Looking to move to Reading area - tired of work, work, work just to pay bills

[Negotiator75]

Originally Posted by NewAgeRedneck

JDUB2002 wrote:

The real solution is alternative forms of energy not cutting back driving, that just isnt going to happen.

We'll have to wait and see! I still say Live close to where you work.



and:

the sooner the world isn't controlled by the oil barrons, the better.

I'm with you 100% on that.

Negotiator75 wrote:

What else would you compare with Seattle to Reading? Which was more crowded and hard to get around in your opinion? What about the types of people - be open, I need to know everything.

It's a hard comparison for me to make because I haven't been to eiother place in many years. I lived in Seattle 27 yrs ago. I loved it when I was there, but I'm sure it has changed, probably for the worse in the sense of alot more traffic, pollution, and higer home prices. I grew up in a small Berks county town about 22 miles from Reading. Reading was the big city when I was a kid. I never liked Reading. I always preferred Allentown which was about the same distance from my hometown. Kutztown was always my favorite Berks county town. It's been almost 20 years since I've been to Reading, so my impressios are sure to be out of date. People wise, theres no comparison. I felt more kinship with the people of Seattle than I did with the people of Reading...but that's just me.

It seems that south east of Reading is the place to be, would you guys agree?

[Movin2Maine]

If you are serious about working in philly, you really need to be as close as possible. The roads have not changed much since you were last here and the population has gone through the roof. Urban spawrl is getting outta control. I think your best bet if you are really "gunho" on coming back to PA is to, look for real estate in chester county. Sure the prices are higher but you will enjoy your life much more than in "berko". I have many friends that have moved from NY and jersey to PA and they regret it, sure they made a boatload of money selling their homes. Now they are unhappy and miserable in PA. Please consider all factors in your decision.

[JDUB2002]

Originally Posted by Negotiator75

What would be the best highways in that case for a fast & easy commute to & from Philly?

Those are the ONLY choices, thats the problem. From Reading you can also choose to take the turnpike instead of 422, but that is still only going to lead to the same point of 76. The only way around it is to take back roads and that would probably take even longer.

It is just a bad problem that drastically needs to be solved or will only get worse. Thats why I would stress to figure out what area you are most likely going to be working in first.

[dcris]

Originally Posted by Negotiator75

How good is the State Police in responding? Also do they maintain a visible presence?

Obviously not what a town's dep't would be. I had one experience where I called and the response time was a little longer than I was happy with, but we'd all like for them to get here right away. Maybe it was not a situation that they consider as urgent as I did. I'd hope that I don't have any incidents to compare that with either.

[mrh5103]

Definitely consider the Wyomissing, Sinking Spring, West Lawn areas. Wilson and Wyomissing are the best school districts in the area. These are very safe and family-oriented areas. Living there is extremely convenient; there is plenty of shopping and activities for children. It's growing rapidly. I can say from experience in living in nice suburbs of Philly, DC, and Chicago, that these suburbs are wonderful places to raise children.

[Negotiator75]

Originally Posted by mrh5103

Definitely consider the Wyomissing, Sinking Spring, West Lawn areas. Wilson and Wyomissing are the best school districts in the area. These are very safe and family-oriented areas. Living there is extremely convenient; there is plenty of shopping and activities for children. It's growing rapidly. I can say from experience in living in nice suburbs of Philly, DC, and Chicago, that these suburbs are wonderful places to raise children.

Thank you for that. So would you compare Wyomissing with Douglassville?

[ChrisatDuke]

Originally Posted by Negotiator75

Thank you for that. So would you compare Wyomissing with Douglassville?

No, two very different towns. Douglassville is very rural but has seen a fair amount of residential and commerical growth over the last 5 years. It is still very rural with lots of farmland. Wyomissing is an established town with mostly older homes and lots of trees. Most of the shopping and chain restaurants in the area(Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Smokey Bones, Chilis, On the Border, etc.) are located in Wyomissing. Housing prices are also much more expensive in Wyo. Douglassville is about 20 minutes closer to KOP and Philly, if that matters.