Southeast Community
Neighborhood in Reading, Pennsylvania
Berks County 19602
Turn-of-the-century rowhomes with Italianate detailing
Southeast Community features streets with lines and lines of traditional rowhomes dating back to the early 1900s. Many have front porches covered with awnings, bay windows and a dormer window at the top. Other options are simplistic Italianate options with a flatter façade. People with the front porches individualize this space with different awning designs and materials and furniture. Sidewalks run along both sides of the street. Most houses only offer street parking, but most residential streets are one-way, so people can park on both sides of the road. Some properties do have gravel driveways, but these are uncommon. Southeast Community homes typically list between $75,000 and $150,000, but a large percentage of people living here are renters, making this a great opportunity for investors.Hiking opportunities and scenic overlooks around Reading
At City Park, residents can stroll through the rolling hills and trees along the paved walking path. Veteran’s Grove celebrates local members of the military with monuments. The playground features a musical station where kids can play the chimes and the xylophone and a splash pad in the summer. Antosy says that the five basketball courts are always busy, but people can play in the evenings thanks to ample lighting. Reading Iron Playground offers another space for kids to play alongside basketball courts. Hikers can head up Neversink Mountain along Upper Glen Trail, which leads to Witches Hat. This stone pavilion looks a bit like a Halloween witch hat and overlooks the city’s skyline.Students can learn trades at the Castle on the Hill
Amanda E. Stout Elementary School sits at the center of Southeast Community, serving grades kindergarten through fourth grade and receiving a D-plus from Niche. For fifth through eighth grade, students attend Southern Middle School, which Niche grants a D. Dubbed The Castle on the Hill by locals, Reading Senior High School offers trade education for careers like construction, health sciences and IT through Reading-Muhlenberg Career and Technology Center (RMCTC). Niche awards the high school a C-minus ranking.Reading hockey games and samll-town festivals
Every June, West Reading hosts Art on the Avenue, an art and music festival along Penn Avenue. Penn Street Market is the community’s local open-air farmers market that takes place every Thursday from June through September. Here, residents can shop locally sourced fresh produce, baked foods and meat products while enjoying live music and food trucks. Out of the city of Kutztown, the Kutztown Folk Festival has been featured in USA Today and National Geographic for its nine-day summer celebration of Pennsylvania Dutch culture. It also features the largest quilt sale featuring traditional quilts made by local artisans. In the winter, the Reading Royals, the city’s hockey team, play at Santander Area in downtown Reading.Walkable amenities and restaurants along Penn Street
Southeast Community lacks public transportation throughout the neighborhood, but with the local grocery marts and bodegas on the corners of residential streets, residents can walk to these amenities. When driving, Penn Street connects to downtown Reading and its restaurants, as well as the Benjamin Franklin Highway. Reading doesn’t have its own airport, so residents will have to travel beyond the city when flying within the U.S. and beyond. All airports are about an hour away, with Lehigh Valley International Airport 43 miles away and Philadelphia International Airport 72 miles away. Reading Hospital is just 2.6 miles from Southeast Community via Penn Street.Reading's historic pubs and Amish markets
Because Southwest Community is so close to downtown Reading, residents can easily get to some of Reading’s best restaurants. Ugly Oyster Drafthouse boasts being the oldest pub in Berks County, originally established in the 1700s. In the renovated building, people can enjoy standard Irish and pub food like wings and fish and chips. Saucony Creek’s Franklin Street location is housed in an old bus station and preserves much of the original structure. On Sunday mornings, people listen to jazz during brunch. La Niña Fresa is a local ice cream shop with a neon sign inside setting the fun atmosphere. When shopping for groceries, people can head to Berkshire Square, about 5 miles away, for Walmart. Pennsylvania Dutch Farmer’s Market of Wyomissing features authentic and fresh Amish goods, just 4.3 miles from Southeast Community. “There are some corner stores within walking distance,” says Realtor Joan Antosy with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Homesale Realt, highlighting options like Santa Rita Grocery and Tung Chengo Grocery.Important to know about living in Reading
Southeast Community has a CAP Index Crime Score of 7 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4. The overall crime score is driven by higher-than-average scores for violent crime. Organizations like Berks Community Action Program and Olivet Boys and Girls Club are working to promote safety and support people throughout Berks County. Penn State Berks also received a grant $1.62 million grant in 2023 from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for a new program focusing on supporting the county’s youth and preventing violence in the community.
Written By
Caroline Ernst
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Andy Perez
Andy Perez
Realty Mark Cityscape
(267) 609-8991
49 Total Sales
1 in Southeast Community
$115,000 Price
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Jennifer Layton
Jennifer Layton
Iron Valley Real Estate of Central PA
(717) 640-3479
33 Total Sales
1 in Southeast Community
$76,500 Price
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Branden Spece
Branden Spece
Responds QuicklyUnited Real Estate Strive 212
(484) 878-3685
68 Total Sales
4 in Southeast Community
$40K - $109K Price Range
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The Sands Team
The Sands Team
Responds QuicklySands & Company Real Estate
(484) 755-3964
178 Total Sales
1 in Southeast Community
$70,000 Price
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Taj Simmons
Taj Simmons
Responds QuicklyEXP Realty, LLC
(484) 755-3889
150 Total Sales
2 in Southeast Community
$96K - $134K Price Range
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Dino D'Orazio
Dino D'Orazio
Responds QuicklyKeller Williams Real Estate-Blue Bell
(484) 922-8473
167 Total Sales
5 in Southeast Community
$54K - $83K Price Range
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
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 5th to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 4th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Pendora Park
- Picnic Area
- Playground
- Waterpark
City Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Picnic Area
- Playground
16th & Haak Playground
Riverfront Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Skateboard
Schlegel Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Pool
E.J. Dives Field
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Playground
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Southeast Community | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 9 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 7 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 9 | 4 |
| Robbery | 9 | 4 |
| Burglary | 6 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 6 | 4 |
| Larceny | 5 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 7 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Southeast Community Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Southeast Community, Reading sell after 26 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Southeast Community, Reading over the last 12 months is $127,450, up 21% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$135,000
Median Sale Price
$127,450
Median Single Family Sale Price
$135,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$94,250
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
36
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
21%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$109
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,200
Number of Homes for Sale
7
Median Year Built
1900
Months of Supply
2.30
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,244
Significantly below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,107
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
1,306
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
5,191
Median Age
32
Population Density
54 ppl/acre
Population under 18
32.4%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
11.8%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$32,820
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$44,049
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
70.6%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
11.5%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
2.6%
% Population in Labor Force
58.5%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
18''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
58
/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
79
/ 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
18th and Cotton
Brownstone-filled urban neighborhood south of Mount Penn near the Reading Pagoda
Reading City Center
Cost friendly rowhouses and a slower pace in urban Reading
District 8
Quiet urban neighborhood right outside downtown Reading with historic row houses
Hillside
Row house residences right next to City Park, Reading’s central green space
Downtown Reading
20th-century rowhouses within walking distance of shops, dining and attractions
Penn's Common
Parkside community steps from downtown Reading
Reviews
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