Getting its start back in 1906 with the Berkshire Knitting Mills. West Reading sits across the Schuylkill River from its bigger sibling of Reading, the fourth-largest city in Pennsylvania. Over the course of the 20th century, the textile manufacturer grew into one of the largest producers of its kind, eventually giving birth to the outlet mall industry when its factory store evolved into the VF Outlet Village. Although the mills and the outlet mall are both now long gone, West Reading’s reputation as a retail hot spot remains. Shops and restaurants line Penn Avenue, a heavily trafficked thoroughfare that’s home to dozens of trendy local businesses. “Everybody within a 10-mile radius comes to West Reading when they want a night out,” says Kristin Lightcap, a Realtor with Pagoda Realty. “It's also a great place to live because it’s walkable, so you don’t have to worry about the parking. The school district is pretty desirable, too, so it appeals to both the young professional crowd and to families.”
Reading Hospital, located in the borough, is the second-largest employer in the greater Reading area. It’s managed by Tower Health, which is also headquartered in West Reading and operates both the Reading Hospital School of Health Science and Drexel University College of Medicine’s West Reading campus. Manufacturing is another leading industry in Berks County, notably including the candymaker R.M. Palmer Co. Some professionals living in West Reading commute to Philadelphia, Harrisburg and other surrounding cities.
The Knitting Mills in West Reading are rebuilt into multi-purpose buildings for businesses.
At West Reading Fall Fest, Barley Mow restaurant sees more customers enjoying the outdoors.
West Reading is a growing city that boasts a thriving nightlife on Pennsylvania Avenue.
The top employer in West Reading is Reading Hospital which is part of the Tower Health group.
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Townhouses in a competitive, fast-moving market
Early-1900s row homes and twin homes are the most common housing styles in West Reading. Brick facades, Tudor Revival elements and Victorian turrets or bay windows are all popular features. Lots tend to be small, with tiny lawns framed by sidewalks and trees, and only some houses have off-street parking. While most homes are attached or semi-attached, the rare single-family home can be found on the cusp of the borough with a luxury price tag attached.
“Inventory tends to be low in West Reading. People typically buy and hold, and prices have been going up,” says Krista Templin, a Realtor with eXp who lives close by. However, West Reading’s home prices are still within a competitive range — the median home price in the borough is roughly $235,000, while the median price in the state of Pennsylvania is around $312,000. Homes in West Reading sell after an average of 8 days on the market, significantly faster than the national average of 44.
The Row Homes of West Reading frequently include front porches to enjoy the neighborhood.
Luxury homes are nestled on the outskirts of the city of West Reading nearby Wyomissing.
A West Reading resident enjoying a nice spring day!
Large colonial estates have 3 stories of living space for large families in West Reading.
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Nightlife, dining and annual festivals on Penn Avenue
If it weren’t for all the bistro tables and hanging signage, Penn Avenue might look like any other residential street, lined by duplexes and row homes, many of which have an early-20th-century touch. Within these former residences, however, is a vibrant array of local businesses, ranging from hip retailers to cafes and microbreweries. “Penn Avenue is where everyone goes for lunch, dinner and drinks,” Lightcap says. “You can be with a group of people who all like different things and find something for all of them. There are breweries, wine bars and cocktail lounges — it has that nightlife, but also all the small businesses and boutiques. There’s a reason to go at just about any time of day.”
Reading has been nicknamed “the pretzel capital of the world” due to its concentration of snack pretzel bakeries, so it’s no surprise that West Reading hosts an annual Craft Pretzel & Beer Fest in April. The borough also showcases its creative side with June's Art on the Avenue, featuring multiple stages with live musicians and local vendors. Other popular events include Fall Fest, which shuts down four blocks of Penn Avenue for a seasonal celebration, and the West Reading Farmers Market, hosted on Sundays year-round.
Nightlife in West Reading is bustling with new residents and restaurants on Penn Avenue.
