bay windows with exquisite stain glass in living room and master bedroom. Large dining room leading up a few steps to a large living room. Plenty of closet space, neutral paint and hardwood flooring throughout.
Property Id: 1954827Welcome to this charming - Row Home property located in the heart of Reading, PA. This cozy home features laminate and tile flooring, baseboard heating, and a fenced yard perfect for outdoor enjoyment. With a convenient outside smoking area and no pets allowed, this $1700/month rental won't last long. Book your viewing today! First and last month's rent and security
READ PLEASE!Yes, we accept Section 8. You must have a 3 bedroom voucher. You pay electric, gas, and sewer/water. to owner. All are on level pay plan. No surprises. If you are seriously looking for a place, you need to submit an application. Move in is 1st, Last, and security. This is a newly renovated unit so it's gorgeous and clean! I just put in a new gas
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Keave Slomine,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
2,595
Median Age
35
Population Density
23 ppl/acre
Population under 18
29.9%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.3%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$25,329
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$41,933
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
70.2%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
13.6%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5.3%
% Population in Labor Force
55.4%
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®
36/ 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.
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.
