living in Reading (Boston, Cambridge, Somerville: houses, neighborhoods, YMCA)

[drds14]

I am relocating to Reading area next year. Any comments on how the area is in terms of safety, schooling? is it commutable to cambridge/boston? How are the neighborhoods?

[gf2020]

Reading is an excellent community with a convenient mix of transportation, retail and other services. I'm curious, however, how have you already selected Reading if you are looking for this information? What other communities in the north of Boston area have you also considered?

[drds14]

Thanks. I have sorted winchester, lexington, needham, etc. but Reading out of these had reasonable price range. All data on internet shows good, but wanted to hear it from someone. Any bad neighborhood in Reading to avoid?

[Cold Up North]

I have lived here for 10 years. Although we are moving away soon to be closer to family. It is a great place to raise kids. All the schools are good. You have all the modern conveniences and are close to all major routes. If you can afford it and don't mind and older home, I would live on the "west side"(that is where we live), as you can walk to 2 elementary schools & the middle school also downtown and the train. You can also jump right on rt 128 and 93 with in a mile. All the houses are different, decent size yards and plenty of kids. The downtown is consistently improving with restaurants and cute shops too. Another good area is Birch meadow. There you can walk to the elementary, the other middle school and the HS. The ymca is also over there and is a central part of the community. I have several friends who were lulled to north reading, andover and north andover by bigger, new culdesac homes and deeply regret it. Although they have nicer homes, and andover and north andover are pretty, they hate being so far away from everything. They say their husbands are getting the life sucked out of them from the commute. Every time they want to enjoy boston its just a little bit too far (since its 15 minutes at least to get on highways.). I know at least 6 people trying to sell their homes up there to get down closer to the city.There really aren't any bad areas. Behind main street (east side of rt 28) is a little less desirable, maybe starter homes/lower income, but by no means a "bad" area. All and all a really nice town, with a nice mix of people. If i get a chance to move back to massachusetts, I would def come back here! Please feel free to PM me if you have any other questions. Best of luck in your search!

[drds14]

Cold up North, thats very very useful information. Thanks once again. I really appreciate it.

[drds14]

is the commute from reading to cambridge too bad?

[drds14]

Having second thoughts about North Reading over Reading. I am only worried about the commute to cambridge/boston. Which is better?

[Cold Up North]

Reading is much more convenient to highways. It is actually much more convenient to everything. There is no downtown area in North Reading. There is no train service. The schools are not rated as high as Readings schools. Anyone I know from North Reading sends their kids to private. But I guess that's all a matter of preference and what you are used to.
If you prefer more of a country feel (less sidewalks, no retail, houses more spreadout) then you will prefer North Reading over Reading. You will get more house for your money in North Reading for sure, but only you can decide if it's worth the trade off of being in a more convenient location. North Reading has many nice areas. Drive around both towns so you can decide what you like! And be sure to visit the schools as well.

[drds14]

Gotcha, thanks

[Beantown_mama]

The commute from Reading to Cambridge is pretty nightmarish, since 93 is pretty nightmarish. I have a friend who takes the back streets through Stoneham, Melrose, Malden, and Somerville just to avoid the commute. Either way it takes over an hour. If you work off hours, it may be a bit better (when 93 isn't so jammed up).