West Reading Fall Fest features local bands and spectators enjoy the atmosphere they create.
The West Reading Motor Company provides gourmet dishes and a fancy atmosphere.
The Barley Mow in West Reading has an eclectic menu and a nice patio to enjoy the weather.
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Top-rated Wyomissing Area School District
The Wyomissing Area School District serves over 1,800 students and scores an overall A grade from Niche, making it the highest-rated school district in Berks County. West Reading Elementary Center is located squarely in the heart of the borough and is ranked as the top elementary school in the county by Niche. The community’s combined middle-high school, Wyomissing Area Junior-Senior High, is known for its academics and was once attended by Taylor Swift, who grew up in West Reading.
Taylor Swift has a mural at the First Energy Stadium as she began her legacy in West Reading.
Wyomissing Junior Senior High features a loop for easy drop-off and pick-up times.
West Reading Elementary Center has received an overall A rating from Niche.
Berks Catholic School in Southwest Reading received an A- from Niche.
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Walkable and well-connected, with future plans for Amtrak
West Reading is considered highly walkable, though plenty of residents also get around by car. Penn Avenue connects to U.S. Route 422 and U.S. Route 222. Downtown Reading is about a mile east, directly across the Schuylkill River, while other cities such as Philadelphia, Allentown and Harrisburg are within a 65-mile radius. Less than 5 miles north, Reading Regional Airport is home to the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum and hosts an annual WWII Weekend Air Show. However, the nearest commercial flights depart from Lehigh Valley International Airport in Allentown, 45 miles away.
Despite being named after the now-defunct Reading Railroad, the region no longer has a passenger rail line — but that may soon change. “There are talks of getting Amtrak back into Reading, which would be a huge deal for the people here who commute to Philly,” says Matt Wolf, an area native and Realtor with Re/Max of Reading. A proposed Amtrak route, the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail, is currently in its first phase of development and is expected to begin service from Reading to Philadelphia in 2029.
Parks and a museum along Wyomissing Creek
Away from West Reading’s bustling retail corridor, recreation space lies surrounded by homes along Parkside Drive. Tucked in the shallow curve of Wyomissing Creek is a playground, a seasonally open public pool and recently added pickleball courts. “The city converted the old tennis courts into a set of 10 pickleball courts, which has been hugely successful,” Wolf says. “Every time I drive by, they’re always packed.”
The Reading Public Museum is directly across Museum Road and showcases a variety of exhibits and its own planetarium. “We currently have a dinosaur exhibit for the kids and a modern art exhibit that’s geared more toward adults, so we try and keep a good mix like that. Personally, my favorite is the Egyptian mummy,” says Kevin Montalvo, the museum’s marketing and digital design director. “People even come here just to walk around the arboretum with their dogs.” The landscaped walking paths in front of the museum lead to the start of the Wyomissing Park System, a popular spot for morning jogs along the Wyomissing Creek Trail. To the east, the Schuylkill River Trail hugs the riverbanks for roughly 20 miles from Reading to Pottstown, with planned extensions to fully connect the trail to Philadelphia. Kerper’s Landing at Riverfront Park is about a mile from West Reading and is a secluded spot to launch a boat, fish or swim.
Enjoy a walk along the Wyomissing Creek on a sunny day in West Reading.
West Reading Park is home to many pickleball courts and their own pickleball league!
West Reading is surrounded by walking trails so getting outside is a breeze.
The Reading Public Museum complex includes a Planetarium.
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A decrease in property crime and minor flooding concerns
According to the Pennsylvania Uniform Crime Reporting System, in the five-year span since 2018, violent crime rose by 17% in West Reading, while property crime fell by 41%.
West Reading experiences four seasons, with warm summers, cold winters and multiple inches of snow annually. Flooding can be a concern near the Schuylkill River and Wyomissing Creek, but luckily, most homes are farther inland or protected by an uphill slope.
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.
